South Dakota Wildlife Federation

South Dakota Wildlife Federation, Calls on South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission to pause the waterfowl proposal to gather additional data on resident waterfowl hunting statistics.

Pierre, S.D. April 12, 2023. Opening the door to additional nonresident waterfowl hunters would see a further erosion of South Dakota resident waterfowl hunting opportunity and access. South Dakota Wildlife Federation requests that the Game Fish and Parks Commission at their April 13th and 14th meeting in Brookings request the Department of Game, Fish and Parks to work with hunters and the SDWF to come up with an alternative proposal on waterfowl hunting opportunity, access and license availability that does not increase the number of non-resident licenses.

The number of non-resident licenses (16,000) is at an all time high. While the number of resident waterfowl hunters continues to decline according to the 2008 GFP study. The two main reasons they cited in reducing their waterfowl hunting were difficulty in finding a place to hunt and conditions were to crowded.

Data from the GFP indicated that almost half (48%) of the waterfowl hunting that occurs in SD is in a 5-county area (Brown, Clark, Day, Marshall, and Roberts), with technology available today in identifying flocks of birds and land ownership, it is easy to see why the overcrowding conditions materialize in a very short period of time.

Resident waterfowl hunters contribute to the economy far more than non-resident hunters. South Dakota hunters buy pickups, SUV’s, boats, motors and trailers in South Dakota. They license, fuel, and maintain this equipment and pay state taxes on all these costs. In addition, the hunting supplies and groceries purchased by local hunters far exceed the non-resident hunter.

Zach Hunke President of the SDWF reminds the commission that several years ago a plan was developed to open access to Waterfowl Production Area’s and other state owned land to allow increased waterfowl hunting access. “When hunters don’t have access year after year, they tend to find other pursuits, and we’ve seen opportunity decline the past several years due to the increased concentration of birds in just a few counties with access being limited.” Increasing non-resident licenses will only exacerbate this problem.”

Further commercial exploitation to attract non-resident waterfowl hunters will further magnify the problem for both resident and non-resident hunters. With an expansion of additional non-resident licenses we expect out of state commercial outfitters to further erode opportunities for resident hunters.

"Providing the waterfowl hunting experience to people that live and work in South Dakota is not only a generational experience it is one that should be protected.” Executive Director of the SDWF, Megan Howell commented. She went on to say, “South Dakota is one of the premier waterfowl hunting states in North America and the SDWF would like to work with the Commission to make sure there is access and opportunity for resident hunters to continue this hunting tradition."

For additional Information:

Megan Howell
Mhowell.SDWF@outlook.com
Executive Director SDWF
605 483 0895

Zach Hunke
zach@hunkestransfersd.com
President SDWF
605 881 6745

SDWF Week 8 Update

There are 4 days left in the regular run of the 98th legislative session. Tax relief and in what form that will take will be the big issue of the week. Reduction in food tax, general sales tax, or tax relief for homeowners appear to be the options. Looking at it today one could hypothesize that there might not be ANY tax relief. But I believe they will come up with something because the super majority party started in week one saying they plan to provide tax relief and every week since. My crystal ball is murky on how they might achieve it at this point but I do think they will come up with something. I don’t think homeowner tax relief spreads the relief around to enough voters and so I think that will be the first off the table but at this point it is a bargaining chip. I believe it comes down to one or the other of general sales tax or food tax or possibly a combination of both.

There were very few bills this year related to the Game Fish and Parks or other outdoor recreational activity. I do expect next year there will be more. Many of the new legislators are outdoor enthusiasts and have strong opinions!

SDWF will be sharing a booth at the Sioux Falls Sportsman Show from March 9th through March 12th with the 29/90 Sportsman Club.  Stop by to visit and enter a raffle for a gun give away from the 29/90 club or a $50 Scheels Gift Card given away daily!

Get outdoors and have some fun! 

Week 6 Legislative Report

The legislative bills relative to Game Fish and Parks that we have been following  have all been sent to the 41st day. Likelihood of new bills or hoghouse bills being introduced in the last 3 weeks of the legislative session are very slim. 

We will be watching the appropriations process relative to the Game Fish and Parks budget to see if it is adopted as introduced or if there will be changes to increase or decrease FTEs, add or subtract general fund dollars, or if there are new programs funded. Not hearing any rumors of anything substantive happening at this point. 

