By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

On a local level, Yankton County might be suffering from a housing shortage.

At a City Commission meeting earlier this year, Commissioner Charlie Gross said the housing shortage question had been brought to his attention.

The question was raised at a recent City Commission meeting after the subject was brought to Commissioner Charlie Gross’s attention.

“I’ve heard we’re having trouble getting people to come to work in Yankton because of a housing shortage,” he told his fellow commissioners.

Gross said he was informed that people who work in Yankton are finding apartments in Vermillion.

“One of the concerns I heard was, you run the risk of losing them to Vermillion because Vermillion is also looking for (workers),” he stated. “If we’ve run out of apartments and housing in a certain price range, that’s something we need to ask the Economic Development Council, Yankton Area Progressive Growth or the Planning Commission to take a look at.”

Vision Real Estate rarely has rental openings, and when they do they typically get eaten up very quickly.

“I would say the biggest housing issue Yankton has is the shortage of market-rate apartments,” Community Development Director Dave Mingo said, referring to apartments that have no rent restrictions on them. “We could use some additional moderately-priced lots for smaller independent contractors to build on.”

According to Mingo, there are about 60 homes on the market listed between $75,000 and $130,000 — a price range that is in demand.

“We need to watch the situation closely,” Mingo said, noting there may be things the city can do to encourage home building.
Dan Specht of Vision Real Estate echoed Mingo’s concerns.

“What we’re hearing from the rental market is, there is a definite need for rental housing in a price range of $600 to $1,200 a month,” he said. “There is not a lot of rental housing available right now, especially for people with pets. It’s a crunch. I think there is some opportunity out there for potential investors to gain a lead in the rental market.”

Kaye O’Neal, of Shore to Shore Realty, does most of her work in Nebraska, but thinks there is a definite need for more housing in the area.

“For rentals, I see a huge need for rental property for folks who come into the area for temporary work, such as for the wind farms near Bloomfield,” she said.

Specht added that, even though there seems to be a shortage in housing in Yankton, overall the market has been relatively stable.

“The residental housing market, in terms of the number of sales, has been stable for the last three years,” he said. “We have seen some fluctuations in home values, but nothing too drastic. I think we’re starting to see the residental market tighten up a bit.”

He added that Vision Real Estate has been doing research on how the market in the area might be affected by a decrease in new home construction, and its relationship to the number of lots sold and the number of buildable lots currently on the market.

“The research will help us get a better understanding about where the market is heading,” Specht said. “Our residential rental market is something we don’t get into too much. However, we do see a need for that type of housing. My best guess is that Yankton is missing out on that 2-3 bedroom units that rent for $750-$1,000 a month.”

He continued by saying the market here in the area could use a few more homes in each price range. He said there are not as many homes on the market as there have been in the past 5-7 years.
“Some of that is due to the decline of new construction in both spec and custom homes,” Specht said. “When a home is built, many times those people are selling a home that is of less value, thus opening up the market. That is not happening as much today as past years, leaving the affordable housing market a bit behind.”

He said, based on speculation, Yankton and the surrounding areas will continue to take advantage of the opportunities as they arise and the development of infrastructure, including roads, will play a vitale role in the development of new lots.

“Gone are the days of $15,000 and $20,000 lots as land values, as infrastructure costs have increased,” Specht aded. “We will see some continued rehabilitation of older homes by investors, which provides good housing and upgrades neighborhoods. I also think we will see a new apartment complex aimed at that $850 a month renter. Those renters appear to be out there, but the apartments aren’t.”

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

As the nation’s economic recovery continues to struggle, Yankton County and surrounding areas have not seen all of the impacts of the stalled economy.

Since March, Yankton County has seen its unemployment rate hover around 4 percent. It has actually fallen from 4.3 percent in March down to 4 percent in June.

In the area, Hutchinson County has had an unemployment rate of under 4 percent since March, while the unemployment rate in Charles Mix has stayed around 5 percent. Bon Homme and Clay counties have seen their unemployment below 5 percent as well.

Dawn Dovre, public affairs director at the Department of Labor and Regulation, said Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s South Dakota Workforce Initiatives (SD WINS) could be having a big impact on the economy.

