Family-Outdoors

 The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) has selected four individuals to be recognized as Regional Habitat Partners of the Year. Private landowners from around the state are nominated by GFP staff based on how they use available state and federal programs to improve habitat on their land, create innovative habitat efforts and demonstrate leadership in promoting habitat development and partnerships. The award recognizes individuals who have established and enhanced habitat for fish and wildlife in South Dakota. The 2014 regional award recipients are: West Region: Clifford Poss, Philip Central Region: Larry Kindopp, Sioux Falls Southeast Region: Del Ochsner, Alpena Northeast Region: Dennis Skoog, Milbank “These award recipients are great examples of the many private partners our department relies on to ensure that South Dakota’s wildlife resources remain strong for years to come,” said Tom Kirschenmann, chief wildlife biologist for GFP. “Private landowne...

The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission has finalized several elk-hunting seasons for 2013. Archery elk hunters will have 92 “any elk” and 15 “antlerless elk” licenses available for the season. The 2013 Archery Elk Season will run from Sept. 1-30. The Black Hills Firearms Elk Hunting Season will run from Oct. 1-31 for the “any” elk license holders. Antlerless elk seasons will run from Oct. 16-31 and Dec. 1-15. Black Hills Firearms Elk hunters will have 620 licenses available, comprised of 445 “any” and 175 “antlerless" licenses. The Prairie Elk Season will have 45 “any” elk and 51 “antlerless” elk licenses available, which is four less than 2012. Other changes from 2012 are: Boyd County, Nebraska will no longer be part of Unit 30. The season dates for Unit 30A will run from Sept. 1 – Dec. 31. The season dates for Unit 11B will run from Sept. 1 through the Friday before the third Saturday in October (2013 season dates are Sept. 1 – Oct. 1...

HOT SPRINGS, S.D. – State Park officials have announced that a new state park lodge near Angostura Reservoir will be open for Memorial Day weekend. The Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) purchased the Hill Ranch on the west side of Angostura Reservoir in 2010. The Hills retained their ranch residence until last fall and GFP staff converted the house into a rental lodge over the winter. The lodge includes four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and is located two miles from Angostura Reservoir and the Sheps Canyon boat ramp and campground. A log bunkhouse is located on the property and is available for rental in conjunction with the lodge. Like other state park camping cabins, the bunkhouse has lighting and heating but no plumbing. Angostura Recreation Area Park Supervisor, Willy Collignon, says the lodge has a beautiful view of Angostura Reservoir and will be a nice addition to the area. “With the great fishing and boating on Angostura, thousands of acres of public hunting land and the...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is offering citizens the opportunity to review a five-year draft management plan for river otters. The South Dakota River Otter Management Plan  is a draft plan on how the state proposes to manage this unique species associated with South Dakota’s riparian habitats. The draft is now open for review during a 30-day public comment period. “As a state threatened species, this plan identifies specific objectives and strategies with the intent of recovering the state’s population of river otters,” said senior wildlife biologist Eileen Dowd-Stukel. “Further research, inventory, and surveys will help identify the direction of future management activities.” The draft management plan can be found on the GFP website at:http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/ management/diversity/river- otter.aspx There is also the opportunity to provide feedback on the plan through that link. ...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks is continuing its planning effort to address the needs of all fish and wildlife species that spend all or part of their lives in the state. The effort, called the South Dakota Wildlife Action Plan, was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2006. The document provides a voluntary planning framework to encourage partnerships because no single agency or group can solely fulfill the needs of wildlife and natural areas. GFP is now revising the Wildlife Action Plan. The agency’s website will serve as the primary tool for sharing information and soliciting feedback. The revision will continue the original plan’s focus on providing diverse habitats as the basis for accommodating fish and wildlife. The revision emphasizes integrated and user-friendly final products with the potential to be of interest to many users. As part of the revision process and with assistance f...