South Dakota Pheasant Season May Be Lengthened

PIERRE, S.D. – A proposal to lengthen the South Dakota pheasant season one week will be considered at the April Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting in Sioux Falls.

The recommendation brought forward by the GFP Division of Wildlife would extend the season from the first Sunday in January to the second Sunday of the month.

“We heard from several hunters that they wished the season would have lasted a little longer this year,” said Division Director Tony Leif. “By extending the season a week, we are hoping to provide hunters a little more opportunity during a time when opportunities are abundant.”

Proposals to extend the grouse and quail seasons to the second Sunday in January will be taken under consideration as well.

Under a similar proposal the partridge season would be extended to the second Sunday in January and would close Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge to partridge hunting.

The Commission voted “no change” to the youth pheasant, resident only pheasant, snipe, cottontail rabbit, tree squirrel, crow, dove and sandhill crane seasons. A no change vote means the season structures will be the same as the 2008 seasons.

The Commission will take final action on the pheasant season proposals at their April meeting, which will take place at the Sioux Falls Downtown Holiday Inn, April 1-2.

Information on season proposals is available at the GFP Web site at www.sdgfp.info under the headings “About Game, Fish and Parks” and “GFP Commission.”

Citizens who would like to provide written comments on the proposal may do so up until 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. Those comments may be mailed to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501 or e-mailed to [email protected]. All comments must have the sender’s full name and address in order to become part of the public record.

Comments may also be presented in person at the GFP Commission meeting during the public hearing which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, April 2.