“SD WINS is Gov. Daugaard’s 20-point plan to address short- and long-term workforce needs,” she said. “SD WINS is a collaborative effort of business, education, health and labor leaders to create a well-trained and well-educated workforce for the job market of today and tomorrow.”

SD WINS is a program that brings together government, education and business leaders to capitalize on many of the state’s offerings. The program should help South Dakota develop and attract a stronger, more educated workforce, which will also help the state to compete in the continuously changing global economy.

Some of the highest growing labor fields in South Dakota include fabricated metal product manufacturing, which is expected to grow by about 17 percent by 2020. Computer and electronic product manufacturing is expected to grow by nearly 16 percent by 2020. Machinery manufacturing workers are expected to grow nearly 13 percent during the next eight years, while transportation equipment manufacturing employee numbers are projected to increase by nearly 14 percent.

Also from 2010-2020, the fastest growing industries in the state are projected to be ambulatory health care services (a 28.5 percent expected increase), waste management and remediation service (a projected 23.4 percent increase), and construction of buildings, which is projected to increase by more than 22 percent.

The industries in South Dakota that are expected to take the sharpest declines by 2020 include private households, an expected 7.5 percent decrease; telecommunications a projected 3.5 percent decrease; and broadcasting (not including Internet), a projected 2.7 percent decrease.

The state Department of Labor (DLR) helps employees that are out of work, or searching for a better opportunity, potentially finding jobs.

“The projects DLR are currently involved in include Dakota Roots, getting people their National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRC) and finding internship opportunities for students,” Dovre said.

There are 18 local DLR offices throughout South Dakota, which provide a wide range of employer services, including screening and testing job seekers to match business needs, offering job training programs and maintaining South Dakota’s largest job database.

The Yankton DLR office posts job openings in Yankton, Bon Homme and Charles Mix counties, and a few openings in surrounding areas, including Hartington and Crofton.

The DLR notes that there is plentiful job availability right now and there are a variety of job openings, not just for one specific area. New businesses that open in the area will contact the DLR to post job openings online.

“We provide helpful advice with labor laws and other employment issues to employers in the area,” Dovre said. “Our local staff all have close ties with local development groups and other business and labor organizations in order to stay in tune with what’s happening.”

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Employers in the area are constantly striving to draw national talent to help their businesses.

Case and point is Mount Marty College.

When Emily Johnson applied for a job at MMC while living in the Twin Cities area, she did not know what to really expect about the area.

However, a month after starting in her new position at MMC, she is beginning to adjust and enjoy all that Yankton has to offer.

When she interviewed for the position of director of disability services and residence hall director, she asked what people liked to do in Yankton.

“I was told bowling leagues are pretty big here, along with the many outdoor activities that are offered in Yankton,” she said. “I was also told that the Wal-Mart here was recently noted as being the best in the area.”

She added that the people she interviewed with spoke a lot about Riverboat Days in Yankton, as well as several other festivals in the area.

“The group of people I interviewed with shared that Yankton is a developing area and it’s a nice place to raise a family,” she said.

Now that Johnson has been here for over a month, she is finally getting settled in with the town.

“Now that I’ve been here a while and been able to explore the area a bit more, I think that the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area and the dam are big selling points for this area,” she said. “It’s beautiful here.”

Although she had a job in Minnesota as a social worker, the biggest reason why she chose Yankton was the job that she was offered at MMC.

“I tried to do some research about the town and area prior to coming for my interview, but I found that many businesses in the area do not have websites,” Johnson noted.

She added that when she came for her interview, it was raining and dark so she could not get a very good impression of the town and all that it had to offer.

“Mount Marty College blew me away as an employer and as a college,” she said. “I was impressed, and continue to be impressed, with the school every day while I’m here.”

Recently a study showed why healthcare employees choose to work where they do, specifically in rural areas.

A rural healthcare employee retention and recruitment study for 2012 showed why healthcare providers decide to remain in or leave their communities and practices. The biggest reasons include salaries, being able to cultivate relationships with patients, education for children, various incentives such as sick leave, cost of living and an employment opportunity for their spouse.

More than half of the survey respondents felt as if the rural location, size of the community and available patient base, in combination with lack of facilities and equipment available, were the biggest detriments to recruiting and retention activities.

