GFP Commission Discusses Creation of Disabled Veterans Deer and Pheasant Hunting Seasons

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission continued discussions on creating an avenue for nonprofit organizations to apply for deer licenses for disabled veterans and purple heart recipients.

The proposal would allow nonprofit organizations to obtain up to 10 any deer licenses that would be valid on private lands only.

The proposal would require the sponsoring nonprofit organization to complete and submit an application to the Department stating the name, address, and phone number of the sponsoring organization; the requested date of the season; the location of the hunt; and the name of any landowner providing private land access for the hunt.

In a separate proposal, the Commission laid out rules that would create a pheasant hunt for disabled veterans. The new rules detail the process for nonprofits to offer pheasant hunts for qualifying veterans, beginning Sept. 1 and running through the end of the regular pheasant hunting season. Individuals can comment on these proposals by visiting gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions. Comments can also be mailed to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501.

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.

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 be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 2.  The next GFP Commission meeting will be held May 6-7 at Custer State Park.