School and public land

[Nels]

Hi,

is there anything I need to know about hunting on the "School and Public Lands"? I was in the Webster area last weekend and hunted a lot of Walk-in land. We were thinking about going further west where there is a lot of School and Public Land(Blue areas in Hunting Atlas).

Is it posted? Does it require any landowner contact? Is any of it cropland? Are there more pheasants ~75-100 miles west of Webster?

Thanks,

Nelson

[Jarrod32]

To answer your last question first:

Yes. There are more birds if you go west. Think Roscoe/Ipswich/Leola/Eureka.

As for School and Public Lands, I think they can be leased to farmers and ranchers. If there are standing crops, you shouldn’t hunt it. If there are cattle or other livestock, don’t hunt it. I don’t think it is necessary to get the lessee’s permission, but a little courtesy goes a long way when it comes to public hunting areas. I’m not sure if non-toxic shot is required on SPL or not…I want to go look some of this up to be sure.

[Jarrod32]

OK...looked some of this up. First, non-toxic shot is NOT required on School and Public Land property. Next, the following is copied from the HSOforum for the SD Department of School and Public Lands:

Hunting Information

What Are School Lands?

Although school lands are "public lands," they are not the same as federal lands managed by the Federal land management agencies or the State Game Production Areas managed by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department. Almost all of the 750,000 + acres of South Dakota's school lands are "trust lands" granted to the state on its admission to the Union. These trust lands are managed to produce income for the support of the state's schools, universities and other endowed institutions.

Who should be contacted regarding recreational use of State school lands?

While lessee permission is not required to use school land for recreational purposes, users are encouraged to notify leaseholders as a courtesy. Notifying the lessee can often help avoid trespassing and other problems. Many of South Dakota's school lands are intermingled with, surrounded by, or fenced in with private land and are indistinguishable from private land. It is the responsibility of the recreational user to know if they are on public land. If you are on private land without permission, you could be charged with trespassing.

How Should I access state school lands?

School lands are available to the public for hunting and fishing. These lands must be legally accessed. Anyone crossing private land to reach school land must have the permission of the private landowner. Off-road vehicle use is prohibited. No person may engage in hunting in any standing, unharvested crops on any school and public lands, unless the crop is designated for conservation or wildlife habitat. No hunting on public road rights-of-way within 660 feet of livestock, occupied homes, churches or schoolhouses.

Public use of state trust land is a privilege.

Currently enjoyed by many users. When this privilege is abused, public use of school lands may be restricted. Be a responsible school land user. Adhere to the rules and regulations of the Game, Fish and Parks Department and all state laws. Exercise basic common sense, courtesy and consideration for others, and you will be doing your part to help protect South Dakota's state trust lands and keep them open to recreational use.

For Hunting Maps Contact the Office of School and Public Lands call 605-773-3303.

[cold one sd]

If ya happen to want to contact landowners it will be easy. Simply stop on any gravel road, get out and take a shot into the ditch. One will be in your face chewing you out within 30 seconds. Sure works for me. Just teasing ya, have fun.

[Wanderer]

Shoot twice and they'll be there in 15!

Something that I found a little peculiar was the ability for the landowners to be paid for WIA lands and yet be able to pasture their livestock in it.

The cattle like the draws and trees as much as or more than the deer do - and often drive them away - and we understandably have to stay 220 yards (1/8 mile?) from the livestock. And the livestock roam and graze the whole area.

It really puts a damper on the available cover of some WIA's.

Don't get we wrong, I'm EXTREMELY thankful the program is as strong as it is but sometimes I was wishing we had a little more to hunt than grazed over pasture.

[Back2Dakota]

First off I have a few SD farmers in my family. The farther west ya go...the bigger jerk-baits they are-not all but enuff. Know the regs and carry them with you. It is illegal for them to harass you. My Dad is an ex CO from out there so I know the laws and I always let any one know that tried to tell me different. They just try to intimadate-especialy if they see you are from out of state.My dad had neck surgery and has a hard time walking for long periods of time so I took him road hunting- he shot his third bird and I was pulled as far over as I could be and farmer joe DH comes blowing up to the side of the truck and starts swearing and such. I really wanted to yank his 5'6" munchkin ars out of his truck but I just blew him a kiss-he slammed the gas and didnt see him again.Obey the rules and dont worry.