This is a developing story.
HURON, S.D. (KELO) — People who enjoy South Dakota’s outdoors could be paying some $9 million more for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses and for visiting and staying at the state parks and recreation areas next year.
That’s because the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission on Thursday gave its approval to a package of fee hikes sought by the state Game, Fish and Parks Department.
The commission made one amendment at the department’s request, removing the cabin-fees increases from the proposal. GFP deputy secretary Scott Simpson said the Legislative Research Council objected to the way the cabins piece was written. He said it would be proposed again.
Three major sportsmen’s groups — the South Dakota Wildlife Federation, the South Dakota Bowhunters Association and the South Dakota Waterfowl Association — all testified in support of the package prior to the commission’s vote. Some people called for higher license fees for hunting mountain lions.
The final step calls for the Legislature’s Rules Review Committee to decide whether the package goes into effect. The panel of six lawmakers meets for the final time this year on October 22 at the state Capitol in Pierre.
