South Dakota Prairie Dog Distribution Report Available

Prairie dog shooting is prohibited on public lands in South Dakota from March 1 through June 14. Shooting is permitted year-round on private lands.

Email to a Friend  Print this Article

PIERRE, S.D. — An extensive survey of prairie dogs in South Dakota shows an increase in acreage for their colonies, a factor that will help keep the animals off the threatened species list. Using a variety of methods, the 2006 survey by the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department found 625,410 acres of prairie dog colonies in western South Dakota compared to 404,673 acres found in the same area in 2003. In western South Dakota, the increase in prairie dog colony acres on tribal lands from 2003 was 49 percent and the increase in prairie dog colony acres on non-tribal lands was 60 percent.

The high density area of selected counties as defined in the report contains 87 percent of the prairie dog colony acres located in western South Dakota. Of those acres, 69 percent are found on federal and tribal lands.

“The estimates are based on the interpretation of aerial photographs as well as observing a sample of colonies on the ground,” said Silka Kempema, GFP terrestrial wildlife biologist. “Conducting a survey like this every three years is part of South Dakota’s commitment to manage and protect prairie dogs.”

In 1998, the black-tailed prairie dog was petitioned to be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. In 2000 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the prairie dog as a candidate for the list, but subsequently took it off the list after a concerted effort by various governmental agencies that make up the Prairie Dog Conservation Team. South Dakota is a member of that team.

State members of the conservation team were obligated to create management plans. South Dakota’s plan was finalized in 2005. Part of the plan establishes a minimum acreage for prairie dog colonies of 199,472 acres with 166,958 of those acres to be on non-tribal land. South Dakota also committed to conducting surveys of prairie dog colony acreage every three years.

“The most recent survey shows that prairie dog colonies are thriving in South Dakota,” Kempema said.

The survey is available on the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/PrairieDog.htm or a copy may be requested from wildinfo@state.sd.us. The South Dakota prairie dog management plan can be accessed at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Prairiedogfinalplan.pdf.

Reader Comments

Would you like to comment?

Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member).