Nest Predator Bounty Program Begins April 1
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.


Extended: Proposals Being Accepted for Business Opportunities at Spring Creek
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.


GFP Commission Proposes Change to Age Restrictions for Youth Waterfowl Season
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.

GFP Commission Proposes Modifications to Archery Deer Season, Adds Units in some Municipalities
PIERRE, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks Commission proposed to modify the 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 would align with the start date of archery deer hunting across the state.

GFP Commission Proposes Changes to Elk Application Requirements
PIERRE, S.D. – At their March meeting, the GFP Commission proposed modifications and an addition to the rules surrounding elk application requirements.

GFP Commission Accepts Petition to Extend Youth Pheasant 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.

GFP COMMISSION PROPOSES REMOVAL OF RIVER OTTER FROM STATE’S THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST
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.

COMMISSION MODIFIES RULES RELATED TO CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
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.

GFP COMMISSION PROPOSES ELK SEASONS
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed changes to the number of elk licenses available in the 2020 and 2021 hunting seasons. 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.

COMMISSION RETAINS CURRENT RULES FOR SPRING TURKEY SEASON
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.

COMMISSION REJECTS 500 NONRESIDENT SPECIAL BUCK LICENSES EAST RIVER
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.

GFP COMMISSION CHANGES FLATHEAD CATFISH LENGTH LIMIT RESTRICTION
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.

GFP COMMISSION CHANGES TUNDRA SWAN, DUCK SEASONS, YOUTH WATERFOWL SEASONS
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission finalized changes to three waterfowl hunting seasons at their March meeting.

BIGHORN SHEEP SEASON WILL HAVE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES
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.


GFP Commission Continues Nest Predator Bounty Program for 2020
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission has voted in favor of conducting a nest predator bounty program again in 2020.

GFP Commission Continues Nest Predator Bounty Program for 2020
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission has voted in favor of conducting a nest predator bounty program again in 2020.


GFP March Commission Meeting to be held in Pierre, Begins at 10 A.M.
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission will hold their monthly meeting at the Pierre Ramkota River Center on March 5-6.


Fish Houses Must Be Removed by March 1
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) reminds ice anglers that all fish houses, shelters and other structures must be removed from the ice by midnight on Saturday, Feb. 29. Fish houses, shelters and other structures may be used after this date, but must be removed from the ice on a daily basis.


Register for Pelican Lake’s Becoming an Outdoor Family Event
WATERTOWN, S.D. – Registration for Pelican Lake Recreation Area’s Becoming an Outdoor Family event opens Saturday, Feb. 29, at 7 a.m. CST.


GFP Hopes to Reopen Randall Creek Campground in Time for Memorial Day
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials say the campground at Randall Creek Recreation Area near Pickstown could be for ready for campers as early as mid-May.


Summer Camping Reservations Open Soon in State Parks
This weekend, campers can begin making reservations for summer stays in South Dakota State Parks.


Game, Fish and Parks Accepting Proposals for Spring Creek Restaurant and Convenience Store Concession Operators
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is offering interested entrepreneurs the opportunity to operate two unique businesses, a restaurant and convenience store, within the Spring Creek Recreation Area in central South Dakota.

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in New Areas
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was recently confirmed in the counties of Butte, Corson and Haakon in western South Dakota, from samples provided by hunters. One male white-tail deer from both Butte and Corson counties tested positive, while two male mule deer tested positive from Haakon County.


GFP Commission to Hold Teleconference Meeting on Spring Creek
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission will be holding a special teleconference meeting beginning at 3 P.M. on Thursday, Feb. 6. The purpose of the meeting will be to approve a prospectus for two concessions at the Spring Creek Recreation Area on Lake Oahe.


Noem Appoints Spring to Game, Fish and Parks Commission
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem announced today that she has appointed Chuck Spring of Union Center to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission.


Wildlife Diversity Small Grant Proposals Being Accepted
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Wildlife Diversity Program is accepting proposals for the Wildlife Diversity Small Grants Program.

CRP Enrollment Options
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently taking applications to enroll environmentally sensitive agricultural land into perennial cover for 10 to 15 years through the federally funded Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).