2011 South Dakota Elk, Big Horn Sheep, Youth, Muzzleloader and Archery Deer Seasons Set

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission
has finalized

the 2011 Elk Hunting Seasons.

The Archery Elk Season will have 89 “any elk” and 37 “antlerless
elk” licenses

this year.

The Black Hills Firearm Elk Season will have 470 “any elk” and
395 “antlerless

elk” licenses in 2011.

The Firearm Prairie Elk Season will have 49 “any elk” and 79
“antlerless elk”

this year.

The Commission also finalized the 2011 Bighorn Sheep Season.
Three bighorn

licenses will be available. The Commission will keep the season
closed on

mountain goats in South Dakota.

The application process for elk seasons will open in late April.
The

application deadline is May 20.

The GFP Commission also finalized season dates for three deer
hunting seasons

for 2011.

The Youth Deer Hunting Season will run from Sept. 10 – Jan. 15,
2012.

The Archery Deer Hunting Season will run from Sept. 24 – Jan 15.
2012.

The Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Season will run from Dec. 1 – Jan.
15, 2012.

-GFP-

Prairie grouse plan available for review

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department
is offering

citizens the opportunity to review a new five-year draft management
plan for

prairie grouse.

The Prairie Grouse Management Plan for South Dakota 2011-2015
describes how the

state proposes to manage prairie grouse, both sharp-tailed grouse
and greater

prairie chicken, in South Dakota. The draft will be available for
review

through May 16. Interested citizens are encouraged to submit
comments on the

plan by the deadline.

“Prairie grouse can be found across South Dakota where
grasslands comprise much

of the landscape,” said Travis Runia, senior upland game biologist.
“As their

name implies, much of the draft plan is focused on maintaining and
enhancing

grassland habitats found on both public and private lands.”

To view the draft management plan and provide feedback online,
visit the

following link at

[2]http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/management/plans/prairie-grouse-management-plan.a

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Request a printed copy of the report or submit written comments
to: Game, Fish

and Parks; 523 East Capitol Avenue; Pierre SD 57501.