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Our View: Read the GF&Pâ??s plan for pheasants
The buffalo gave this region its early identity. American Indians relied upon them, white settlers nearly destroyed them and efforts to save the species from extinction are a 20th century success story.
By: Editorial Board, The Daily Republic
The buffalo gave this region its early identity. American Indians relied upon them, white settlers nearly destroyed them and efforts to save the species from extinction are a 20th century success story.
In recent years, however, the Chinese ringneck pheasant has become the identity of South Dakota, and efforts are being made to not only recognize the birdâ??s importance to the stateâ??s economy, but also to ensure its population will continue to thrive.
The state Department of Game, Fish and Parks recently released a draft plan for management of pheasants, acknowledging the pheasantâ??s social and economic importance in South Dakota.
Included in the report are 73 strategies for using private and public lands for habitat, monitoring and researching pheasant populations, preserving and expanding public access for hunting and providing public information on state pheasant management.
Among the ideas within the plan:
- Increase the number of federal farm bill biologists in the state from seven to 11.
- Strive to get 1 million or more acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program through 2014.
- Expand efforts to establish and maintain dense winter cover to help pheasants survive.
At present, the report is just a draft. It can be found on the Internet at www.sdgfp.info. Once there, click on the â??Whatâ??s Newâ?� link.
The information will stay on the Web until later this month while the GF&P takes public comments on the draft. We suggest that anyone with an interest in pheasants, hunting or autumn tourism spend a few moments perusing the report.
At 84 pages, itâ??s a heavy and rather clinical literary load. But it evidently is the product of many months of work by the GF&P, which obviously recognizes the pheasantâ??s importance to South Dakota.
How important?
The report notes that the estimated economic impact attributed to pheasant hunting last year in South Dakota was $219 million.
Pheasant hunting has gone from a simple and pleasurable pastime to an economic necessity in South Dakota. Because of that, all ideas, proposals and plans designed to ensure its survival should be welcomed with open arms.
The buffalo gave this region its early identity. American Indians relied upon them, white settlers nearly destroyed them and efforts to save the species from extinction are a 20th century success story.
By: Editorial Board, The Daily Republic
The buffalo gave this region its early identity. American Indians relied upon them, white settlers nearly destroyed them and efforts to save the species from extinction are a 20th century success story.
In recent years, however, the Chinese ringneck pheasant has become the identity of South Dakota, and efforts are being made to not only recognize the birdâ??s importance to the stateâ??s economy, but also to ensure its population will continue to thrive.
The state Department of Game, Fish and Parks recently released a draft plan for management of pheasants, acknowledging the pheasantâ??s social and economic importance in South Dakota.
Included in the report are 73 strategies for using private and public lands for habitat, monitoring and researching pheasant populations, preserving and expanding public access for hunting and providing public information on state pheasant management.
Among the ideas within the plan:
- Increase the number of federal farm bill biologists in the state from seven to 11.
- Strive to get 1 million or more acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program through 2014.
- Expand efforts to establish and maintain dense winter cover to help pheasants survive.
At present, the report is just a draft. It can be found on the Internet at www.sdgfp.info. Once there, click on the â??Whatâ??s Newâ?� link.
The information will stay on the Web until later this month while the GF&P takes public comments on the draft. We suggest that anyone with an interest in pheasants, hunting or autumn tourism spend a few moments perusing the report.
At 84 pages, itâ??s a heavy and rather clinical literary load. But it evidently is the product of many months of work by the GF&P, which obviously recognizes the pheasantâ??s importance to South Dakota.
How important?
The report notes that the estimated economic impact attributed to pheasant hunting last year in South Dakota was $219 million.
Pheasant hunting has gone from a simple and pleasurable pastime to an economic necessity in South Dakota. Because of that, all ideas, proposals and plans designed to ensure its survival should be welcomed with open arms.