5/8/2007

Survey Says Mountain Lion, Deer Season Dates Don’t Conflict

PIERRE, S.D.—In 2006, the first day of mountain lion hunting season coincided with the first day of the Black Hills deer season. That schedule was well-received by hunters, according to survey data gathered by the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department.

“One of the primary objectives of surveying Black Hills deer hunters was to find out what effect, if any, the mountain lion season had on their experience,” said Larry Gigliotti, GFP planning coordinator/human dimensions specialist.

Of the Black Hills deer hunters surveyed, 17 percent said the mountain lion season had a positive effect and 75 percent reported a neutral effect. Only 8 percent of those surveyed thought the mountain lion season had a negative impact on their Black Hills deer hunting experience.

Recent data from hunter surveys shows that 59 percent of licensed mountain lion hunters were satisfied with the 2006 season, with 27 percent neutral or with no opinion and 14 percent dissatisfied.

Other hunter survey findings include:

·        Sixty percent of licensed mountain lion hunters actually spent some time hunting mountain lions during the 2006 season.

·        Sixty percent of those hunters who spent time in the field hunting lions used calling as one of their methods.

·        About 10 percent of the mountain lion hunters observed a mountain lion while hunting.

Survey summaries and complete survey results can be found on the GFP Web site at

http://www.sdgfp.info/Publications/Index.htm. On that page, scroll down to “Opinion Surveys.”

The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission will consider a proposal for setting the state’s third consecutive mountain lion hunting season when it meets on May 10 and 11 at Custer State Park.

--GFP--