Agency

News

The press releases provide real time information to statewide and regional media and our customers with current news and events happening within the department.

If you are a member of the media and need additional information on any of the below articles or other topics related to our department, please email Chris.Hull@state.sd.us.

Subscribe to a mailing list(s) to receive a variety of updates direct to your email inbox from press releases, regulation changes, application updates, events and programming information and much more.

Archived Years
2017 2018 2019
Oct
16 Oct | Wednesday

S.D. State Parks to Host Halloween Events

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is celebrating Halloween with special events at state parks.
9 Oct | Wednesday

Changes to the Mountain Lion Hunting Season; Expansion of Custer State Park Coyote Hunting

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission made several changes to the mountain lion hunting season.

GFP Commission Adjusts Aquatic Invasive Species and Containment Waters Lists, Fish Importation Rules

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – With the discovery of zebra mussels in Lake Sharpe and the high probability of the mussels being present in Lake Francis Case, the Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission added those reservoirs to the list of designated containment waters for aquatic invasive species (AIS) management.

GFP Commission Creates Deer and Elk Carcass Transportation and Disposal Rules to Combat the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission has created regulations for the transportation and disposal of deer and elk carcasses from other states and from hunting units within South Dakota's confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) areas. The new regulations will not go into effect until the 2020 hunting seasons. 

GFP Commission Denies Proposal to Allow for Expanded Use of Telescopic Muzzleloader Optics

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission voted to leave current regulations in place regarding telescopics on muzzleloaders, which do not allow scopes that use magnification; 1X scopes remain legal.

GFP Commission Increases Park and Camping Fees

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission moved forward with a proposal to increase state park entrance fees for the first time since 2014. The Commission also took action to raise select camping fees, many of which had also been unchanged for several years.

GFP Commission Rejects Lake Aeration Rule

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission discussed a proposed new rule to establish the department as the designated agent of the commission for the permitting of aeration systems in meandered waters or other waters to which the state has acquired a right, title or interest.

GFP Commission Rejects Modifications to the Hoop Net, Trap and Setline Regulations

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission discussed several changes to the state’s hoop net, trap and setline regulations.

GFP Commission Rejects Modifications to Trapping Regulations

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission denied proposals to modify the period in which a trapper must check their set traps and snares. In response to a public petition and discussion of an alternative approach between the GFP Commission and Department, two alternate proposals were considered.

No Change to Using Horses While Dog Training on Public Lands

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission rejected a proposal to adjust the days when dog training on horseback can occur on public lands.
1 Oct | Tuesday

Big Sioux Open to Recreation; Lake Herman State Park Opens

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials announced that the recreational boating closure on the Big Sioux River in Minnehaha, Moody, Lincoln and Union counties has been lifted. This includes Skunk and Split Rock Creeks.

State Park Entrance Licenses Available for 2020

PIERRE, S.D. – The 2020 annual park entrance license for South Dakota's state parks and recreation areas is available for purchase.
Sep
30 Sep | Monday

GFP Commission Meeting In Chamberlain Oct. 3-4

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission will hold their monthly meeting at the AmericInn, Oct. 3-4

Thousands Attend Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup

CUSTER, S.D. - Over 19,440 visitors attended the 54th Annual Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park on Friday morning, watching as 60 horseback riders wrangled the herd of 1,400 bison into the corrals for their annual health check.
26 Sep | Thursday

Big Sioux Recreation Area Reopens

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Department announced that the Big Sioux Recreation Area has reopened
19 Sep | Thursday

GFP News| Review of GFP Program Seeks Public Input

In May, Governor Noem announced that the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) would conduct an external review of South Dakota’s Wildlife Damage Management and Animal Damage Control programs.

Lake Thompson, Walker's Point Rec Areas Open

PIERRE, S.D. – Two state park recreation areas have reopened after difficulty with flooding
18 Sep | Wednesday

GFP Commission Considers Increase to Park and Camping Fees

With the state park system facing $8 million in flood damages, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission is considering increases to state park entrance and camping fees.

GFP News: GFP Names Brad Janecke 2019 Wildlife Damage Specialist of the Year

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) has named Brad Janecke as its 2019 Wildlife Damage Specialist of the Year. Janecke is stationed in Fort Pierre and serves producers in Stanley, Jones, and Western Lyman Counties. He has been with GFP since February of 2018 and is originally from Ridott, Illinois. 

GFP News| Portions of Three Waterways Close, Lake Vermillion Opens, No Wake on Portion of Missouri River

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem has closed portions of three waterways in southeast South Dakota to recreational use because of flooding. The governor’s executive order comes as Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials have also closed several state park areas. Recent rainfall has caused local flooding, causing problems with roads, boat docks and sanitation systems, in addition to creating unsafe water conditions in some areas.