Keith Lusher 05.18.26
South Dakota hunters will see expanded elk looking alternatives this fall after state officers authorized a brand new guidelines package deal geared toward controlling rising elk numbers in components of the state.
The South Dakota Legislature’s Guidelines Assessment Committee voted 4-2 on Might 5 to approve the modifications, which embrace limitless elk licenses east of the Missouri River and elevated elk tags in Custer State Park.
In accordance with the South Dakota Division of Recreation, Fish and Parks, elk have more and more been displaying up in agricultural areas between Pierre and Chamberlain, the place they’ve been feeding in corn and soybean fields and inflicting crop harm.
“They’ll create a whole lot of harm, and it’s a really, very difficult administration exercise,” Tom Kirschenmann, director of wildlife for the division, mentioned in one of many stories.
Officers careworn the transfer is designed to stop a everlasting elk inhabitants from changing into established within the closely agricultural area.
“Jap South Dakota is sort of solely privately owned,” a South Dakota Recreation, Fish and Parks spokesperson mentioned. “The entire area is operated at virtually one hundred pc close-crop agriculture, and the potential for elk inflicting harm to that’s so nice that we simply don’t need the animals anyplace within the space.”
The state estimates South Dakota’s major elk herd within the Black Hills area numbers round 8,000 animals, whereas a smaller inhabitants additionally occupies western prairie nation. East River elk numbers stay comparatively small, although officers say sightings have turn out to be extra frequent lately.
Purposes for the upcoming elk season are at present open by Might 19. The season is scheduled to run from Sept. 1 by Dec. 31.
The identical guidelines package deal additionally will increase elk looking alternatives in Custer State Park, the place wildlife officers say elk populations are above administration objectives. The park’s herd is at present estimated at roughly 750 to 775 elk, whereas managers desire numbers nearer to 500 to 600 animals.
As a part of the modifications, antlerless elk license limits within the park have been elevated from 20 to 100 potential permits, although officers count on about 50 cow tags to truly be issued this 12 months. Extra archery and firearm bull tags can even be out there.
Officers say decreasing elk numbers contained in the park can also assist tackle considerations surrounding continual losing illness and habitat competitors with different wildlife species.
