South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks officials report record high youth participation in the Nest Predator Bounty Program for a second year in a row.
The program opened to youth in March, then to all residents in April.
Officials said 2,237 people took part, with 46% of those participants those under age 18.
This is the sixth year of the program that is part of Gov. Kristi Noem’s Second Century Initiative. Game, Fish and Parks said the initiative aims to reduce the number of animals that prey on pheasants while also getting more young people involved in hunting.
They say they distributed over 700 free live traps for youth participants this year.