The report also showed that rural areas have more difficulty recruiting and retaining healthcare providers than larger areas do. In addition, rural communities are also more successful in recruiting and retaining providers who have had rural backgrounds or ties to the area.

For healthcare facilities, employees felt as if competitive salary levels, family preferences, flexible call schedules and availability of social, cultural and recreational opportunities were some of the biggest reasons in the decision to practice in a particular community. In addition to the professional issues, family issues, including employment or educational opportunities for family members were identified as some of the biggest factors for deciding to practice in a particular community.

Hospital incentives, proximity of residency programs and lack of hospital specialities were some of the least common responses for where employees chose to practice.

As Yankton grows and develops, employers will continue to have to sell potential employees on the area and why they should come here to live and work.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

South Dakota features planning districts, which are associations of local governments (county, city and tribal) in many of the districts across the state. District III, which encompasses Bon Homme, Hutchinson, Douglas, Charles Mix and Yankton counties, among others, helps to provide planning and development, improve the quality of government services and save costs by providing one source for specialized services.

“District III is a regional development organization that helps local governments and the private sector with various projects,” said director Greg Henderson. “We work on pretty much every kind of major problem.”

The main goal of all the planning committees across the state is to provide comprehensive development assistance to its membership and to organizations and businesses in the private sector. They offer a wide range of services that help their region maintain public services and expand economic opportunities.

Among the projects the group has taken on in Yankton County in 2011 included a sewer system, which the Timberland Park Homeowner’s Association sought. The group also helped the City of Yankton with the East Highway 50 lift station. However, the group denied an application for the Volin Rural Fire Association’s proposal for a new vehicle.

In Bon Homme County, District III helped the City of Scotland with storm water and sewer improvements as well as with a project on Washington Street.

The planning committee helped a few projects in Douglas County, included railway avenue reconstruction in Corsica and a facility upgrade and expansion project within the county.

In Hutchinson County, a number of projects are still under review. However, in 2011, the group helped the City of Parkston with its “safe routes to school” initiative, the City of Menno with a water meter replacement project, and other improvements in Menno and Freeman for a small community planning grant.

District III also helps with many other projects across the area, including community planning, housing, geographic information systems (GIS), business development, grant and loan applications, and other speciality projects.

Since its founding in 1973, each dollar of membership dues paid by counties has expanded to an average of $61 in assistance needed — a number that counties to grow higher. Total outside assistance to date totals more than $247 million on just $4 million in dues paid.

District III is financed through membership dues, administrative charges, state and federal agency service contracts, grants and other technical assistance fees. Expenses in 2011 were at $1.1 million and about 22 percent of the funding came from local government dues.

The group is currently working locally with the Boys and Girls Club of Yankton to try and secure the group a grant to build a new facility.

District III helps many groups and community organizations secure funds to help improve their communities in ways they might not have been able to without the groups help and guidance.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

http://yankton.net/articles/2012/09/27/community/doc5063b54eee904928024414.txt

Yankton County Voting Changes Discussed At Area Meeting

Secretary of State Jason Gant displays a Yankton County sample ballot during a voter information meeting on Wednesday. The meeting discussed the changes to the election system for this fall. (Kelly Hertz/P&D)

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

About two dozen likely voters gathered at the Yankton County Government Center on Wednesday for an informational meeting about the changes in the election system this fall.

County Auditor Paula Jones said she is excited about the modifications Yankton County will undergo this election season thanks to changes in state law and to the new technology.

The biggest change voters will notice is that they are no longer restricted to casting a ballot on election day at the polling place within their precinct. With the new voting center system in place, a ballot can be cast at any of the seven polling stations across the county.

The voting centers will be at:

• Yankton City Hall, 416 Walnut St.

• Yankton Middle School, 2000 Mulberry St.

•JoDean’s Steakhouse and Lounge, 2809 Broadway Ave., Yankton

• the Rock House, 31120 Quarry Drive, Yankton

• Gayville Community Center, 404 Washington St., Gayville

• Broomtree Farm, Bishop Carlson Lodge, 29827 Ave. Irene

• the Lesterville Fire Hall, Lesterville.

