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Elk are majestic and prized animals in South Dakota, but they can also cause problems for farmers and ranchers whose crops and haystacks are raided by the big animals.
Each year, the state Game Fish and Parks Department receives reports of elk causing property damage. Among options GFP has available to deal with problem elk herds are depredation hunts.
The state GFP Commission proposed several changes to the elk depredation permit process at its July meeting in Pierre and will hold a public hearing on them next month.
Among proposed changes from last year:
- 1. Allow elk depredation hunts in areas not designated as elk units.
- 2. Allow elk depredation hunts before a regular season opens.
- 3. Base hunter selection for elk depredation hunts on unsuccessful hunters for that unit from the first elk-license drawing, then unsuccessful hunters for that unit from the second license drawing, followed by those who were not successful in getting elk licenses at all for that unit, and finally unsuccessful applicants for elk units closest to the depredation hunt area.
- 4. Base hunter selection for pre-season depredation hunts on successful elk-license applicants for that unit, then unsuccessful license applicants for that unit, followed by unsuccessful elk-license applicants for elk units closest to the depredation hunt area.
- 5. Collect fees only from elk depredation hunters who did not pay for licenses during the current season.
- 6. Unsuccessful applicants selected for depredation hunts who elect to participate would not lose their preference points.
People who would like to provide written comments on the proposal may do so until 5 p.m. Wed., Aug. 5. Comments may be mailed to: Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D., 57501, or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us
All comments must have senders' full names and addresses in order to become part of the public record.
Comments may also be presented in person at the Aug. 6 GFP Commission meeting in Mobridge, at the Wrangler Inn, during the 2 p.m. CDT public hearing.
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