South Dakota: Third Deer Draw - Municipal Archery Drawings Now Open

 

The third draw for South Dakota rifle deer seasons is now open with licenses available for West River Deer and East River Deer units. Paper applications must be submitted by August 6, and online submissions must be made by 8 a.m. CDT, August 11. Residents will be able to apply for any season that they do not already have a license in. Nonresidents can apply for West River Deer if they do not already have a license for that season and do not already posses licenses for two deer seasons. If you are applying via paper application, and you have not already purchased a Habitat Stamp, you must purchase one ($10 resident, $25 nonresident) in addition to your application. Remember, Special Buck licenses count towards a license being held in that season. MUNICIPAL DEER Online applications are also still being taken for limited resident public archery deer hunts in certain areas for the cities of Custer, Rapid City and Sioux Falls.  Applicants must provide a valid email address as email is the only way you will be notified whether you are successful on unsuccessful in drawing a license.  Successful applicants must attend a mandatory hunter briefing meeting prior to hunting. The dates and times of the briefing will be supplied in the email to successful applicants. Visit gfp.sd.gov/pages/municipal-deer/to learn more about requirements, restrictions and hunting zones.

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Leftover Deer Licenses

South Dakota Third Deer Drawing Now Open

The third draw for South Dakota rifle deer seasons is now open with licenses available for West River Deer and East River Deer units. Paper applications must be submitted by Aug 7, and online submissions must be made by 8 a.m. CDT, Aug 12. Residents will be able to apply for any season that they do not already have a license in. Nonresidents can apply for West River Deer if they do not already have a license for that season and do not already posses licenses for two deer seasons. If you are applying via paper application, and you have not already purchased a Habitat Stamp, you must purchase one ($10 resident, $25 nonresident) in addition to your application. Remember, Special Buck licenses count towards a license being held in that season. Apply for a Deer License Today Leftover Deer Licenses

South Dakota: Second Deer Draw Applications Now Being Taken

Applications are now being accepted for the second draw for South Dakota's East River, West River, and Refuge Deer Seasons.

Paper applications must be postmarked by July 17, and online applications are due July 22, 8 a.m. CDT.

If you are applying via paper application, and you have not already purchased a Habitat Stamp, you must purchase one (10$ resident, $25 nonresident) in addition to your application.

If you didn't draw a deer license in the first drawing, you are eligible to apply for 2 of these seasons.

If you drew 1 deer license in the first drawing, you are eligible to apply for 1 of the seasons, not including the season you drew for.

Remember, Special Buck licenses count towards a license being held in that season.

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South Dakota: Deer Applications Due by 8 A.M CDT Tomorrow!

The online application deadlines for the 2020 East River, West River, Black Hills, Custer State Park, Refuge, and Muzzleloader Deer hunting seasons are WEDNESDAY June 17th at 8 A.M. CDT

We were made aware of some slight server problems over the weekend. If you were having problems getting your applications through, we encourage you to try again today!

Remember, this is now a combined drawing. In the first drawing, you may select a First and Second Choice in two of the seasons. If you were successful in drawing either special buck licenses, you are only eligible to apply for one of the other seasons.

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Here are some upcoming South Dakota Deer Hunting Season Applications

Applications deadlines for the 2016 South Dakota West River, East River, Black Hills, Refuge, Youth, Archery, Muzzleloader and Custer State Park Deer Hunting Seasons are quickly approaching.

Deadlines for the first drawings are as follows:

West River, Black Hills, and Custer State Park Deer:

• Paper applications July 15                                                                                           
• Online applications 8 a.m. CDT July 20

East River, Refuge and (Any Deer) Muzzleloader:                                                    

• Paper Applications Sept. 2                                                                                          
• Online applications 8 a.m. CDT Sept. 7.

There are no deadlines for Archery, Youth and Muzzleloader (antlerless) licenses.

South Dakota Archery Deer Season Proposal Would Open More Areas for Antlerless Deer Harvest

A proposal from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission would open more of the state for deer hunters to harvest antlerless whitetail deer during the archery season.

In recent years, GFP has closed certain areas of the state for antlerless deer harvest due to low deer populations. Whitetail deer numbers are increasing across the state; calling for the Commission to ease restrictions. To view a map of these proposed areas, visit http://gfp.sd.gov/agency/commission/docs/2016/May/may-materials.pdf.

Resident and nonresident hunters may purchase one statewide any deer license or one East River any deer license and one West River any deer license. Residents and nonresidents may purchase one antlerless whitetail deer license as well.

