Lawmakers recently grilled Game, Fish, and Parks officials over the decision to expand waterfowl hunting for nonresidents.
The department presented their amended rules to a legislative Interim Rules Review Committee Tuesday.
GFP submitted seven rule modifications. The issue with the most public attention was a change in waterfowl licenses.
Many resident hunters are upset by the decision to increase the amount of nonresident waterfowl licenses available this year.
Tom Kirschenmann is the Director of Wildlife for the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. He said the new rules come from multiple GFP commission meetings and public input.
“The vast majority of all the adjustments and changes within our rules in this particular package are related to increasing opportunities, and that would be the easiest way to describe it,” said Kirschenmann.
Kirschenmann said the commission’s ability to increase out-of-state waterfowl licenses by up to 5% percent has been law since 2014.
Sen. Jim Mehlhaff, R-Pierre, said he does not understand GFP’s push for an increase.
“I noticed as I read through this, particularly the increase in the nonresident waterfowl grew a lot of opponents and negative comments from the public," said Mehlhaff. "I was just wondering if you could provide some justification of why you would go forward with the rule in the face of all that opposition.”
Kirschenmann defended the commission’s decision by explaining the amount of public access opportunities. He said there is more public hunting area than ever available.
Sen. Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton, said GFP needs to listen better.
“You need to do a better job in talking with, and this duck issue is not new. It is very sensitive and an emotional issue in South Dakota. But if people come to testify, and they’re just disregarded because you have a different perception out there," said Hunhoff. "I think you need to come back to the people who are coming to testify and either show this, or start showing where all this available hunting is at. Because I'll be honest, it's certainly not in my area.”
The legislative rules committee voted five to one in favor of adopting GFP’s adjusted rules.
