shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com January 30, 2018 • Page 3 Cold, Wet Climate Outlook GFP Commission Proposes Catch And For Early Spring 2018 BROOKINGS, S.D. - Colder and wetter than average conditions are possible across northern South Dakota, according to the January 18, 2018 National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Outlook. "The three-month outlook, shows colder than average temperatures are likely in the northern and eastern regions of South Dakota," said Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist. Edwards explained this is consistent with La Nina's typical winter pattern in the region, which often brings colder than average temperatures across the northern states in the winter season. "South Dakotans have been spoiled with some warm winters in the last few years," she said. "We have had some cold periods this winter, but fortunately each cold period has been shortlived." Precipitation Outlook The precipitation outlook for February through April is less certain for South Dakota, however. "The northwest corner of the state has slightly better odds of wetter than average conditions," Edwards said. "This could help improve the lingering drought conditions in the area." Overall, Edwards said the national climate outlook is very similar to a typical La Nina pattern, which favors wetter conditions in the northern Rockies and Great Lakes regions. In the near term, however, she said the month of February has less certainty in both temperature and precipitation outlooks. "Currently, there is a lot of variability in the computer models for the month ahead. This had led the forecasters to show equal chances of warmer or colder and wetter or drier conditions across South Dakota," Edwards said. As of January 18, in many areas of the state, snowfall has been below average. "This is a growing concern for winter wheat producers, who rely on snow cover to protect their crop from temperature extremes in the winter season," Edwards said. "Snow cover can insulate the crop from extreme cold temperatures, but also provide protection from freeze and thaw cycles during warm periods." With 90 percent of South Dakota ranking as either abnormally dry or in drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Edwards said snowfall would also be beneficial to help replenish soil moisture. "The winter season is usually our dry season, but temperatures and snowfall during the winter are important to the start of the growing season. South Dakota experienced that last year with an early drought that had a huge impact in the state," Edwards said. "Snowmelt in the spring also helps with replenishing stock ponds and water for livestock." Edwards added that despite ample snowfall last winter, the warm temperatures in February of 2017 likely contributed to the development of the drought conditions last spring. "The next couple of months will greatly impact the start of the growing season - for better or for worse," she said. GFP Commission Makes Changes To Limited Draw Preference Points PIERRE, S.D. – The with a higher number of While this will improve ing a license would be South Dakota Game, Fish preference points a greater the odds for people with a increased over someone and Parks (GFP) Comchance of drawing a limhigher number of preferelse in the draw pool with mission changed the way ited license than currently ence points drawing a fewer preference points.” preference points effect exists. license, it will not guaranThe cubing of prefer36 limited draw seasons at “The drawing will, estee them a license. ence points also does not their January Commission sentially, be run the exact “This doesn’t change impact the price of prefermeeting. same way as before,” said the drawing to a true top ence points or the number The Commission deGFP licensing supervisor, down preference point sys- of preference points a cided to take the number Shon Eide. “We will still tem,” Eide said. “A hunter hunter can acquire in any of times a person is in have the same breakdown with the most preference given year. the draw and cube that of preference point pools points would still not The cubed preference number (number of prefer- for every season, however, be guaranteed a license point system will first be ence points + 1 for the now we 3rd 9th & 10 , 16th before another hunter with applied to the 2018 elk and December 2nd & will, cube thethnum- & 17th • 1-3:00PM current application). This ber of times the person’s less preference points who Gavin’s Point paddlefish Bring Your Cameras! draw before is in the same draw pool, adjustment is intended name is in the snagging drawings and to provide those hunters that draw is run." but their odds of drawthen used for all limited draw seasons. It will not be used for special buck, Francis Case paddlefish snagging or spring turkey drawings until 2019. •Busch & Busch Light 30 pks ........... $14.99 For a more information on preference points, •Old Milwaukee & Light 30 pks ........$14.99 please visit https://gfp. •Miller High Life & Light 30 pks ........$13.99 sd.gov/preference-points/. Release Rule For Muskellunge PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission rejected a petition to increase the minimum length limit for muskie and tiger muskie fisheries in South Dakota. Instead, the GFP Commission proposed changing the harvest restrictions for these fish from a statewide 40 inch minimum length limit and a daily limit of one fish, to a catch and release only. A petition was submitted to the GFP Commission requesting that the length limit for harvesting a muskie be increased from the current 40 inches to 50 inches. Currently, South Dakota has five lakes that are managed for this fish species. They are Lynn and Middle Lynn in Day County, West Highway 81 in Kingsbury County, Sinai in Brookings County and North Island Lake in McCook and Minnehaha counties. Muskie populations in these lakes are supported by stocking 9-12 inch fish every other year. Muskies over 50 inches have been documented in lakes with a longer history of muskie management, such as Lynn Lake. The GFP Commission will consider adopting the catch and release regulation on March 1-2, 2018, at the Pierre RedRossa Convention Center. To comment in person, the public hearing will be held March 1 at 2 p.m. CST. Individuals can also provide written comments on commission rule proposals by sending them to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501, or via email to wildinfo@state.sd.us. 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