PIERRE, S.D.—Two of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department’s most popular publications are now available to the public.

PIERRE, S.D. – With increased spring and summer rains experienced across much of the grouse range in South Dakota, biologists are optimistic about the outlook for grouse hunting in 2008.

PIERRE, S.D.—Favorable weather conditions and good habitat have once again combined to produce a record pheasant crop in South Dakota.

Brood count surveys conducted by the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department tallied pheasant numbers that once again hearken back to the days of the Soil Bank era in the 1950s and ’60s.  Surveys that measure pheasants per mile from brood routes put the 2008 index at 8.56 pheasants per mile, a figure that’s 64 percent ahead of the 10-year average and the highest recorded since 1963.

Watch Pheasants Forever Television on Outdoor Channel, American's Leader in Outdoor TV -- By the time December rolls around in South Dakota, roosters are hard to come by, as you'll see on this week's episode of Pheasants Forever Television, airing on Outdoor Channel on Thursday, Aug. 14th at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT. The episode will also air on Friday, Aug. 15th at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturday, Aug. 16th at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT.

In addition to their regular business, Game, Fish and Parks Commissioners will get a history lesson when they conduct their August meeting at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park. The commission's agenda for the one-day meeting on Aug. 7 includes a tour of the park, located 10 miles southwest of Lake City. 

The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has announced the grant recipients for this year's No Child Left Inside small grant program.  "We received nearly 60 applications for this year's funding. That was a tremendous response, especially since this was the first year we've offered the program," said Chad Tussing, education services coordinator for the GFP Division of Wildlife. Applications were scored by a team of reviewers. A total of $5,000 was allotted for the small grant program.  Applicants requested amounts between $500 and $1,000 each.

Last week, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever biologists met with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and political leaders in Washington, DC. The meetings focused on conservation opportunities in the new Farm Bill. For PF/QF, the meetings marked an important transition from the Farm Bill legislative process to implementation.

PIERRE, S.D.—On behalf of more than 50 partners from across the state, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department presented a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program proposal to the Governor’s Office last week. With the submission of this proposal on June 3 to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency by Gov. Mike Rounds, there is excitement among many about this program and its expected benefits.

HURON, S.D.—With the prairie winds waving around waist-high grass that has benefited from above-normal precipitation this spring, many nesting birds including pheasant, grouse and waterfowl are at the peak of their critical nesting and brood rearing time.

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota’s hunting heritage has traditionally been passed from one generation to the next. Recognizing that linage, and wanting to help it along, the S.D. Legislature approved a bill this year that allows children as young as 10 years of age to take part in mentored hunting opportunities.

“Having youngsters in the field is nothing new in South Dakota,” said Tony Leif, director of the Wildlife Division of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Many South Dakotans learned about hunting and the outdoors well before they were old enough to hunt.”

HURON, S.D.—With the arrival of spring, people are anxious to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather. The S.D. Outdoor Expo to be held on the S.D. State Fairgrounds on May 17-18 will be a great opportunity for the whole family to get outside, enjoy the outdoors and learn a few new activities that they can enjoy all summer long. There are nearly 100 activities and booths for people to visit. There is sure to be something for everyone.

PIERRE, SD—The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has identified the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program as a powerful tool to meet goals to provide additional undisturbed habitat for wildlife and public hunting access.

BROOKINGS, S.D.—Heeding the concerns of landowners and sportsmen’s groups, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission decided against a proposal that would have lengthened the pheasant season to the end of January.

The commission took the action at its April meeting in Brookings. The 2008 season will adhere to traditional dates, starting on the third Saturday of October—Oct. 18—and ending on the first Sunday of January—Jan. 4.

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakotans are not only interested in pheasants, they are involved and passionate about pheasant management. Those South Dakotans will now rely on Chad Switzer to provide guidance and management recommendations for ringnecks in his new position as senior upland wildlife biologist for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department.