South Dakota Mountain Lion Hunting Season Applications Now Available

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Applications are available for the 2016 South Dakota mountain lion hunting season. While there is no application deadline for the mountain lion hunting season, if you wish to enter the lottery drawing for a free Custer State Park (CSP) access permit, you must purchase a 2016 mountain lion license and submit your application by Dec. 9 at 8 a.m. CST. CSP will have seven separate hunting intervals; four of which will allow the use of dogs.

The mountain lion hunting season begins Dec. 26, 2015, and ends on March 31, 2016. The harvest limit is set at 60 total lions or 40 female lions; whichever comes first. If either harvest limit is reached, the season then closes in the Black Hills Fire Protection Unit. However, the statewide mountain lion hunting season runs year round, with no harvest limits. 

To apply for a mountain lion hunting license or the Custer State Park access permit, visit:http://www.gfp.sd.gov/licenses/general-hunt-fish/license-open.aspx.

For more information on the South Dakota mountain lion hunting season, visit:http://www.gfp.sd.gov/hunting/big-game/mountain-lion.aspx.

Improving Deer Habitat

Upper Peninsula - Western Mackinac County

Over 1,300 oak saplings were planted in western Mackinac County this spring to increase hard mast for deer.  The plantings were focused on areas that have been hit hard by beech bark disease (BBD), and also in deer wintering complexes.  BBD areas will see a large loss of beech nuts, and the oak acorns that are produced in the future will help to mitigate some of the loss from BBD.  “We were able to get saplings planted to help avoid problems with deer browse, and as a bonus they’ll also throw acorns sooner,” said DNR wildlife biologist Dave Jentoft.  “We had great cooperation with our sister division, the Forest Resources Division, in making these plantings happen.”

Northern Lower Peninsula - Kalkaska County

The Fletcher area in southern Kalkaska County is a great destination this fall for deer hunters. Over 1,600 acres of public land is available to set up camp during firearm, late archery or even muzzleloader season. This spring over 470 acres were prescribed-burned in an effort to kill woody plants that are closing in on this large grassland complex. Over 120 acres were mowed, and numerous acres were planted to winter wheat, rape and turnips. Visit Mi-HUNT to explore this area from home, and make plans to visit in person to hunt the fall and early winter seasons.

Southwest Lower Peninsula - Cass County

Over the past year, staff members at the Crane Pond State Game Area have installed over 200 acres of food plots and other plantings for the benefit of wildlife on the game area. Food plots are placed in strategic locations to enhance recreational opportunities. The picture to the left shows a field border adjacent to a corn food plot. Such practices allow species such as deer, turkey and pheasants to have transitional and security cover adjacent to important high-calorie winter food sources. Field borders also provide valuable nesting and bedding cover and can greatly enhance the number of bird species using an area. This is just one example of the many habitat management practices implemented at the game area over this past year.

Southeast Lower Peninsula - St. Clair County

Funds from the license restructuring are helping the DNR Wildlife Division make habitat improvements for deer and other wildlife around the state. Port Huron State Game Area is no exception. With an increased budget for habitat work, more seasonal wildlife assistants were hired this year, allowing 9 additional acres at Port Huron SGA to be converted to food plots of corn and small grains. This brings the total acreage planted with food plots to 20. These employees also worked on improving parking lots and posting additional signage around the area to improve hunter accessibility.  Check out Port Huron State Game Area for an enhanced hunting experience this fall. 

Explore the public lands near you, and have a safe and memorable hunt!

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North Dakota Outdoor Events

Image via Wikipedia

Sept. 1: Dove season opens.1: Youth deer season (ages 14 and 15 - regular license) and antlerless white-tailed deer season (ages 12 and 13) application deadline.2: Elk bow seasons (Units E-1, E-2) open.2: Elk regular season (Unit E-5) opens.2: Any-elk September seasons (Units E3, E4) open.2: Deer bow season opens.2: Mountain lion zone 1 early season opens.2: Mountain lion zone 2 season opens.2: Moose bow seasons (Units M4, M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11) open.7: Canada geese early season Missouri River Zone closes.9: Public sight-in day, BMRPA Moffit Range.10: Sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, ruffed grouse, and tree squirrel seasons open.

Complete List of Schedule of Events