Hunters Vital in Tracking Sage Grouse Data in South Dakota
September 22, 2008
RAPID CITY, S.D.—South Dakota’s short sage grouse hunting season is accompanied by a vigorous effort to collect data about the birds. That collection effort relies largely on the willingness of hunters to have their birds checked by Game, Fish and Parks.
“Hunters play a key role in helping us collect information about the state’s sage grouse population,” said John Kanta, regional wildlife manager. “The age, gender and harvest location information all go toward helping make the management decisions that will ensure future hunts.”
South Dakota’s limited sage grouse hunting season is open on Sept. 24 and 25. The areas open to hunting include public land in Butte County west of U.S. Highway 85 and on all public lands in Harding County. Private lands, except those leased for public hunting, are not open during this season. Public lands include those managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, state School and Public Lands and private land leased for public hunting as GFP Walk-In Areas. Shooting hours are sunrise to sunset with a season limit of one sage grouse.
Successful hunters are asked to bring their birds the same day they are taken to one of three check stations located at:
- GFP Regional Office, 3305 W. South St., Rapid City, SD, (605) 394-2391
- Camp Crook General Store and Repair, 102 E. Highway 20, Camp Crook, SD
- Bureau of Land Management, 310 Roundup St., Belle Fourche, SD, (605) 892-7000
“Hunters can also call State Radio and we’ll make arrangements to have the bird checked,” Kanta said. The telephone number of State Radio is (605) 394-8121.
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State Recreation Areas Offer Summer Nature Camps for Kids of South Dakota
August 15, 2008
PIERRE, S.D. – Angostura and Rocky Point Recreation Areas are hosting nature day camps for kids ages 7-12 on Aug. 20 and 21, respectively. The camps are great opportunities for kids to explore the surrounding recreation areas and focus on the outdoors. The camps run from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Angostura Recreation Area near Hot Springs will host the camp on Aug. 20. The theme of the day camp is “Animal Tracking for Kids.” This nature day camp takes participants on a guided hike into a prairie setting and woody ravines to discover various signs of wildlife. Bring a sense of exploration and some excitable questions because the trek will leave you with lasting impressions of nature.
“Wildlife species exist in many forms at Angostura Recreation Area,” said Willy Collignon, park manager. “However, many species are not seen, due to their habitat preference or lifestyle. Come on out and learn how to locate and identify what some of these creatures leave behind.”
Reservations are required and can be made by calling Angostura Recreation Area at (605) 745-6996 or by email at Angostura [at] state [dot] sd [dot] us
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Angostura Recreation Area is located 10 miles southeast of Hot Springs off US 18/385. For more information on their programming schedule throughout the summer season, please visit Angostura Recreation Area on the web at www.SDparks.info or call (605) 745-6996.
The theme of the Aug. 21 day camp at Rocky Point Recreation Area near Belle Fourche is “Astronomy is for the Stars.” “Participants will hear statistics, history, and mythology for constellations and name stars within them,” said Brad Nelson, Rocky Point park manager. “The kids will have chance to look at the stars through the telescope after dark, so we are hoping for a clear night!”
Reservations for this camp can be made by calling Rocky Point Recreation Area at (605)641-0023 or by email at RockyPoint [at] state [dot] sd [dot] us.
Rocky Point Recreation Area is located 8 miles east of Belle Fourche off SD 212. For more information on their programming schedule throughout the summer season, please visit Rocky Point Recreation Area on the web at www.SDparks.info or call (605)641-0023.
While the camps are geared for kids ages 7-12, younger children may attend if accompanied by an adult. Kids are reminded to wear clothing appropriate for the weather and shoes comfortable for walking. Sandals are not appropriate. No snacks or refreshments will be provided, but kids are welcome to bring their own. There is no fee for the camp; however a park entrance license is required.
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Rocky Point Recreation Area Offers Summer Nature Camp for kids
June 11, 2008
BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. – Rocky Point Recreation Area is hosting a nature day camp for kids ages 7-12 on Thursday, June 19. June has been proclaimed Great Outdoors Month by Governor Rounds, and the camp is a great way for kids to explore the surrounding recreation area and focus on the outdoors.
The theme of the June 19 day camp is “Fishing for Kids.” From 9:30 a.m. to noon, kids will learn the basics of fishing including, how to bait a hook, take a fish off the hook, clean and cook a fish. “We’re really hoping that we catch some fish, so we can teach the cleaning and cooking processes,” said Brad Nelson, park manager.
While the camp is geared for kids ages 7-12, younger children may attend if accompanied by an adult. Kids are reminded to wear clothing appropriate for the weather and shoes comfortable for walking. Sandals are not appropriate. No snacks or refreshments will be provided, but kids are welcome to bring their own.
Rocky Point Recreation Area will also be hosting nature day camps for kids in July and August. The program for July 17 will be “Finding your way with GPS,” and “Astronomy is for the Stars” has been scheduled for August 21.
Reservations are required for the camps and can be made by calling Rocky Point Recreation Area at (605)641-0023 or by email at RockyPoint [at] state [dot] sd [dot] us. There is no fee for the camp; however a park entrance license is required.
Rocky Point Recreation Area is located 8 miles east of Belle Fourche off SD 212. For more information on the programming schedule throughout the summer season, please visit Rocky Point Recreation Area on the web at www.SDparks.info or call (605)641-0023.
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