BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Prairie Hills Audubon Society - ECPv6.17.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Prairie Hills Audubon Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://phas-wsd.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Prairie Hills Audubon Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Denver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20220313T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20221106T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20230312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20231105T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20240310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20241103T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230907T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230908T120000 DTSTAMP:20230915T211119Z CREATED:20230424T211218Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230915T211119Z UID:6917-1694091600-1694174400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission Sept 2023 meeting DESCRIPTION:REPORT AFTER MEETING\nResults of the Commission meeting (now past) \nThe Commission killed the petition from the hound hunters to expand hound hunting to the rest of the Black Hills outside of Custer State Park.  This will temporarily good news\, is not long term good news. A bunch of the Commissioners want to expand hound hunting to the rest of the Black Hills (outside of CSP) they just did not like this proposal and staff was worried it would result in cougar population dropping below their allowed interval of 200-300 lions. \nThe Commissioners indicated (I think) that they want to amend the Mountain Lion Plan to perhaps lower the allowed interval of 200-300 lions. or  make other substantive amendments to the plan. They don’t want to wait for the normal cycle for Plan Revision and want to do it before the 2024 season happens.  They maybe setting up working groups. \nAll PHAS/Hilding petitions were denied. \nWe ask people to increase writings to the Commission in favor of lions in the Black Hills and Prairies of SD.  We ask people to show up at Commission meetings and testify in favor of lions. \nTo watch the Zoom video of the Commission meeting.  The discussion of cougars by Commission  happened after the finalizations/open forum (which would be after at least 1 hour into the recording) \nhttps://state-sd.zoom.us/rec/share/pWGzkeKrIwWmpAqt7pgIYnb0RXhoeHE6qFjdNi8BG3O-bKQbq9AAFEN5HWSfQxWW.fALxwCtYVYlzTIsv\nPasscode: iA9H+?rq\nHere is Friday’s  meeting link –  they discussed the proposed shooting range in this video – at about 2/3s of the way through the meeting:\nhttps://state-sd.zoom.us/rec/share/NNJIUWQtjBuM9Lok9jGBoxLtAn2VL5x0vw1ayXIbDOqTw_vT9x1E3ZMUNg250w62.lA_hk647NtAhvP_0\nPasscode: 9g?W?H!$\n+++++++++++++++++++++++++++\nALERT BEFORE MEETING\nSD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission Sept 2023 meeting\, is Thursday-Friday September 8th and 9th. A hybrid meeting zoom and face-to-face in Watertown.  Deadline for written comments to be submitted in just before midnight CT on Sunday\, Sept. the 3rd\, if you want your comments in the public record of the September meeting\, instead of October meeting.  You will be able to testify orally (by Zoom or in person) for 3 minutes normally at about 2 pm CT during  the “open forum”. \nHere is the link to download documents related to the meeting.This web site also has the Zoom link and the Zoom passcode\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/\nZoom:\nhttps://state-sd.zoom.us/j/93912915359?pwd=K2FVZzdQSXJTY0NwWG5mSWpSazUwdz09#success\nTo join via conference call\, dial 1 669 900 9128 | Meeting ID: 939 1291 5359 | Passcode: 0565645\n\nHere is the link to agenda for the SDGFP Commission meeting Thursday 9/7/23 -9/8/23\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/923_Commission_Agenda_Amended.pdf\n\nHere is the proposal that the hound hunters wanted and the Commission let move forward (final vote on Oct 5th in Deadwood) (pro-hound hunters)\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/PRO_2023_Mountain_Lion_BHdogs.pdf\n\nHere are the petitions by PHAS (pro-cougar)\n\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/lactating_females_protection_.pdf \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/lion_collars_worn_.pdf\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/lion_injuries_3.pdf\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/petition.guides.pdf\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/lion_on_prairie.pdf\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/lion_fees_rule_change_petition_Final.pdf\n\nPrairie Hills Audubon Society has alerts on Cougars in several places\n\n\nPHAS Cougar alert page\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/cougar-alert/\n\n\nGo to our alert on July meeting – https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-meeting-for-july/ – for more details on proposals . We have link to recording of the meeting here..  