The threat of Chronic Waste Disease (CWD), a fatal deer and elk disease caused by an abnormal protein called a prion, appears to be further endangering our South Dakota deer population. We know almost nothing about CWD. I received a second letter regarding CWD from SDGF&P. The first letter had to do with leaving my elk head (if I’m successful) at a designated check point to test for CWD. This second letter dealt with high priority surveillance areas adjacent to hunting units or other states with confirmed CWD cases. These East River units include 13A, 13L, 13P, 17A, 18A, and 62A.

Because I have a Unit 17A license (Charles Mix County), I received a letter. I am to take my Unit 17A deer head to a convenient collection station for CWD testing. This testing is of critical importance. I don’t wish to belittle the importance of testing, but what if I bag a trophy animal and want to keep the head? This same letter tells me that my trophy can be caped by a taxidermist who will remove the antlers with a v-cut that will not destroy the tissue needed for testing. The skull can then be taken to a drop-off location for testing.

Since I wish to do my own European mount (skull & antlers), I would not be going to a taxidermist. I emailed SDGF&P big game biologist Steve Griffin with my concern. He told me I had two options. The first was to call a regional office and make an appointment to have someone “pull” a sample. The second option was to “pull” the sample myself and get these nodes to a submission station.

What the heck are the nodes? I’m no biologist. If I get the best deer of my life, I’ll go the taxidermist route. Otherwise I’ll just saw the antlers off and give them the head. Why does this have to be so complicated? I would suggest to SDGF&P that they have a full-time attendant with 8-5 hours at their regional offices during the deer season. I guess that I’m being a wee bit vain, but there are certainly others beside myself who are interested in antlers.

Whether you agree or not with Gov. Noem’s handling of the Corona virus, and I wish she had taken a tougher stand on mandatory masks, she recently announced a recruit campaign to fill open positions within SD’s Departments of Public Safety, Corrections, and Game, Fish, and Parks.

Nationally, law enforcement is facing a crisis with the recent violence, vandalism, and destruction of property in our cities. Gutless liberal politicians have rendered our law enforcement useless in the face of responding to anarchy for fear of irritating the BLM people. Law enforcement budgets have been decimated, and good law enforcement officers have been resigning at an alarming rate. These problems have trickled down to game and fish conservation officers as they must deal with law enforcement. Because of our conservative SD values, our state does not reflect the problems faced on the national level. However, Game, Fish, & Parks wise, we do have a problem.

Being a SDGF&P conservation officer means being a public servant. I spent my entire career being public servant (education), and I can tell you there is little correlation between personal satisfaction and money. I encourage our young people to think about a career with SD Game, Fish, and Parks, and I want them to think about a wildlife degree from SDSU. Such a degree will be a big plus as they endeavor to climb to positions of higher responsibility.

What I will call our crumbling outdoor foundation is linked to the overall decline in traditional outdoor sports. I blame this decline on the plummeting number of traditional families with parents who fail in introducing their children to the world of fishing and hunting. Nationwide, this has led to a “lowering of the bar” with regard to educational requirements for game wardens. As the pool of eligible candidates diminishes, so goes the ability to hire wellqualified people. As a result, many CO’s are beginning their careers without a passion for the outdoors. Some states have actually hired candidates who have never held a shotgun or fishing rod.

For you young people who have had a life-long dream of becoming a SD conservation officer, there will probably never be a better opportunity than right now. There are a number of attractive openings including my home Wagner area with Ft. Randall Dam, attractive campgrounds, great fishing opportunities, and a hunting paradise along our Missouri River. See you next week.

See you next week.