South Dakota Wildlife Federation will be sharing a booth with the 29/90 Club at the Sioux Falls Sportsman Show March 9th to the 12st. Please stop by the booth and say hello and register to win a prize! If you'd like to spend a couple hours in the booth volunteering your time to talk to men and women about becoming members of SDWF contact us today to set up a time to man the booth! 

Keep your shovels handy this week sounds like they might be needed!

Week 5 Legislative Report

We passed the halfway point this week so it’s all downhill from here! Very light year for outdoor, wildlife, recreational issues with this year’s legislature with 450 bills introduced. I attribute that to having 29 new members in the House, they’re figuring it out and I expect next year we’ll be back to that 550-600 bill average that we typically see. 

House Bill 1100 the proposal to offer landowner on own land only prairie elk licenses died last week in its first committee and then an effort to revive it this week also failed. I believe we’ve seen the last of any future elk hunting this year.

The Game Fish and Parks had their budget hearing in front of the Joint Appropriations committee. You can see the presentation here. More of the budget details can be found here. Further detail with a drill down into the numbers can be found here.

Very enjoyable year representing the South Dakota Wildlife Federation this year. Very capable assistance from David Nauman and volunteer lobbyists John Simpson and  George Vandel. It’s also very good that you sportsmen and sportswomen stay in touch with your local legislators providing input and observations from various legislative districts.

Get out and enjoy the South Dakota Outdoors! 

Week 3 Legislative Report

House Bill 1100, An Act to authorize landowner-on-own-land elk licenses, was deferred at the request of the prime sponsor till Thursday February 2nd in order to work on the language and possible amendments. The proponents have reached out to us to have some dialogue about amendments that might gain our support. We plan to meet with them early next week. Please continue to voice your opposition to the current bill to  committee members whose email address and contact information is below. 

You can call and leave a message for any legislator at 605 773 3851.

Julie.Auch@sdlegislature.gov

Roger.Chase@sdlegislature.gov

Randy.Gross@sdlegislature.gov

Trish.Ladner@sdlegislature.gov

Karla.Lems@sdlegislature.gov

Marty.Overweg@sdlegislature.gov

Drew.Peterson@sdlegislature.gov

Stephanie.Sauder@sdlegislature.gov

Lynn.Schneider@sdlegislature.gov

John.Sjaarda@sdlegislature.gov

Tamara.StJohn@sdlegislature.gov

James.Wangsness@sdlegislature.gov

Kadyn.Wittman@sdlegislature.gov

There are three legislative days left for bill introductions, we should see all the bills by close of business on Thursday next week. To date there aren't any other controversial bills or bills that deal with wildlife, habitat, or access that we are currently tracking.  However, we do expect to see some before the session is over! There are many cracker barrels this weekend, get out and engage with your legislators! 

Legislative Coffee - Mitchell area 
District 20
Friday, Jan. 27 at 8 a.m. CT
Chamber of Commerce
601 N Main St.

Legislative Cracker Barrel - Rapid City area 
Districts, TBA
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. MT
Western Dakota Technical College | Event Center
800 Mickelson Dr.

Legislative Coffee - Brandon area 
District 2
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. CT
Brandon Golf Course
2100 E Aspen Blvd. 

Legislative Coffee - Vermillion area 
District 17
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. CT
City Hall 
24 Center St.

Legislative Coffee - Sioux Falls area 
District 6, 9, & 14
Saturday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. CT
The Hub at Southeast Technical College 
2001 N. Career Ave. 

Legislative Cracker Barrel - Rapid City area 
Districts, TBA
Saturday, Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. MT
Dahl Arts Center
713 7th St. 

Legislative Coffee - Brookings area 
District 7 & 8
Saturday, Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. CT
Brookings City and County Government Center
520 3rd St.

Legislative Coffee - Sioux Falls area
District 10, 11, & 12
Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. CT
The Hub at Southeast Technical College 
2001 N. Career Ave. 

Legislative Coffee - Brookings area 
District 7 & 8
Saturday, Feb. 25 at 9 a.m. CT
Brookings City and County Government Center
520 3rd St.

Legislative Coffee - Sioux Falls area 
District 2, 13, & 15
Saturday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. CT
The Hub at Southeast Technical College 
2001 N. Career Ave. 

