The latest Game, Fish and Parks commission meeting has many implications for hunters and shooters.
Antelope season in Custer State Park has been closed since 2017. At a recent meeting, the commission agreed to open it up again.
The Custer State Park antelope hunting season will run in October this year.
Jon Kanta is the terrestrial section chief for GFP. Though some seasons in the state open starting August, Kanta said that wouldn’t work for this particular location.
“That’s in an effort to avoid the buffalo roundup, so we’re starting it a bit later than the rest of the state for the antelope season. But with that got great opportunity we have with the buffalo roundup in Custer State Park we want to be sure to avoid that," Kanta said. "So, in rule what we wrote was the season would run for 16 consecutive days beginning on the first Saturday in October, which will always avoid that buffalo roundup.”
In 2017, three hunting licenses were available. The commission approved up to five buck antelope licenses for resident use.
Commissioners also set the fee structure for a major state-owned shooting complex being built north of Rapid City. The GFP Pete Lien & Sons Sports Complex is set to open in October.
Commissioners set the one-day fee for individuals at $20. An annual permit for individuals is $100, while an annual family permit is $150. Clubs can get a year-long permit for $500.
Kanta said the fees are being used to help offset an estimated $360,000 in annual maintenance and operations costs.
“With that, we’d like to generate some revenue. And with that revenue we can leverage federal funds, Pittman-Robertson funds, and they’ll match our funds three to one," Kanta said. "So, we’re able to get a really good deal here is what it amounts to and use those federal funds along with any funds we generate with permits here to cover those costs.”
He added there are still free opportunities open to the public, including free classes and places to shoot. Individuals 17-years-and-younger won’t be charged either.
Officials said 140 out of 160 shooting positions on the pistol and rifle base are free to the public. Areas with elevated maintenance and operational costs, such as with throwers and clay birds, are where you’ll see permitting costs come into play.
