GFP Commission Proposes Changes to 2021-2022 Apprentice and Mentored Deer Hunting Seasons

Apprentice and mentored hunters could obtain either a single tag “any antlerless deer” license for Unit MHD-03/APD-03 or a single tag “antlerless whitetail deer” license for Unit MHD-13/APD-13.

The establishment of these units and license types will reduce harvest of antlerless mule deer in select hunting units to increase mule deer population numbers, while maintaining current apprentice and mentored deer harvest and desired growth rates in other hunting units.

Both residents and nonresidents that have not reached the age of 18 years old on June 30 may purchase an apprentice hunter deer license. Mentored big game hunting is for youth under the age of 16. In addition, any resident hunter who has not previously held a license to hunt deer during the previous 10 years in South Dakota may purchase an apprentice hunter deer license. Each hunter must be accompanied by an adult while hunting.

The proposed Apprentice and Mentored Hunter Deer Seasons would be:

·        Sept. 11, 2021 – Jan. 1, 2022

·        Sept 10, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

Individuals can comment on this proposal by visiting gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions. Comments can also be mailed to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501.

To hear the discussion on this proposal, audio from the meeting is available through South Dakota Public Broadcasting and will soon be available on the GFP website as part of the meeting archive. To see the proposal in its entirety, visit gfp.sd.gov/commission/information.

To be included in the public record and to be considered by the commission, comments must include a full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of 72 hours before the public hearing (not including the day of the public hearing).

The next GFP Commission meeting will be held April 8-9.