Legislative Cracker Barrel - Rapid City area 
Districts, TBA
Saturday, March 4 at 9 a.m. MT
Western Dakota Technical College | Event Center
800 Mickelson Dr. 

Action Alert - HB1100

HB 1100 will be heard on Thursday at 7:45 AM, text of the bill is below.  This bill allows for a landowner only elk license. This is supposedly for a prairie elk license but the bill does not specify that and would leave it up to the GFP to create the units for this license which could include those units in the Black Hills. The license is not transferable. Would allow for non SD citizens to lease land and then apply for an elk license for that land. 

SDWF is OPPOSED to this legislation and would ask you to contact members of the Agriculture committee whose emails are below. 

  An Act to authorize landowner-on-own-land elk licenses. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 3 Section 1. That chapter 41-6 be amended with a NEW SECTION: 4 In addition to any other licenses provided for in this chapter, the Game, Fish and 5 Parks Commission shall establish the number and type of landowner-on-own-land licenses 6 for the hunting, taking, or killing of elk. 7 Upon receipt of an application for a license described in this section, and payment 8 of the required fee, the Game, Fish and Parks Department shall issue a landowner-on9 own-land license that: 10 (1) Restricts the holder to the taking of elk, from land that the holder owns, operates, 11 or leases, within any unit, for the specified hunting season; and 12 (2) Is nontransferable.  

HB 1100

You can call and leave a message for any legislator at 605 773 3851.

Julie.Auch@sdlegislature.gov

Roger.Chase@sdlegislature.gov

Randy.Gross@sdlegislature.gov

Trish.Ladner@sdlegislature.gov

Karla.Lems@sdlegislature.gov

Marty.Overweg@sdlegislature.gov

Drew.Peterson@sdlegislature.gov

Stephanie.Sauder@sdlegislature.gov

Lynn.Schneider@sdlegislature.gov

John.Sjaarda@sdlegislature.gov

Tamara.StJohn@sdlegislature.gov

James.Wangsness@sdlegislature.gov

Kadyn.Wittman@sdlegislature.gov

Action Alert - SDWF is opposed to HB 1100

The Game Fish and Parks is not testifying in favor or against HB 1100, An Act to authorize landowner-on-own-land elk licenses. This will be heard in House Agriculture on Thursday at 7:45. They are simply watching the bill. It's important for you to contact the committee members as some are waiting to hear from GFP on their position. This is simply taking a state resource and making it available to a select few. SDWF is opposed to HB 1100. 

Week 2 South Dakota Legislative Session 2023

Very slow week for bill introductions this week. The one bill of interest that came in on Friday morning is HB 1100 An Act to authorize landowner-on-own-land elk licenses. This is a similar bill to last years SB 184. That bill did not pass and you can see the bill and history of the bill here. The bill being offered this year is essentially the same bill. The bill does not specify bulls or cows but it does say it is not transferable. The bill does not have a hearing date yet nor has it been assigned to a committee. I’d guess it will be assigned to House Agriculture. You can find members of that committee and schedule with the link provided. The committee meets on Tuesday and Thursday.

Last day for bill introduction is February 2^nd, so there are 8 more legislative days to see bills introduced by the executive and legislative branch.

Week 1 2023 Legislative Session

Mitch Richter will be lobbying this legislative session assisted by Dave Nauman and volunteer lobbyist George Vandel. Mitch Richter is a former legislator serving 8 years from Sioux Falls in the House and for the past 20 years has been lobbying in Pierre as a contract lobbyist. Dave Nauman has been representing SDWF for many years. George Vandel is a former GFP employee and brings science and his expertise as a long-time state employee to the table.

The 98^th Session of the South Dakota Legislature got underway on January 10^th. The first day of session the Governor gave her State of the State speech, day two was the State of the Judiciary, and day three was the State of the tribes. There are 29 new legislators in the House and 5 new legislators in the Senate. Committees started to meet on Wednesday basically to get organized and set the rules. Most committees are NOT going to allow remote testimony. If you plan on testifying, you’ll need to be in the room for the hearing. There will be some exceptions, but rarely will they be granted.

