Liberty Belle
Well-known member
Lockout Gains Momentum
A large group of interested landowners met Thursday evening at the Faith Livestock Barn to get informed about SD Lockout and the reason behind the actions being taken by private landowners. After a brief welcome and introductions by Llewellyn Englehart, the meeting began with an informational session lasting about 90 minutes. Robert Johnson gave a background of the origins of the Lockout movement almost two years ago. Larry Nelson spoke on the Open Fields Doctrine and the changes that were proposed at the 2005 Legislative Session, ultimately killed in the House after fierce lobbying by the Governor's Office. Clark Blake, a sheepgrower, discussed the aerial hunting and the grounding of all paraplanes for predator control. The final segment was a commercial trapper and the problems the trappers are having with the Wildlife Division of Game, Fish, & Parks.
During the course of the presentations, the group was informed that the Attorney General of South Dakota interprets section lines as open to public whether they are developed or not and the public can have access to the section line. If you, as a landowner, have a fence across the section line without a gate it can be considered a nuisance. The public access on a section line is considered to be 66 feet wide, 33 feet either side of the line. In the opinion of the Attorney General the public may pass on the section line by foot or any other means whether the section line is developed or not.
Another point of contention was state trappers and conservation officers being allowed to trap fur-bearing animals in direct competition with the licensed trappers they are supposed to regulate. In the 1970's state trappers and conservation officers were not allowed to sell furs. That restriction was lifted from state game employees a few years ago. When the regulators are also competitors the system is out of balance.
There were several questions fielded by the presenters. In addition there were several comments from those present on problems or incidents concerning game officers in their area over the past twenty years. Most of those that spoke up had negative experiences and felt that the Wildlife Division was running roughshod over the people whether it is landowners, hunters, or trappers.
By the conclusion of the evening another 70,000+ acres were added to the Lockout in the Faith and surrounding area. Since the end of the 2005 Legislative Session, as a direct result of the defeat of SB 122, over a quarter of a million acres have been added to SD Lockout. That number will continue to grow as meetings are already scheduled for April 16th at Oelrichs, Edgemont, and Buffalo Gap. For more information check the website at www.sdlockout.com. Soon the bright orange signs of SD Lockout will be popping up all over.
Contact Persons:
Llewellyn Englehart 605-244-5402
Delbert Burdine 605-244-5446
A large group of interested landowners met Thursday evening at the Faith Livestock Barn to get informed about SD Lockout and the reason behind the actions being taken by private landowners. After a brief welcome and introductions by Llewellyn Englehart, the meeting began with an informational session lasting about 90 minutes. Robert Johnson gave a background of the origins of the Lockout movement almost two years ago. Larry Nelson spoke on the Open Fields Doctrine and the changes that were proposed at the 2005 Legislative Session, ultimately killed in the House after fierce lobbying by the Governor's Office. Clark Blake, a sheepgrower, discussed the aerial hunting and the grounding of all paraplanes for predator control. The final segment was a commercial trapper and the problems the trappers are having with the Wildlife Division of Game, Fish, & Parks.
During the course of the presentations, the group was informed that the Attorney General of South Dakota interprets section lines as open to public whether they are developed or not and the public can have access to the section line. If you, as a landowner, have a fence across the section line without a gate it can be considered a nuisance. The public access on a section line is considered to be 66 feet wide, 33 feet either side of the line. In the opinion of the Attorney General the public may pass on the section line by foot or any other means whether the section line is developed or not.
Another point of contention was state trappers and conservation officers being allowed to trap fur-bearing animals in direct competition with the licensed trappers they are supposed to regulate. In the 1970's state trappers and conservation officers were not allowed to sell furs. That restriction was lifted from state game employees a few years ago. When the regulators are also competitors the system is out of balance.
There were several questions fielded by the presenters. In addition there were several comments from those present on problems or incidents concerning game officers in their area over the past twenty years. Most of those that spoke up had negative experiences and felt that the Wildlife Division was running roughshod over the people whether it is landowners, hunters, or trappers.
By the conclusion of the evening another 70,000+ acres were added to the Lockout in the Faith and surrounding area. Since the end of the 2005 Legislative Session, as a direct result of the defeat of SB 122, over a quarter of a million acres have been added to SD Lockout. That number will continue to grow as meetings are already scheduled for April 16th at Oelrichs, Edgemont, and Buffalo Gap. For more information check the website at www.sdlockout.com. Soon the bright orange signs of SD Lockout will be popping up all over.
Contact Persons:
Llewellyn Englehart 605-244-5402
Delbert Burdine 605-244-5446