From the President
May Schaefer

June 2006

Happy Summer to one and all!! I hope this newsletter finds each of you well and enjoying the summer sunshine and activities with your family and friends making some great memories. Do you have enough outdoor activities scheduled for your summer yet? Are there ever enough outdoor activities on anyone’s calendar? There are, of course, some great things planned for the summer through Outdoor Women of South Dakota.

The annual kayak trip this year will be July 7, 8, and 9 with Caleb Gilkerson out of Pierre, SD. The trip will be either on the Cheyenne or the White River depending on the water levels at that time. One thing for sure is that this will be a trip that you won’t want to miss whether you are a beginner or an expert kayaker. I am told that the scenery and the fossil hunting and the company and the food are some of the best in the state. Be sure to check the OWSD website for more information, and then go directly to Caleb’s email address and register for the event. You deserve a 3-day paddling on the river!!

Another activity in the process of being planned    more

 

May Second Sunday Gathering—West River
Linda Harris

The Second Sunday Gathering (SSG) for May was held on the 14th. A small but quality group of four hiked Harney Peak on a beautiful Mother’s Day. The Harney Range trails are one of the most popular hiking areas in the Black Hills.

Harney Peak, rising to 7242 feet, is the highest elevation in South Dakota. The stone fire tower at the top is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Four trails begin in Custer State Park, then enter the Black Hills National Forest and Black Elk Wilderness and lead to the peak. We hiked the Sylvan Lake #9 trail to the summit and returned on the Cathedral Spires Trail #4. This was a 6.25-mile hike.

The Forest Service has set up registration kiosks where the trails enter the Black Elk Wilderness. Each hiking individual or group is required to complete a self-issue registration. The form must be signed and in the possession of the group for each visit. On the day of our hike, an employee was checking to see if hikers had registered. Many had not. He explained that the Forest Service collects this information to monitor visitor use and plan future improvements. He emphasized that registration is mandatory and fines can be levied. So be sure to register the next time you hike Harney Peak.
 

Chimney Swift Tower Added to W.H. Over Museum Grounds

Press Release
May 30, 2006

Contact: Dorothy Neuhaus
605-677-5228

The W. H. Over Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, added a chimney swift tower to its grounds in May. The tower is a fifteen-foot tall wooden structure that will serve as a nest site for chimney swifts. (In other words, it is a very tall birdhouse.)
Dorothy Neuhaus, curator of collections at the museum, explains that chimney swifts are dark, swallow like birds, 5” long from beak to tail. Adults weigh only 8/10ths of an ounce, but eat tremendous numbers of air-born insects, especially mosquitoes. They fly on narrow wings and, except when roosting at night or when on their nests with eggs or young, they live in the air.
Originally nesting in standing hollow trees in the eastern forests, they followed the settlers and their chimneys west. But now their numbers are declining because modern chimneys with caps and smooth tile linings cannot be used as nesting sites.
Swifts arrive here in late April or very early May. Although they are solitary nesters, with one pair per structure, in August they gather into migratory flocks that roost together in large chimneys. Then in Vermillion at dusk hundreds can be seen going to roost in either the USD smokestack or the high school chimney. These remarkable birds leave in early September to fly to the Upper Amazon Basin, over 3,500 miles from Vermillion.
The tower is located north of the northeast corner of the museum building. Although it has just been built, museum staff hope a pair of birds will find it and build a nest there yet this summer.
The tower’s design is from the Driftwood Wildlife Association in Austin, Texas. The project was paid for by Mark Wetmore and built by John & Jim Lee.
 

Chimney Swift Tower

Erected for the W.H. Over Museum  

May 2006

Chimney Swifts are sooty gray to black, swallow like birds, 5” long from beak to tail. Adults weigh only 8/10ths of an ounce, but eat tremendous numbers of air-born insects, such as mosquitoes.

They fly on narrow wings and, except when roosting at night or when on their nests, they live in the air.

Originally nesting in standing hollow trees in the eastern forests, they followed the settlers and their chimneys west.

They build their nests of dead twigs plucked in flight from branches, and glued to interior vertical surfaces with their saliva.

Swifts arrive here in late April or very early May. Although they are solitary nesters, with one pair per structure, in August they gather into migratory flocks that roost together in large chimneys. At dusk hundreds can be seen going to roost in either the USD smokestack or the high school chimney.                                                                

These remarkable birds leave in early September to fly to the Upper Amazon Basin, over 3,500 miles from Vermillion.

Please do not disturb nesting birds.



 

Black Hills Moon Walks
A Series of Natural History Walks During a Full Moon

Sponsored by the Black Hills National Forest & Black Hills Parks and Forests Association.

What is a Moon Walk?

The Moon Walks take National Forest and Grassland visitors to fire lookout towers, mining towns, beaver dams, caves and more. Their purpose is to provide a family-oriented activity that introduces visitors to the cultural and natural history of the Black Hills. Through this introduction we hope to foster an understanding and appreciation for these resources that will lead visitors toward stewardship of public lands. 

