A mountain lion. Photo from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

South Dakota’s first tribal wildlife liaison tackles mountain lion hunt
By Talli Nauman
Native Sun News
Health & Environment Editor

SPEARFISH –– An Oct. 1 public hearing here on South Dakota mountain lion hunting is one of many tasks awaiting the first tribal liaison officer for the state Game, Fish and Parks Department.

“I’ve just been here a little over a week, but I know the tribes have mixed feelings over the mountain lion issue, South Dakota GFP Tribal Liaison Ron Skates told the Native Sun News on Sept. 18.

State GFP Secretary Kelly Hepler, who took the reins of the agency this year, created the new Tribal Liaison office, locating it at the Western Region headquarters in Rapid City.

“I’m very interested in building a strong relationship with tribes,” Hepler told the Native Sun News. “I couldn’t think of anybody better” than Skates for the liaison position, he said.

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(Contact Talli Nauman at talli.nauman@gmail.com)

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