Across South Dakota, many activities have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. But not hunting. Since the pandemic began in March, more South Dakotans have purchased hunting and fishing licenses than in years past. In fact, resident license sales are up nearly 20 percent.
“The outdoors kind of served as an escape. As a place to get away from the nightly news, and some of the talk about you know, what’s going on in the world of COVID and people turned to outdoor recreation in a big way,” Kevin Robling says.
Kevin Robling is the Deputy Secretary for South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, the state department he says with a specific mission.
“To provide sustainable outdoor recreational opportunities through responsible management of our state's parks, fisheries and wildlife by fostering partnerships, cultivating stewardship and safely connecting people with the outdoors. More importantly too, is our vision. It’s really to conserve our state’s outdoor heritage and enhance the quality of life, of not just current generations, but for sure future generations,” Robling says.
Funded by dollars received from sales of licenses, Robling says not only are outdoor activities like hunting safe during a pandemic, but they are equitable.
“The outdoors are open, and they’re open to everyone. And for that reason, it is very affordable. We have an incredible amount of public land hunting opportunities, millions of acres of public hunting opportunities on public land and there’s no fees involved,” Robling says.
One of South Dakota’s newest deer hunters is Stuart Stein. His friends convinced him to try the sport in 2019, but it wasn’t until the 2020 season that he filled his first doe tag with the help of his friend, Dustin Brinkman.
“Dustin is really one of the reasons why I got into hunting in the first place, because I’ve always had an interest in all the stories that they’ve been able to tell throughout the years and I was hopeful to have my own hunting story at some point. The other reason I got into hunting of course too, is with the pandemic and needing some things to do, frankly,” Stuart Stein says.
Stein likes to stay busy. In fact, the Watertown business owner and father of four sets a goal each year to intentionally connect with friends and try new experiences. He says that in the midst of a pandemic hunting is a good way for him to do both.
“What better way to get out and social distance than to be out in the middle of the field, in the middle of nowhere and be able to take part in one of South Dakota’s greatest festivities. So, I was excited to have this opportunity in the pandemic. Despite its challenges, has presented an opportunity for folks, like myself, that have never really hunted in the past to be able to take it up and give it a shot, literally,” Stuart Stein says.
Unlike Stein, hunting is not a new hobby for the Stout family, explains Amber, an elementary school teacher and mom to three active boys.
“I grew up in the country in a family that hunted. So, it is a skill that I learned from an early age. I remember my dad taking me along on his trap line when I was little. And when my sisters and I were finally old enough, he taught us about deer hunting and then later on, pheasant hunting. So, growing up in a family that valued hunting, it made it very natural for my husband and I to teach our own kids those same skills,” Amber Stout says.
And since the pandemic freed up their school nights and weekends, Amber says the family has been outdoors trapping and hunting even more this fall.
“It’s a great way for our family to get fresh air, get some exercise, we do have three active boys who are 10, 7 and 4-years-old and along with a bird dog, so all members of our family cover many mile when we’re out hunting. And just being in the outdoors is great for your mental health. It’s a great stress reliver and a perfect way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D too,” Stout says. “My husband and I both have a deer tag yet to fill, so usually right when we get home and off work, we load up everybody and go out scouting for animals and trying to fill a couple of those tags before coming back."
So far this hunting season the Stout family has filled four out of their six deer tags.
To learn more about access to public hunting areas and licensing visit gfp.sd.gov.