Hunting Archery Duck Deer

*GFP Finalizes Hunt/Trap Rules
Regulations pertaining to trapping seasons, as well as several hunting seasons, were finalized by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission at their May meeting in Rapid City.
The Commission had no changes to trapping regulations that were in place in 2005, so there was no need for additional action. The trapping season will have the same structure as last year.
In addition, the Commission made proposed rule changes in April to the archery antelope, archery deer, muzzleloader deer, youth deer, and waterfowl hunting seasons. These seasons were all finalized at the May meeting.
Changes of note to these seasons include:
?The archery antelope season now has an option for hunters to purchase either a 1-tag license or a 2-tag license. The 2-tag license is valid for one “any antelope” and one “doe/fawn” antelope.
?The archery deer season in the Black Hills now aligns with the rest of the state and runs from Dec. 31 through Jan. 31.
?Licensed archery deer hunters may apply for a limited number of free permits to hunt the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve. There will be 25 permits for licensed “any deer” permits and another 25 for “antlerless deer” hunting.
?Muzzleloader deer hunters can now purchase an additional license for this season. Previously there was a limit of one license only for this season.
?The youth deer hunting season now runs Sept. 9-17 and Dec. 9 through Jan. 31. Previously this season had closed on Dec. 31.
?Two special Resident Canada Goose units in Bennett County are now combined into one unit for 2006.
The application process for the big game hunting seasons will be open online around the middle of the month. Paper applications for these seasons will not be available until early June. The online application system is accessed from the GFP website at www.sdgfp.info. Paper applications can be picked up at GFP offices, by e-mail request through wildinfo@state.sd.us or by writing Game, Fish and Parks, 523 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre SD 57501.

*State Part Of National Effort
First it captured national headlines, now avian influenza has starred in a network “made-for-television” movie.
The ABC movie, “Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America,” was a fictionalized account of a pandemic flu outbreak that occurs when an avian bird flu virus mutates and becomes easily transmittable from human to human and then spreads rapidly throughout the world.
“While this fictionalized account goes far beyond the problems that the avian flu virus is currently causing, the movie does provide a great opportunity to share what South Dakota is doing as part of a national effort to be vigilant about detection of its presence,” said Doug Hansen, director of the Game, Fish and Parks Division of Wildlife.
Hansen noted that almost every state wildlife agency in the country is taking part in sampling migratory birds for the detection of H5N1, the avian flu virus that is causing concern. “There is an especially intense effort to track migratory birds and test for the presence of H5N1,” Hansen said. “Experts point to Alaska as the most likely port of entry for migratory birds that often cross to nesting grounds in Asia and Europe.”
In its current form, the H5N1 virus does not easily transmit to human beings. There have been reports of illness and approximately 60 deaths, but reports remain isolated to those who have had close and continual contact with domesticated fowl.
There have also been reports in Europe and Asia of wild migratory birds carrying the disease. South Dakota will join other states in sampling migratory birds for the presence of the virus.
“We have been assigned to check for certain species of waterfowl and shorebirds that move through our state,” Hansen said. “We feel we can do this through our normal survey and sampling work that we do with these wild birds.”
Hansen said that GFP staff will be testing approximately 1,000 birds over the course of the summer and fall.

*Chuck Wagon At Fort Sisseton Fest
For the first time ever, a working chuck wagon will make an appearance at the Fort Sisseton Historical Festival. The chuck wagon is one of several new events planned for the festival, which will be held June 2-4 at Fort Sisseton State Park near Lake City.
“The chuck wagon was an essential part of life in the American West, and we’re thrilled to have it at the festival,” said Dave Daberkow, district state park supervisor. “This is a unique opportunity for visitors to get a close-up look at the real thing, something many people have only seen in old movies.”
The authentic, working, cowboy chuck wagon can be found near the blacksmith shop on Saturday and Sunday. The chuck wagon’s owner, Jim Patrick, will be available to explain the many purposes of this symbol of the prairie.
The chuck wagon was as closely associated with the American West as the cowboy or any of the gear he carried. Basically a large box with various size drawers, openings and cubbyholes fastened in the rear of a wagon, it served multiple tasks. It carried people, bedrolls, extra food and animal feed, and allowed “Cookie” to perform his magic wherever the wagon stopped.
The Fort Sisseton Historical Festival features a variety of historic, cultural and military-related events, including musical entertainers, American Indian dancers and military demonstrations. Visitors are also able to explore the late-nineteenth-century fort’s 14 buildings.
New events to the festival include a talent competition and bluegrass concert on Friday night, and period storytellers. In addition, several visitor favorites will return, including Dakota Dan’s Medicine Show, a horse trials competition, melodramas and Lakota music and dance.
Daily admission into the festival is $4 per person, age 12 and older. During the festival weekend, camping is on a first-come, first-served basis and is available for $15 per night. A park entrance license is not required during the festival weekend.
For a full schedule of events and times, visit the SD state parks website at www.SDparks.info, or contact the park office at (605) 448-570. Fort Sisseton Historic State Park is located 10 miles SW of Lake City off SD Hwy 10.

