Winter Cereals Partnership Grows

Pg. 4

National Headquarters,Ducks Unlimited, Inc.One Waterfowl Way • Memphis, Tennessee 38120

NON PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBismarck, NDPermit 280

Dale Hall Speaks Out for Prairie Pothole Region

Pg. 5

Goebel Ranch Hosts DU Volunteers

Pg. 6 & 7

What’s Cooking?Pg. 10

FALL 2010

BROOKINGS, S.D., Sept. 2, 2010 – Landowners can benefit their opera-tions, improve water quality and control flooding all while conserving wetlands for waterfowl and other wildlife through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Ducks Unlimited (DU) Conservation Biologist, Dan Limmer is working in partnership with the U.S. Natu-ral Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) aand South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) to find these win-win opportunities and address the tremendous demand for WRP in eastern South Dakota. Limmer’s position was created through a partnership with SDGFP, NRCS and DU. Through the NRCS’s Red River Basin Initiative, Limmer is working in NRCS field offices helping interested landowners address flood control and water quality issues. On board since April, Limmer has already helped secure 54 WRP contracts conserving just under 5,000 acres.

“My posi-tion was created because there is tremendous interest in WRP from landowners in eastern South Dakota,” Limmer said. “The NRCS needed help with the significant workload that goes along with administering this program, and the workload keeps growing.” Currently in South Dakota there are over 1,000 WRP easements in place conserving nearly 80,000 acres. With Limmer’s help, DU, SDGFP and NRCS hope to expand that num-ber and work with the landowners who have been waiting for WRP con-tracts. “This partnership has worked out exceptionally well,” said Curtis Elke, assistant state conservationist with the NRCS. “The demand for WRP has grown exponentially in the

last few years, and we are hoping to add another person like Dan to help us serve our customers’ requests.” WRP is a voluntary program that helps landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their property. The NRCS administers the program and provides incentives and techni-cal assistance for landowners with the goal of restoring wetland functions to the landscape and providing quality wildlife habitat. In the end, landown-ers benefit by being compensated for

Good For Landowners, Good For DucksDU Conservation Biologist helps with WRP demand

Continued Page 2

� • Fall 2010 Fowl Talk - South Dakota Ducks Unlimited

Good For Landowners, From Page 1

retiring marginal land from agricul-ture and the landscape benefits by the conservation of soil, water and wetland resources. “WRP is an exceptional program for many, and with the amount of rainfall we have received in recent years, it is help-ing landowners continue to receive income from land that has less production value,” Elke said. “I am a producer and I grew up on a farm so I bring that perspec-tive to this job, I know the prob-lems landowners face with manage-ment and conservation and have a good idea what they are looking for in a conservation program,” Lim-mer said. Limmer has a strong back-ground in natural resources. He has worked for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks as a habitat biologist and watershed project coordinator as well a conservation officer. Limmer also has experience in natural resources policy, working for several non-government con-servation organizations as a private consultant. If you are interested in signing up for WRP you can contact Dan Limmer through the NRCS Brook-ings Field Support Office, 523rd Ave., Brookings, S.D., 605-692-2344. Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has con-served more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

Another fall is upon us, the days are getting cooler and the annual fever is rapidly spreading among us waterfowlers. The fever is duck fever, that anxious feeling that all hunters get this time of year when it’s time to take to the fields and wetlands. It doesn’t matter if you are 15 or 50, the pre-season preparation of equipment, the working with the dog, the scout-ing trips all lead up and heighten the anticipation of the hunt. It makes us get out of bed in the middle of the night to wolf down a gas station breakfast burrito, put on the wad-ers (and discover the leak you didn’t know was there), wrestle with the decoys, calm the dog and wait for the coming sunrise and morning flight. While the North American popu-lations of waterfowl are essentially stable, the wet conditions in South Dakota and the rest of the Missouri Coteau and Prairie Pothole region has produced a bumper crop of ducks and geese in our area. As the back of your South Dakota 2010 Hunting Guide states – the “good old days” of waterfowl hunting are now. Nearly three times the historical average of waterfowl were raised in South Da-kota this year. The work that DU has done on over 600,000 acres of habitat

