News
»Hunting seasons start soon
Posted Regional at Oct 13, 2010
By Matt Hill, Wildlife Conservation Officer: Tripp, Todd and Mellette Counties
I figured I would start my article out by sharing something funny that I had read. A visitor to Reptile Gardens asked directions to Mt. Rushmore. After receiving directions they asked a follow up question, “How will I know when I get there.”
If you didn’t get a laugh out of that you had better go get another cup of coffee. I’m sure we have all asked a question like that at some point or another. I will probably have it asked by plenty of pheasant hunters this fall and I’m just going to point North and let them figure it out.
Speaking of pheasants, I’ve had people from near and far ask me how are the numbers looking? They’re actually looking very good, which may be to the surprise of some after the winter and weather conditions that we’ve had so far this year.
The pheasant are doing very well north of Hwy 18 in Tripp Co and in Eastern Mellette Co.
They may be a little down from last year, but overall it shouldn’t be a noticeable difference and prove to be one of the better years on record.
Deer are doing extremely well and the numbers are high as I’m sure many of you already know. I’m asking all hunters to do their best at harvesting at least one doe this season in helping to keep the numbers down.
The GFP has offered two free antlerless tags per farm/ranch this year and in order to receive those you can either apply online or submit the request on the landowner paper application.
In addition to those we have youth and mentor licenses that cost $5 per tag. It’s a good reason to get a youth in the outdoors and introduce them to our hunting tradition.
Also, GFP is allowing hunters to take their antlerless deer according to the respective units on their tags during the rifle antelope season, which runs from Oct. 2-17.
There is also the Sportsmen Against Hunger, which allows you to donate your doe/fawn antelope or antlerless deer to less fortunate.
If you want to do that you can read more about it on our Web site, www.gfp.sd.gov, or in the Hunting Handbook.
Hunting regulations vary from state to state. If I were to explain all our different hunting laws and regulations in the State of South Dakota I would need at least a couple of pages to do them any justice, but that is why the SDGFP puts out a Hunting Handbook every year for sportsmen and women to read.
For any non-residents or residents alike that aren’t familiar with our hunting regulations I encourage you to definitely read through the handbook before you go hunting.
This hunting season should be filled with plenty of opportunities and plenty of success.
Success can be measured in many different ways, whether you feel it’s by filling your bag limit for the day or by simply being able to just get away from work while watching your dog work up birds out of the grass.
For all the hunters out there in the pursuit of your successful season, good luck and be safe.
Contact info: 313 South Main St. Winner, S.D. 57580 or 605-842-0894.