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PIERRE – Special restrictions will be in effect for upcoming big-game hunting seasons in western South Dakota because of the high fire danger, Gov. Bill Janklow said.
The state Game, Fish and Parks Department is mailing a letter to license holders. The letter will stipulate the conditions under which they will be allowed to hunt. Further details will be announced later.
Rather than close hunting seasons, officials of the Game, Fish and Parks Department and the state Agriculture Department have cooperated on a plan to work with hunters and landowners on reducing fire danger.
The special hunting restrictions would be in effect until weather and moisture conditions change, Janklow said.
"We’re not tying a date to it. We’ll keep it in effect until we are satisfied the fire danger is down," Janklow said.
GFP officials are determining which seasons will be affected. Likely to be included are antelope, elk, West River deer and possibly Black Hills deer.
One example of the restrictions will be prohibiting use of any motor vehicle off a paved, gravel or established dirt road. The prohibition would cover all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and full-size vehicles.
Game, Fish and Parks Secretary John Cooper urged all hunters to carry in their vehicles 20 gallons of water, a shovel, a rake and a blanket to assist with any small fires that might occur. And obviously, hunters should not smoke outside of vehicles or have open fires of any kind.
Cooper also urged hunters to check with their landowner hosts before leaving to hunt, in case the landowner has decided to not allow hunting because of fire danger.
State Agriculture Secretary Larry Gabriel said landowners have the final decision on whether to allow hunting on their property, even though the seasons will remain open.
Gabriel and Cooper are putting together a plan that will use ground and air teams for responding quickly to any reported fires. They said details will be announced next week. Gabriel, Cooper and many members of their staffs have been working at the Jasper fire in the Black Hills National Forest during the past week.
Uploaded: 9/7/2000
Uploaded: 9/7/2000