PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission rejected a public petition to amend the boundary to an existing elk hunting unit. The petitioner cited the desire of private property owners to increase or maintain the elk population in Unit H3.

PIERRE, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed to modify the eligibility for participation in the youth waterfowl season to those who have not reached the age of 16 to youth who have not reached the age of 18.

PIERRE, S.D. – At their April meeting, the Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission modified a proposal to extend the youth pheasant season.

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission made changes to the number of elk licenses available for the 2020 hunting season. The changes are based on the results of the Black Hills aerial survey to maximize hunter opportunity and meet population objectives identified in the elk management plan.

PIERRE, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks Commission proposed to modify the deer season start date for Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge and Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge from the fourth Saturday of September to September 1. These changes align with the start date of archery deer hunting across the state.

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed a slight decrease in licenses available for the 2020 and 2021 fall turkey hunting seasons.

PIERRE, S.D. – At their April meeting, the Game, Fish and Parks Commission proposed to remove the $20 administrative fee for lost or destroyed licenses, permits or game tags. However, the license agent’s fee established by SDCL 41-6-66.1 would still be charged by license agents and the department.

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission rejected a public petition to allow Lake Sharpe anglers to harvest only one smallmouth bass over 15 inches as part of the 5-fish daily limit. The petitioner cited declining quality of smallmouth in Lake Sharpe due to angler harvest. 

PIERRE, S.D. – At their April meeting, the commission tabled some agenda items for later review. In following CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19, the commission meeting was held via teleconference. While constituents were able to join the call to provide testimony during the public hearing and open forum, the commission opted to take extra care to ensure adequate opportunities for public input. 

PIERRE, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed to remove the river otter from South Dakota’s list of threatened and endangered species.

PIERRE, S.D.-The 2020 Nest Predator Bounty Program will begin on April 1. However, due to concerns of COVID-19, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) will not be accepting tails for the program until a later date. Participants are asked to freeze all tails until dates and locations are determined for submission. 

PIERRE, S.D. – Entrepreneurs have a little longer to submit a proposal to run the restaurant and convenience store at Spring Creek Recreation Area north of Pierre.

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission voted to allow up to a total of eight bighorn sheep licenses for the 2020 season. Of the eight licenses, one will be an auction license and the revenue specifically used for bighorn sheep management.

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission modified how deer and elk hunting units are classified as a chronic wasting disease (CWD) endemic area. Results from surveillance efforts have detected CWD in eight new counties this past fall.

PIERRE, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks Commission rejected a proposal to establish 500 nonresident, special buck licenses for East River at their March meeting.

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission deadlocked on a proposal allowing the use of rifles to hunt turkeys on private land during the West River spring turkey season.

PIERRE, S.D. – At their March meeting, the Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed to extend the youth pheasant season to include two full weekends. The proposal originated through the public petition process.

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission has established a length limit on flathead catfish. The new rule limits the harvest of flathead catfish 30 inches or longer to one per day on inland waters, as part of the catfish daily limit. The original proposal was made at the November commission meeting and included all waters in the state, including border waters, and originated from the public petition process.

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission finalized changes to three waterfowl hunting seasons at their March meeting.

At their March meeting, the GFP Commission proposed to modify the eligibility from youth who have not reached the age of 16 to youth who have not reached the age of 18.