PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) -- Sales of South Dakota licenses for fishing and for hunting small game such as pheasants and waterfowl in 2025 have so far been running ahead of last year, according to the director of the state Wildlife Division.

Tom Kirschenmann presented information on Friday to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission during a meeting in Aberdeen showing that purchases of fishing licenses were up substantially by residents and nonresidents.

He said sales of small-game hunting licenses have risen, too, as have combination licenses for both fishing and small-game hunting.

Purchases of habitat stamps, which the Legislature started requiring five years ago, and nearly all fishing and hunting license holders must now buy, were at an all-time high of 107,969 for residents and

See Full Page