in our state, the individual conserva-tion work of farmers and ranchers and, of course, the generous donation of precipitation by Mother Nature has made this all possible. This is the year to treat the fever. Take the time to get out early and often, take a kid hunting or, if you haven’t waterfowl hunted for a few years now is a great time to get back into it. Even if you don’t carry a gun, take a drive into the country on these fall days to ob-serve the sights, sounds and awesome spectacle of the annual migration. Elsewhere in this publication you will see an article on the Volunteer Day at the Goebel Ranch that was held in August. I have had the privi-lege of attending the past 2 years and I would strongly encourage everyone to do the same. As a volunteer you can truly see firsthand the fruits of your labors. As a major donor, if you are contemplating making a dona-tion or considering DU in your estate planning you will be able to see and hear what your dollars can do not only for the ducks but also for many species that depend on a healthy prai-rie habitat to flourish. In years such as this one, this area can host over 100 breeding pairs of ducks per square mile. In production terms these pairs

can produce around 10 ducklings. In a perfect world, without predation and other natural causes, this is 1000 ducks annually. Multiply the produc-tion out over a 5 year period and it becomes 10 million birds! Even at a 30% nesting success rate typical on large blocks of habitat you are still looking at 3 million! The numbers are possible if the habitat is there—and DU is doing everything possible to make sure it is into the future. Well, the past 2 years have gone very quickly (time seems to do that the older you get) and this is my last Fowl Talk column as your State Chairman. I would like to thank all the folks that help make Ducks Un-limited what it is in South Dakota. Our Regional Directors Don Thorpe and Brad Jensen (aka the “Road War-riors”) for their tireless commitment and crazy working hours, Michelle Rhead, our ever efficient State Trea-surer and, of course, the volunteers from across the state without whom this organization would not exist. Thanks for the giving of your time, talents and dollars to help preserve the habitat and waterfowl that we all care so deeply about. Now go hunting – get out there and enjoy the season!

’Tis the SeasonDon Aarstad – SDDU State Chairman

DATE LOCATION TYPE CONTACT PHONE10/18/2010 PonyHills-Woonsocket Dinner TomWorth 605-796-481210/19/2010 HowardMinerCounty Dinner BillWolff 605-240-001410/19/2010 Gettysburg Dinner NormanKostboth 605-765-251410/22/2010 LakePoinsett Dinner PaulPietila 605-785-357610/23/2010 McPhersonCounty-Eureka Dinner DonKallenberger 605-284-512110/23/2010 Springs-WessingtonSprings Dinner TomMebius 605-539-118810/23/2010 LaCreek-Martin Dinner TerryLavarack 605-685-112510/23/2010 Klondike-Tea Dinner JoeMaunders 605-5218-153610/23/2010 SoDak Dinner JeffNodsle 605-432-694410/29/2010 PickerelLake Dinner PickerelLakeLodge 605-486-4783 10/29/2010 Chamberlain Dinner HaroldBickner 605-778-610311/6/2010 Webster Dinner JasonSnell 605-881-789611/9/2010 LakeCity Dinner ConnieGeist 605-448-519111/13/2010 LymanCounty-Presho Dinner ChadJohnson 605-869-267611/27/2010 Sisseton Dinner DavePeterson 605-237-16851/15/2011 Britton Dinner PaulThayer 605-228-21381/23/2011 Groton Dinner RonBelden 605-380-12311/29-31/2011 StateConvention-Watertown Dinner BrianPellish 605-351-9837TBA Ellsworth Dinner JoeKern 605-343-3623TBA BelleFourche Dinner RobertHathaway 307-221-2061

Upcoming Events

Fall 2010 • �www.ducks.org/states/62/

Waterfowl hunters are a unique breed of outdoor enthusiasts. They will wade thru knee deep muck or bust ice to set decoys in their favorite duck hunting honey hole. It is never to windy, cold or wet to head out in pursuit of their favored game. The more chal-lenging the conditions the more determined they are to succeed. And the more that suc-cess is treasured. For 74 years Ducks Unlimited has been stepping up to the challenge of protecting and restoring North America wetlands and as-sociated habitat. Thru economic down turns,

environmental disasters and changing agri-cultural landscape, DU has been the leader in protecting our waterfowl heritage. DU has protected over 13 million acres of vital waterfowl habitat stretching form the nesting grounds to the wintering grounds. While DU has accomplished much, we are facing new and continuing challenges. In the prairie pothole region we are seeing native prairie and CRP turned into crop production at an alarming rate. The wintering grounds, while still recovering from hurricane Katrina, were devastated again by this spring’s oil spill.

DU is once again leading the efforts to meet these challenges and protect critical habitat. DU is determined to succeed in fulfilling its mission of protecting our waterfowl heritage, but we need your help. If you are not afraid of a daunting challenge, if you enjoy the satisfac-tion of succeeding in the face of these chal-lenges, we ask you to join your local commit-tee. For more information contact Don Thorpe at dthorpe@ducks.org.

Ducks Unlmited is almost halfway home in its goal to protect 300,000 acres through the Rescue the Duck Factory (RDF) campaign. So far, DU donors have helped protect more than 133,000 acres of grassland. “Recent population surveys con-firm the grasslands of the Dakotas are both attractive and productive for breeding waterfowl,” said Steve Adair, director of DU’s Great Plains Regional Office. “Given the continu-ing loss of this resource, we need to re-double our efforts to conserve it for the future” RDF campaign progress: • Campaign launched in September 2008

• More than 133,641 acres of permanent easements purchased or optioned

• Under RDF, DU and its partners have invested $40 million

The Remington Outdoor Foun-dation is investing $250,000 a year in RDF over a three-year period. “Because conserving wild places is an integral part of our mission to encour-age more people to enjoy the out-doors, we have teamed up with DU to

secure conservation easements from willing landowners to permanently protect grasslands and wetlands,” said Jim Moore, president of Remington Outdoor Foundation. Interest among landowners contin-ues to be strong to protect grassland and wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region. DU has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on purchasing perpetual easements since 1997 when DU launched Grasslands for Tomorrow, an aggressive effort to protect 2 million acres of the best-of-the-best waterfowl breeding habitat in the U.S. Prairies. That partnership has now resulted in almost 923,000 acres of exceptional breeding habitat secured through easements purchased or optioned from landowners in the prairies. RDF was launched to help acceler-ate DU’s easement work and respond to the large backlog of willing land-owners waiting for easements. Land offered up for easements amounted to 300,000 acres, and it was estimated that $40 million in private funds would be necessary to leverage a total of $120 million to purchase these easements.

A Waterfowler’s Determination is Required to Protect Our Waterfowl HeritageA Waterfowler’s Determination is Required to Protect Our Waterfowl HeritageBy Don Thorpe

Rescue the Duck Factory Halfway to Goal

RDF Update July 2010 According to license sales across the country, participation in waterfowl hunting is declining. In a recent survey by the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department, hunters said the two biggest reasons for not pursuing waterfowl were “Don’t know where to go,” and “Not enough time”. To try and combat the decline, SD GFP has created a “Water-fowl Population Index/Hunting Opportunity Thunderstorm Map”. The color-coded map shows waterfowl activity across the state and should provide hunters with information that will lessen their scouting time and increase the chance of success. GFP field staff rates areas in each county across the state for waterfowl activity. The map doesn’t show a true waterfowl popula-tion, but more of a rank of opportunity for hunters and waterfowl activity. “Hunters were saying they didn’t know where to go waterfowl hunting,” said GFP GIS specialist Chris Marsh. “We took that as meaning they didn’t have time to scout. With the thunderstorm maps, we are doing some of the pre-scouting for hunters and trying to get them in areas where there is a lot of waterfowl activity and they have a good chance at success.” The maps are updated every week, and the webpage also pro-vides field observations, tips and weather forecasts. To view the thunderstorm maps, visit: http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/waterfowl/migration/default.aspx

Stormy WeatherSouth Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

� • Fall 2010 Fowl Talk - South Dakota Ducks Unlimited

State Chairman Don Aarstad1305 Sunset Street NWWatertown, SD, 57201dona@iw.net605-882-2050 (H)605-881-0253 (C)

State Chairman-ElectJeff HeidelbauerP.O. Box 292Custer, SD 57730 jheidelbauer@goldenwest.net605-673-4208 (H)605-440-0772 (C)

