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PIERRE – Fire dangers have been a concern for the Black Hills this year, especially in archery elk unit 422A. State Game, Fish and Parks officials say the archery elk season is open, however hunters must be aware of and follow all fire restrictions for the areas they are hunting.
Wildlife Division Director Doug Hansen said if archery elk hunters licensed for Unit 422A choose not to hunt because of the fire danger, their place of hunting is burned over or the landowner where they were planning to hunt closes due to fire danger, they may request a refund for the archery elk license. He added that provisions include that hunters must have not yet hunted and will return their archery elk license/tag by Sept. 10, 2000. (postmarked no later than this date). Licenses should be sent to Game, Fish and Parks Licensing Office, c/o License Refund – Archery Elk, 412 West Missouri Ave., Pierre, S.D., 57501.
Hansen added that preference points will be restored, along with an additional point for 2000, if hunters request a refund for their Unit 422A archery elk license. Anyone with questions should contact the Game, Fish and Parks Division of Wildlife information phone bank at (605) 773-3393, (605) 773-3485 or (605) 773-3381.
Additional fire restrictions in the Black Hills include:
Custer, SD - "The State of South Dakota, Black Hills National Forest, National Park Service and US Army Corps of Engineers have worked together to implement additional fire restrictions for the Black Hills area," said John Twiss, Black Hills National Forest Supervisor.
State Forester Ray Sowers, as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, has rescinded all open burning permits in the Black Hills Fire Protection District. "All of the state resources are working on the Jasper Fire. We don’t have room for any human error at this time."
"Custer State Park is also a partner in implementing this restriction," said Rollie Noem, Director of Custer State Park. "We share the concern our park neighbors have about the fire danger. Local businesses have refused to sell firewood to visitors. This demonstrates the level of concern that exists and the public support for this type of preventative measure."
Driving any vehicle off designated Forest Service and Custer State Park roads is prohibited. All motorized vehicles including motorcycles and all terrain vehicles are restricted to improved roads, which are paved, graveled and free of vegetation.
Any campfires previously permitted in Forest Service, National Park and area state park campgrounds, including Custer State Park, are now prohibited. Charcoal grills are also prohibited. Propane and liquid gas stoves and lanterns are permissible.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
On the national forest and state park lands the operation of chainsaws for non-commercial use is prohibited. Firewood cutting is not allowed until conditions moderate.
At this time any person under contract with the US Forest Service and Custer State Park while specifically engaged in timber sale operations, timber sale clean-up and fuels reduction work may operate chainsaws between the hours of 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. Other mechanized equipment such as log skidders and loaders may operate until noon. Crews must remain on site for two hours after operations have ceased to patrol for fire.
The State Foresters of South Dakota and Wyoming recommend that private landowners adopt the same measures within the Black Hills area.
Uploaded: 9/13/2000
Uploaded: 9/13/2000