The other old polling stations will no longer be open on election day.

“It’s going to be new to all of us, but I think it’s an exciting concept,” Jones said. “I think voters will appreciate the ease with which they can vote.

“There are always people who come to a voting place at five minutes to 7 p.m. on election night only to discover they are in the wrong precinct,” she continued. “They don’t have time to drive to the precinct they are registered in. That will no longer be an issue.”

Jones said the move could save the county money and make the voting system more efficient. During the last primary election, she said the cost per voter was as low as $10 in one Yankton location and as high as $170 at a rural polling station. The overall average cost was $46.32.

With the new system, it is projected that the average cost could be reduced to $2.79.

Secretary of State Jason Gant, who was present at Wednesday’s meeting also described some of the changes at the meeting.

“With the new system, you are not voting online,” he said. “You still get your paper ballot and pencil to fill in the ovals and cast your vote.”

The new voting center concept has been implemented at three rural counties throughout the state, along with Sioux Falls. Gant said he is happy with the progress of the system and that it has been very successful so far.

“The beauty of the new technology is that we are now able to connect the whole county on one system,” he said. “This allows voters to cast their ballot anywhere in the county.”

He said that voters might be overwhelmed with seeing the new technology when they walk in to cast their vote, but the computers are only used to sign in voters. The rest of the system is done the same way it has been in the past.

Gant added there have not been too many troubleshooting issues in other counties that have implemented the system already. He said the new system allows the check in process to be more efficient, faster and more secure.

“This system is a great step forward for the state,” he said. “We are on the cutting edge of this technology. Yankton County requested the new technology and I was happy to come help them get set up.”

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

http://yankton.net/articles/2012/09/26/community/doc506272c273633562419190.txt

Upward Bound

University Of South Dakota Reports Record Enrollment After Healthy Increase

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Total enrollment at the University of South Dakota soared to an all-time high this fall, exceeding more than 10,200 students, the South Dakota Board of Regents announced at a meeting on Tuesday.

Total enrollment at USD for the start of the fall semester is at 10,284, which is an increase of more than 3 percent from 2011.

This year’s freshman class is the largest ever at USD. The 1,251 students in the class is an 11 percent increase from 2011’s class.

Since 2007, USD’s enrollment has grown from 9,243 students to 10,284 this year — an increase of more than 11 percent.

USD President Jim Abbott said that the honors college program at USD is also seeing a record enrollment, with about 13 percent of this year’s freshman class enrolled.

Abbott added that USD has been focusing on retention efforts in recent years, with their goal of an 82 percent retention rate not quite met.

“Once we admit a student we want to make sure they stay for four years and graduate,” he said.

Jack Warner, executive director and CEO of the Board of Regents, said that enrollment is fairly level at the six public institutions across the state this year, with total head count enrollment up nearly 1 percent from where it was in 2011.

“Having enrollment levels up is a positive development in a time where we are exiting a recession,” he said. “Our students tend to forgo schooling and go to work as the economic conditions improve and the employment market improves.”

Statewide, full-time enrollment figures are down nearly 1 percent from last year, which is attributed to a slightly greater number of students taking fewer credits than in years prior. Warner said that this could be due to students working jobs in college and needing to take fewer credits in order to accommodate their work schedules.

Distance education courses in the state saw an increased enrollment of 1,277 students from 2011. The public university system across the state gained a total of 327 students compared to the previous year.

“I am pleased in that the head count enrollment has increased and we are serving even more students,” Warner said. “The modest decrease in full-time enrolled students can be attributed partly to adult learners enrolling in the university system to finish or start their degrees while still working full-time. Those students do not carry a large credit load.”

He added that the universities across the state are doing a great job fulfilling the needs of students enrolled.

Abbott said he is happy with where enrollment levels are at USD.

“The increase in enrollment speaks volumes to USD’s exceptional faculty, programs and resources we provide to students and we can’t overlook the significance of the generous scholarship support provided by the USD foundation,” he said.

Overall, USD was one of only two public universities in the state to post increases in full-time equivalent student enrollment.

In addition, the freshman class at USD had an average ACT score of 23.18, which was above the state and national average of 21.8.