State Council ChairmanDon KallenbergerP.O. Box 547Eureka, SD 57437kaldon@valleytel.net605-284-5121 (W)605-284-2102 (H)

State TreasurerMichelle Rhead300 W 3rd StTea, SD 57064Michelle.Rhead@hsfl.com605-336-3021 (C)

State Convention ChairmanBrian Pellish320 N. Lake DriveWatertown, SD 57201duckman@iw.net605-882-8219 (W)605-351-9837 (C)

State WebmasterPam Berg108 14th St NEWatertown, SD 5720121berg@wat.midco.net605-886-7403 (H)605-881-5614 (C)

State Volunteer Recruitment ChmVacant

State Greenwing ChairmanMike Pederson17026 449th AveWatertown, SD 57201mike.pederson@state.sd.us605-882-5111 (W)605-886-7419 (H)

State Sponsor ChairmanMaynard Isaacson3405 S. Pennant PlaceSioux Falls, SD 57110isaacson@sio.midco.net605-338-3718 (H)605-759-8837 (C)

State Major Gifts ChairmanGary L. Peterson508 Alder LaneSioux Falls, SD 57105gpinsfsd@aol.com605-330-0553 (H)605-336-4411 (C)

Senior Regional VPBruce PoseyP.O. Box 1416Billings, MT 59103bposey@streeterbros.com888-443-0214 x1 (W)406-245-7624 (H)

Regional VPRick Berg108 14th St NEWatertown, SD 5720121berg@wat.midco.net605-886-7403 (H)605-881-1859 (C)

Regional DirectorDon Thorpe25346 400th AveMt. Vernon, SD 57363dthorpe@ducks.org605-630-8696 (C)

Regional DirectorBrad Jensen2120 Birch Ave. NEWatertown, SD 57201bjensen@ducks.org605-881-3379 (C)

Regional DirectorRobert Hathaway351 N. Forest #29Casper; WY 82609rhathaway@ducks.org307-333-4929 (W)307-221-2061 (C)

Director of DevelopmentDave Afton2525 River Rd.Bismarck, ND 58503dafton@ducks.org701-355-3525 (W)701-471-2629 (C)

Director of Fundraising and Volunteer RecruitmentGreg Dinkel1516 9th AveKearney, NE 68845gdinkel@ducks.org308-237-2950 (W)308-440-6413 (C)

�010/�011 SD STATE OFFICERS

�010-�011 DU SUPPORT STAFF

DIReCTORy Ducks Unlimited and Bayer CropScience’s winter wheat research and education initiative, Winter Cereals; Sustainability in Action (WCSIA), continues to grow. This summer Bayer Crop-Science and DU announced the inclusion of South Dakota State University, North Dakota State University and Univer-sity of Minnesota as research partners for the initiative. The land grant universities will be developing new winter wheat varieties with improved characteristics, such as winter hardiness, high yield, disease resistance and good milling qualities. Bayer CropScience and DU launched WCSIA in 2009 as a way to expand winter cereal acres in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America as a cropping option for producers and nesting habi-tat for waterfowl. The initiative promotes improving the agricultural productivity of farmland while retaining and improving the habitat values important to North Ameri-ca’s waterfowl and other wildlife. In recent years, winter wheat production has gained a foothold on North America’s prairies acres. New varieties, improved marketing options and the agronomic advan-tages provided by the crop make it an attractive choice for growers to include in their crop rotation. The new research programs’ objectives support development of new variet-ies better suited to the PPR, with higher yields and higher profits, less risk and improved efficiency of labor, equipment and crop protec-tion inputs. “Our goal is to enable cereal growers to produce more food on the same amount of land while preserving and improving the habi-tat important to North America’s waterfowl and other wildlife,” said

Geoff Kneen, vice president and head of bioscience RTP operations for Bayer CropScience. Winter wheat is a fall-seeded crop and a good fit in regions that have limited moisture in the fall and wet conditions in the spring. It

can also bring about the reduction of disease issues and pest problems through a successful crop rotation strategy. From a waterfowl conservation standpoint, Blake Vander Vorst, DU manager of agronomy programs, said one of the key limiting factors for continental waterfowl popula-tions is a lack of nesting cover on the prairies. “Our research in Canada has already shown that 24 times more nests are hatched in the fall-seeded crops, such as winter wheat and winter rye, than in spring-seeded crops,” Vander Vorst said. “It comes down to the simple fact that there is no disturbance in the spring of the year. The seeding is done in the fall.” Vander Vorst said the next phase of the program could include agronomic and pest management research.

