Party hunting and fishing approved..Discuss?

reddog

Well-known member
An Act to revise and clarify requirements relating to limits of small game and fish taken by small game hunting parties and fishing parties.
Was read the second time.
The question being "Shall HB 1149 pass as amended?"
And the roll being called:
Yeas 32, Nays 0, Excused 3, Absent 0
This bill is stated as such: Section 1. That chapter 41-8 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:
Any of two or more persons who mutually agree to hunt small game as a party and who maintain visual and unaided vocal contact may take more than one daily limit of small game. However, the total number of small game taken by the party may not exceed the aggregate daily limit for all members of the party who are licensed to take and possess small game. In accordance with SDCL 41-6-71, this section does not apply to any big game license or any tag issued as a part of a hunting license nor does this section apply to hunting of migratory birds. The provisions of this section do not apply to any person who hunts small game in more than one party in one day.
Section 2. That chapter 41-12 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows: Any of two or more persons who mutually agree to fish by angling as a party may take more than one daily limit of fish, however, the total number of fish taken by the party may not exceed the aggregate daily limit for all members of the party who are licensed to take and possess fish by angling. The provisions of this section do not apply to any person who fishes in more than one party in one day. For the purpose of this section, the term, party, means:
(1) For persons who are not on the water or those who are on frozen water surfaces, the persons are maintaining visual and unaided vocal contact; and
(2) For persons who are on open water surfaces, the persons are angling from a single watercraft.
 
IMO, SD is wayyyyyy behind the times on these two issues. I would suggest most groups probably have been party hunting all along anyways. One of those laws they pass where does not really do much for anybody (mute).

When you grow up with party hunting it becomes part of the style, culture, camaraderie and sportsmanship you are used to.
 
Very hard to enforce when boat fishing, but they have been very diligent about ticketing ice fishermen..

Im pretty sure its goes without being said, that when hunting with a group, that it isnt even thought about..
 
Back in the Days of my Iowa Pheasant hunting it was usually with a group of 6-8 guys. Most were very thirsty by early afternoon:confused:
Go on a hunting trip to hang out in the bars. :rolleyes:
Lots of pheasants in Iowa in those days. Couple of us shot a LOT of roosters.
Sure glad it didn't take long for me to grow out of that.:)

BAD situation and I know it goes on A LOT!
 
It seems to be written well and will settle the issue. Previously unenforceable and winked at to say the least, yet if the wrong party wanted to make an issue out of it things got testy.
 
It is uneforceable, but is the law of the land in most states. If you are the dog handler, usually, all retreived birds come to you, do you suspend the drive and walk down the line to distribute game? If the end blocker gets his limit on the drive, and was in the hot area at the end, does he let all the pheasants leave without a shot, or should he retire and leave his companions a gaping hole gap in the line? Party hunting pheasants is a different sport that most upland hunting. I have not been in favor, but in big fields, with lots of hunters, I really don't see the harm. I probably do want to do it, like I don't want to be in a pit blind with 7 other hunters to shoot geese either!
 
We even have party hunting for moose and deer up here. It's been how people hunted since they introduced limits. Bag limits are based on what the biologists feel can be harvested so no harm in it IMHO.
 
Even though we can, I still like the others to get some shootin to. So often I just try to have the dog work after I have my couple birds, and let them shoot. But there has been plenty of times where they could not hit the braud side of the barn, and said shoot em please:D. I have been on that side as well having a bad day shooting. Helps not going home empty handed. Especialy for those that only get one trip with bad luck.
 
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