Commission moves licensing proposals forward: antelope draws delayed post-survey; deer archery/muzzleloader suggested as buck-only
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Game, Fish and Parks presented proposed changes to antelope and turkey application draws (move special/nonresident archery draws until after May aerial survey and remove an unused third draw) and proposed changing statewide archery and muzzleloader deer license types to 'buck only' for 2026 to protect declining mule deer and address low recruitment in southeastern counties.
At the March meeting Andrew Norton, wildlife program administrator, asked the commission to advance multiple licensing proposals for public comment.
Norton said changes to the antelope draw structure would move special-antelope and nonresident-archery antelope draws until after an annual aerial survey in May so the department can base draw decisions on current population counts. Norton said the move also removes an unused third draw that no longer produces leftover licenses and will speed license distribution to hunters.
On deer, Norton and staff recommended administrative changes that would remove specific tag-type wording from administrative rules and, as a functional recommendation tied to population concerns, switch statewide archery and muzzleloader "any deer" license types to "buck only" for the coming cycle. The change is intended to limit antlerless harvest where populations and fawn recruitment are low; staff cited hemorrhagic disease impacts and low fawn recruitment in portions of southeastern South Dakota as a primary factor.
The commission voted to move the antelope/turkey proposals forward for 30 days of public comment and to solicit feedback on the deer recommendations; final administrative changes or actions are expected at the April meeting. Norton said additional data tables (success rates and unit-level numbers) will be provided for commissioners and the public prior to final action.