Winter Cereals Partnership expands

to Regional Universities

Blake Vander Vorst, DU manager of

agronomy programs

Fall 2010 • �www.ducks.org/states/62/

Dale Hall Speaks out for the Prairie Pothole Region

The threats to the Duck Factory are great. Ducks Unlimited (DU) and its partners have a plan for protecting this important landscape. The only thing standing in the way is funding. Ducks Unlimited CeO Dale Hall traveled to Pierre, S.D. on September 1st to carry the message that the Prairie Pothole Region should be recognized as a Treasured Land-scape. That recognition could mean additional dollars for permanent easements to protect native prairie and wetlands vital for waterfowl and other wildlife. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to make a big difference in the future of these critical breeding areas,” Hall said. “This designation would signal an increased commit-ment to the areas that produce the bulk of our

nation’s ducks each year.” Hall, SD DU volunteers Rick Berg and Don Aarstad, and DU SD staff Don Thorpe and Randy Meidinger spoke at the America’s Great Outdoors Listening Session about the demand from willing landowners for ease-ments and how full funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) would go a long way to meeting that chal-lenge. The easements are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in cooperation with key partners like DU. The listening sessions were designed to launch a national dialogue about conserva-tion and reconnecting Americans with the outdoors. Among those attending the Pierre listening session was Rowan Gould, acting

director of the USFWS. Gould also traveled with Hall to make an aerial inspection of DU’s Goebel Ranch in South Dakota to learn more about the impor-tance of the prairie nesting grounds.

Dale Hall Speaks out for the Prairie Pothole Region

Shootfor

SafetyThis

HuntingSeasonwww.sdgfp.info

Dale Hall, Ducks Unlimited CEO

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� • Fall 2010 Fowl Talk - South Dakota Ducks Unlimited

Intermittent rain showers did not dampen the spirits or enthusiasm as SD Ducks Unlimited Volunteers and family members participated in the 2nd Annual Volunteer Day on the Prairie which was held Saturday August 14th at the Goebel Ranch in McPherson Co.

Over thirty participants braved the weather to learn about the vital conservation work DU is conducting in the heart of the North American Duck Factory! The volunteers also heard about the important research DU staff is conducting on the Goebel Ranch, ranging from duck nesting and grazing studies to vegetation monitoring and weed control projects.

After the morning indoor learning session the group departed the Ranch headquarters to tour this jewel of the prairie to witness first-hand the Duck Factory in full production mode; as Mother Nature has provided ample moisture to this part of the prairie this year. The highlight of the morning for the volunteers was the opportunity to observe and assist DU staff members band a mixed bag of ducks. Everyone participated with the banding operation and helped release the 104 newly banded ducks back to their prairie wetland home. During the course of the Volunteer Day, DU Volunteers found out why their efforts are so important to the future of our cherished Waterfowling Heritage.

Following the morning banding session, lunch was provided and the opportunity was taken to socialize with fellow DU volunteers from across the state. After lunch a SDDU State Council meeting was held in the quonset at Goebel Ranch headquarters.

During the following weeks an additional thirty DU Volunteers from KS and MN were treated to similar Volunteer Day experiences at the Goebel ranch (minus the rain showers). Overall, DU Volunteers assisted with the banding of more than 400 of the 3000+ ducks banded on the Goebel ranch this year.

3,086 ducks have been banded to date at Goebel Ranch with the following breakdown: Bluewing Teal 2,823, Northern Pintail 122, Lesser Scaup 48, Gadwall 40, Mallard 26, Greenwing Teal 14, Redhead 5, Northern Shoveler 4, Ruddy Duck 4. Meidinger is unsure why Mallard numbers are significantly below normal this year but did note that these results are “way off target” for this species.