The proposed archery deer season would run from Sept. 24, 2016 – Jan. 15, 2017.  From Jan. 1-15, only antlerless whitetail deer licenses would be valid.

The Commission also proposed to increase the number of antlerless whitetail deer archery access permits from 20 to 25 for the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve.  Five archery access permits would also be available for Good Earth State Park.

The Commission will finalize this proposal at their June 2-3, 2015, meeting at the Watertown Convention Center. Written comments can be sent to wildinfo@state.sd.us. To be part of the official public record, comments must be received by 12 p.m. on June2. Please include your full name along with the city and state of residence. If you would like to comment in person, the public hearing will be held June 2, at 2 p.m. CDT at the Watertown Convention Center.

South Dakota Preference Points For Big Game

Last year, the GFP Commission changed the preference point system.  You do not automatically acquire a preference point when you apply for, and do not draw, your first choice in a limited draw (big game, paddlefish, etc.) season.  To obtain a preference point, you need to purchase one.

 

You can purchase a preference point at the time you apply for any big game season and up until Dec. 15.  You may only purchase one preference point for each big game season per year.

 

If you haven't purchased points for any limited draw seasons you did not have a FIRST CHOICE license in, and would like to do so, click here and go to "Preference Point Review and Purchase".

South Dakota GFP Warns Pheasant Hunters of Dry Conditions - Similar Conditions thru much of Midwest

PIERRE, S.D. – Dry conditions exist across much of South Dakota.  While that is good for farmers harvesting crops, and hunters trying to harvest pheasants, it can quickly create dangerous situations in the field.

“We had good moisture in the spring and summer in many parts of the state,” said South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Division Director Tony Leif.  “That led to high grass and good habitat, but it has dried out quickly and we are urging hunters to be careful where they park and drive.”

The heat from catalytic converters, mufflers and other engine parts can quickly start a fire.  Whether it is a harvested crop field, a slough or grassland, conditions are very favorable for starting fires.

“We are encouraging people to really inspect their vehicles when they get out,” Leif said.  “Watch for grass, cornstalks and other materials that may be caught underneath their vehicles.  Also don’t park in tall grass.”

If a fire does start, hunters are encouraged to carry plenty of water to put out small fires.  If a fire escalates, call 911 immediately.

“Knowing exactly where you are hunting is important,” said Leif.  “Giving precise directions to where you are and where the fire is can make all the difference.”

Related articles

• MDC and CFM encourage deer hunters to Share the Harvest (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Grouse hunting forecast appears positive for hunters (rapidcityjournal.com)
• South Dakota GFP Celebrates Fall with the Grouse Opener and Annual State Park Events (ammoland.com)

South Dakota Deer and other Big Hunters warned against Baiting

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

South Dakota big game hunters are reminded that it is illegal for anyone to place any salt or salt lick or construct, occupy, or use any screen, blind, scaffold, or other device at or near any salt or salt lick for the purposes of enticing or baiting big game animals to the same for the purpose of hunting, watching for, or killing big game.

Additionally, South Dakota hunters may not establish, utilize, or maintain a bait station from August 15 to February 1, inclusive, and from March 15 to May 31, inclusive, to attract any big game animal, including wild turkey.

A bait station is a location where grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, hay, minerals, or any other natural food materials, commercial products containing natural food materials, or by-products of such materials are placed or maintained as an attractant to big game animals for the purpose of hunting. The use of scents alone does not constitute a bait station. This section does not apply to foods that have not been placed or gathered by a person and result from normal environmental conditions or accepted farming, forest management, wildlife food plantings, orchard management, or similar land management activities.

Hunters should also be aware that it is illegal to establish, utilize, or maintain a bait station on lands owned by the department and on properties managed and classified by the department as Game Production Areas, State Parks, State Recreation Areas, State Lakeside Use Areas, State Nature Areas, and State Water Access Areas.

For more big game regulations, click here.

Related articles

• South Dakota Hunters, Anglers and Trappers Can Now Carry Licenses on their Smartphone Devices (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Some SD hunting licenses can now be carried on smartphones (trib.com)
• Free, fun outdoor events planned for National Hunting and Fishing Day (sowegalive.com)

South Dakota and Michigan Deer Hunting Information and Deadlines

South Dakota Deer Hunting Deadlines:
If you plan to hunt West River Deer, Black Hills Deer, or Custer State Park - PAPER APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED TODAY or you can apply online until the 24th (8 am). Go to http://goo.gl/cy6XY for more information.

