PIERRE — The Game, Fish and Parks Commission has proposed elk seasons for 2006 that will feature slightly fewer licenses than a year ago.
“We increased the number of elk licenses available for the past few years to control a growing population of elk and to help alleviate depredation problems with private landowners,” John Wrede, GFP regional game manager in Rapid City said. “Our survey information indicates that we have been successful in reducing the elk population in some of these areas of concern.”
The proposal for the Black Hills Archery Elk season will have the season open from September 1-30. There will be 104 “any elk”, and another 145 “antlerless elk” licenses available. Last year 271 hunters harvested 42 bulls and 24 cows for a 21 percent hunting success rate.
The Black Hills Firearms Elk season will run from October 1-31 for “any elk” licenses; from October 1-15 and December 1-15 for the first “antlerless elk” season; and from October 16-31 and December 1-15 for the second “antlerless elk” season. There will be 730 “any elk” licenses available and 1,740 “antlerless elk” licenses available. Last year 2,670 licensed hunters harvested 517 bulls and 921 cows for a 54 percent success rate.
The Prairie Elk season is divided into units for Bennett County, Butte County and Gregory County. There will be 18 “any elk” and 18 “antlerless elk” licenses available for Bennett County; 10 “any elk” and 20 “antlerless elk” licenses for Butte County; and 2 “any elk” and 8 “antlerless elk” for Gregory County. In 2005 there were 89 total licensed hunters for the Prairie Elk season. They harvested 20 bulls and 22 cows for a 47 percent success rate.
Custer State Park seasons for the regular Elk season, Antlerless Elk, Early Season Archery Elk, and Late Season Archery Elk all had no changes from 2005 and are finalized for the 2006 season.
The comment period for the elk hunting season proposals will be open until 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 5. Anyone interested in presenting a comment is encouraged to do so at any time during the comment period by e-mailing wildinfo@state.sd.us or writing to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol, Pierre, S.D. 57501. All comments must be received before 5 p.m. on April 5, and include the person’s full name and address. Comments may also be presented in person to the GFP Commission at the time of the public hearing at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 6, at the Ramkota River Centre in Pierre.
Once the seasons are finalized at the April Commission meeting, the application process will be opened in mid-April. The application deadline for all elk seasons will be May 19.