The Outdoor Woman
Official Publication of the Outdoor Women of South Dakota
To
promote hands-on education and
participation in outdoor activities
with
a primary focus on Women and Children"
October 2007
|
The Outdoor Woman Official Publication of the Outdoor Women of South Dakota To
promote hands-on education and October 2007 |
| BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT May Schaefer, Hartford memories57@hotmail.com
SECRETARY
Laurie Bedford, Sturgis bedford@rushmore.com Becky Graff, Rapid City
Dar DeChandt, Pierre REGION 3: Mary DeLeeuw, Volga Cheryl Pruett, Mitchell
Jeanette Williams, Vermillion
WEBMASTER: |
Our Rapid City Vacation
By Kris Krouse
Thanks so much to the OWSD for providing our family with the opportunity to
purchase a Rapid City vacation package. The mission statement of getting women
and their children into the outdoors is great! My husband is a farmer, thus if
my family and I want to go anywhere during the summer, the kids and I have to go
alone. I think my husband was jealous and decided that he was going to make time
for this trip!!! I’ve learned a lot from the courses I have been to the past 2
years. My son and I actually use our GPS’s since we took the GPS course last
April at the annual conference. Here are a few pictures of our trip. We were
able to go to Mount Rushmore, the Mammoth Site, Reptile Gardens and we actually
got to ride Thomas the Tank Engine as he was visiting the 1880 Train.
Three S.D. State Parks To Host Hikes Halloween
Weekend
PIERRE, S.D. – Three South Dakota State Parks will provide
the backdrops for trick-or-treaters this Halloween season. Hikes at Big Sioux
Recreation Area near Brandon, LaFramboise Island Nature Area in Pierre and
Custer State Park near Custer will show families that Halloween can be a fun and
educational holiday.
“The Halloween hikes in the state parks are exciting, heart-healthy activities for families to do together," said Lynn Spomer, program specialist with the Division of Parks and Recreation. "They are also a learning tool. Along with the educational information at some of the stops, participants will be able to experience first-hand the sights and sounds of the parks at night."
Make plans to attend one of the following hikes:
There is no cost to participate in any of these hikes, although a Park Entrance License is required at Custer and Big Sioux. Participants are asked to wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
The activities are part of the Walk in the Park program, a series of educational, guided hikes held throughout the year in South Dakota state parks, recreation areas and nature preserves. Parks staff and volunteers lead the programs, which are co-sponsored by the S.D. Department of Health.
Special events are held at the S.D. state parks year-round. For more information on the state parks or to see a calendar of upcoming events, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.
- GFP -
The 2007 theme is focused on The Fallacies of Wildlife: What Visitors Think is not Always True. Five characters will be describing their life history within the Black Hills, as compared to what visitors assume or believe. “This year, the characters will be poking fun at some of the visitor comments and questions we hear every summer season,” said Bradley Block, chief of interpretation. Everyone is excited for the opportunity to share the ‘true’ stories behind our various wildlife species, as well as humor participants with actual questions from past visitors. It should be a fun evening of education and laughter.”
The trail begins at the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center and travels to the Game Lodge Campground. It is a paved bicycle path, offering easy hiking opportunities for strollers and visitors with disabilities. The path is lit only by carved jack-o-lanterns. Outdoor education students from Black Hills State University will be on hand to serve as tour guides and spooks. Their antics along the trail and in the woods will liven up the groups with holiday spirit. The hike is geared for families with children and exposes them to the sights, sounds and night life of the park.
Custer State Park Resort is teaming up with the park by offering hayrack rides from the campground back to the visitor center. Furthermore, a room special at the State Game Lodge is available for interested hike participants. The rate is $79 plus tax for double occupancy on either evening of the event. For more information or to make a lodging reservation, call (888) 875-0001 or visit www.custerresorts.com .
Group sizes are limited to 50 participants and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. The hike is free; however, a park entrance license is required on all vehicles. The daily entrance fee is $5 per person or $12 per vehicle. The 2008 annual licenses will also be available to purchase for $23. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center at (605) 255-4464 any day between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
-GFP-
Bald eagles need undisturbed roosting areas during the winter. Eagles scared away from their nests and food could deprive them of the much-needed energy they need to maintain their body temperature through the cold night. For this reason, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks officials are closing certain areas in state parks along the Missouri River.
