The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks commission approved a compromise plan to reduce the number of nonresident turkey hunting licenses.
This comes as some Black Hills hunters say public space for spring hunting has become overcrowded.
The South Dakota Wildlife Federation made their case for reducing nonresident licenses at a Game, Fish and Parks meeting at Good Earth State Park.
Dana Rogers is the organization’s executive director. He said the group wants to protect resident hunters.
“Residents feel harmed in this issue, in this season because they’re going out, they’re continuing to be interrupted, they’re continuing to see more and more leasing, more outfitting, continually putting pressure on long-term spots they have historically gone to,” said Rogers.
The commission voted down a proposal to reduce the number of nonresident licenses from 3,100 to 660, saying it was too extreme.
Tom Kirschenmann is the Director of Wildlife for SD Game, Fish, and Parks. He said his department found the coalition’s ask understandable and offered an adjustment to the original petition.
“What we did is we basically applied a 30% decrease and that is how we came up with that 2,225. If you look at that number in comparison to a five-year average, 10-year average, it falls right in the middle of those two time frames, a little bit above what the 25-year time period is,” said Kirschenmann.
Jim White is a South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Commissioner. He said the open discussion on the topic the day prior helped solidify his decision.
“I think it came back also to the fact that our resource in the Turkish locks has been showing some stress I think that this action can address that issue. So, I would certainly approve of the proposal,” said White.
The commission voted to approve the amended petition unanimously.
