Fewer deer licenses made available

Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008

There may be fewer chances this fall to get a deer in Lake County. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks is considering reducing the number of licenses and tags that are available in Lake County.

Last year, 1000 licenses and 1600 tags were issued for Lake County. According to local conservation officer Brandon Gust, the deer population is going down in the area.

The new numbers would have allow for 800 licenses and 1200 tags to be issued in Lake County this fall. That would mark the second straight year the G-F-and-P has lowered the number of licenses and tags. Gust hopes that with fewer licenses, the quality of the deer harvested will improve.

The new license numbers will take effect in June, with the decision finalized at the Game Fish and Parks commission meeting in July. Public comment is welcomed; you can call Gust at 256-5005.