Other universities in the state had mixed enrollment results.

• Black Hills State University saw a decrease of eight students, and a decrease in full-time students as well.

• Dakota State saw an increase of eight students enrolled, but saw a decreasing number of full-time students.

• Northern State experienced an increased enrollment of 42 students, while its full-time enrollment also decreased.

• The School of Mines and Technology saw 113 more students enrolled as compared to 2011, and saw a 4.43 percent increase in full-time students       enrolled.

• South Dakota State University had a decreased enrollment of 142 students and saw a decreased full-time student enrollment.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

http://yankton.net/articles/2012/09/19/community/doc50593cdc5c68f620009625.txt

Students Get An Education In News

Sacred Heart School students show off their “pope hats” made by Yankton Media’s New Media Director Beth Rye, who spoke to students Tuesday about the importance of newspapers. (Andrew Atwal/P&D)

http://yankton.net/articles/2012/09/17/community/doc5056925d43500131019135.txt

A Day At ‘Kamp’

This Nebraska conservation instructor works on slingshot techniques with one of the attendees of the annual Ted Nugent’s Kids Kamp Saturday in Yankton. Nearly 300 kids turned out to get firsthand experience in outdoor activities. (Andrew Atwal / P&D)

Nugent ‘Kids Kamp’ Offers A Taste Of Outdoor Fun

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Nearly 300 people turned out on a beautiful Saturday for a day of outdoor activities and instruction at Ted Nugent’s Kids Kamp in Yankton.

Activities for the day included archery, air rifles, trap shooting, fishing, sling shots, geo-caching and others.

“Things today were really awesome,” said Bruce Cull, National Field Archery Association (NFAA) President, who helped organize the camp. “Fishing has been a really bit hit today. I heard people talking about one girl who caught around 25 fish.”

Cull thanked the volunteers for their service and the time they put in throughout the day to make the camp go as smoothly as possible.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers being here has been really cool. They even made some personalized name tags for the kids,” he said. “It’s nice having so many people volunteer to help out with all of the days activities.”

Registration for the camp was open to all children from ages 7-17. Participants in the camp received lunch, drinks, an event T-shirt, various outdoor gear and archery accessories. Also this year, all kids received a free pair of binoculars.

Campers were disappointed when Cull made the announcement that Nugent would not be able to attend the camp this year because of lingering health issues. However, The musician phoned in to the camp and his voice was played over the intercom.

Nugent thanked the volunteers for making the day possible and told campers that being outside and enjoying the outdoors is one of the keys to life. He told the campers to enjoy the activities and to always enjoy the various aspects of being outside.

All the volunteers that helped out were certified in their respective fields. Volunteers included members of the Corps of Engineers; the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GF&P); National Field Archery Association (NFAA) coaches and the Yankton Police Department, among others.

“The fishing pond station requires a mentor or volunteer for every kid out there because of the process of baiting and hooking that goes on,” Cull said. “Fishing has always been popular in the three years that we’ve held the camp here, but different aged kids tend to like different things.”

Last year, the camp instituted a new policy that now charges more money for kids that come alone without a parent or guardian present.

“We made this change to encourage kids and families to bring their parents or guardians with them,” Cull said. “Nugent uses these camps to promote the outdoors and the camaraderie that comes with parents and their kids being outside together.”

Nugent holds the camps all over the country and each of them are non-profit events.

“The money that we might have left over, last year we put all of it (about $1,000) into the NFAA scholarships that we offer here,” Cull said.

Cull noted that there is a lot of overhead and planning that goes on to make the camp possible and as enjoyable for kids it can be. Planning for the camp typically starts at the beginning of the year, but things really begin to crank up about 60 days prior to the camp date.

“The biggest issue that we have in planning the camp is finding a date that will not conflict with too many other activities in the area, and also finding a date that works to try and get Ted Nugent out to the camp,” Cull said. “We also try and have the date be pretty close to the start of hunting season, which we’ve been able to do the past few years.”

He said that next year the camp might expand in terms of the number of registered participants allowed.

“We have always kept this camp local and have not really promoted it outside of the Yankton area,” he said. “Next year we’re thinking about expanding it and advertising it in other areas like Sioux City and Sioux Falls. If that happens, we will likely increase the number of participants allowed.”