In July they moved forward a rule change petition to allow some mountain lions in the Black Hills proper to be hunted with hounds. \n\n  \nAt the Sept Commission meeting they will finalize (have public hearing and vote on) proposed changes to various fishing rules & antelope and turkey lottery draws.  They will further discuss proposed rules on mountain lion hunting – – staff’s rewrite of petitioner’s petition for rule making to allow hound hunting for lions on the Black Hills proper (not Custer State Park). Go to the July meeting alert on events calendar for more information. \nAt the July meeting\, the staff of SDGFP did not propose to make any changes from current season (2022-23)\, but they said they might reconsider that at the September meeting\, after studying the unintended consequences of  increased hound hunting. They seem to have made at least one change to the petitioners petition (not killing lactating females)\, but put it in the rule tied to that petition. \nSome reasons to oppose any increase of hound hunting of lions in the Black Hills: \n1)  Cruelty to lions and dogs; \n2. Hound hunting is more effective at killing lions than “boot hunting”; \na) If hound hunting allowed\, this means that the current harvest limit in the Black Hills  Unit of 60 lions or 40 females should simultaneously be lowered. GFP staff says the population remains within GFP desired population bracket\, but this is because hunters never get much more than 25 female lions and season ends when its’ time is up.  If hunters actually reached the harvest limit\, the population would crash; \nb)  It also creates unfair competition for lions between boot hunters and hound hunters; \n3. Hound hunting is not “fair chase”; \n4. Hounds increase risk of trespass; \n5. Lion hunting license fees are too small\, especially when hound hunting practically guarantees a kill. There  needs to be two tiers for cost of licenses \,with hound hunters paying more than boot hunters; \n6. Disturbance from hounds to other human users\, livestock and/or wildlife. Especially in deep snow; \n7. If lions are  chased but not captured\, such as kittens which they are not allowed to kill & lactating females\, which hound hunters in CSP can’t kill\, it can add to stress during the winter\, especially with heavy snows. \n8. SDGFP needs a system where hound hunters who are working to flush lions for others\, prove they have registered with federal public land manager as a guide and GFP should require they register with SDGFP as a guide\, \n9). On the prairie unit\, we worry about dogs chasing lions in areas where there are no trees or rock outcroppings for lions to be “treed” upon\, increasing likely hood of fight between lions and dog. \n=== \nWritten comments can be submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the next meeting\, comments must include your complete name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy–two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting) (Usually Sunday night before midnight CT or MT depending on time zone of physical meeting)  If you miss that deadline it goes to record of the next meeting.\nYou can testify at GFP meetings which are held in person and by Zoom\, generally at 2 pm on the Thursday of the meeting\, in time zone of the meeting. It is requested that you register by e-mail with Liz.Kierl@state.sd.us before the meeting to let her know you want to testify at the open forum or hearing. However they normally ask if anyone not registered to comment wants to comment. \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them.\n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” or Julia.Bartling@state.sd.us\, “charles.spring@state.sd.us”  \,\nThe two new commissioners  e-mails likely are (but we are not sure):\nJim.White@state.sd.us or James.White@state.sd.us\, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-sept-2023-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230908T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230908T233000 DTSTAMP:20230907T060546Z CREATED:20230907T054617Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230907T060546Z UID:8690-1694160000-1694215800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to register to testify at Wyoming GFP Hearing on 9/13th by Zoom DESCRIPTION:Friday s the deadline to register with Wyoming Game & Fish to testify at their Commission meeting Sept 12-13.  Go to Sept 12-13th event posting for details on the meeting \nAn hour has been designated for the presentation about the off-schedule mountain lion season proposals in Wyoming on Wednesday September 13th in Gillette WY. The agenda sets the time as 10:35 -11:35 am MT\, but of course this can change. If you scroll through the Agenda pages\, there is a sign up form to ask participate via ZOOM.\n\nTestifying sign up application is in the Agenda\, see last page of agenda\, fill it out and submit before FRIDAY 9/8/23: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/About%20Us/Commission/Agenda-UPDATED.pdf\n\nInstructions on submission say submit by Friday\, but don’t give a time of day to submit by\, so we are not sure if you should do by 5 pm or midnight. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-register-to-testify-at-wyoming-gfp-hearing-by-zoom/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230908T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230909T163000 DTSTAMP:20230816T191807Z CREATED:20230816T183656Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230816T191807Z UID:8469-1694161800-1694277000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Volunteer to help build beaver dam analog w/ BHNF DESCRIPTION:Volunteer to help build beaver dam analog w/ BHNF \nPrairie Hills Audubon Society has a major campaign to help beaver recover in the Black  Hills and other parts of SD. We support building of beaver dam analogs and hope to find a bunch of members and friends to help with this project and learn about building beaver dam analogs. \n================= \nBlack Hills National Forest\, Northern Hills District’s hydrologist (Anne Dunckel)  is planning a couple of volunteer work days on Silver Creek building beaver dam analogs –  Friday September 8thand Saturday September 9th from 8:30-4:00 pm each day. The Forest Service is inviting you to come join us in the building. If you know others that might be interested please pass along the info. \nWhat is a beaver dam analog? Well it is a small human made attempt at a beaver dam .  Volunteers will be weaving willows around posts\, packing them with sod mats\, and impounding a little bit of water. So be ready to get a little bit muddy and wet. Forest Service will provide some basic PPE\, but please bring your own if you prefer and wear closed toed footwear. All the information is attached and added below. If you are planning on attending please RSVP here: Silver Creek Sign up Form. \nhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnoVz5UtYswPmGZ_YNCHmCHyrxf0y–HIzcHCdwxmjhnbMaw/viewform \nWhere? Silver Creek is located just east of Rochford Road a little north of the town of Rochford.\nLat Long is: 44.162900\, -103.714895.\nEstimated time from Spearfish and Rapid City are both about 1 hour and 15 minutes. See attached map for directions. The road to the site is a little rough so a car/truck with some clearance is recommended. \nWhen? Friday September 8th  8:30am to 4pm and/or Saturday 9th 8:30am to 4pm. Volunteers are invited on both days and can attend both days or just attend one day. The Forest Service will  appreciate any help people can give. Volunteer check in will begin at 8:30 am and a quick orientation and demonstration will start at 9:00 am each day. If folks need to leave early that is okay\, Forest Service just asks that everyone make it to the volunteer orientation at 9:00 am. \nWhat to bring? \n\nSturdy closed toed footwear. No sandals or open toed footwear will be allowed. Muck boots or waders will work best.\nWear clothes you can get dirty. We will be slinging some mud and will be getting dirty.\nLunch and snacks.\nWater\, some will be available but please bring enough for yourself.\nWork gloves\, we will have plenty of dipped gloves in all sizes\, but if you prefer leather please bring your own.\nOptional: Muck boots\, waders\, hip boots. We will have a few pairs but cannot guarantee availability\nOptional: Shovels\, loppers\, hand pruners. We will have tools available\, but more are always welcome. Please make sure to properly tag and identify your equipment so it doesn’t get lost in the other tools\nA ready and willing attitude to have fun and get dirty\n\nWhat Forest Service will provide: \n\nSafety equipment: Dipped gloves\, eye protection\, and ear plugs\nTools: Shovels\, loppers\, pruners\, buckets\, wheel barrows\, post pounders\nBottled water and possibly some snacks\nAll the beaver dam making materials\n\nDirections \nFrom Rapid City \n\nTake Hwy 44 to Hwy 385.\nAt 385 take a right. Travel 11.8 miles on 385 to the Custer Crossing Rd intersection.\nTurn left on Custer Crossing Rd.\nTravel about 4.8 miles and then turn left on Forest Service Road 203.1C\nTravel about 2.5 miles to a four-way intersection and take a right down Greens Gulch.\nFollow the road down about 0.6 miles until you see the flagged parking area.\n\nFrom Spearfish \n\nTake I-90 to Deadwood\nTake exit 17 and travel to Deadwood\nIn Deadwood continue on Pioneer Way to 85 Bypass towards Central City\nContinue on 14A past Lead.\nAbout 4 miles south of Lead take a left onto North Rochford Road\nTravel about 9.5 miles on North Rochford Road and then take a left onto Custer Crossing Rd.\nTravel about 1.4 miles on Custer Crossing and then take a right onto Forest Service Road 203.1C.\nTravel about 2.5 miles to a four-way intersection and take a right down Greens Gulch.\nFollow the road down about 0.6 miles until you see the flagged parking area. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/volunteer-to-help-build-beaver-dam-analog-w-bhnf/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/BDAbuildingSilverCreek.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR