Hunting Archery Duck Deer

SD State Parks Host Activitie A variety of events will take place in the South Dakota state parks as part of the Game, Fish and Parks Military Appreciation Weekend on July 8-10. Parks across the state will host hikes, picnics and more during the weekend, which serves to thank both past and current military personnel and their families for their sacrifices.

During the weekend, military personnel and their immediate families will receive free park entrance at all state parks and free fishing on all South Dakota waters.

Planned activities include a flag ceremony to start the weekend at participating parks at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 9. Both days, a picnic shelter or separate area at each park will be designated as a gathering point for military personnel and families. In addition, 29 state parks across South Dakota will be hosting special events and programs, including guided hikes, demonstrations, picnic lunches, non-denominational church services, games, and other family activities. A full list of planned events for each park can be found on the state parks website, www.sdgfp.info/Parks.

Campsites are currently available for the weekend in a number of parks. Reservations can be made by calling (800) 710-2267 or by going online to www.CampSD. com. Camping fees are separate from entrance fees and must be paid when the reservation is made.

For more information on the GFP Military Appreciation Weekend, visit www.sdgfp.info. To learn more about activities occurring in the state parks, contact your local park or call the Division of Parks and Recreation office at (605) 773-3391.

For information on the free fishing requirements, contact the Wildlife Division at (605) 773-2744.

*GFP Offers New Program

South Dakotans have six invitations to STEP OUTSIDE this summer. STEP OUTSIDE is a national program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation and is being introduced in South Dakota by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

“These STEP OUTSIDE events will offer hands-on instruction for newcomers in shooting skills, hunting, archery and fishing,” said Al Bahe, GFP hunter education program coordinator. “Our approach is to make these family-based activities and events something parents and children can share together.”

The first event will be held June 11 in Huron, followed by July events in Rapid City, Beresford and Pierre. Armour will host an event in August, with Spearfish wrapping up the schedule in early September.

Bahe said the STEP OUTSIDE events being planned wouldn’t be possible without local support and partners. “When we introduced this concept to the volunteer instructors in the Hunter Safety And Firearms Education (HuntSAFE) program, several individuals immediately expressed interest in hosting an event in their area,” he said. “That kind of local enthusiasm and partnership is exactly what we hoped to see to make STEP OUTSIDE a community event.”

Registration at some events is limited, so Bahe encourages participants to call now for registration details and to get signed up. “This will be another step in building on South Dakota’s outdoor heritage,” he said. “With a good turnout this summer, we may be able to expand to more STEP OUTSIDE events in new locations next year.”

For more information contact Nick Tunge, SD Coordinator for STEP OUTSIDE at (605) 280-3782.

*CRP Essential To South Dakota

When folks think of South Dakota, they think of pheasants. Right now, pheasant numbers are at a 35-year high, thanks in large part to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

“CRP provides the most wildlife benefits of any conservation program by providing large blocks of undisturbed cover for pheasants and other ground nesting birds” said SD Governor Mike Rounds.

In 2004, pheasant hunters harvested an estimated 1.6 million pheasants in South Dakota, resulting in a direct economic impact estimated over $90 million.

“Hunting, fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation are vital elements of the 2010 Initiative,” Rounds said. “Outdoor recreation is a high priority for South Dakota. Maintaining and increasing CRP acres will be essential for the future of pheasant hunting in our state.”

“CRP has been so successful in providing wildlife habitat in South Dakota that the staff at the Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) has used CRP as a basis for many of their private lands programs,” said Department Secretary John Cooper.

The Walk-In Area program pays landowners a premium rate for hunter access to high quality CRP lands. Game, Fish and Parks offers cost-share enhancements, such a wetland restoration, woody winter cover plantings and foodplots to enhance CRP’s attractiveness to wildlife.

CRP also provides farmers and ranchers an essential conservation tool for soil and water quality, as well as the opportunity to promote other wildlife conservation. “Undisturbed CRP cover benefits many nongame grassland birds and because of our CRP success, the states of North and South Dakota produce more ducks than anywhere else in North America,” Cooper said.
With just two years left in the current Farm Bill, the future of CRP isn’t certain. “We must work hard to preserve CRP in the next Farm Bill, but I am optimistic that CRP is important enough to endure into the future,” Gov. Rounds concluded.

*Changes Made In Youth Deer Season

Game, Fish and Parks Commission changes to South Dakota’s youth deer season have made it easier for youth deer hunters to get a license and hunt statewide.

“Youth deer season changes have eliminated limited-draw units and allowed youth hunters who are still age 15 as of July 1 to purchase youth deer licenses and hunt the entire South Dakota youth deer season without county restrictions,” said Regional Game Manager Ron Schauer of Sioux Falls.

Both residents and nonresidents who are or will be at least 12 years of age by Dec. 31 and are younger than 16 years of age by July 1 are eligible to purchase South Dakota youth deer licenses.

“Before this rule change, youth deer hunters could not apply if they were to turn 16 before the youth season opened in September,” Schauer said. “Also, a youth deer license became invalid on the hunter’s 16th birthday, which meant the youth had to stop hunting even if the youth season was still open.” He added that this action is a continuing effort to offer more licenses and get more youth involved in hunting.

Other youth deer season changes from last year include allowing both residents and nonresidents to purchase youth deer licenses right away in the first drawings and restricting youth deer hunters from purchasing more than two South Dakota youth deer licenses.

The youth deer season will open Sept. 10 - 18 and Dec. 10 - 31, statewide. Unlimited single-tag “any antlerless deer” licenses will be available.

*Leave Young Animals Alone

State Game, Fish and Parks officials are reminding people that young wild animals found alone are best left that way.

“Parent wild animals frequently part from their offspring when foraging for food, but rarely will they abandon their young,” said Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officer Mike Apland of Spearfish. “A person may think the finding and keeping of a baby wild animal is helpful or humane, but many times it creates more problems and maybe even a death sentence for the young one.”

When leaving to look for food, animals attempt to conceal their young from humans and other animals in order to protect them. “If people handle or move young animals, the likelihood that the parents may abandon them or be unable to find them increases,” Apland noted. “Again, the best advice to people is to leave young animals where they find them.”

Should anyone discover a nest of young animals, such as birds or rabbits, Apland advises that people disturb them as little as possible and allow the adults to care for them. “If young birds have fallen from a nest, gently return them to their nest, if it can be safely done, and stay clear of the area,” he said.

Wild young animals many times appear harmless, however, they can bite or scratch anyone attempting to handle them. They may also attempt to protect themselves if cornered and are unable to flee from an area. Regional Supervisor Arden Petersen of Sioux Falls said this has occurred in the past when people have been injured by deer that have been raised in captivity and lost their fear of humans.

“Occasionally, people attempt to adopt wild young animals as pets,” he said. “However, as these animals grow older, they are driven by their instincts and can become aggressive and territorial. They can even damage homes or endanger the people caring for them. Additionally, animals raised by humans lack survival skills to find food and shelter on their own or to compete with other animals for food and shelter. Consequently, these animals are unable to survive on their own if released. Often, these animals become imprinted on humans and cause problems. If the animals are deemed to be dangerous or unable to adapt to the wild, it may become necessary to euthanize them.”

Possessing wild animals without a permit is against state law. Certain species, like migratory birds, are protected under federal law.

Anyone encountering an injured or young, wild animal that is next to its dead mother, should contact the nearest Game, Fish and Parks office or local conservation officer.

*Changes Made In Special Season

Recent Game, Fish and Parks Commission action has eliminated Special Canada goose units in Minnehaha and Fall River counties and made them part of the regular Canada goose hunting season.

“We have closely monitored Canada goose hunting in these areas for several years to foster an introduction of giant Canada geese,” said GFP Game Program Administrator Tony Leif. “There is no biological reason to continue the limited units. We will continue to survey and track the hunting in these areas, but we are confident the goose population is sufficient for open season hunting.”

Bennett County will remain as the lone Special Canada Goose hunting area. There are two units within the county, one open from Oct. 22 - Dec. 18 with 300 three-tag permits and the other open from Nov. 19 - Dec. 18 with 500 three-tag permits.

