Considering the existing danger and the fires that have already occurred, Keyser says the best and safest decision hunters can make is to eliminate any plans for off-road travel with motor vehicles. Hunting can be a lot safer and more enjoyable when walking, so hunters should park their vehicles in a safe place free of vegetation and hunt on foot. Hunters should be sure to look up phone numbers for the closest rural fire department and have that number handy. Should anyone see a fire, they should report it as soon as possible to the nearest fire department or sheriff's office. A quick trip to the nearest farm or ranch could also prevent a serious fire.
Many hunters carry cellular phones, so reporting a fire can be done quite easily.
In addition, hunters should carry a shovel, blanket, and water in their vehicle to help with fighting fire. Keyser added that if dry conditions do not improve, Game, Fish and Parks will likely put staff pilots in the air to further assist in spotting fires for the opening weekend. The season will continue through Sunday, Nov. 26. The group will continue its task of providing citizen input on South Dakota's Black-tailed Prairie Dog Management Plan. The goal of the group's efforts is to provide input on the development of a state management plan that will help avoid the need for listing the black-tailed prairie dog as a federal threatened species and reduce impacts to South Dakota landowners and public land users.