South Dakota needs your help

Hey folks, I am new here. I have been reading for awhile and really enjoy the site.

Last week the South Dakota game fish and parks commission had a meeting. There was a petition from an anti trapping group wanting to change some laws. The way our system works is, the petition is open for public comment and the commission makes a decision on the changes the next month. I have not seen anyone talk about it on here yet and felt I need to get the word out. If anyone would like to fill out the form to tell our commission you oppose the changes that would be great.

This is a link to the petition.

https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Trapping_Petition.pdf

This link is to file a public comment. You dont even need to leave a comment, just click the oppose button.

https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions

Thanks for your help with this. We need to band together to keep these anti's from undermining trapping!

Those rules are already in place in most states. Only problem I see is the clause allowing the public to release an animal if they think it's been in the trap too long. That could go wrong. Not many people would attempt that.

Just because others have some laws that doesn't make it right. That is how the anti's work, slowly chip away at it until it is gone.

done

Nothing we say as out of state trappers will make a hill of beans difference. I have already been there and done that when we sued them over the muskrat season. Not bitter at anyone anymore. Just a realist. LLL

Death by a thousand cuts comes to mind...... Most of our commissioners are outdoor enthusiasts that share our goal of wildlife management. We really have e and opportunity to rally together on these issues IF we get off our hind ends and voice our opposition. The commission doesn't meet in August, thus we have approximately 60 days to get our excrement together, and put these issues to bed, hopefully for good. It is important that we make sure to show ourselves in a good light and not resort to name calling and bashing as that will not help but possibly rather hurt our stance. Remember, not everyone is on board with these propositions so clearly state your opinion and leave it at that. These meetings are generally open to the public I believe, so if needed, one could attend and find the wolves amongst the sheep.

Done!

Links didn't work for me.

Done

Done - even though I cannot trap there. Expect the same from you if Illinois needs help

I gladly voted to help SD even if I'll never trap or snare there that's not the point , I don't think it's right to NOT defend someone's right to trap or snare .
Allan

You are correct, Prn, you haven't been on here long or not long enough to see the typical reaction of a good number of tman people about SD trapping issues. If they can't come trap open water fall or more importantly spring muskrats, they could care less about South Dakota trappers. Its all about the money.

I can't get your pdfs to load, so I'll try later after re-starting my machine and/or let GFP figure out their problems. I'll add comments but I wouldn't sweat it too much. If part of the proposed regs is that "anyone can release a trapped animal because of the 'own judgement'", that's not going to win a commission vote. After this spring's assault on the nest bounty program by antis on Gov Noem's fb page (that also included an asinine petition that was mostly signed by out-of-staters and foreigners), I don't think any commissioner who votes yes on this thing would have their position when it comes up for renewal. There's a new sheriff in town and she could care less about political correctness. I might even try to have Gov Kristi appoint Law Dog to the GFP commission. That would be a change from the usual well-connected and lawyers that are often on that board. We'll see

By the way boys, the rats are back, at least in se SD. Just saying...

X2, I'm not afraid or too whiny to step up and help a neighboring state. You guys need to realize that if one state falls from anti input the rest will follow. I can care less about not being able to trap in SD as an NR, but I do care about trap check times and anybody being able to release animals from traps that don't belong to them.

Thanks Cathouse Jim!!

I'm sure there will be plenty of non-residents coyote trapping in Dec and early Jan in South Dakota this coming season. For what they pay to nr-trap, I wish them well on getting some decent yotes!!

Done!

SD trappers better hope the rats don't come back or the Game commission will open spring rats for NR whether you like it or not. R couldn't keep them in check when there was good demand. Maybe they will put a bounty on them. Also alot of extra reporting and paperwork in some of those proposals, NOT GOOD.

Done.

The NR issue isn't a reason to turn my back on another trapper in need. We have a common enemy, and there's plenty of them. Rather fight them in another state than wait for them to attack mine.

If you don't wish to help, then don't, but I don't want to see a bunch of negative crap on this. Just hush up and move on.

Many States have similar restrictions for NR trappers but you all whine about SD that has a 93 day season, small folks with small minds won't get us far! LOL

FYI the problem is a anti trapping commissioner a dog hunter that thinks only the elite should enjoy the outdoors, you want to make a difference then contact the Governor and let her know what is going on. She spent a million bucks giving away live traps and paying a tail bounty I'd say she can get that anti fool under control!

Thanks Paul, you are a gentleman and a scholar!

Done

Same lady that opposed the bounty program last spring just a well behaved anti. Remember last year the commission was pushing for no snares on public lands that would of closed millions of acres of land to trappers until the first week of January pretty much making trapping useless then as it rub a dub time.

The stupid part of that was many places did not even hold any birds and includes the Black Hills (not pheasant habitat). With the bird numbers down their idea was to limit trappers and not shorten the bird season by 1 day even it was clearly a anti move.

