PIERRE — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department recently kicked off the seventh year of the Nest Predator Bounty Program, as South Dakota youth under age 18 could begin harvesting nest predators for submission on March 1.
The program will open to all South Dakota residents April 1. Tails from raccoon, striped skunk, badger, red fox, and opossum will be eligible for $10 per-tail payments with a maximum total payout of $500,000. Tails must have been harvested during the open period to be eligible for submission.
“This program continues to get youth outside and involved in wildlife management,” department Secretary Kevin Robling said. "With spring right around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the great outdoors."
The 2023 and 2024 programs saw steady participation among youth under age 18, which composed 46% of the total participants.
Tails eligible for submission can be harvested via trapping or hunting. Participants need a hunting, furbearer, or fishing license to be eligible to participate in the bounty program. Landowners harvesting nest predators for the program on their own land and youth under 18 are exempt from this license requirement.
GFP will also once again offer a weekly youth trap giveaway. One participating youth under age 18 will be drawn weekly to receive a raccoon trapping starter kit, trapping handbook, a knife and a write-up explaining Benton Howe’s love for the outdoors.
All participating youth will also be given the National Trapper's Association Trapping Handbook as well.
“Trapping is tradition in South Dakota, and this is a great way for the next generation of trappers to learn more about this activity and wildlife management,” Robling said. "We're excited to build on the success of this program, and the fantastic pheasant season we had last year.”
Complete program details as well as dates, times, and locations for tail submissions can be found on the GFP website. For bounty submissions outside of the listed office locations and times, please contact your local wildlife conservation officer or wildlife damage specialist.
