South Dakota Ag Connection - Commission Proposes Muzzleloader and Refuge Deer Seasons

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Commission Proposes Muzzleloader and Refuge Deer Seasons
South Dakota Ag Connection - 05/24/2017

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed a change to the area where muzzleloader antlerless whitetail deer licenses will be valid for the 2017 and 2018 hunting seasons.

According to the proposal, antlerless whitetail deer licenses would be valid in units 44A and 62A and not valid for units 17A, 25A, 41A, 50A, and 58A. These changes to Unit MZD-LM1 where antlerless whitetail deer licenses are valid aligns with the current population management objectives.

There would be 1,000 statewide any deer licenses and unlimited single-tag licenses for unit MZD-LM1 antlerless whitetail deer licenses available.

Season dates would be:

Dec. 1, 2017 -- Jan. 15, 2018

Dec. 1, 2018 -- Jan. 15, 2019

The Commission also proposed to offer 10 more resident and one more nonresident any deer licenses for LaCreek National Wildlife Refuge and to offer 10 less resident and one less nonresident any deer licenses for Waubay National Wildlife Refuge. The Commission proposed to change all licenses within Waubay Wildlife Refuge to be restricted to muzzle-loading rifles.

Licenses and season dates for National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) would be:

- Sand Lake NWR

Resident: 100 any deer and 50 any antlerless deer licenses

Nonresident: 10 any deer and 5 any antlerless deer licenses

2017 Season Dates: Nov. 11-15, Nov. 16-20, Nov. 21-26, Nov. 27 -- Dec. 3, Dec. 4-10, and Dec. 30, 2017 - Jan. 7, 2018.

2018 Season Dates: Nov. 10-14, Nov. 15-19, Nov. 20-25, Nov. 26 -- Dec. 2, Dec. 3-9, and Dec. 29, 2017 - Jan. 6, 2018 (sic).

- LaCreek NWR

Residents: 25 any deer licenses

Nonresidents: 3 any deer licenses

2017 Season Dates: Oct. 18-24 and Nov. 22-28

2018 Season Dates: Oct. 17-23 and Nov. 21-27

- Waubay NWR

Residents: 20 any deer licenses

Nonresidents: 2 any deer licenses

2017 Season Dates: Nov. 11-18 and Nov. 27 -- Dec. 3 and includes Waubay State Game Refuge

2018 Season Dates: Nov. 10-17 and Nov. 26 -- Dec. 2 and includes Waubay State Game Refuge

The Commission will finalize these proposals June 8-9 at Cedar Shore Resort in Oacoma. Written comments can be sent to wildinfo@state.sd.us. To be part of the public record, comments must be received by 12 p.m. CDT on June 8. Please include a full name along with the city and state of residence. To comment in person, the public hearing will be held June 8 at 2 p.m. CDT at Cedar Shore Resort in Oacoma.

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