Goebel RanchHosts DU VolunteersRandy Meidinger – Goebel Ranch Manager

RIGHT & BELOW:Legacy Greenwings actively

participated in banding for this year.

Fall 2010 • �www.ducks.org/states/62/

ABOVE: Volunteers simultaneously allowing newly-banded ducks to take flight during

Volunteer Day on the Prairie.

ABOVE: State Chariman Elect Jeff Heidelbauer was one of many volunteers to participate in the banding opertation at Goebel Ranch.

ABOVE: A newly-banded duck calmly rests in the arms of a SDDU volunteer (apparently a smart duck that either sensed compassionate hands or knows how to read).

BELOW: Randy Meidinger, Goebel Ranch manager, (far right) demonstrates to volunteers how to

“sex” ducks as part of meticulous record- keeping requirements of the banding study.

� • Fall 2010 Fowl Talk - South Dakota Ducks Unlimited

The old cliché that many hands make for lighter work also holds true when we talk about waterfowl management. Typically the first thing that comes to mind is setting seasons and completing habitat projects, but what may be more important is the number of partners involved to complete the cycle of waterfowl management. “Many hands” comes through partnership efforts in waterfowl management that can be found at various levels; ranging from the grassroots efforts of local chapters raising funds to working with Congress on issues such as the federal Farm Bill. In a state like South Dakota, the most important part-nerships are those fostered with private landown-ers. With over 80% of the land base in private ownership, working with landowners to develop or improve habitat is essential. These efforts must incorporate components that fit the operation of each cooperator, thus assuring to benefit both wild-life and landowners alike. As the state wildlife agency, SD Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP) has had a long standing

working partnership with DU. Cooperative efforts historically include land acquisitions, wetland and grassland restoration projects on both private and public land, grazing projects which keep grass and cattle on the landscape, and most recently a joint partnership between DU, SDGFP, and USDA to position a biologist in the northeast corner of the state to focus efforts on enrolling landowners in the Wetlands Reserve Program. Other cooperative management efforts include annual duck banding operations and the surveillance of Avian Influenza. All of these activities and efforts are crucial to waterfowl management. However, there is one resource that has always been extremely important and in recent years has declined in both SD and across the country at alarming rates: waterfowl hunters. South Dakota is extremely fortunate to have the waterfowl resources that we do. Sound stewardship and conservation programs such as the Conserva-tion Reserve Program (CRP) have provided habitat needed to produce waterfowl at high levels when water conditions are adequate. Ample opportuni-

ties to hunt waterfowl exist between state and federally owned land, as well as private land leased for public access and landowners allow-ing hunter access. Un-fortunately, the number of hunters in the field enjoying this resource and the sport itself are on the down slide. To better under-stand how significant the decline has been, let’s consider the num-bers. In 1999, just over 26,000 hunters took the field to hunt ducks; however in 2009 there were only 13,800 duck hunters. Considering Canada goose hunters, over 25,000 participated in 2001 but only 12,900 were in the field in 2009.

In both cases we have seen almost a 50% decrease in duck and goose hunting participation. These are alarming statistics and have the water-fowl management world scratching their heads as to what can be done to reverse these trends. Partnership efforts needed between state, federal, and organizations such as DU to address habitat and population resources have been easy to identify. When it comes to addressing the issue of retaining and recruiting new hunters, there seems to be no silver bullet answer. As we move forward with waterfowl management, addressing this par-ticular resource may be our biggest challenge yet. As a department, SDGFP has conducted surveys in an attempt to identify why we are losing wa-terfowl hunters. There are a multitude of reasons, some of which include not enough time, equip-ment needs, and regulations. Our next phase of this analysis is to focus on youth waterfowl hunter recruitment. Hopefully the information in hand and that to be obtained will assist all of us in an organized effort to reverse the current trends. In the mean time, SDGFP is working on other aspects to hopefully provide incentives, make waterfowl hunting easier for the hunter, as well as actively recruiting new waterfowl hunters. We have been working on expanding the number of boat access points on Game Production Areas (GPA) to launch duck hunting boats, continue the Lower Oahe Goose Hunting program, conduct or partner in youth events which introduce waterfowl hunting, provide equipment to hunt waterfowl, and looking at the placement of blinds on a few GPAs for duck hunters to use. At a time when waterfowl resources are plentiful and opportunities exist across the state, now is the time for all of us to join resources and ideas that address the declining trend of waterfowl hunters. Waterfowl hunting is a long standing tradition and one most worthy of retaining. DU and SDGFP met earlier this year to discuss the issue and began formulating ideas to work col-lectively on this critical issue. Beyond partnering as conservation agencies, it is just as important that each one of us work on recruiting a new waterfowl hunter or bring someone back you know that use to enjoy the sport. From all the statistics available, it appears we have a big challenge ahead of us. However it is a challenge that is worth our time and effort.

