Nonresident tag increase
Contributors to this thread:South Dakota
From: Mnhunter1980
29-Dec-19
What’s the word on the street in Pierre for increasing nonresident archery deer tags? Any proposals yet? Thanks
From: Brotsky
30-Dec-19
I have heard/seen nothing as of yet. My guess is no change is coming for this year other than the "buy by April 1 for public lands" change. Then they will reevaluate in 2021.
From: SD BuckBuster
30-Dec-19
Was there any other proposals to the price in the recent past?
From: Brotsky
30-Dec-19
I have not seen any discussion related to price increases.
From: SD BuckBuster
30-Dec-19
Okay thanks..
Then I assume there is no reason to think that SD will be raising the price right? Or have you heard something else MNhunter?
From: Mnhunter1980
30-Dec-19
I was under the understanding that last year it was brought up with the NR season changes . As I understand it South Dakota game and fish does the monetary side of things in the winter months for the next season. Wasn’t there talk of mule deer being more expensive than whitetail? Raising non residents deer tags? Was that part of the initial proposal last year from SDBH? Maybe it was just a bad dream:)
From: DR
30-Dec-19
It was discussed and IMO is needed ($286 is LOW). The commissioners did NOT elect to raise any fees thus far and likely will not until next fall, so yes 2020 remains the same as of today. All reports we (SDBI) received were that the Oct 1 opening on public lands had a great effect on quality of experience. Time will tell what the mule deer harvest stats show as a result once that data set is compiled here in a few months.
From: Mnhunter1980
30-Dec-19
Thanks DR, glad to hear the locals had a better experience in September. I can imagine how frustrating that would be in your home state.
From what I understand it is not possible for someone to have two tags for west river archery, one for whitetail one for muledeer? Only 1 any deer? Thanks
From: grizzly
30-Dec-19
0ne east river archery any deer, one west river archery any deer, or one statewide any deer archery Anterless tags are separate
From: grizzly
30-Dec-19
0ne east river archery any deer and one west river archery any deer, or one statewide any deer archery Anterless tags are separate
From: Mnhunter1980
30-Dec-19
Thanks grizzly that’s what I thought. I met a family in the hills and it turned into a great friendship with awesome whitetail hunting but would like to get back to belle to chase mulies. Decisions decisions ;)
Might try to make a trip into Nebraska one of these days to try for a muley. That’s the whole reason I tried SD but havnt seen any in the hills where I hunt.
From: Brotsky
31-Dec-19
The mule deer in the black hills have taken a beating. The main culprit is coyotes, but overharvest from bowhunters, muzzleloader hunters, and to a lesser extent rifle hunters has really started taking a toll on the population. I used to see 150+ mule deer per day with 10-15 bucks with more than 2 points. Now on a good day I see 30-40 deer and am lucky to find 1-2 bucks with more than 2 points. This change has occurred slowly over the course of 10 years. I would be interested to see the radio collar data from the state's studies.
From: Mnhunter1980
31-Dec-19
Where I hunt private is on the northern edge of the hills. According to the land owner they haven’t seen a mule deer there in 10 years and even then it was a stragler buck. Does the southern portion hold more mule deer usually? We see easily over a hundred deer a day and all whitetail
From: Brotsky
31-Dec-19
They can be found in pockets throughout the hills but I would say generally that the southern hills holds more mule deer.
From: DR
31-Dec-19
The Hills mule deer population is not in good shape at all from my experience. As Brotsky noted, several reasons for this. I can forsee changes to archery tags/seasons as a possibility. After all, those are totally unlimited at this point and has a big impact in getting mule deer populations turned back around here.
From: RD in WI
04-Jan-20
Does anyone support a moratorium on mule deer hunting for a period of time in order for the species to recover? Maybe divert some license fee money to habitat improvements or winter feeding in order to ensure winter survival. I would support any good or novel ideas that would help a struggling species.
From: grizzly
05-Jan-20
I believe our GFP does a good job but sometimes is a little slow in fixing the problem before it gets out of hand like the unbridled slaughter of anterless deer earlier in the century in the hills. People were shooting a lot of anterless deer. The whitetails seem to be on the rebound in the hills now in my view. I dont think you will see a moratorium but maybe some licence limiting by draw. Maybe an archery mule deer draw. We have kind of been warned about taking away the east/west licenses and limit us to one. That probably would have little effect on NR as they mainly only hunt one side of the state. I never was in favor of the Sept. opener for residents or NR's. Just my opinion. If any one has the data to make the right decision, it should be the GFP big game biologist.
From: Brotsky
06-Jan-20
RD, the problem is predation by coyotes to a large extent. We need to get the coyotes under control to really have an impact. The habitat is there to increase the mule deer herd significantly, we just need to improve recruitment. I think that answer lies in better predator control. I see tons of coyotes, tons of tracks, etc and very few fawns each year. I generally shoot 3-4 coyotes but that does nothing, everyone needs to shoot 10!
From: RD in WI
08-Jan-20
While antelope hunting, I saw coyotes at all hours of the day. My brother brought a varmint rifle along, but never used it as we focused on the antelope (to no avail). Best of luck getting the Mule Deer to thrive.
From: DR
08-Jan-20
UPDATE: I was handed a sheet at a local sportsmans meeting yesterday from a GFP commissioner. It had a "possible" NR big game permit fee increase but it was very minimal, like $35. I'll keep you posted.
From: Mnhunter1980
09-Jan-20
Thanks DR, 35 seems reasonable. It should help game and fish with funds but not hurt average hunters or outfitters pocket book.
From: SD BuckBuster
13-Jan-20
I'd pay an extra $35 if it helps.
From: grizzly
13-Jan-20
I've heard something along the lines of everyone buying a conservation stamp but personally have not read it anywhere. Probably a good idea.
From: Mnhunter1980
14-Jan-20
MN does an optional walleye stamp for 5 bucks when you buy your fishing license. The money is supposed to go directly to walleye stocking.
Maybe something along the lines of a donation option for residents would be more acceptable than a tag increase?
From: Brotsky
14-Jan-20
Governor will probably use the funds from the conservation stamp for more private landowner programs and possum tails.
From: leftee
14-Jan-20
As a private landowner I'd hate like hell to see the possum tail thing.
From: ground hunter
18-Feb-20
Be nice to put a bounty on coyotes
From: SteveG
19-Feb-20
Bounty on coyotes would be money well spent. Far better idea than the stupid trap and private ditch chicken fiasco.