PIERRE, S.D. (KELO AM) A rough winter and disease had a major impact on South Dakota's deer herd.
"All that sums up to a minimal population growth to no population growth in some areas," says State Senior Big Game Biologist Andy Lindbloom.
State Game, Fish and Parks has proposed significant reductions in deer tags for the next two hunting seasons, as a way to help beef up the herds. The reductions run into the thousands.
Lindbloom says harvest totals and hunter satisfaction were down in the 2016 deer season.
"Last year we also had hemorrhagic disease losses in the central and southeastern portions of the state. It was a bad year for hemorrhagic diseases losses." says Lindbloom.
A final decision on deer tags will be made by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission at a meeting June 8 and 9 at the Cedar Shores Resort in Chamberlain. Deer Hunters and other interested members of the public are encouraged to comment at the meeting June 8, or send comments to the GFP website.
