A new bill circulating among South Dakota lawmakers could favor landowners over resident hunters when it comes to elk hunting. Senate Bill 173 (SB 173) would allow for an extra cow elk license every year for landowners and their lessees in the Prairie Elk Units where elk herds are too plentiful, according to the South Dakota Searchlight. 

The Prairie Elk Units include most of the acreage west of the Missouri River, excluding the Black Hills. 

SB 173, which passed with a 28-6 vote last week, now advances to a state House committee for consideration. Those in favor of the bill say it would help farmers and ranchers who have dealt with trampled cornfields, broken fences and elk eating livestock feed.

“The areas where this tag would be used or implemented would be areas where the population is high,” said Tom Kirschenmann, director of wildlife for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

Last year, roughly 40,000 residents applied for a chance at one of the 3,500 elk licenses; however, landowners already receive first preference on 50% of the available licenses. Passage of SB 173 would “create an extra class of licenses for landowners,” according to the South Dakota Searchlight. Opponents say it would give landowners special treatment and diminish hunting opportunity for residents by allowing landowners and lessees the ability to sell their elk licenses to the highest bidder. It could also lead to overharvesting.

However, Kirschenmann said “the bill would help manage the elk population more effectively” and added that it could also result in landowners becoming “more receptive to allowing other hunters with regular elk licenses onto their land.”

Stay tuned to GOHUNT for further updates.