Bison Hunting Permits to Increase at Custer State Park

CUSTER, SD (MITCHELLNOW) Bison are a major attraction at Custer State Park, one of South Dakota’s most visited tourist destinations. Proposed new regulations include allowing bow hunting for bison, in addition to rifle hunting, as well as increasing the number of trophy bull permits from eight to 11 and increasing the number of non-trophy bull permits from 15 to 25.

Game Fish and Park officials argued that hunting was part of managing herd numbers to prevent overpopulation, but some suggested it might be better handled during the annual roundup when some animals are already offered for sale for the same herd management reasons. In the end, the Legislative Rules Committee voted 4-2 to authorize the rule change to allow bow hunting and the increase in the total number of licenses.