The Legislative Rules Review Committee unanimously rejected Game, Fish, and Parks’ recommendation to increase nonresident waterfowl hunting licenses.
Earlier this month, the state Game, Fish and Parks Commissioners approved a plan to increase non-resident waterfowl hunting licenses on private land by just over 100.
Six lawmakers who make up the Legislative Rules Review Committee disagree. They said the increase needs more review.
Republican Rep. Jon Hansen is a member of the committee. He said it does not seem that the GF&P commission was supported by their department in this decision.
“I’m not convinced of the real driving impetus behind this at this point. You know, when you talk about 6,100 licenses today, adding another one hundred on top of that maybe doesn’t seem like a big impact. But then when you focus fifty of those in one area, maybe that is a bigger impact," said Hansen. "I don’t know, maybe that’s not even for me to decide on this committee. But I also think about the fact that we are early on in this process.”
State government departments and boards such as GF&P can propose rule changes, but those changes must receive final clearance by the legislative rules review committee.
Tom Kirschenmann is the Director of Wildlife for South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks. He said the commission originally pushed for a five percent increase in nonresident waterfowl licenses across all license types.
“A lot of comment came in, as you can see the comments in the packets in front of you. The vast majority in opposition. There is a strong belief and philosophy out there for many South Dakota waterfowl hunters that they do not want to see more nonresident waterfowl hunter in the State of South Dakota. Hence why we saw the volume of comment," said Kirschenmann.
Game, Fish, and Parks commissioners ultimately decided to reduce the number of nonresident waterfowl licenses increase they suggest from over 300 to just over 100.
The committee’s decision sends the proposal back Game, Fish and Parks. The department now has the option of revising and resubmitting the proposal.
