A legislative effort to end South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks’ Nest Predator Bounty Program came up short at the Capitol.
The program – which was created by former Gov. Kristi Noem in 2019 – pays hunters $10 per tail for every nest predator they kill. That includes animals like raccoons, skunks and red foxes.
Backers of the program say it boosts the state’s pheasant population and encourages young people to get involved in hunting and trapping.
But opponents have raised concern about the program’s cost and effectiveness.
Rep. Scott Odenbach introduced a bill to take the funding for the program and instead spend it on creating more pheasant habitats. He and other critics noted there’s no metrics showing the program has helped the pheasant population as the state no longer does an annual brood count.
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee ultimately rejected the bill in a seven to five vote.