South Dakota Game Fish and Parks
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The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) held their January Commission at the Pierre Ramkota River Center on Jan 9-10. The Commission had several proposals for upcoming seasons. PARKS PROPOSALS Bear Butte Public Use Restriction The Commission proposed to reinstate the rule prohibiting the leaving of human remains at Bear Butte State Park. This rule was originally passed in August 2002 and inadvertently repealed in December 2019 during an administrative rule cleanup process. Public Lands and Waters The Commission proposed to align two rules with the United States Code of Federal Regulations, which was a recommendation made by the US Coast Guard. The first rule clarifies the usage of personal flotation devices be used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label or owner’s manual. The second rule clarifies required fire extinguishers be in serviceable condition and not expired. WILDLIFE PROPOSALS PRAIRIE ELK The Commission proposed the following season dates: |
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The Commission also proposed to expand the West River Prairie Elk unit (PRE-WRA) to include all counties west of the Missouri River not currently in a Prairie Elk or Black Hills Elk hunting unit. A proposal to expand the season dates for prairie elk unit 27A to Sept.1 – Dec. 31 was approved, and to create a landowner-own-land, resident only antlerless elk license for this unit. Specific license numbers will be proposed at the Commission’s March meeting. Bighorn Sheep/Mountain Goat Seasons The proposed 2025 Bighorn Sheep Hunting Season would run Sept. 1 – Dec. 31. The Commission proposed to expand the BHS – BH4 unit to include those portions of Lawrence and Meade Counties west of Interstate 90. Specific license numbers will be proposed at the Commission’s March meeting. The Commission also proposed to keep the Mountain Goat Hunting Season closed for 2025. Special Buck and Special Antelope The Commission proposed the Special Buck and Special Antelope seasons for 2025 and 2026 with season dates of: East River Special Deer
West River Special Deer
Special Antelope
The proposal would include: East River Deer
West River Deer
Special Antelope
Any special deer or special antelope licenses are only valid on private property not leased by GFP for public hunting. Mountain Lion The Commission proposed the 2025 and 2026 mountain lion hunting seasons with the dates of: Black Hills Fire Protection District:
Outside Black Hills Fire Protection District:
The Commission also proposed to allow the initiation of the pursuit of a mountain lion with dogs outside the Black Hills Fire Protection District to occur anywhere, where permitted by the landowner. Duck Hunting Season The Commission proposed the 2025 duck hunting season dates: High Plains Zone
Low Plains North & Low Plains Middle Zone
Low Plains South Zone
Included in this proposal would be to allow the take of 3 pintail ducks in the traditional bag limit and to decrease the “bonus teal season” from 16 to 9 days. Both of these proposals are in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Services suggestions. Goose Hunting Season The Commission proposed the 2025 goose hunting season dates: Canada Geese (and Brant)
Light Geese
White-fronted Geese
The Commission also proposed to repeal the Special Canada Goose season in Unit 3 and move Bennett County into Unit 2. Sandhill Crane Hunting Season The Commission proposed the 2025 sandhill crane hunting season dates: Sept: 27 – Nov. 23. Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season The Commission proposed the 2025 youth waterfowl hunting season dates: Sept. 13-14. Public Comment Opportunity and Upcoming Meeting To hear the discussion on any of the topics on the agenda, 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 these documents in their entirety, visit gfp.sd.gov/commission/information. To be included in the public record and to be considered by the Commission, public comments must include a full name and city of residence and be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT, March 2. The next Regular Commission Meeting will be held March 6-7 at the Ramkota River Center in Pierre. |
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