South Dakota

GFP Commission Holds March Meeting

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission held their March meeting at the State Library in Pierre on March 5-6.

FINALIZATIONS

Iron Creek Lake No Wake Zone

The Commission created a “No Wake Zone” on Iron Creek Lake in Lawrence County. Iron Creek Lake is a 24-acre impoundment, and the no wake zone will address safety, user conflict, and shoreline erosion concerns.

Lake Albert Waterfowl Refuge

The Commission removed refuge status from Lake Albert Waterfowl Refuge.

The Lake Albert Waterfowl Refuge was comprised of private property owned by eight landowners. The landowners formally requested that their property be removed from the Waterfowl Refuge status and provided signed consents to remove their property. By removing the refuge status, landowner control over hunting access on their property will be restored.

PROPOSALS

Waterfowl Hunting Seasons

The Commission proposed to reduce the daily limit of Canada geese during the August Management Take and the Early Fall Canada Goose hunting seasons from 15 to 8 geese.

They also proposed to remove Brown, Edmunds, Faulk, McPherson, and Spink counties from the August Management Take unit.

There were no changes proposed to the Duck, Goose, Spring Light Goose, Youth, Non-resident Waterfowl, Crane or Tundra Swan hunting seasons.

Public Comments Being Accepted

To hear the discussion on these proposals, 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 these proposals in their entirety, visit gfp.sd.gov/commission/information.

Wisconsin

DNR Seeking Public Input On 2026-2030 Migratory Bird Hunting Season Frameworks

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public input on migratory bird hunting season frameworks for the years 2026-2030. Comments can be submitted through various formats (an online comment tool, email or at any of the public hearings) through March 6, 2026.

Historically, waterfowl and migratory bird season frameworks were developed on an annual basis. However, with near-unanimous support from conservation organizations and the public, a new process was developed to set season structures for multiple years at a time. This year is the first time the DNR is doing so.

An online public input form and supporting information are available on the DNR’s Waterfowl Hunting webpage for those interested in submitting comments electronically. Anyone interested in Wisconsin’s migratory bird hunting seasons is encouraged to provide feedback.

Individuals may also submit comments via email to Taylor Finger, DNR gamebird specialist, at Taylor.Finger@wisconsin.gov or Alissa Kakatsch, DNR assistant gamebird specialist, at Alissa.Kakatsch@wisconsin.gov. Comments will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026.

The final way people can submit feedback is at one of four public hearings. Three of the public hearings are in-person meetings on March 2, 3 and 5, and the fourth is a virtual session on March 4. After public comments have been collected, a final season structure will go to the Natural Resources Board for approval.