|
officials for a public program paying landowners up to $ 2,000 for wildlife-friendly fencing projects . Since 2019 , the department said the program has incentivized 145 miles worth of wildlife-friendly fence installation , primarily to keep livestock from grazing or overgrazing certain areas .
The Department of Game , Fish & Parks declined South Dakota Searchlight ’ s request to interview one of the department ’ s biologists for this story , but encouraged interested landowners to visit their local habitat biologist to learn more about the program . GFP Communications Manager Nick Harrington said in an email that the depart-
|
ment wants to thank the bowhunters association “ for their efforts in assisting and promoting this conservation practice .”
The state ’ s pronghorn-friendly fence specifications consist of a maximum top wire height of 42 inches , a second strand of wire at 30 inches , and a third wire at 24 inches . The bottom must be a smooth wire ( the others can be barbed wire ) set at 18 inches above the ground . The fencing also has to remain in place for at least 10 years .
GFP aims for a pre-hunting season pronghorn population of 58,000 to 79,000 . The 2024 pre-season estimate is about 35,000 . To improve numbers ,
|
Bowhunters Association President Justin Broughton said replacing fences will not be enough . He wants the state to put limits on the currently unlimited licenses for all resident pronghorn bowhunters and nonresident bowhunters who hunt exclusively on private land .
“ There ’ s no control when you have unlimited licenses ,” he said . “ We have a situation where the population is half the objective , yet we have unlimited licenses . Think about that .”
South Dakota hunters killed 1,788 pronghorns with rifles and 606 with bows in 2023 . Other factors impacting the pronghorn population
|
include the amount and quality of habitat , weather , disease and predation .
Pronghorns ’ range extends from southern Canada through the western United States and into northern Mexico . In the early 1800s , their numbers were estimated to be 30 million . By the early 20th century , over-hunting and habitat loss reduced their numbers to about 13,000 .
Conservation efforts have increased and sustained their population between 500,000 and 1 million since the mid- 20th century .
Wildlife advocates say the current population is about 500,000 . • |
|||||
since 1965 |