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Tony Dean Outdoors
Articles
Legislation Could Hurt SD Pheasants
For the Argus Leader
Published: January 24, 2007
The ringneck pheasant is worth more than $150 million annually to South Dakota, which makes the appearance of SB5 difficult to understand.
Introduced by Rep. David Gassmann and Sen. Frank Kloucek, it moves the date up for mowing ditches. Since some pheasants nest in those ditches, especially in areas short of good nesting cover, this legislation, if passed, can reduce pheasant numbers in some areas.
Rep. Gassman told me it might impact pheasants, but he has always mowed road ditches in his area and has seen no evidence nesting was affected. However, he said his main reason for sponsoring the legislation is because of the high deer populations in some areas, and that taller grasses in ditches make it hard to see a deer until it is too late.
While Gassman admits this legislation, if passed, could hurt the pheasant population, it might save someone's life. So would driving slower during low light periods in such areas.
Sen. Kloucek, who has had his share of e-mail issues during this legislative session, sent me the following e-mail when I asked him to respond with his own reasons for sponsoring this legislation:
Tony: Thanks for your support and kind words! Senator Frank
In-line muzzleloader ban
A few years back, I took a new Austin Halleck in-line muzzleloader out of the box and promptly shot a 3-inch group at 100 yards. Not bad for a so-called "primitive" rifle, huh?
Meanwhile, Toby Bridges of the North American Muzzleloader Association has been waging a campaign to get states to allow the use of scope sights on muzzleloaders.
He maintains that regulations that do not allow the use of a scope sight discriminate against muzzleloader hunters over age 45, who have experienced some natural degeneration of eyesight. Golly, I've been in this group for a long time, and I've managed to kill deer with my muzzleloader, even though I use the open sights.
Anyway, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission made the use of scopes on muzzleloaders a moot point by banning in-line muzzleloaders during muzzleloader seasons. Some might view that as too radical, but I can remember when archers who shot traditional longbows and recurves worried about the future of archery with the introduction of compound bows.
I haven't archery hunted for a decade, but I recently decided to get back into the sport. After outfitting my bow with some trick new accessories, I concluded that the modern compound, equipped with all the goodies, is darned near as accurate as a rifle within 50 yards. You may not be able to stop technology, but at times, it's wise to apply the brakes.
High fence ban introduced
The North Dakota Wildlife Federation has taken on the issue of high fence hunting. Legislation to ban this scummy imitation of hunting has been introduced by Sen. Tim Mathern of Fargo.
However, despite a survey conducted by the University of North Dakota's Bureau of Governmental affairs that shows overwhelming support for the measure from urban and farm constituents, Sean McKenna, the NDWF Executive Director, predicts it will be difficult to pass the ban via the legislature.
"Opponents are making this a property rights issue and insist on calling it alternative agriculture," he told me. Imagine a legislature that does not represent the views of its constituents.
That survey indicated North Dakotans oppose high fence hunting by wide margins. About 77 percent of urban residents opposed it while 64 percent of all farmers were in opposition.
Dick Monson, a Valley City, N.D, farmer worries about escaping animals and the chance of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease. He refers to elk and deer behind high fences, as "leafy spurge on the hoof."
Tony Dean writes a weekly column for the Argus Leader on Wednesdays.
Legislation Could Hurt SD Pheasants