2006 Moon Walk Schedule

For More Information Contact:
Black Hills National Forest
803 Soo San Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-343-1567
www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills

 

Updated 2006 Archery Education Course Listing
The Game, Fish and Parks archery education course listing has been updated....more

 

SD State Parks Host Family Activities on Father's Day Weekend
GF&P
The South Dakota state parks will offer visitors a number of free family activities on Father's Day weekend. Thank Dad and help him enjoy his weekend by joining in on the following events:
* Festival of Kites, Big Sioux Recreation Area. Sat., June 17 at 1 p.m. Come enjoy the big, beautiful kites or bring your own. Great open area to fly your kite. Info: (605) 582-7243.
* Family Fun Day, West Bend Recreation Area near Pierre. Sat., June 17 at 1 p.m. Bring the whole family to the park for a day of fun activities and games. Info: (605) 773-2885.
* Power of the Wind, Indian Creek Recreation Area. Sat., June 17 at 3 p.m. Learn how the wind helps both man and nature. Join in the homemade kite contest, make pinwheels, play with bubbles and fly kites. Info: (605) 845-7112.
* Disc Golf Tournament of Amateurs, Hartford Beach State Park near Milbank. Sun., June 18 at 2 p.m. Learn how to play disc golf and participate in an amateur tournament. Prizes will be awarded. Info: (605) 432-6374.
These programs are in addition to the regular programming hosted by individual parks throughout the summer.
The programs are open to all ages. There is no cost to participate in any of these programs, although a park entrance license is required. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. For more information on activities in the SD state parks, visit www.SDparks.info, contact the individual park office, or call (605) 773-3391. -GFP -


Thank Dad with Camping and SD State Park Gifts this Father's Day
GF&P
If your father is the type who likes to sit back, cookout or occasionally drop a fishing line in the water, spending a day or the weekend at the SD state parks is a perfect way to celebrate Father's Day. According to Game, Fish and Parks officials, numerous camping opportunities exist for June 16 and 17, Father's Day weekend. As of June 5, campsites were available at 26 state parks and recreation areas across the state. To make reservations and to view a current listing of sites available, visit www.CampSD.com. Reservations for Father's Day weekend can be made until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, online or by calling 1-800-710-CAMP (2267). In addition, a number of campgrounds offer first-come, first-served campsites. For a list of these parks and to learn more about making reservations, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.
Many gifts for the outdoors-dad are also available to purchase, such as a State Parks T-shirt, park entrance license, the Campground Map Book, and mammal and butterfly field guides. Or, consider giving Dad a subscription to the South Dakota Conservation Digest, the state's bi-monthly outdoor publication. For an all-inclusive gift, give him a State Parks gift set. The gift set includes a 2006 park entrance license, a copy of the SD State Park Trail Atlas, a state parks T-shirt and several other state parks and outdoor items.
To learn more about Game, Fish and Parks merchandise or the South Dakota state parks, visit www.sdgfp.info or call (605) 773-3391.



Preparation is the Key to Water Safety
GF&P
As summer approaches, a water enthusiast's thoughts turn to the rivers and lakes of South Dakota and preparation for a much-anticipated fun day on the water.
"Whether a fishing trip or recreational boating, it's hard to imagine anything that could mar such a pleasant event," Curt Robertson, Boating Safety Coordinator for the Department of Game, Fish and Parks said. "Yet without the proper safety precautions, a wonderful time on the water with family and friends can turn into a day of regret." Not only are some items essential to safe boating in South Dakota, some are required by law. Robertson shared what is required on different type of boats. On boats less than 16 feet in length and on all canoes and kayaks, you must have the following safety equipment:
* A U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable PFD for each person aboard
* Proper lights displayed sunrise to sunset
* One Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher of B-1 or larger unless a boats construction doesn't allow explosive or flammable gases or vapors to escape.
* On boats 16 to 26 feet long, except canoes and kayaks, you must have the following safety equipment:
* A U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable PFD for each person aboard.
* A U.S Coast Guard approved throwable flotation device (Type IV cushion or ring buoy)
* One coast Guard approved fire extinguisher of B-1 size or larger unless boat construction doesn't allow explosive or flammable gases or vapors to escape.
* A whistle or sound producing mechanical device capable of a two second blast audible for at least one-half mile.
Participation in water sports and games while boating is also popular in South Dakota. Again, preparation beforehand is the key to safety. Here are some tips to stay safe:
* Take a certified swimming course. If you are an experienced swimmer, take a refresher course.
* Make a plan to keep children supervised at all times near water.
* Know your limitations beforehand - don't overestimate your swimming ability or underestimate the water depth.
"The Coast Guard estimates that 9 of every 10 drownings are preventable with proper safety precautions. Remember, preparation is the key to safety whether on or in the water," Robertson said. Boating safety information and regulations can be viewed by going to the GFP homepage
at www.sdgfp.info, highlighting "Wildlife, Hunting and Fishing," clicking on the link to "Fishing," and then clicking on the link to "Boating Information" near the bottom of that page. A copy of the South Dakota Boating regulations can be obtained by writing: Game, Fish and Parks Information Office, 412 West Missouri Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.