The season length for the second unit has changed from 37 to 30 days so both units close on the same day. The number of tags in this unit was decreased from 700 to 500. The tags in the first unit have changed from two-tag permits to three-tag permits.

Approximately 1,000 geese have been harvested each year over the past three years in Bennett County.

Marching infantry, galloping cavalry, American Indian dancers, storytellers, music, family entertainment and more attract thousands of visitors each year to the Fort Sisseton Historical Festival. Festivities begin Friday night, June 3 and run through Sunday, June 5. This year’s event features numerous all-time festival favorites as well as several new programs.

Throughout the weekend, festival visitors will enjoy a variety of historic, cultural and military-related events. Friday night events include a talent contest, a melodrama and a presentation on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Saturday and Sunday start out with reveille and flag raising at 9:30 a.m. In addition, infantry and cavalry drills will be held both days at noon on the fort’s parade grounds. The drills are popular for the horseback cavalry and drill demonstrations.

A variety of activities are held throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can attend Dakota Dan’s Medicine Show and a melodrama entitle “We The People, The Musical.” At 1:30 on Saturday, stop by the Horse Arena for the Draft Horse Pull and also be sure to catch the Driving Trials later that day at 5 p.m.

Entertainers for the weekend will include performances from the musical storyteller Black Hawk, various cowboy poets, the Old Time Fiddlers, American Brass Revue, a fur trade era storyteller named Babou and American Indian dancer Dallas Chief Eagle.

Friday night, area singers will perform in the First Annual Fort Sisseton Star Search for an opportunity to jump-start their musical careers. This program is sponsored by Pheasant Country Radio, Remily Parks Studio, Steen Photography, Ken’s Food Fair of Britton, Sisseton SuperValu, Mike’s Jack and Jill of Webster and Coca-Cola.

The Ranch Rodeo will return to the Festival this year starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The Ranch Rodeo is a competition that tests the skills of local cowboys and cowgirls used on a ranch working livestock. The four-person teams will compete in five events - Sorting, Branding, Poles and Barrels, Doctoring and Cow Milking. For competition information, please contact the district state park office at (605) 448-5701.

New to the Festival this year will be three new storytelling programs on the Bennett Stage. Join Darrel Draper for his portrayal George Drouillard of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Friday night and Saturday. Saturday and Sunday, Orval Van Deest will present the pioneer life through the eyes of “Prairie Dog Frank.” At the conclusion of each day, “Three Voices: Speaking From the Past” will feature three women’s perspectives on life in Dakota Territory. These programs were made possible with a Resource Center grant from the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For a full schedule of events and times, visit the SD state parks website at www.sdgfp.info/Parks, or contact Fort Sisseton at (605) 448-5474.

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.

Fort Sisseton Historic State Park is located 10 miles SW of Lake City off SD Hwy 10.

*Young Children Need Life Jackets

With summer boating season approaching, parents and other adult boaters are reminded that children younger than age seven must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket when riding in a boat operating at greater than no-wake speed. The only exception is if the child is inside a cabin or is below deck.

“It’s not enough just to have the required life jackets on board your boat, you have to wear it,” said Game, Fish and Parks Boating Safety Specialist Al Bahe. “Nationwide, in 70 percent of all fatal boating accidents, the cause of death is drowning. In nearly 90 percent of those drownings, the victim wasn’t wearing a life jacket, although there may have been life jackets in the boat.”

Most boaters are likely aware of the requirement to have a wearable, Coast Guard approved life jacket for every person aboard, including those being towed behind the boat. “Not as well known,” Bahe noted, “is the requirement that those jackets need to be in serviceable condition, readily accessible and properly sized for the person meant to wear it. Far too often, conservation officers find young people wearing adult-sized life jackets. This can actually be more dangerous than not wearing a life jacket at all, as an incorrectly fitting life jacket could potentially hold the child under water or allow the child to slide through the lifejacket’s straps and become entangled in them.”

Bahe reminds boaters that Game, Fish and Parks has youth life jackets available to loan. “The toddler and infant life jackets may be checked out for short-term use or for the entire summer,” he noted. “However, supplies are limited, so we ask that people check them out only for the time in which they are needed. We also appreciate that the jackets be returned in good condition.”

©Marshall County Journal 2005