Commission votes to limit bobcat trapping and nonresident turkey hunting in Black Hills

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission unanimously approved a recommendation Thursday to protect bobcat numbers by limiting trappers to one per year in the Black Hills.

If approved by the Legislature’s Rules Review Committee, the new rules will apply during this year and next year’s seasons, and then will be reviewed. There was previously no limit on Black Hills bobcat trapping.

Estimates show the statewide bobcat population declined from 2,708 in 2017 to 1,322 in 2022. The number of bobcats in the Black Hills declined from 359 to 162 during the same period.

During the 2022-2023 season, 14 trappers in the Black Hills trapped 42 bobcats. Bobcat pelts sold for an average of $296.83 in early 2023, which is why some trappers pursue them. 

Steve Cherkas of Edgemont testified against the proposal during Thursday’s commission meeting in Rapid City. He said he traps 12 to 16 bobcats annually.

“Quotas don’t work,” he said. “People are going to harvest any little cat.”

Cherkas is one of the few trappers in the Black Hills who trap more than one bobcat per season. A Department of Game, Fish and Parks official said five Black Hills trappers harvested multiple bobcats during the 2022-23 season, and six harvested multiple bobcats during the 2023-24 season.

“For all intents and purposes, this main change is going to affect five to six individuals that harvested multiple cats,” said Wildlife Program Administrator Andrew Norton. 

Norton said if population data from the next couple of seasons show improvements, the department will consider relaxing the restrictions. 

Turkey license change finalized

The commission also approved a proposal to limit nonresident spring turkey-hunting licenses in the Black Hills. 

The commission previously endorsed an amended version of a South Dakota Wildlife Federation plan to cap nonresident licenses at 2,225. The existing, unlimited system awarded 3,170 of the licenses this year. Some residents have been complaining about losing opportunities to out-of-state hunters.

Multiple residents unsuccessfully argued in favor of lowering the nonresident cap even further to around 1,000, saying the currently proposed number does not do enough.

Both proposals’ final stop is the South Dakota Legislature’s Rules Review Committee.