Endangered Species

For more than a decade, beekeepers in South Dakota and around the country have been fighting against historically high annual colony loss rates of more than 30%. It's affecting roughly 100 crops, which could raise food prices while decreasing food availability.

Though the state pheasant hunting industry remains on a historic downward slide -- and hunting has become more difficult for residents who access public lands -- hunters, state officials and business owners report that the 2022 season is off to a strong start.

A former South Dakota wildlife official took a hard line against the Nest Predator Bounty Program during an online panel discussion this week, saying the program was ramrodded into existence by Gov. Kristi Noem and is not ethical or effective. Current state wildlife leaders on the panel disagreed, and said the program is protecting pheasants and getting more children engaged in the outdoors.

A group of pesticides known as neonicotinoids are heavily used in S.D. and across the world and have been shown in a groundbreaking study by scientists at South Dakota State University to cause deformities in deer. Now, the study is raising questions about the potential for harm to humans -- and ring-necked pheasants -- as well.

US House proposal would add millions for species protection in South Dakota and help pheasants along the way.