Working Together for the Future of Waterfowl ManagementTom Kirschenmann – SDGFP Chief of Terrestial Operations

Fall 2010 • �www.ducks.org/states/62/

Let’s face it, fall is short and we don’t have time to do all of the things we love to do. Decoys need to be restrung, blinds need to be built, waders need to be patched, and that’s not even taking into account fish that are biting, or other critters that need chasing. Scouting and preparation are the keys to every good hunting and fishing adventure. There is no substitute for getting out on the ground and look-ing around to see where our quarry is. But with sea-sons running into other seasons, some-

times we can’t get out beforehand and look around. With South Dakota having over 1 million acres open to public hunting, how can a hunter narrow the playing field?? The South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks has two tools to assist hunters with their scouting and hunting. Their Wildlife Inventory and Land Management Application, or WILMA for short, allows hunters to customize aeri-al and topographical maps to get a better look at where they are going. WILMA goes as far as show-ing land use of Game Production Areas and lets hunters know what crops are planted, where tree belts are, and other useful information. WILMA can be found at http://arcgis.sd.gov/Server/GFP/HuntingAtlas/ In the past, hunters had to rely on the South Dakota Hunting Atlas to locate tracts of public ground. While effective, when a person is on the road or on the ground, it could be hard to tell exactly where you were in relation to land bound-aries. GFP has solved that problem with their new GPS public lands downloadable maps. Hunters can now essentially download the Hunting Atlas onto a handheld GPS unit. The maps aren’t compat-ible with every GPS unit, but work on most of the

newer Garmin, Lowrance I-finder and Magellan Triton units. With step by step video instructions, and email reminders to users when new tracts of land become available, this is an amazing tool for hunters. To learn more about the GPS maps, visit: http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/gps/default.asp For hunters with the new Garmin Oregon, Dakota and Colorado GPS’s, customized maps from WILMA can be downloaded from your computer to these handheld units. This allows users to aerial photos on their units, draw trails, mark potential stand placement, or whatever other information they might want to input into their GPS. Be sure to grab a copy of the 2010 South Dakota Hunting Atlas. This publication is a must have for every hunter’s vehicle. It provides an overlook of all the public lands in the state. Use these tools before and during your hunting adventures. They will help you become a better, smarter and more prepared hunter.

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

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SEE DEALER FOR DETAILShonda.com MULTI-PURPOSE UTILITY VEHICLES CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, BE RESPONSIBLE. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT, AND KEEP THE SIDE NETS AND DOORS CLOSED. AVOID EXCESSIVE SPEEDS, AND BE CAREFUL ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN. ALL MUV DRIVERS SHOULD WATCH THE SAFETY VIDEO “MULTIPURPOSE UTILITY VEHICLES: A GUIDE TO SAFE OPERATION” AND READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. NEVER DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, ON PUBLIC ROADS, OR WITH MORE THAN ONE PASSENGER. BIG RED IS ONLY FOR DRIVERS 16 YEARS AND OLDER. DRIVER AND PAS-SENGER MUST BE TALL ENOUGH FOR SEAT BELT TO FIT PROPERLY AND TO BRACE THEMSELVES WITH BOTH FEET FIRMLY ON THE FLOOR. PASSENGER MUST BE ABLE TO GRASP THE HAND HOLD WITH THE SEAT BELT ON AND BOTH FEET ON THE FLOOR. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN DRIVING. *1.99% Fixed APR fi nancing available for customers who qualify for super preferred credit tier for up to 36 months through Honda Financial Services. Payment example: 36 month-ly payments of $28.64 for each $1,000 fi nanced. Offer good on all new and unregistered MUV700 models. Not all buyers may qualify. Higher rates apply for buyers with lowercredit ratings. 90-day deferred payment and 60-day deferred interest option available. Offer ends 12/31/10. **$500 Bonus Bucks valid on 2010 MUV700 models. Bonus Bucks redeemable only for purchases at dealer on purchase date. No cash value. Non-transferable. Redemption value not to exceed $500. Offer ends 11/30/10. Check with participating Honda Dealers for complete details. Big Red™ is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2010 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (9/10) 10-0871

