December 2024 Newsletter
BLACK HILLS SPORTSMEN CLUB
The Newsletter of the Black Hills Sportsmen and Sportswomen
Mission Statement: To promote the conservation, sound management, and sustainable use of wildlife and wildlife habitat and to protect the privilege of sportsmen to hunt and fish through advocacy and education.
The Newsletter of the Black Hills Sportsmen and Sportswomen
Mission Statement: To promote the conservation, sound management, and sustainable use of wildlife and wildlife habitat and to protect the privilege of sportsmen to hunt and fish through advocacy and education.
December 2024
DUES ARE DUE JAN 1ST!!
You can pay up three ways, the best is on the website
Renew online at www.blackhillssportsmenclub.com
Send us a check to PO BOX 9161, Rapid City, SD 57709
Bring check to Jeff Olson at the next meeting
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Greetings From Your President
Well I am already missing November, but December brings new opportunities! How did everyone do with Deer / Birds last month? I actually took a deer for the first time in several years. I hunt down in Bennett County and the past few years have been pretty slim on deer numbers but I will say we say a decent jump in the number of deer we saw both weekends. The weather was also decent and we were able to get some grouse action in-between deer hunts. I have been seeing some really nice photos of big deer taken this year, lets see some more!
On Nov 13th I attended the GF&Ps Custer State Park Management Stakeholders Group Meeting. There were several Stakeholders involved, Dana Rodgers from SDWF, Land Owners, Backcountry Hunters, Tourism, Forestry, Custer County. Etc. The meeting was a broad discussion on how to manage the resources of the Park for the future. We talked about the Bison Management, Forestry & Plant Life management, Fire Management, Wild Life Management, Disturbance (tourism) Management. The CSP is a complicated eco system, all these things cannot survive without each other and the GFP has a tough task of keeping everyone and everything happy..
A couple takeaways
Bison Herd 960 is the goal. Bison visibility is a key aspect to the staff and a #1 request from tourism.
Elk herd 500-600 is the Goal. The park could handle double this number with the amount of grass and habitat. Local Landowners seem to be the big reason for the lower number goal.
The Park sees 2 Million plus visitors every year. They are busting at the seems for Parking in key locations, specifically Sylvan Lake.
The GFP are trying to stay to the existing "Footprint" of the development in the park. while I could go into several areas that have been expanded on over the years this wasn't the time or the place.
I'm sure we will have more meetings before the management plan is finalized, the first meeting was just a brainstorming mission.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Custer State Park, please let me know and I can forward them on to the next meetup.
I want to thank GFP Secretary Kevin Robling for attending and speaking at our last luncheon. Its always a great feeling knowing the GFP is willing to be a part of our organization.
See everyone at the luncheon.
~Cody Hodson~
Well I am already missing November, but December brings new opportunities! How did everyone do with Deer / Birds last month? I actually took a deer for the first time in several years. I hunt down in Bennett County and the past few years have been pretty slim on deer numbers but I will say we say a decent jump in the number of deer we saw both weekends. The weather was also decent and we were able to get some grouse action in-between deer hunts. I have been seeing some really nice photos of big deer taken this year, lets see some more!
On Nov 13th I attended the GF&Ps Custer State Park Management Stakeholders Group Meeting. There were several Stakeholders involved, Dana Rodgers from SDWF, Land Owners, Backcountry Hunters, Tourism, Forestry, Custer County. Etc. The meeting was a broad discussion on how to manage the resources of the Park for the future. We talked about the Bison Management, Forestry & Plant Life management, Fire Management, Wild Life Management, Disturbance (tourism) Management. The CSP is a complicated eco system, all these things cannot survive without each other and the GFP has a tough task of keeping everyone and everything happy..
A couple takeaways
Bison Herd 960 is the goal. Bison visibility is a key aspect to the staff and a #1 request from tourism.
Elk herd 500-600 is the Goal. The park could handle double this number with the amount of grass and habitat. Local Landowners seem to be the big reason for the lower number goal.
The Park sees 2 Million plus visitors every year. They are busting at the seems for Parking in key locations, specifically Sylvan Lake.
