PIERRE, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Every now and again, a person running for office will declare government should be run like a business. The Game Fish and Parks is run like a business. They’re expected to generate the revenue they need to operate the department through fees, like park admissions and sporting licenses, along with federal and other funds that come the department’s way. That creates a tension between maximizing fees, like welcoming out-of-state sportsmen who pay higher prices to South Dakota and balancing in-state hunters’ opportunities.
Last week, the South Dakota Wildlife Federation wanted the Game Fish and Parks to limit out-of-state turkey licenses to 22% of a three year average, which would have taken the number from 3,170 issued last season down to 600. Other in-state turkey hunters wanted the out-of-staters limited to just 300 licenses. The Game Fish and Parks “compromised” and have said they will propose a limit of 2,225 out-of-state licenses for the next turkey season. The Black Hills turkey season starts the fourth week in April.
While this limit isn’t as much as what in-state hunters asked for, they say this 30% reduction in out-of-state turkey licenses is better than no limit at all. The proposed limit on out-of-state turkey licenses will be considered at Game Fish and Parks next meeting, to be held in September in Rapid City.