Under-18 youth can take part now, with full opening starting April 1

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Posted Wednesday, March 5, 2025 5:17 pm

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

PIERRE — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department recently kicked off the seventh year of the Nest Predator Bounty Program, as South Dakota youth under age 18 could begin harvesting nest predators for submission on March 1.

The program will open to all South Dakota residents April 1. Tails from raccoon, striped skunk, badger, red fox, and opossum will be eligible for $10 per-tail payments with a maximum total payout of $500,000. Tails must have been harvested during the open period to be eligible for submission.

“This program continues to get youth outside and involved in wildlife management,” department Secretary Kevin Robling said. “With spring right around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.”

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The 2023 and 2024 programs saw steady participation among youth under age 18, which composed 46% of the total participants.

Tails eligible for submission can be harvested via trapping or hunting. Participants need a hunting, furbearer, or fishing license to be eligible to participate in the bounty program. Landowners harvesting nest predators for the program on their own land and youth under 18 are exempt from this license requirement.

GFP will also once again offer a weekly youth trap giveaway. One participating youth under age 18 will be drawn weekly to receive a raccoon trapping starter kit, trapping handbook, a knife and a write-up explaining Benton Howe’s love for the outdoors.

All participating youth will also be given the National Trapper’s Association Trapping Handbook as well.

“Trapping is tradition in South Dakota, and this is a great way for the next generation of trappers to learn more about this activity and wildlife management,” Robling said. “We’re excited to build on the success of this program, and the fantastic pheasant season we had last year.”

Complete program details as well as dates, times, and locations for tail submissions can be found on the GFP website. For bounty submissions outside of the listed office locations and times, please contact your local wildlife conservation officer or wildlife damage specialist.

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Four elephants found trapped in a truck, NSPA suspects misconduct

The national SPCA revealed that four elephants have been rescued from an overturned truck en route to the Samara Karoo Reserve near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape.

The incident took place on Wednesday, 5 March, on Olifantskop Pass.

According to the animal activists, the wild animals had been “gifted” from SANParks to the private game reserve, who later disputed the claims.

SPCA SHARES HORRIFIC NEWS OF TRAPPED ELEPHANTS

In a press release, the SPCA revealed that four elephants were trapped in an overheated truck that had overturned in the Eastern Cape. 

The NGO claimed that the animals were allegedly “donated” from a SANParks reserve to Samara Private Game Reserve, which they claimed offered hunting opportunities.

The accident reportedly took place after a “shift in weight” during the transportation.

“It would be interesting to know why the elephants (what the government would term “assets”), are being donated to a private game reserve.  The NSPCA already has enough concerns and problems about elephants in private game reserves as it stands”, the statement read.

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According to an on-site vet, the animals were successfully rescued and have no visible injuries.

SAMARA KAROO RESERVE SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT

On Facebook, the Sama Karoo Reserve responded to the insinuation that the elephants had been gifted to them for hunting purposes.

It posted: “It is categorically FALSE that Samara offers ‘hunting opportunities.’ Samara Karoo Reserve is a conservation undertaking committed to wildlife reintroduction and land restoration, funded by photographic tourism. We are NOT a hunting operation”.

The private reserve stated that the four elephants were captured in Addo Elephant National Park and translocated to their site, with the aim of establishing a new population of elephants in the area.

It continued: “This translocation is about expanding the habitat available for elephants to thrive.

“Samara is assisting SANParks by providing homes for elephants as the current population in Addo Elephant National Park is expanding beyond the park’s habitat resources.

“All the appropriate permissions were granted for this translocation”.

In a statement to The South African, SANParks said that the elephants were a “donation” to the private game reserve.

NO INJURIES

According to Samara Karoo Reserve, a team of specialists, including a professional wildlife translocation team, veterinary team, and capture and release team, was on-site to rescue the trapped elephants.

The animals, as well as the driver of the truck, are uninjured.

Speaking to The South African, the NSPCA stood by their original claims.

The post Four elephants found trapped in a truck, NSPA suspects misconduct appeared first on SA People.

NDOW uses hunt as wildlife management tool

March 5, 2025BY: Kristen A. Schmitt

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• https://www.gohunt.com/browse/news-and-updates/hunting-news/activist-filmmaker-tries-to-shine-negative-spotlight-on-nevada-black-bear-hunting

Nevada’s black bear hunt is back in the spotlight thanks to activist filmmaker Theresa Chaze. Chaze is focused on ending black bear hunting in the state despite the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW)’s use of the regulated hunt to manage a growing bear population and ensure “ecological balance,” according to KOLO 8 ABC News. 

NDOW has allowed regulated black bear hunting for the past 10 years, offering a limited number of permits annually. The agency considers the annual hunt a wildlife management tool.

Yet, Chaze, who uses her storytelling skills to “raise awareness and push for legislative action” wants to end the practice, stating that “trophy hunting has nothing to do with conservation.” 

“They may be big and strong and have claws and teeth, but they need our protection,” said Chaze.

While NDOW is aware that the hunt can be considered controversial, it does help keep growing black bear numbers under control. Nevada’s black bear population increases by 5% every year. And, while Chaze calls the activity trophy hunting, in fact, 91% of successful hunters choose to take the meat. 

“With a conservative approach, NDOW ensures that the annual harvest remains well below the estimated sustainable hunting rate for black bears in North America,” stated the agency.