FORT PIERRE, S.D. - Forty new commercial shooting preserves will be allowed to operate in South Dakota this fall, the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission decided Thursday.
After a lengthy public hearing, the panel approved applications for 32 new shooting preserves located more than a mile from any public shooting areas. It also approved eight applications for new preserves that will be within a mile of public shooting areas.
A number of existing preserves also will be allowed to add acres to their operations.
While 202 preserves were licensed in South Dakota last fall and winter, some did not seek renewals. With Thursday's actions by the commission, about 230 preserves will be licensed for the season that starts this fall.
Preserves, which primarily offer pheasant hunting, must release hundreds of pen-raised birds and cannot shoot more than they release. They can operate from Sept. 1 through March 31, far longer than the regular pheasant season that runs from mid-October through early January. And preserves have much higher bag limits than the regular limit of three roosters a day.
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State Game, Fish and Parks Department officials can renew permits for existing preserves located more than a mile from any public shooting areas. But the GF&P commission must hold a hearing and then vote whether to grant permits to new operations, renew permits for preserves within a mile of public hunting areas, or renew permits for preserves that want to add acres.
Anderson wins at Cass Lake
CASS LAKE, Minn. - With a final-day surge, Dave Anderson, Apple Valley, Minn., brought 17 pounds to the Lund Pro-Am stage Friday and claimed the $64,000 first-place prize. He was the best In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail pro angler on Cass Lake this week, and collected $64,500.
He won with 52 pounds, and beat local favorite Mark Christianson of Walker, Minn., by 5 pounds.
Christianson led after two days, and applied 20 years of guiding on the lake to good use. He now fishes the entire tour. The second-place prize was his highest finish in three years; he won $20,000.
The winning amateur, after fishing with three pro anglers was Jim Sacket of Bemidji, Minn., who towed home a 17-foot Lund boat rigged with a Mercury outboard, valued at $17,000.
