PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota wildlife officials are reducing the number of deer hunting licenses available in some areas because disease has killed many white-tailed deer.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease has hit particularly hard in some areas of south-central and southeastern South Dakota.
The Game, Fish and Parks Department says all unsold deer licenses will be removed from some hunting units in Bennett, Gregory and Jackson counties. Another 200 licenses will be removed in Meade County.
The department plans to ask the Game, Fish and Parks Commission to remove all unsold licenses in Bon Homme, Hutchinson and Yankton counties and significantly reduce leftover licenses in Brule and Charles Mix counties.
Officials also are notifying deer hunters that they can get a refund of their license fees if they return licenses before seasons start.
