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Josh Haiar

Josh Haiar: South Dakota officials say ‘no’ to lowering walleye limits

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Minnesota, National Fishing /

South Dakota wildlife officials denied a public petition to reduce early-season walleye limits on a stretch of the Missouri River, citing fisheries data indicating a healthy population.
Wes Chmela of Oacoma asked officials to shut down or lower the daily walleye limit from four fish to two fish during January, February, and March on upper Lake Francis Case. In his written petition, he also proposed either catch-and-release-only fishing or tighter size restrictions for that period on the stretch from the Platte-Winner bridge to Fort Thompson.

Josh Haiar: South Dakota officials say ‘no’ to lowering walleye limits Read More »

South Dakota’s outdoor issues heating up in Pierre

Fishing, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Fishing, National Hunting, News /

A slate of outdoor bills is making its way through the South Dakota Legislature.
Some of them failed quickly, while others are still waiting for their first committee hearing. As of February 5, here are the proposals drawing the most attention from hunters and anglers, and why they matter.

South Dakota’s outdoor issues heating up in Pierre Read More »

Should hunting, fishing guides be licensed? Legislative debate set to begin again in South Dakota

Leave a Comment / Discussions, Fishing, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Fishing, National Hunting, National News, News /

South Dakota lawmakers will again weigh whether the state should require hunting and fishing guides to be licensed as the state’s annual winter bill-making session is under way.
It’s a debate that’s resurfaced as more and more guides advertise online. Some are leasing exclusive access to prime private acres, increasing hunting pressure elsewhere. Yet, some outfitters and landowners warn that a broad licensing approach could sweep in private arrangements that have little to do with issues of access and crowding.

Should hunting, fishing guides be licensed? Legislative debate set to begin again in South Dakota Read More »

South Dakota has bold plans to expand waterfowling access

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting /

The number of duck hunters in South Dakota has been declining. So, state wildlife officials have drafted another three-year waterfowl hunting-access plan to help retain seasoned hunters and call in new ones.
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department’s 2026-2028 Waterfowl Hunting Access Plan builds on earlier efforts to respond to two decades of declining resident hunter numbers and growing concern about access and crowding.

South Dakota has bold plans to expand waterfowling access Read More »

Josh Haiar: When it comes to hunting, hard is good

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, Opinion /

Some lessons stick with you. For me, one of those came from former South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Secretary John Cooper.
Cooper, age 80, has been many things, from a Vietnam veteran and loving husband to a former federal game warden and head of the state’s Department of Game, Fish and Parks. But to those who have hunted waterfowl with him, he’s something else too: a living reminder that “hard is good.”

Josh Haiar: When it comes to hunting, hard is good Read More »

Revisiting a century of South Dakota pheasant hunting

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting /

South Dakota’s first pheasant-hunting season opened Oct. 30, 1919, with about 1,000 hunters harvesting about 200 birds in Spink County in one day.
Now, fast-forward to 2024, when 1.4 million birds were harvested by 140,000 hunters in the state. The roots of South Dakota’s pheasant-hunting heritage trace back to 1909 – the same year the South Dakota Department of Game and Fish was created – when hunters and farmers made the first successful releases of ring-necked pheasants, a colorful game bird native to Asia.

Revisiting a century of South Dakota pheasant hunting Read More »

South Dakota pheasant season could be special, though no brood survey still frustrates some hunters

Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, National News, News /

South Dakota’s most iconic hunt is back, and wildlife officials say 2025 is shaping up to be an excellent year.
At its September meeting, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission heard reports showing that favorable weather and solid habitat conditions are once again setting the stage for pheasant hunters across the state.

South Dakota pheasant season could be special, though no brood survey still frustrates some hunters Read More »

‘PATH’ program unlocking more South Dakota private lands for hunters

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting /

In South Dakota, where more than 80% of land is privately owned, access can be a limiting factor for hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts if enough acres are not enrolled in a public access program. That’s why the Public Access to Habitat (PATH) program is turning heads, winning over landowners, and opening gates to some of the state’s best pheasant and grouse habitat.
Launched in September 2023, PATH is the product of a partnership between Pheasants Forever and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.

‘PATH’ program unlocking more South Dakota private lands for hunters Read More »

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