Also, rule changes have been proposed for depradation hunts.  One change would be that hunters could apply for a maximum of 10 counties, where in the past the number they could apply for was not limited.  The major proble
m was that the purpose of the hunts is to relieve depradation primarily on AG land - with the unlimited counties hunters were not typically responding in a suitable time frame to do any good.  For more information look up "rule proposals" on http://goo.gl/rHeSM page.  Send email comments to wild.info@state.sd.us.

Michigan Deer Hunting News
Michigan antlerless deer applications are being accepted until August 15th.  This is a quota limited license.  Applications are at http://goo.gl/Xq2BC.  On Sept 5, hunters can check to see whether they were successful or to see what additional licenses are available at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings.  To find out how many licenses are available in each unit visit  www.michigan.gov/deer.To learn more about the new units in the southern part of the state visit http://goo.gl/HmjTB.

The SD GFP Commission held their December meeting last week in Pierre.

The Commission finalized the 2013 SD Spring Turkey Seasons and proposed the 2013 Bighorn Sheep Season.  To see a summary of the meeting or to listen to an audio recording of any of the meeting, click here.  To see the Bighorn Sheep proposal, click here.
To see video recordings of information items regarding bighorn sheep, the Legacy Projects that GFP has proposed or the new snowmobile trails smartphone application, click here.
To comment on the proposed Bighorn Sheep season, click here.  Please include your name and city of residence to be included into the public record.
The next GFP Commission meeting will be held at the Ft. Pierre Americinn on Jan. 10-11, beginning at 1 PM CST on Thursday, Jan 10.

Related articles

• South Dakota Fisheries Rule Changes Add Opportunity (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)

2011 SD Firearms Antlerless Season Closes Sunday

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PIERRE, S.D. - The 2011 East and West River Firearms Deer Seasons close Sunday, Jan. 8. The firearms seasons reopened on Dec. 31, 2011 for antlerless deer only.

The antlerless extension to the season is used as a management tool to allow for harvest of antlerless deer only. All antlerless permits issued for these two seasons are valid. In addition, all unfilled “any” deer tags or “any buck” tags convert to antlerless tags during this season.

Archery, youth and muzzleloader seasons remain open until Jan. 15, but for antlerless deer only.

Related articles

• South Dakota Deer Seasons Reopen for Antlerless Harvest (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Final Iowa Deer Season Begins Jan. 11 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• ND: Muzzleloader Season Opens Nov. 25 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Iowa January Antlerless Deer Licenses on Sale Soon (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• South Dakota: Firearms Antelope and West River Antlerless Deer Seasons Open (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

South Dakota Hunters: Archery, West River, B Hills, Youth Deer, Turkey and Antelope Applications Now Open

 South Dakota West River Deer, Black Hills Deer, Fall Turkey, Archery Deer, Archery Antelope and Youth Deer applications are now being accepted. To apply, visit: http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/licenses/limited/default.aspx

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South Dakota: East River and Refuge Deer Hunting Seasons Proposed

PIERRE, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks Commission has proposed a 2011 East River Deer hunting season that is very similar to the one conducted in 2010.

One proposed change is an adjustment in the number of licenses available to hunters. There would be 1,500 more 1-tag licenses, 5,110 fewer 2-tag licenses, and 3,200 more 3-tag licenses available in 2011 compared to 2010.

Another proposed rule change would repeal an administrative rule for designation of areas where free landowner antlerless deer licenses are valid. A recent rule change by the Commission makes these licenses available to farmers and ranchers based on license drawing results from the previous year so individuals will know at the time of application which hunting units will be valid for use of the free antlerless deer licenses.

Season dates have already been established for East River Deer and will run from Nov. 19 through Dec. 4, and then for antlerless permits only from Dec. 31 through Jan. 8.

The deer hunting seasons for Sand Lake, LaCreek and Waubay National Wildlife Refuges were also proposed.

Changes from 2010 would include offering resident hunters 50 fewer 2-tag "any deer plus antlerless deer" licenses for Sand Lake, and 5 fewer for nonresidents; and change the 1-tag "antlerless whitetail" license for Lacreek to 2-tag "antlerless whitetail" licenses.

Additional information is on the GFP website at http://www.gfp.sd.gov/agency/commission/default.aspx.

 

Those who wish to provide written comments on the proposal may do so until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6. Comments may be mailed to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D., 57501, or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us . Each comment must have the sender's full name and address in order to be included in the public record.

Comments may also be presented in person at the public hearing during the GFP Commission meeting, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. CDT on Thursday, July 7, at the Ramkota in Pierre.