Another big hit for campers was all the outdoor gear and prizes they got when the camp ended late in the afternoon.

“Each of the three years that we’ve held the camp here, we have had it in one of the middle two weekends in September, and even with changes to registration going forward, we hope to continue on with that date,” Cull said. “Our number one priority in the camp is for kids’ safety, we try and do whatever it takes to get things done and get them done safely.”

Follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

Study: S.D. Residents Love The Outdoors

State Rates No. 1 In U.S. In Hunter Numbers

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently issued a report on hunting, fishing and wildlife activities that showed that South Dakotans have a great love of the outdoors.

The report found that 59 percent of South Dakota residents participate in wildlife-associated recreation, one of the highest numbers in the nation. Thirty percent of South Dakota citizens also either fish or hunt, another number that is one of the highest in the country. In addition, 21 percent of residents in the state hunt — a number that is the highest in the nation.

The report showed that 28 states in the country, including South Dakota, had rises hunting, fishing and wildlife-related recreation participation.

Jacquie Fuks, executive director of the Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association, said hunting has a big impact on tourism and the economy in the region.

“Southeast South Dakota and the Yankton area are both very popular hunting destinations due to the number of birds and habitat available,” she said. “Hunters find hotels in the area welcome their dogs, and some that even clean and freeze their birds.”

The 2011 national survey data found hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers spent $145 billion last year on related gear, trips and other purchases such as licenses, tags and land leasing or ownership.

“Hunting, fishing and wildlife watching are part of our national heritage, and the trip and equipment-related spending of participants’ forms significant support for local economies across the country,” Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe said in a statement. “These survey results are good news for the small businesses and rural communities who depend on wildlife-related tourism, and it shows an encouraging increase in personal investment of citizens in the future of wildlife and wild places.”

Overall, the 2011 survey found 38 percent of all Americans 16 years of age and older participated in wildlife-related recreation in 2011, which represented an increase of about 2.6 million participants from the previous survey taken in 2006.

In addition, participation in recreational fishing increased by about 11 percent and hunting was up 9 percent. This increase reverses a trend over previous surveys conducted that have shown a 10 percent decline in hunting participation between 1996 and 2006.

Sam Schelhaas, who is a conservation officer for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GF&P) said that although he was unfamiliar with the Wildlife Service study, he thinks that South Dakota would always be up near the top in terms of the number of hunters.

“A lot of that is because our state is rural,” he said.

He added that the outdoor programs that the GF&P offer are big draws for people to come to the area to hunt. The department offers a number of hunting and fishing courses, safe hunting classes and many other outdoor programs that often draw thousands of people.

“Our programs have been really well received,” Schelhaas said. “It has been a really big push in our department to recruit new hunters and retain the hunters we already have, and I like to think those efforts are paying off.”

He added that the GF&P also started a mentor hunting program that allows youth hunters to get out and hunt earlier than they had been allowed to in years prior. He said that a big draw for residents to hunt in South Dakota is because hunting licenses are very inexpensive.

“Hunting has to rival the tourism industry in South Dakota,” Schelhaas said. “In my opinion, hunting is a big money maker for the state, especially the pheasant hunting seasons.”

The youth pheasant season kicks off during the first weekend of October. The second weekend is when residents are allowed to hunt pheasants on public state lands, and the third weekend is the official opener for all pheasant hunting in the state.

“The pheasant season is a big one that brings in a lot of out-of-state people,” Schelhaas said.

He added that there are not as many non-residents that come into the state for deer hunting season because of the way the licensing is set up. He said that a non-resident archery hunter can get a hunting tag in South Dakota for a fairly reasonable price, but the big non-resident draw is the pheasant hunting.

“We are improving our public land access and also acquiring more places for people to hunt in the state,” Schelhaas said. “We have more technology available now with maps of the best places to hunt in the area. The GF&P is constantly trying to come up with ways and ideas to retain the hunters we have. However, there is no magic answer as to how we can do that.”

Follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

http://yankton.net/articles/2012/09/17/community/doc505692af9d2a7653069588.txt

MMC Seeks Input For New Education Program

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net