PIERRE (AP) - South Dakota wildlife officials are encouraging residents to sign up to participate in potential winter depredation hunts.
Officials with the Game, Fish and Parks Department say these hunts allow individuals to help manage wildlife during winter months. Registration opens Monday for potential deer, antelope and turkey hunts.
Residents who register for the program are put into a random drawing to determine eligibility once a depredation hunt is authorized. Hunters can register to participate in up to 10 counties.
Keith Fisk is the state's wildlife damage program administrator. He says depredation hunts are used in some instances to alleviate wildlife damage to landowners' stored-feed supplies.
Fisk adds that the hunts depend largely upon the severity of the winter, snowfall accumulations and the number of animals involved.
