10-27-2004, 02:30 AM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s prairie dog shooting season was recently proposed by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission with a change that would open the Conata Basin to prairie dog shooting. The Conata Basin is described as that portion of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands east and south of Badlands National Park, north of the Pine Ridge Reservation and west of the Jackson County line.[/size]
[size 2]According to surveys completed in 2003 and 2004, South Dakota’s prairie dog acreage exceeds 400,000 acres. "With prairie dogs in such high numbers and with active prairie dog poisoning occurring, protection from sport shooting in the Conata Basin using state rules is not necessary," said GFP Assistant Wildlife Director George Vandel. "Additionally, recent emergency rule action deferred responsibility for establishing shooting restrictions in the Conata Basin to the U.S. Forest Service, who is better suited to establish local shooting zones and/or open shooting areas.[/size]
[size 2]Vandel noted that the commission’s emergency action is only valid for 90 days, so the same rule needed to be proposed using the normal rule making process. "Essentially, nothing will change regarding new opportunities for prairie dog shooting in the Conata Basin until the U.S. Forest Service completes an Environmental Impact Statement for prairie dog management activities," he said.[/size]
[size 2]To comment on the proposals, people can attend the public hearing at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Ramkota in Pierre, or write Game, Fish and Parks, 523 E. Capitol, Pierre, S.D. 57501. E-mail comments can be sent to [/size][size 2][url "mailto:wildinfo@state.sd.us"][font "Arial"]wildinfo@state.sd.us[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2]. Comments must include full name and address.[/size][/font]
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[size 2]According to surveys completed in 2003 and 2004, South Dakota’s prairie dog acreage exceeds 400,000 acres. "With prairie dogs in such high numbers and with active prairie dog poisoning occurring, protection from sport shooting in the Conata Basin using state rules is not necessary," said GFP Assistant Wildlife Director George Vandel. "Additionally, recent emergency rule action deferred responsibility for establishing shooting restrictions in the Conata Basin to the U.S. Forest Service, who is better suited to establish local shooting zones and/or open shooting areas.[/size]
[size 2]Vandel noted that the commission’s emergency action is only valid for 90 days, so the same rule needed to be proposed using the normal rule making process. "Essentially, nothing will change regarding new opportunities for prairie dog shooting in the Conata Basin until the U.S. Forest Service completes an Environmental Impact Statement for prairie dog management activities," he said.[/size]
[size 2]To comment on the proposals, people can attend the public hearing at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Ramkota in Pierre, or write Game, Fish and Parks, 523 E. Capitol, Pierre, S.D. 57501. E-mail comments can be sent to [/size][size 2][url "mailto:wildinfo@state.sd.us"][font "Arial"]wildinfo@state.sd.us[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2]. Comments must include full name and address.[/size][/font]
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