Governor Kristi Noem says Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Kelly Hepler will retire in mid December.
Hepler was appointed as head of the department in 2015 by then-Governor Dennis Daugaard.
Hepler headed Game, Fish and Parks during a contentious debate between landowners and sportsmen over water issues centered in Day County.
Hepler is the third department secretary to retire this year.
In early October, transportation secretary Darin Bergquist announced his retirement. His last day is November 13.
Secretary of Agriculture Kim Vanneman retired last spring.
-Contact SDPB reporter Lee Strubinger by email.