“It’s really a success story when you look at enhancing our trapping traditions and outdoor heritage,” said Kevin Robling, GF&P secretary.Written By:Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch|2:00 pm, Aug. 30, 2021

Shown here is a trap used to catch nest predators that are included in the state’s Nest Predator Bounty Program, which was created to enhance pheasant nesting success. (Sam Fosness / Republic)

A state-sanctioned pheasant protection program that pays South Dakota youths and adults $10 for every raccoon, skunk and other predator they trap has led to the killing of more than 134,000 animals in the past three years with no scientific evidence the program is working.

Known as the Nest Predator Bounty Program, the effort to boost pheasant and duck populations by paying trappers to kill animals that eat the eggs and hatchlings of pheasants and ducks began in 2019 and recently completed its third year of…