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PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks is preparing to kick off their Nest Predator Bounty program. Now in it’s fourth year, it serves as part of Gov. Noem’s Second Century Initiative to increase resources for habitat management.

The 2022 program opens for South Dakota youth under the age of 18 on March 1, followed by all residents beginning April 1. Tails from raccoons, striped skunks, badgers, red foxes, and opossum will be eligible for $10 per-tail payments, with a maximum total payout of $500,000.

“We were thrilled with the amount of youth participation we saw in 2021,” said Kevin Robling, GFP Department Secretary. “Getting the next generation involved in conservation and the long-standing tradition of trapping is critical to keeping our South Dakota outdoor heritage strong.”

Tails eligible for submission can be harvested via trapping or hunting. Participants need a hunting, furbearer, or fishing license to participate in the bounty program. Landowners harvesting nest predators on their own land and children under 18 are exempt from this requirement.

Program details and more can be found on the GFP website. For submissions outside of the listed offices and times, please contact your local wildlife conservation officer or damage specialist.

Weekly drawings will be held for children under 18 for prize packages consisting of three live traps, a knife, and trapping manual. In 2021, the program had 2,773 total participants. Of the total participants, 29% were under the age of 18, up from 16% in 2020.

Categories: ConnectCenter1-Business, ConnectCenter1-Events, Local News, South Dakota News
Tags: Nest Predator Bounty program, Second Century Incentive, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks, trapping, youth program