Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight
A state commission denied a proposal Thursday for mandatory reporting of big-game kills, in part because a future electronic tagging system could accomplish the same goal.
Bowhunters submitted the petition to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission. It would have required all licensed big-game hunters to report whether they killed their desired animal or not. Failure to comply would have barred hunters from applying for a similar license until they completed the report.
Ronald Kolbeck, of Salem, submitted the petition on behalf of the South Dakota Bowhunters Association. The petition highlighted declining response rates to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks’ voluntary harvest surveys.
The bowhunters said hunter success rates and harvest reports are vital for estimating game populations and setting future license allocations. With response rates dropping below 50% for recent surveys, the petition asserted that wildlife management decisions are being made with incomplete data.
“Our pronghorn and mule deer populations are suffering,” the petition stated. “Pronghorn numbers are estimated at only half the management objective, and mule deer are below objective in every unit.”
Mandatory harvest reporting has been adopted in 45 states. The bowhunters argued it would enable the state to gather real-time data with a mobile app or online platform.
The commission’s information packet showed over 100 comments were submitted in favor of the change, and one in opposition.
“We simply can not rely on subpar submitting for accurate biology information,” wrote Ashley Kurtenbach of Spearfish. “Boots on the ground is some of the best free information for wildlife management there is.”
“The state needs to know the current condition of its herd and a mandatory harvest report from each hunter would be a low-cost way to do this,” wrote Roger Dekok of Mount Vernon.
“Other states have followed with this model, and I feel it is time we re-introduce better science to guide our decisions instead of revenue and tourism,” wrote Mark Smedsrud of Sioux Falls.
The South Dakota Wildlife Federation and newly formed South Dakota Antelope Foundation also spoke in favor of the petition.
E-tagging discussed
Commissioners denied the petition after the Department of Game, Fish and Parks asserted that current voluntary reporting provides robust and statistically valid data for management decisions.
Wildlife Director Tom Kirschenmann said harvest reports are just one component of a broader data set that includes biological surveys and local feedback.
Commissioners also expressed concerns about potential logistical problems with enforcement of mandatory reporting. Commissioner Julie Bartling questioned the legality of denying licenses for noncompliance.
Kirschenmann emphasized the department’s ongoing work on an e-tagging system, which could integrate real-time reporting. He said the department prefers ensuring the system is robust before implementing broader requirements.
The new “tags” would exist online and hunters would log into the department’s website or app to report when the tag has been filled. Hunters are currently required to attach a physical, non-electronic tag to harvested big game such as deer.
The department aims to roll out the electronic system in 2026 and will test it next year.