Camping and vehicle traffic are prohibited during specific dates in the following areas:
Walkers and cross-country skiers are allowed on trails in these areas, though they must use caution to not disturb the roosting bald eagles. If disturbed, the eagles may abandon their roosts.
For more information on bald eagles in state parks, please visit the state parks’ website at www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391. Information can also be found in the Birding in S.D. State Parks booklet, which is available through the division office or your local park.
-GFP-
Hunters Must Practice Safety First
PIERRE , S.D. —The opening day of pheasant season is a time to enjoy the outdoors and renew old acquaintances. However, all of the activity and excitement of the hunt shouldn’t be allowed to get in the way of safety.
“Hunters can’t let their enthusiasm for opening day cloud their better judgment,” said Curt Robertson, hunter safety program specialist for the S.D. Department of Game, Fish and Parks. “They need to practice safe hunting techniques at all times.”
To that end, Robertson offers a list of Top 10 safety points that hunters should always keep in mind. They include:
GFP brood counts indicate a near record pheasant population in South Dakota this year. “There are plenty of pheasants out there,” Robertson said, “so be patient and always take the safe shot.”
--GFP--
Hunters Need to Use Caution in Wet Conditions
PIERRE , S.D. —Hunters in South Dakota ’s fields are likely to find plenty of pheasants this weekend. They are also going to find unusually wet fields and roads.
“Recent rains have caused some fields and roads to become saturated,” said Tony Leif, game program administrator for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “In these wet conditions, vehicles can cause a great deal of damage.”
GFP is cautioning hunters to drive carefully on gravel roads and consider alternative routes in areas served by dirt roads. “Please respect the land,” Leif said, “and walk into and out of fields.”
It may take several days of sunshine to dry out fields and roads. In the meantime, hunters should use caution.
--GFP--
Successful Elk Hunters Must Have Animals Checked
RAPID CITY , S.D. —Successful Black Hills elk hunters are reminded that any animal they take must be checked by a designated representative of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department or at an elk check station within 24 hours of the kill.
“Getting the elk checked is mandatory for all hunters,” said John Kanta, GFP wildlife manager for Region 1. “To make it easier to get the animals checked, elk check stations have been set up throughout the Black Hills .”
These locations have been designated as elk check stations in the Black Hills :
· Belle Fourche : Grandview Hatchery & Locker Plant, 892-3866; Integrity Meats, 892-6215.
· Custer: Top Pin Archery, 673-5880; Custer County Sheriff’s Office, a self-service location.
· Deadwood: Lock, Stock, & Barrel, 578-2329.
· Hermosa: Novak’s Specialties, 255-4343.
· Hill City : Heart of the Hills Exxon, 574-2077.
· Hot Springs : Black Hills Meat Co., 745-4173.
· Martin: LaCreek National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, 685-6508.
· O’Neil Pass: Trailshead Lodge, 584-3464.
· Piedmont : Jon’s J & K Game Processing, 787-6497; Piedmont Processing, 787-9547.
· Rapid City : The Rooster, 342-3867; Western Buffalo Company, 342-0322; KC Wild Game Processing, 431-9101.
· Spearfish: The Butcher Shop, 642-2230.
· Sturgis: B J’s Country Store, 347-6551.
When the animal is checked, hunters should be prepared to remove the lower middle incisor teeth, place them in the envelope that came with the hunting license and affix the tooth stamp that also came with the license to the envelope. Hunters must complete the information on the envelope as well as a hunter map that will be provided at the check station.
“All of this information is vital in helping us manage elk herds in the Black Hills ,” Kanta said. “We certainly appreciate everyone’s assistance and cooperation.”
Anyone with questions about the procedure for an elk check can contact the GFP regional office at (605) 394-2391 or talk to a GFP conservation officer.
--GFP--
Details for the events listed in our calendar will be posted when they become available. Please check back often for updates.
Calendar of Events
| November 10, 2007 | Hike at The Outdoor Campus and movie |
| November 11, 2007 | Centennial Trail Hike |
| December 8, 2007 | Wreath making |