South Dakota Department Of Game, Fish And Parks
Game, Fish, and Parks Commission
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) manages the outdoor resources and associated recreational activities of the state under the authority granted by the South Dakota Constitution through South Dakota Codified Laws, Administrative Rules of South Dakota and policies of the Department. The GFP Commission serves as the advocate and liaison between the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and its customers and partners. The Commission consists of eight members, appointed by the Governor of South Dakota for four year terms. The commission sets rules, regulation, and policy for agency direction.
GFP organization and divisions
Game, Fish & Parks is headquartered in Pierre, the state capitol. Regional offices are located in Aberdeen, Chamberlain, Ft. Pierre, Huron, Mobridge, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, and Webster.
Wildlife division
The wildlife division manages state wildlife areas, game production areas, and helps manage the various animal, fish, and plant species of South Dakota. The wildlife division helps monitor wildlife populations, establish hunting seasons, and manages state-owned lands for habitat for these species.
Game species managed by the GFP in South Dakota include: pronghorn, bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, mountain goat, Mountain lion, bison, turkey, common pheasant, prairie grouse, sage grouse, ruffed grouse, partridge, mourning dove, cottontail rabbit, common snipe, American crow, quail, tree squirrel, and various waterfowl including duck, Canada goose, and snow goose. The taking or hunting of these species requires a state-issued hunting license and may only be hunted during designated hunting seasons. The GFP also regulates the Trapping of furbearing animals such as coyote, raccoon, beaver, muskrat, bobcats, mink and red fox within the state.
Law enforcement division
The law enforcement division consists of state conservation officers who are commissioned law enforcement officers. They enforce laws and conduct investigations related to hunting, fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation activities. Officers are trained as first responders and respond to such incidents such as boating, snowmobile, and ATV accidents. They often are called to assist with search, rescue, and recovery efforts. As of 2018 there were 60 Conservation Officers stationed throughout the state.
Parks and recreation
GFP operates 13 state parks, 43 recreation areas, four nature areas, two historic sites and one trail, totaling approximately 96,000 acres. These areas preserve natural geologic features, historic and sacred Plains Indian sites, and historic pioneer settlements and forts. They also provide recreational facilities and access to waterbodies, including the Missouri River, on which there are 25 recreation areas. South Dakota State Parks and recreation areas range in size from the 19-acre Sandy Shore Recreation Area to the 71,000-acre Custer State Park. It was the first park established in the system, in 1919. Good Earth State Park at Blood Run is the most recent park, added in 2013. System-wide visitation in 2016 was 7,500,000.
-
View of the Black Hills within Custer State Park
-
Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park
-
King and Queen Rock in Palisades State Park
-
Bear Butte State Park, near Sturgis
-
Officers' Quarters at Fort Sisseton State Historical Park.
Education and outreach
The GFP offers a variety of educational resources including curriculum supplements, outdoor skills and safety training, education materials (field guides, learning kits), and a variety of other resources (DNR for kids, grants). GFP operates two outdoor campus facilities, located in Sioux Falls and Rapid City for public outreach and outdoor education for the state's two largest cities.
Fisheries
The fisheries division operates state fish hatcheries, conducts fish health, population and other studies, and stocks rivers, lakes and streams. The GFP currently owns and manages four state fish hatchery facilities:
- Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery in Waubay
- Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery in Rapid City
- McNenny State Fish Hatchery in Spearfish
- Whitlock Bay Salmon Spawning Station in Gettysburg
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in South Dakota
- List of State Fish and Wildlife Management Agencies in the U.S.