PIERRE, S.D. –-(Ammoland.com)- Registration is still open, but spaces are filling fast for the Governor’s Pheasant Habitat Summit, scheduled for Dec. 6 at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron. The first session begins promptly at 9 a.m. and the final discussion will close by 4 p.m.
“The initial response has been excellent,” Jeff Vonk, Secretary of the Game, Fish and Parks Department, said. “We encourage interested individuals – particularly landowners and sportsmen – to join us for this important discussion.”
GFP conducted their annual roadside pheasant brood route survey this past summer and found the statewide average was 64 percent lower than the previous year’s survey. These reports of lower pheasant numbers have stirred concerns from hunters, businesses, conservationists and agriculture interests.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard is hosting the summit to help identify causes for the decline and discuss potential solutions.
The morning will feature a suite of speakers, including Dr. Barry Dunn of the South Dakota State University College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences; Bruce Knight of Strategic Conservation Solutions, LLC; Dave Nomsen, vice-president of governmental affairs for Pheasants Forever; Tony Leif, director of the GFP Division of Wildlife; and Jim Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism.
Participants will be broken into groups during part of the afternoon to provide input, which will be shared with all participants.
Pre-registration is required, and interested parties will find information and online registration offered at https://gfp.sd.gov/
Information and registration are also available by calling the Game, Fish and Parks Department at 605-773-3387.