Page 5 - SDWF Out of Doors

Out of Doors 5 January - April 2023

BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST ADDS 239 ACRES THROUGH DEAL WITH

ELK GROUP AND LANDOWNERS - BY: JOSHUA HAIAR

The Black Hills National Forest is “The Black Hills National Forest is very
growing by about one-third of a square excited about this acquisition, which
mile. secures and protects these lands for
future wildlife conservation efforts
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and public recreation opportunities,”
acquired 239 acres of land from two Meagan Buehler, Black Hills National
landowners for a total of $1.1 million Forest lands program manager, said
and conveyed it to the national forest. in a statement.
The land is high in the remote western
area of the forest in South Dakota, Regional public land hunters are
near the Wyoming border. The property also excited. Rob Mahaffey, a
is now publicly owned as part of the board member with South Dakota
national forest, open for hunting and Bowhunters, said resident hunters
other recreational activities. have been dealing with overcrowded
public lands.
“This project not only protects habitat
and connectivity for elk, mule and “And anything to take that pressure
whitetail deer, turkey and other game off a little bit is welcome,” Mahaffey
species, but it ensures quality hunting Cold Springs Creek in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where parcels of private said.
opportunities today and for future land are being added to the Black Hills National Forest. The Land and Water Conservation
generations,” Kyle Weaver, the Elk (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation) Fund helped with the project. The
Foundation president and CEO, said in a statement. fund is a federal program to help states provide outdoor recreation
facilities. The program provides up to 50 percent reimbursement funds
for land purchases and the development of outdoor recreation projects.

This map shows the approximate location of land added to the Black
Hills National Forest through the efforts of the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation.

The foundation said the property is in the heart of Black Hills elk country,
home to more than 6,000 elk. The land includes aspen and pine trees,
meadows and grasslands. The headwaters of Cold Springs Creek
originate on the property.

SDWF 2022 LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED TO MARK WILLADSEN

South Dakota Wildlife Federation’s affiliate club the 29-90 Sportsman’s is an example of how he worked
Club nominated and presented Representative Mark Willadsen from for the sports men and women
District 11 (2015 – 2022) with the South Dakota Wildlife Federation’s of South Dakota.”
Legislator of the Year Award. Representative Willadsen was a watchdog Representative Willadsen is a
at the Capitol for sports men and women of his district and across the Charter Member of the 29 – 90
state. Sportsman’s Club and a member

During the time period he served, his votes supported the beliefs of South of the following outdoor groups/
Dakota’s average sports men and women. Representative Willadsen organizations: E. Dak. Chap
also worked on the House floor on outdoor heritage issues. When of NWTF, Pheasants Forever
discussing why the 29-90 Sportsman’s Club nominated Representative and the Izaak Walton League
Willadsen, Secretary-Treasurer Charles Rokusek said, “I recall several of the S. F. Chapter. He also
years ago, when there was an attempt to take away the Open Fields received the Top Gun Award
Doctrine from our Wildlife Conservation Officers, and Representative for the 2018 SD Legislature.
Willadsen called me and told me that the sports men and women needed His voice, influence, and votes
to get involved to prevent this from happening. After this phone call; I made a positive impact on South
went to work with my contacts and we created a fury across the state Dakota’s outdoor heritage, and
and we were able to get enough votes to kill this bad bill and retain the sports men and women alike.
Open Fields Doctrine for our WCO’s. He also convinced other legislators Submitted by: Charles Rokusek / Sec. – Trea.
the importance of this doctrine for our fish and wildlife resources. This
29 – 90 Sportsman’s Club