PIERRE, S.D. – A proposal by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission would decrease the number of licenses available for the 2017 spring turkey hunting season.

The proposal offers 52 fewer resident one-tag male turkey licenses and 600 fewer resident two-tag male turkey licenses for prairie units.  Nonresidents would see six more one-tag male turkey and 42 fewer two-tag male turkey licenses for the same unit.

The Commission also proposed to make adjustments to the Black Hills and Unit 49A (Meade County) unit boundaries and offer 10 more archery turkey access permits for the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve.

The Commission made no proposed changes for the Custer State Park spring turkey hunting season.  By rule, this season will follow its current structure with 100 resident one-tag male turkey licenses available with the season beginning April 8 and ending May 21, 2017.

The proposed dates for all other spring turkey hunting seasons would be:
Archery                                                                   April 1 – May 21, 2017
Black Hills Regular and Single-Season Prairie Units           April 8 – May 21, 2017
Split-Season Early Prairie Units                                    April 8 – April 30, 2017
Split-Season Late Prairie Units; Black Hills Late Season    May 1 – May 21, 2017

The Commission will finalize this proposal Nov. 3-4, 2016, at the Brandon Holiday Inn Express. Written comments can be sent to wildinfo@state.sd.us. To be part of the public record, comments must be received by 12 p.m. on Nov. 3. Please include a full name along with the city and state of residence. To comment in person, the public hearing will be held Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. CDT at the Holiday Inn Express in Brandon.

-GFP-

GFP Mission: The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks provides sustainable outdoor recreational opportunities through responsible management of our state’s parks, fisheries and wildlife by fostering partnerships, cultivating stewardship and safely connecting people with the outdoors.