Kelly Hepler Selected As GFP Secretary

Posted on January 27, 2015 by admin

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today he has selected Kelly Hepler to serve as the next secretary of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP). Hepler currently serves as assistant commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), a position he has held since 2010.

“I’m thrilled Kelly has agreed to serve as our next secretary of Game, Fish and Parks and happy that we could help bring him back to South Dakota,” said Gov. Daugaard. “His wealth of knowledge and experience in handling complex issues will make him a real asset to our team.”  Continue reading →

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Bill would remove federal protections for wolves in 4 states

Posted on January 14, 2015 by admin

By STEVE KARNOWSKI

January 13, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Several members of Congress are preparing legislation to take gray wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Wyoming off the endangered list in an attempt to undo court decisions that have blocked the states from allowing wolf hunting and trapping for sport and predator control. Continue reading →

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Experimental vaccine partially successful at preventing CWD in deer

Posted on January 5, 2015 by admin

deer cwd story 12-23-14

Journal Sentinel files

In a scientific milestone that could have human health implications, an experimental vaccine was partially successful at preventing chronic wasting disease in deer, according to a recently published U.S. study.

By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel

Dec. 23, 2014

In a scientific milestone that could have human health implications, an experimental vaccine was partially successful at preventing chronic wasting disease in deer, according to a recently published U.S. study.

The finding represents the first time a treatment has prevented the deadly prion infection in deer. Continue reading →

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Wisconsin DNR working on deal to get elk from Kentucky

Posted on December 18, 2014 by admin

Elk bull

 

Journal Sentinel files

 

By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel

Dec. 17, 2014

 

An agreement to transfer 150 elk from Kentucky to Wisconsin is imminent, a top Kentucky wildlife official said Wednesday.

“We are in the final stages,” said Karen Waldrop, deputy commissioner at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, in a phone interview. “I expect everything to be in place very shortly so the next phases of work can begin.” Continue reading →

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Early migration shows loon flight path

Posted on December 17, 2014 by admin

December 16, 2014

By: Chelsea Mongeau

Loon study pic

Geolocator tag on a common loon. Image: Kevin Kenow, USGS

When it comes time to take a winter vacation, even 4-month-old common loons from the Great Lakes region waste no time flying to warmer climates.

These birds began making their way down to the Gulf of Mexico between late October through the beginning of November – a few weeks earlier than usual – because of the early cold, according to U.S. Geological Survey researchers.

The researchers tagged 20 of the birds in Minnesota and Wisconsin in August with satellite transmitters and geolocators to monitor their migration to the Gulf of Mexico. The transmitters track the pressure, light levels and temperature of where the birds happen to be. Continue reading →

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