Published on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 * AberdeenNews
South Dakota’s wetlands and prairies provide a paradise for hunters from across the nation in search of pheasants, deer, prairie dogs and waterfowl. It’s probably most noticeable to non-hunters during the pheasant season when nonresidents flock to the state, grabbing up every available room in prime hunting areas. But there are also many hunters who prefer the state’s other hunting opportunities.
In 1988 the state Game, Fish & Parks Department initiated the Walk-In Areas Program to increase free public hunting and trapping locations. As the name indicates those areas are open to foot traffic only. They can be used for all types of hunting but just as not all hunters are after the same thing, not all areas are suited for all types of animals or waterfowl.
The program has turned into a win-win-win situation for landowners, hunters and local and state economies. Walk-in areas utilize private land leased by the GF&P Department using Wildlife Development Funds to compensate landowners for the use of suitable wildlife habitat land that is flooded or otherwise unsuitable for farming on a year-to-year basis. Hunters have thousands of additional acres on which to hunt or trap free of charge. The local and state economies get a financial boost from the dollars spent by hunters not only for licenses and hunting gear, but in our restaurants, stores, motels, gas stations and more.
The program began with fewer than 25,000 acres and grew continually but slowly at first. It took off in about 2004 in terms of payments and acres. Last year the state spent $2.2 million to lease more than 1.24 million acres. Officials estimate that the program’s local and state economic benefit in 2009 topped $15 million. That’s not small change. And it was no small feat for a program that appeals only to a specific group – especially when the economy as a whole was on a downturn and spending in general was tight.
A GF&P survey of 2009 hunters found that 37 percent of the resident hunters and 29 percent of the nonresident hunters utilized these areas. The survey had a better than 70 percent return rate from both residents and nonresidents – which attests to the popularity of South Dakota as a haven for hunters.
About 69 percent of resident and 72 percent of nonresident hunters were happy with the Walk-In Program. Most believed it was extremely successful, had good habitat and was important to their overall hunting experience – all things that should keep hunters returning and spreading the word about the great hunting opportunities in the Mount Rushmore state. That kind of PR is hard to beat.
In spite of high marks, many hunters would like better identification of which areas are best suited to various species. In response, the state wildlife director said more specific information could be added to the department’s website and an atlas specifying what birds or animals are most likely to be found at each site could be printed.
The program has been called one of the most positive things the GF&P Department does for hunters. Without it many hunters would have difficulty finding fee-free public hunting areas and interest would wane. Kudos to the department for keeping out-of-staters returning to the state and for keeping residents interested in hunting with this program.
No permission is required for hunting Walk-In Access areas, but the future of these areas is tied to hunter behavior. Respecting the landowner and the land is the best way to assure the continuation of the program.