Game, Fish and Parks News for November 2020

GFP Commission Hears Petitions for Changes on Low Plains Duck Zone Dates, Big Game Ammunition and Requirements on Hunting Preserves

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission heard three public petitions at their November meeting.

A petition was submitted by Brad Cameron of Avon regarding changing the season dates for the Low Plains Duck Zone. Cameron asked that the opening dates of the Low Plains Duck Zone (located in the southeastern portion of the state) be two weeks earlier to coincide with Nebraska’s duck season. Cameron stated that hunters in Nebraska get first chance with ducks in that area. Cameron also stated that most ducks have left the area by Christmas, so it would not drastically affect late season hunting opportunities.

The commission denied this petition due to the need for a larger conversation around these aspects of waterfowl hunting.

“Establishing start dates for waterfowl hunting seasons is always challenging in meeting all the desires of all hunters,” said Tom Kirschenmann, Wildlife Director for GFP. “Weather plays a major role in this issue, which none of us can control, but we look forward to having conversations on this with staff and duck hunters. Because the last change to this season date was just implemented in 2018, we would like more data before changing it back again so soon.”

The second petition was submitted by Jeremy Silko of Rapid City. Silko’s petition requested that the commission consider adding non-toxic fluted copper bullets to the currently allowed soft point and expanding bullets for big game hunting. The petition requested the commission reach out to manufacturers of these projectiles and research their performance. Silko stated that these bullets would give hunters more options when looking for non-toxic ammunition.

After good discussion on the opportunity to use a non-toxic bullet, the commission accepted this petition.

“There’s been discussion on this topic in recent years, in particular on ammunition which is non-toxic,” said Kirschenmann. “Accepting this petition will allow the commission to hear public input on the matter and then make a decision about pursuing it further.”

The third petition was submitted by Josh Lieberman of Pierre. Mr. Lieberman is asking the commission to remove the minimum pheasant release requirement that currently pertains to hunting preserves based on the idea that this requirement may inhibit small business.

The commission denied this petition based on the fact the department is having on-going discussions with preserves. In addition, the commission believes the minimum release requirement is necessary to help minimize concerns over wild bird harvest.

“As a department, we would like the opportunity to continue conversations we’ve been having with the shooting preserve industry,” said Kirschenmann. “It’s important that we fully vet this idea and get perspective from many preserves on this topic.”

To hear the discussion on these petitions, audio from the meeting is available through South Dakota Public Broadcasting and will soon be available on the GFP website as part of the meeting archive. To see the petitions in their entirety, visit gfp.sd.gov/commission/information.

The next GFP Commission meeting will be held Dec. 1-2, tentatively at the AmericInn in Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

GFP Commission Proposes Navigation Lane Procedures on Nonmeandered Waters 

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission (GFP) proposed a new rule establishing a procedure for the public to request a navigation lane through a closed nonmeandered body of water when no alternative legal public access is available to the portion of the nonmeandered water that is open for recreational use.

The proposal also explains if a navigation lane is approved by the commission after a 60-day public comment period, individuals using the navigation lane would be required to take the most direct path to the open nonmeandered lake and not recreate in any manner while in the navigation lanes. The proposal also requires GFP to be responsible for marking established navigation lanes.

To hear the discussion on this proposal, audio from the meeting is available through South Dakota Public Broadcasting and will soon be available on the GFP website as part of the meeting archive. To see the proposal in its entirety, visit gfp.sd.gov/commission/information.

Individuals can comment on this proposal by going online to gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions. Comments can also be mailed to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501.

To be included in the public record and to be considered by the commission, comments must include a full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of 72 hours before the public hearing (not including the day of the public hearing).

The next GFP Commission meeting will tentatively held at the Fort Pierre AmericInn on Dec. 1-2.