Right now the news on most every TV channel is depressing – rising death count, not enough hospital beds, not enough ventilators. We need a good news story – something about good people making the extra effort. Just such a story boosted my overall morale this morning.

One of my recent columns told of my 17 preference points for SD Black Hills elk and the probability that I wouldn’t live long enough to draw the coveted tag. I suggested that we senior hunters with a number of preference points need to know when to say when and settle for a cow elk tag.

This past winter I received a note from a Black Hills friend who was a former student of mine and son of one of my closest buddies. He suggested that we needed to get together. In response, I mentioned my Black Hills elk preference points and my desire to correspond with a Hills landowner who might have some elk on his/her property. I was hoping that he might know such a person. He sent me the name and address of someone who might help me out. I wrote to this stranger, explained my situation, and included a stamped self-addressed envelope in my letter.

The stranger answered my letter. He had some land that was a “maybe” at best, but he also spoke of a good friend who owned land that has been hunted for thirty years. This friend has helped friends get their elk with consistent success. These guys have offered to help me in any way they can, and they told me what unit I should apply for. I had a hard time keeping my tears away. I was that happy.

I get letters and phone calls on occasion from folks interested in our SD Game, Fish, & Parks budget. I believe I am seen as someone who is beholding to no one, and as someone who isn’t afraid to call it the way I see it. I have no particular axe to grind with SDGF&P, but the SDGF&P budget should be a matter of public record, and I am interested.

Some of the concerns are as follows: Why is it that some counties don’t have conservation officers? Might this have something to do with what they are being paid? Is it enough to support a young family? What does this salary schedule look like? In today’s day and age, conservation officers are law enforcement. They carry guns and should be paid accordingly.

Other areas of concern include our walk-in areas and road checks. Are all of our walk-in areas being utilized? Are some ranchers being paid for no more than wheat stubble? What ever happened to our old-fashioned road checks?

Our Department of Tourism is a concern. Does this department receive any GF&P money? I do feel that with the threat of Coronavirus, no one is going anywhere this summer. There probably isn’t much need to spend any of this money. It’s too bad that with gas at a $1.39 a gallon we can’t go anywhere.

Relative to this SDGF&P revenue problem, I suggested paddlefish snagging beneath the Ft. Randall Dam as a possible source of income a few columns ago. I learned in the recent SD Conservation Digest that these paddlefish are stocked and not reproduced naturally. I was out of order with this suggestion. It might interest readers to know that I had an interesting conversation with Dr. Jeff Peters following my column about him. He feels that he was treated rather shabbily, and felt G&F was overstepping their authority. For certain, the definition of resident in our law books needs to be clarified.

Walleye action is good. Below the Randall Dam, you will catch a lot of 14” fish before you catch a keeper. Above the dam, fishing is productive from Joe Days north. Fish 30’ of water with a jig and minnow.

My latest book, The Dakota Nimrod Grows Older, is finally available. The soft cover is available at $16.00 tax and shipping included. The hard cover is $27.00 tax and shipping included. Send a check to: Roger Wiltz, 200 Elm Ave. S.E., Wagner, SD 57380. Mention if you want it signed. It will not be in stores until normal business resumes.

See you next week.