The GFP are trying to stay to the existing "Footprint" of the development in the park. while I could go into several areas that have been expanded on over the years this wasn't the time or the place.
I'm sure we will have more meetings before the management plan is finalized, the first meeting was just a brainstorming mission.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Custer State Park, please let me know and I can forward them on to the next meetup.
I want to thank GFP Secretary Kevin Robling for attending and speaking at our last luncheon. Its always a great feeling knowing the GFP is willing to be a part of our organization.
See everyone at the luncheon.
~Cody Hodson~
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WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW INPUT FROM OUR MEMBERS!!
Our program in Dec will be Chris Stover. He works for the BHNF but the work we want to hear about is what he is doing for clean water in his spare time. The work he and others have done with beaver dam analogs as created a large interest from the district rangers in the Black Hills along with many other NGO's that are now interested. This is going to make a huge difference in the entire Black Hills ecosystem. Not to mention the stream clean ups that he seems to help run every other weekend. This guy makes a difference. Please attend to see how you can help.
Legislative update
Nothing popping up yet. I hope to get some legislators to attend our Jan. meeting. We were fortunate to get some legislators elected who are friends of sportsmen or at least respond to our questions. If you are not signed up to get daily reports already, just go the SDWF web page and get signed up
Sportsmen Against Hunger
I have one more food drive any me for this year. So please let me know if you have anything in your freezer Jeff Olson 393-5224
Best approach this time of year is to SAH donate at the processor. ALWAYS call ahead to make sure the processor has space for your deer.
Cutting Edge Meat Market Piedmont 787-9547
Black Hills Butcher Block Spearfish 642-2230
C and R processing Rapid City 224-6572
If you are anywhere else in the state, you can to our web page to see all the processor that take game for SAH http://www.feedtheneedsd.com
Thanks much
Jeff Olson.
605-393-5225
~ Jeff Olson, Treasurer ~
We have put a lot of time into the web page also. If anyone has input or would like us to add to our webpage please email us at blackhillssportsmenclub@gmail.com
Chance Scott from Texas with some big roosters. He is 6-4.5 ft tall.
Tail measures 28.5 inches.
Mule deer with 4 kickers. Chance with his first West River buck.
Chance Scott from Texas with some big roosters. He is 6-4.5 ft tall.
Tail measures 28.5 inches.
Mule deer with 4 kickers. Chance with his first West River buck.
* Upcoming Events *
December 3rd @ 11:45 am
BHSC Monthly Member Meeting
Location: Rushmore Inn and Suites
Jan 7th @ 11:45 am
BHSC Monthly Member Meeting
Location: Rushmore Inn and Suites
Legislative Lunch
We hope to have all or local legislators present
If you know any of them, please send a personal invite
PLEASE NOTE THESE DATES WILL ALL BE LISTED ON THE BHSC WEBSITE UNDER "EVENTS"
December 3rd @ 11:45 am
BHSC Monthly Member Meeting
Location: Rushmore Inn and Suites
Jan 7th @ 11:45 am
BHSC Monthly Member Meeting
Location: Rushmore Inn and Suites
Legislative Lunch
We hope to have all or local legislators present
If you know any of them, please send a personal invite
PLEASE NOTE THESE DATES WILL ALL BE LISTED ON THE BHSC WEBSITE UNDER "EVENTS"
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Interested in volunteering for Outdoor Campus West?
For anyone interested in being a volunteer mentor please contact Clint Whitley.
Clint (contact for volunteer hunting/shooting mentors - Hunting 101)
clint.whitley@state.sd.us
For other kinds of volunteering - please visit their website linked below:
https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=1970180025
Outdoor Campus - Rapid City Newsletter, October-December 2024
The Fall Newsletter is available on our website! Read the October-December 2024 news from The Outdoor Campus - Rapid City!
The Outdoors Campus - Rapid City
605.394.4310
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- Quote of the Month -
" My idea of fast food is the mallard".
-Ted Nugent
" My idea of fast food is the mallard".
-Ted Nugent