Most of the bills introduced the first week of session were department bills from state agencies or bills that came through summer studies. So far there have been 133 bills introduced. The GFP have a couple of clean up bills, HB 1018 An Act to repeal the authorized forfeiture of property used in the illegal capture of fish and HB 1019 An Act to repeal certain requirements for Game, Fish and Parks licensing agents.  Both bills will be heard on Tuesday the 17^th.   I’m told they don’t have other bills to introduce, there are discussions but nothing they currently plan on introducing at this time.

It appeared to be a more productive first week than past first weeks and next week committees will have bills to be heard in committees. You can follow all the action in Pierre by using the Legislative Research Council’s website.

Day 18

Legislative Daily Update: Day 18 of 38

Brought to you by SDWF Camo-Coalition

HB 1141 and HB 1142 were combined by the House State Affairs and then voted to kill the combined bills, 11-2.

A few Legislative deadlines happening; Feb. 23, is crossover day, when bills need to be out of their house of origin.

HB = House Bill     SB = Senate Bill

SDWF comments on the Bill

Location of Bill and scheduled hearing of Bill

Link to actual Bill

House Bills: 

HB 1112 authorize the use of crossbows by senior hunters. SDWF-Camo will be opposing this. Currently anyone with a disability and a Dr’s. waiver can qualify for their use of a crossbow. House Ag. no Hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22783

HB 1131 provide for a revocation of hunting, trapping, or fishing privileges SDWF-Camo is supporting this bill. House Ag. Passed to full House on Consent calendar. (No debate on the floor) https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23130

HB 1296 provide for the killing of mountain lions under certain circumstances.  SDWF-Camo is monitoring No Hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23474

HB 1324 provide additional time for camping permit acquisition by residents. SDWF-Camo is monitoring. No Hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23347

SB 73 provide for the use of artificial light and night-vision equipment while hunting coyotes and other predators. SDWF-Camo is opposing this Legislation Senate Passed to House.  https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22919

Senate Bills:

SB 126 require closure of litigation over the recreational use of nonmeandered waters. SDWF Camo is supporting this bill. No Hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23159

SB 175 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for building a shooting range in western South Dakota and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is supporting this bill. No Hearing scheduled, https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23361

SB 178 replace the name of Custer State Park. SDWF-Camo is monitoring. No Hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23438

SB 184 provide for limited elk licenses to landowners. SDWF-Camo is monitoring Senate Ag, Rm 423, 10 am 2-8-22 https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23278

SB 200 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks to purchase and construct boat cleaning stations, and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is monitoring Senate Ag, Rm 423, 10 am 2-8-22 https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23455

Finalizations:

HB 1048 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for expanding Custer State Park and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is opposing this current proposal, the location of the campground is in some of the best Wildlife habitat in CSP House Ag. Passed to 41^st day. (DEAD) https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23040

HB 1049 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for building a shooting range near Rapid City and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is monitoring/supporting this bill. House Ag. passed to 41^st day (DEAD) https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23041

HB 1072 revise the safety zone within which a firearm may be discharged or trapping activities may occur. House Ag. no hearing scheduled  SDWF-Camo is opposing, it would greatly impact legal road hunting in eastern SD. Due to smaller and closer farms. House vote Failed to pass 19 to 45 (DEAD)   https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22972

HB 1090 require an annual report on nonmeandered waters. SDWF-Camo is supporting this Legislation Passed to 41^st day (DEAD) https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22581 

HB1141 exempt members of Indian tribes in South Dakota from hunting and fishing license fees. SDWF- Camo is monitoring. House State Affairs, Combined with HB 1142 and killed (Dead) https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23210

HB 1142 exempt members of Indian tribes from admission fees, camping permit fees, and park service fees of state parks SDWF- Camo is monitoring. House State Affairs, combined with HB 1142 and was killed (DEAD) https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23212

How to contact your Legislator:

Go to   2022 South Dakota Legislators (sdlegislature.gov) this will pull up all members of the House and Senate simply click on the Legislator you want your message sent to and create or paste your message.

If you do not know who your Legislator is go to this link:

https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Finde

Or call and leave a message with the pages; tell them who message is for, the message, who you are. The page will deliver your phone message to their desk

Senate 773-3821

House 773-3851

Please write your response in your own words. It is fine to use our suggestions, but best if you do not simply just copy our points. Make your message a personal note from you to them. Include a family fishing picture if you have one for effect. As always, be polite and respectful.

Please include your name, number and address on all messages sent to your Legislators. Please be courteous!

Thank you for all that you do! Together we can and do make a difference!