Last year the push was from a Game Commissioner that his main focus was bird hunters from the way he was acting. We are in a better position now with the current Governor she is very pro trapping so lets hope she crushes this bug!

Done, good luck.

Done... Happy to help anyone anywhere who needs help protecting trapping rights.

Thanks men!

Sent the GFP a email at their site and sent one to the Governor at her FB page.

Done and got the confirmation.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. South Dakota trappers let's get on this ASAP!

Submitted my opposition to the petition and made a public comment. It's true that a vote to oppose this petition from non-residents may not figure in to their tallies, but it's nevertheless important to show our sizable support and presence.

done

The biggest problem is the chairman of the GFP commission appears to be an Anti. He has shown his colors several times and mislead several of us in the past. His appointment runs out in about 19 months. He has supported, and I believe even encourages the local Anti group in the state. I believe he is 100 percent anti-trapping. It will backfire to attack him. It's better to focus on making the our case to the other commissioners. If Governor Noem is re-elected I highly doubt he will be reappointed.

The check laws is what is at risk here (among other things).
-SD Trappers, do you have land owners (ranchers and farmers) that are willing to send an email? It is very easy to do. Here is the link.

https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/

Done- good luck

Done ,Good luck

Done

Done. I don't want to see any state hamstringed any more. Even if I can't trap cats just across the river.

. "Most of our commissioners are outdoor enthusiasts that share our goal of wildlife management."

Nice thought but not reality.
By the time someone gets this position is all about political favors, money, and knowing how to please the higher ups.

Trappers should rally behind any state that needs help.
Mac

Done

This guy is behind the elite dog hunter crowd and is working to put unneeded regulations on trappers to discourage our sport he is using the "Bird Lady" to do his bidding for him.

I've said it time and time again. Pheasant hunters are pretty much all anti trappers. Surprised South Dakota even allows trapping. Too many big dollar prize winning mutts that might scratch a paw to allow such barbaric activity.

Sorry. Just venting my frustration. The same thing has been filtering itself up here as well. Only time I'm told I cant trap is because the landowner says I'm going to injure or kill a grandkids dog or they'll break their foot.

That's not true at all. I've spent days manning the NTA booth at the National Pheasant/Quail Fest. Thousands of bird hunters and their dogs attending. They all want to stop and see the furs/traps and visit. Its actually a very good place to recruit new NTA members. Never had a single one say a negative word about trapping. To the contrary most all recognize and appreciate the role trapping plays in control of ground nesting predators. I did have three individuals tell me they didn't care for the conibears as they had lost dogs in them. Yet even they were not angry nor did they opposed to trapping generally.

I think most sportsmen are becoming more and more aware that we are all in this together. These are not anti trapping issues, these are not anti hunting issues, they are anti wildlife management issues. PERIOD. What we refer to as anti-trappers are in fact anti-harvest, anti-use, anti -management. If you spend any time on their websites and social media pages this become very clear, very quickly. . These groups are waging an attack on the whole North American Wildlife Management Model of Conservation. They simply see trapping as the most vulnerable target. The sooner all sportsmen groups and organizations understand this the better we will be.

Regardless if its at the local, state or national level, trappers and trapping associations would be wise rethink the language we use when defending against these proposals. There is a reason our opposition refers to them as "trapping" bans. We must stop allowing them to dictate the language. Call them what they are. They are anti wildlife management proposals. ALL OF THEM.

This is the most intelligent & valuable post in this thread.

Very well said ChrisM.

w

In this case the people that are involved in the harassment believe that their interest in the outdoors is above everyone else's as the elite should rule the outdoors in SD. It was stated last year that other States surrounding SD would be looked at for the regulations that they could put to work in SD. Not because they were needed but to discourage trapping as a whole.

It appears the anti trappers have a anti in the Audubon Society that they use as a petitioner for their ideas (funny the Audubon would work with a bird hunter interest group) The same lady did similar anti trapping actions with the bounty program this spring. It appears her interest is more anti and less about birds in general.

I would say this is isolated to the Anti and a special interest group, people "appointed" to the GFP by the last Governor and not lead by bird hunting organizations or the GFP itself really. Many of the bird hunting originations work with trappers and have even suppled cages to interested members over the years.

Over all it's a person abusing his position that he was appointed to for who he knew and not for what he knew. If he had a brain he would see that harming trapping is harming his own interest in the end.

DONE !

