PIERRE, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks gave final approval to the extension of the hunting seasons for tree squirrels and cottontail rabbits from the end of February to the end of March.
The hunting seasons for quail, partridge and grouse were aligned with the pheasant season so they all run through the month of January. Quail, partridge and grouse seasons typically ended the first Sunday in January.
These changes must be approved by the Legislative Rules Committee. The next meeting of that Committee is May 7th.
In other Game Fish and Parks action, the Commission considered the request of Blake Roetman of Mitchell for a rule change on the velocity of air guns from the current 1000 feet per second to 600 feet per second. The Commission is looking favorably on that request.
Air guns are allowed in the hunting of several predators and species of small game in South Dakota.