Resident v. nonresident dispute yields plan limiting out-of-state hunting licenses

SIOUX FALLS — A state commission is refereeing a dispute over who should have access to a prime hunting opportunity in South Dakota’s picturesque Black Hills.

In-state residents say they’re tired of competing with nonresidents for turkey hunting spots in the spring. A group representing them recently proposed limiting nonresident licenses to 661 through a draw system, which would be a drastic reduction from the unlimited system that awarded licenses to 3,170 nonresidents this year.

Some state officials say the proposal goes too far. So, on Friday during a meeting at Good Earth State Park, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission endorsed what some members described as a more reasonable limit of 2,225 nonresident licenses. That proposal is open for public comment and could be finalized during the commission’s September meeting. 

In-state residents obtained 346 fewer licenses than nonresidents for Black Hills spring turkey hunting this year. Black Hills Sportsmen Club President Cody Hodson spoke in support of limitations on nonresidents to create better opportunities for residents.

“We have quite a few members that have brought forth concerns about losing hunting opportunities, having random, out-of-state license plates at every roosting tree here in the Black Hills throughout the hunting season,” Hodson said.

The original proposal sought to mirror existing restrictions for prairie spring turkey licenses, which limit nonresidents to an average of 22% of the licenses issued. 

According to South Dakota Wildlife Federation Executive Director Dana Rogers, who introduced the proposal on behalf of the group’s thousands of resident members, the change is necessary due to a decline in turkey numbers in the Black Hills and increasing nonresident pressure. He said nonresidents killed 69% of spring turkeys harvested this year in the Black Hills. 

“These are our public trust resources. We pay for everything year-round. We live here,” Rogers told the commission. “If people worry about money, and I hope this never comes up, then they should probably consider increasing those tag fees. Tourism should never be a reason for tag allocations.” 

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Despite the 7-1 vote Thursday against the original proposal — with the lone vote of approval coming from Commissioner Travis Bies — the commission acknowledged that action is necessary. The commission and the Game, Fish and Parks Department committed to exploring alternative measures to strike a balance.

“We don’t want our residents thinking we’ve forgotten about them,” said Commissioner Stephanie Rissler. “We know who they are, what they do for our state, and they are first and foremost who we represent. But we also welcome our nonresidents.” 

On Friday, the department offered and the commission endorsed the alternative proposal.

While it’s less than petitioners wanted, Rogers and others described the move as a step in the right direction. 

“It’s a start, but I don’t believe it will provide most residents with the desired results,” Rogers said of the new proposal. “I do want to express our sincere appreciation to the commissioners for taking this initial step.”