I emailed the gov the following


Dear Madam Governor,
Trapping has been and is a part of my lifestyle and i applaud your steadfast support for trapping. Hindering that support i believe is several members of the SD GFP Commission. This commission has again and again given voice to anti trappers. Once again a proposal to limit and constrict the ability of sportsmen and women from trapping the fur bearing animals of our state has been proposed with no merit. Currently the trap check times for east river is 48 hours. This time frame is not only humane but it gives us trappers the ability to operate our trap lines in a cost effective manner. If this proposal would be accepted to limit check times to 24 hours it would have a negative impact in several ways. This proposal would limit the amount of traps a trapper can use. This would limit the amount of nest predators and fur bearing animals caught.This proposal regulates an already diminishing sport. This proposal does nothing to address a current need or issue. This proposal stands in opposition to your second century initiative. Please stand up and voice opposition to this rule change. Please take into consideration the commissioners stance on trapping when you select our future commissioners. Thank you for your support of trapping. Thank you for your consideration in the matter.

Best Regards,

Well said!

Great letter, I mailed a similar one to Governor Noem's office. I would encourage all SD trappers to write or email Governor Noem about this issue. Be forceful but respective as shown in this letter. We have to stay on top of this!

Done

Does anyone know when the commissioners meet to vote on this petition?

I don't see a date in the West River trappers letter I have!

Looks like it is Sept 5-6. In Spearfish.

I'm about as die hard of a bird hunter as you will find. Love bird dogs and chasing wild birds. Pheasants included. I trap more than I bird hunt, but like both pursuits equally. I got a lot of bird dog friends and can think of maybe one of them who is what I'd consider an anti trapper, and even then, they are mostly just anti snare.

Bird hunting is big and everyone knows I trap never have issues with the local bird hunters in fact most are with Pheasant Forever and encourage trapping, the guy trying to do the damage is a Lawyer that seems to think him and his friends have the run of the State but weird things happen here.

Done

This is an email I received from John Hopple, president of the South Dakota Trapping Association.. Clearly our associations matter!

Hello Trappers
I wanted to update you with the most current information concerning trap tags and the 24 hr trap check proposal.

As of today trap tags are a non-issue. The Board of Commissioners voted to not move on a proposal and then flat out voted to reject a new proposal from the Prairie Hills Audubon Society. So with that said no trap tag proposals are currently on the agenda or up for any votes in the near future and I suspect the rest of this year. We can not however assume it will never come up again. I strongly believe that the board voted the way they did based on the recommendation of GFP personnel. GFP recommended that this proposal was not needed. The original reasoning was it would help identify those who were in violation of trapping regulations. When pushed earlier last month for facts and numbers it was revealed that of the 3K licenses sold, only 27 violations were recorded. A less than 1% rate. Meaning over 99% of trappers were following the rules. As such GFP saw no need to increase a burden on us.

The trap check proposal however is more complicated. I do however believe it is not an issue to worry over anymore. As a 24 check was proposed and adopted by the Board of Commissioners for public comment it has to legally run its course. It was not going to be voted on at the Spearfish meeting. It will be voted on at the Chamberlain meeting Oct 3. Again the GFP could not change the original proposal however they were able to propose a second version of this rule. Under their rule they have recommended that the commissioners raise the trap check to 3 days state wide. I spoke to several commissioners and while I am confidant that the 24 hour check will not pass the new GFP proposal may not. Some commissioners feel a 3 day check east river is not needed. A couple said that they have talked to trappers east river and they are fine with a 2 day check. SO, this new 3 day check may not pass. if that is the case the current rule (3 days west/2 days east) will stand.

I can not stress this enough, there are friends of trappers through out the commission. I spoke to almost all of the commissioners the last two days. They made public comments such as "trappers are the unpaid employees of this states and do us all a service" to commissioner Olsen reminding everyone trappers explored and started the routes/roads in this states to make it possible for us become a state. Most of the commissioners understand us and will support us within reason.

Same with GFP. The board voted for the recommendations of GFP. GFP used facts and logic and took the emotion out of it. They were 100% correct to do this and in the end became a steadfast ally the trappers across the state. Our work however is not done. Please show up in Chamberlain to voice your views on the trap check. AND please, please ensure you thank those who support us. Never forget, our work will never be done and there will be other issues and vote some day. These folks work hard on everything from zebra mussels to velvet antler tagging and camping fees. Thanking them to publicly voice support for us is something each and everyone one of us should do.

thank you to Vince Louge and his folks at the WSDFHA and Ray Maize who sat there for two days of board meetings!
see you in Chamberlain
John

Good to hear, the Anti's seem to put forward several proposals at the same time every year to get one to pass through every year, I could see them asking for 24 hour checks to get a statewide 48 hour check passed. Lawyers call it the death of a thousand cuts just chipping away on hit at a time.

We are lucky the Governor won the election as she sees trapping as a tool for the State's benefit.

Mark: I am wondering why we are confident that the 24 hour check will not pass when the vote was 6-2 to move that part of the petition forward?

Just an update for anyone interested. The commission voted today to reject this petition. So it looks like things stay the same as they currently are. Thanks for everyone who submitted a public comment to reject this.