Deer Licenses Reduced, Refunds Offered in Some Areas.

[DonBo]

GFP has been monitoring a die-off of white-tailed deer in parts of the state due to EHD. In some areas the loss of deer has been significant.

We are taking two actions effective immediately:

the number of unsold licenses available in some areas has been adjusted

you are being offered the opportunity to return your deer license and tags for a refund

For now, unsold licenses will be eliminated in West River units Bennett County: 11A-09 and 11B-17; Gregory County: 30A-19 and 30B-19; and Jackson County: 39B-09. In addition, 200 licenses will be removed for Meade County: 49B-09.

Monitoring will continue and more adjustments may be made, including the East River counties of Hutchinson, Bon Homme, Yankton, Charles Mix and Brule. We will provide news of updates as they develop.

The option to receive a refund for your license will be available until the opening day of your respective deer season. Archery Deer opens Sept. 22, so Sept. 21 is the last day refunds could be taken.

Hunters seeking a refund should send their license, including all associated tags, to:

GFP Licensing Office

20641 SD Hwy. 1806

Ft. Pierre, SD 57532

For more details, please visit our web page at: http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/diseases/epizootic-hemorrhagic-disease.aspx

[leechlake]

30B Gregory County. That's where we hunt. I talked to the farmer yesterday and he has seen quiet a few dead deer recently. I'm still going, it's a lot of fun, see a lot of deer and it's a tradition.

[DonBo]

Guess you can add Lowrance County to the mix. Landowner just called last night. Found several dead deer on his property.

[rundrave]

this was on the local news HSOforum this morning:

Quote:

State wildlife officials are eliminating unsold deer hunting licenses in southeastern South Dakota in response to a disease outbreak.

The move affects Bon Homme, Hutchinson, Yankton, Clay, Union and Charles Mix counties, as well as southern Perkins County in the northwestern part of the state. Hunters who already have licenses are being given the option of turning them in for a refund.

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks earlier reduced the number of deer licenses in some western hunting units because of the disease commonly known by the acronym EHD. It is spread by a biting midge and has killed more than 1,000 deer in South Dakota this year.