$500bonus bucks

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10 • Fall 2010 Fowl Talk - South Dakota Ducks Unlimited

Grilled Goose Breast One goose breast (two boneless halves) 1/4 cup Olive Oil 1 cup Teriyaki Sauce Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning Thaw frozen goose breasts until about 3⁄4 thawed and slice the breast (perpendicularly) into 3/8 inch thick pieces. Marinate these in the mixture of the olive oil, Teriyaki and a liberal amount of the Mrs. Dash seasoning. Refrigerate the goose and marinade for 24 hours. Remove the goose from the marinade and place individually on a hot grill. Turn the pieces after only a couple of minutes and remove them from the grill after only a couple more minutes. It is very important not to over cook the goose. This grilled goose is great right off the grill in a whole wheat bun or later eaten cold. The same recipe works well with wild turkey breast.

ENJOY!

What’s Cooking?Recipes foR the spoRtsman/woman

Goose Chili 2 lbs goose breasts, cubed 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 medium onions, chopped 2 green peppers, chopped 1 cans (16 oz) tomato sauce 4 red peppers 3 chili peppers, jalapeno, etc., chopped 2 tbsp Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce 1 tbsp chili powder 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp salt 1 can red kidney beans, drained 1 can white beans, drained In a large skillet , cook the goose with the garlic, onions and green peppers until done. Add the remaining ingredients except the beans. Simmer for 1 hour stirring occasionally. Add the beans and simmer 20 minutes longer. Serve and Enjoy

Take aim ... you might be shooting at a pheasant worth

$1,000,000Million Dollar Bird Hunt! Aberdeen, SD

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* Valid only in Brown County *Every band worth $100.00 to $1,000,000

www.MillionDollarBird.com

Fall 2010 • 11www.ducks.org/states/62/

Passing of One of SDDU Founding

Members Les Scherschligt a longtime DU

supporter and one of the founding members of South Dakota Ducks Un-limited passed away recently. Les was

not only instrumental in developing the Sioux Falls Chapters but was in-strumental in starting many chapters throughout South Dakota. He was a sportman who backed up his love of the great outdoors by working to

protect that which he so dearly loved. Fellow founding member Maynard

Isaacson stated “Les was an inspira-tion to all South Dakota DU volun-

teers, who taught us the importance of working together to benefit waterfowl conservation”. Les was very giving of his time and resource to a great

many worth while causes. He will be deeply missed. All of SDDU offers its

condolences to Les’s family.

g G

28731 E US HWY 12Mobridge, SD 57601

605-845-3902

100 W 249th St. Chamberlain SD 57325

605-734-0162

Ellwein Brothers

655 18th St. Huron, SD 57350

605-352-2620

4815 N Northview AveSioux Falls, SD 57107

605-336-2988

231 E Main St. Rapid City, SD 57701

605-343-2490

44414 SD HWY 50Yankton, SD 57078

605-665-9351

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Shop The Region’s Best Selection Of Fishing & Hunting Supplies!HUNTING & FISHING LICENSES SOLD HERE!

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1� • Fall 2010 Fowl Talk - South Dakota Ducks Unlimited

SEE YOUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER

500 4th St NEHuron, SD 57350

605-352-6411www.prostrolloautomall.com

S

EE YOUR LOCAL CHEVY DEAEE YOUR LOCAL CHEVY DEAOCAL CHEVY DEALERAL CHEVY DEALERL CHEVY DEALER

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24609 Klein AvenueDell Rapids, South Dakota 57022

800-334-5056www.dellrapidschevy.com