*GFP Proposes West River Deer
The Game, Fish and Parks Commission proposed the West River Prairie Deer hunting season for 2006 at its May meeting.
The proposal calls for a season that will run from November 11-26 in most areas. Gregory and Mellette counties would run from November 4-7 and November 20-26. Dewey, Ziebach and Corson counties would run from November 4-26.
One of the proposed changes from 2005 is adding two Corson County units to the other two units (Dewey and Ziebach counties) where the season opens 1 week earlier than the standard season opener. Other changes from 2005 include:
?An increase of 260 resident tags and 20 nonresident tags.
?The January season extension will run from Jan. 1-9.
?A minor adjustment in the unit boundary for Custer County Unit 21B.
As in 2005 West River Antlerless Deer Licenses will be valid during the Antelope Season. Those season dates will be finalized in July.
To comment on these proposals, people can attend the public hearing at 2 p.m., Thursday June 1, at the MTI Technology Center, 1800 East Spruce in Mitchell, S.D.; or write Game, Fish and Parks, 523 East Capitol, Pierre, S.D. 57501. E-mail comments can be sent to wildinfo@state.sd.us. Comments must include full name and address.

*State Parks Host Family Programs
On Memorial Day weekend, visitors to four South Dakota state parks will have the chance to take part in special family activities. These programs will be held in addition to regular programming hosted by individual parks on Memorial Day weekend.
?”Breakfast with the Birds” Walk in the Park, Farm Island Recreation Area near Pierre. Sat., May 27 at 8 a.m. This hike will take participants approximately one mile on the Nature Exploration trail as they look for birds that have returned for the summer. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather, and are encouraged to bring along binoculars and bird identification books. (605) 773-2885
?Kids Fishing Derby, Lake Poinsett Recreation Area near Bruce. Sat., May 27, at 12 p.m. Young anglers ages 4 to 15 get a chance to try their luck. The derby starts with registration at noon and fishing from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Prizes and treats will follow at 2:15 p.m. Participants are responsible for their own equipment and are limited to one pole each. Bait will be provided. (605) 627-5441
?”Wings of Spring Bird Walk” Walk in the Park, Indian Creek Recreation Area near Mobridge. Sat., May 27, at 6 p.m. Come and learn the different types of birds and what they eat, how they live and what they sound like. (605) 845-7112
?Dutch Oven/Outdoor Cooking Demonstration, Indian Creek Recreation Area near Mobridge. Sun., May 28, at 3 p.m. Bring the taste of home to your campsite and learn the basics of outdoor cooking and Dutch oven cooking, as well as easy campfire starting techniques. We’ll share campfire desserts and campfire stories. (605) 845-7112
?”Tour of Fort Randall” Walk in the Park, Randall Creek Recreation Area near Pickstown. Mon., May 29, at 10 a.m. Learn about the history of Fort Randall as you walk through the remains of the 19th-century fort, which is adjacent to the park. (605) 487-7046
The three Walk in the Park programs are part of a series of educational, guided hikes held throughout the year in South Dakota state parks, recreation areas and nature preserves. Park staff and volunteers lead the programs, which are co-sponsored by the SD Departments of Health and Education.
There is no cost to participate in any of the programs, although a park entrance license is required. For more information on activities in the SD state parks, visit www.SDparks.info, contact the individual park office, or call (605) 773-3391.

*Memorial Day Campsites Open
For campers seeking sites for Memorial Day weekend, opportunities still exist, say Game, Fish and Parks officials. A number of campsites are still available for the weekend in state park campgrounds across South Dakota.
“Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for camping, and campgrounds fill up fast,” said Doug Hofer, state parks director. “However, there is still time to reserve one of the remaining campsites.”
A current site availability listing is available online at www.CampSD.com. Reservations for Memorial Day weekend can be made until 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, through www.CampSD.com or by calling 1-800-710-CAMP (2267). On Thursday, May 25, all sites not reserved become available on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition, a number of campgrounds offer all sites as first-come, first-served.

*Lake Oahe Ramps In Good Shape
According to SD Game, Fish and Parks officials, boaters will find a good number of Lake Oahe boat ramp sites accessible during the Memorial Day weekend. Water levels on Oahe rose during April and are expected to continue to rise throughout May.
According to Doug Hofer, state parks director, boaters can reach every stretch of Lake Oahe in South Dakota from one of the ramps. Hofer also stresses the need for courtesy and common sense at the ramp, especially during the busy holiday weekend. Obeying signage and not parking on turnaround areas will allow for smooth traffic flow and a better experience for all, he says.
The Department of Game, Fish and Parks is working to keep as many Lake Oahe boat ramps as possible open throughout the summer. Temporary closures may occur periodically while these ramps are being cleaned of sediment or otherwise maintained. Construction contracts are in place to extend the ramps if needed.
A daily report on the conditions of Lake Oahe boat ramps is available online at www.SDparks.info by clicking on “Lake Oahe Boat Ramp Report” along the left side. Visitors to the website can also view a map that shows the location of the ramps. Boaters are encouraged to use the website to help find nearby alternatives to closed ramps.