(Continued from page 40)

limits. Millions of acres leased or owned by the state are also open, but the state said the federal sites offer some of the best cover for upland birds.
• South Dakota's traditional statewide pheasant season opens next weekend.
•

• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- Ranchers in western South Dakota who lost livestock in last weekend's blizzard will be able to dispose of the carcasses for free at several sites, state officials said Friday.
• Pits are being dug in Pennington County that will be open at no cost to all ranchers starting Monday, according to the county's Emergency Operations Center. The locations of the dump sites will be released Monday morning.
• "We have identified a few sites and are getting them approved," spokesman Calen Maningas said.
• The county center is coordinating the effort because the U.S. Farm Service Agency is closed as part of the federal government shutdown, he said.
• The landfill in Rapid City has had people trying to dump animal carcasses there, so the center wanted ranchers to know that the free sites will be open in a couple of days, Maningas said.
• State officials estimate at least 10,000 to 20,000 head of livestock died during the storm, but that estimate will likely rise as more information is gathered. Some ranchers in western South Dakota have reported losing 50 percent or more of their cattle.
• Ranchers are responsible for removing carcasses on their land. Carcass disposal guidelines are on the state Animal Industry Board's website.
• Livestock owners are encouraged to document all animal losses with pictures, vaccination and hauling receipts in case disaster payments are available in the future.
•