“Some critics of GF&P in the Black Hills say the mountain lion population has been allowed to grow too large and is devastating deer and elk herds. Despite a string of increases by the GF&P Commission in the lion kill quota for the annual hunting season, some hunters want the quota set even higher.”
The Cougar Rewilding Foundation is concerned that the present cougar kill quota is TOO high. We worry that the principal source of dispersers that might ultimately recolonize the Midwest with breeding colonies is being cut off. We predict that killing more lions–even risking eliminating the Black Hills cougar population–will not increase the number of elk and mule deer available to hunters.
Rapid City Journal
Governor’s office seeks independent review of GF&P
Kevin Woster Journal staff
Gov. Dennis Daugaard is calling for an independent review of the state Game, Fish & Parks Department, with management of mountain lions and elk in the Black Hills to be among the areas of scrutiny.
Daugaard’s Chief of Staff, Dusty Johnson, confirmed the coming GF&P review Friday, saying he would discuss the process of selecting a review entity with the GF&P Commission during its July meeting Monday in Pierre.