LIVE CHAT WITH: Jeff Vonk, state Game, Fish & Parks secretary.
The following is a partial transcript of a live chat held with Vonk on Tuesday on Mount Blogmore. To read the entire chat, go to http://blogs.rapidcityjournal.com/politicalblog/
Q: Last spring the biological staff for GF&P recommended an increase in the lion quota. But the commissioners decided to pass and even higher increase. That troubles some people, who think the commission should follow the biologists on a key season like this. Shouldn't the non-experts follow the experts?
JV: The Department presented the Commission with a season recommendation that was premised on a harvest level that we believed would maintain the Black Hills lion population at status quo. The commission chose to increase the harvest in an effort to begin the process of lowering the population. ...
Q: Most states with lion seasons allow the use of dogs by sport hunters. Why doesn't South Dakota?
JV: In South Dakota we attempt to provide opportunity for all sportsmen and women to pursue lions if they desire. To date we have had no trouble achieving harvest quotas without the use of dogs. The use of dogs in pursuit of lions would result in numerous trespass complaints due to the checkerboard nature of land ownership in the Black Hills. ...
Q: What are we doing in regards to the increase in deer population in town? The amount of people hitting deer in town is rapidly increasing.
JV: We continue to work with the city on their management program to harvest deer using sharpshooters. The numbers I am aware of with regard to the deer survey in the city indicate that the population is beginning to decline - as a result of the harvest programs that have been carried out.
Q: Waterfowl feeding is a big controversy for some in Rapid City. Why shouldn't feeding be allowed? What do you hope the city council eventually decides to do?
JV: Feeding wildlife is generally a bad practice. It gets wildlife accustomed/even potentially dependent on human assistance. If wildlife gets too comfortable with the human interaction, problems often begin to occur. Feeding also tends to overly concentrate animals/ birds which leads to other problems - waste accumulation, erosion, disease transmission, etc. ...
Q: Would you recommend the city implement a feeding ban?
JV: I think a feeding ban would reduce some of the problems and points of conflict I have read about.
Q: What is the timeline for the new Outdoor Campus?
JV: Outdoor Campus project went to bid yesterday. We hope to see construction begin soon after the first of the year - with estimated completion in April of 2011.
Q: Is the West River Outdoor Campus needed, given that the Black Hills are already pretty outdoorsy? Sioux Falls, I can see.
JV: We believe that a facility like what is planned in Rapid City will provide a great place for folks - young and old - to come together to learn outdoor skills and share outdoor experiences. This campus has been a goal of the department and commission for over a decade.
We believe this facility will serve to complement the rich outdoor resources in the hills - not compete with them.
