(Continued from page 26)

licenses for nonresidents who were born in South Dakota or had previously lived and hunted in the state. The original bill, passed by the House, would have required those getting those extra licenses to be sponsored by relatives, but Brown said game officials would have had trouble verifying family relationships.
• The compromise measure was supported by state Game, Fish and Parks officials, the governor's office, outdoor groups, commercial hunting interests and business associations.
• The Game, Fish and Parks Commission will set nonresident waterfowl license rules each year after holding a public hearing, Assistant State Wildlife Director Emmett Keyser said.
• Sen. David Omdahl, R-Sioux Falls, was the only committee member to vote against the bill, saying it might hurt resident hunters.
• "It's commercialization of the industry. I worry about the sustainability of the quality of the hunting," Omdahl said.
• But Sen. Mike Vehle, R-Mitchell, said the Legislature in future years could pass a law limiting licenses if the Game, Fish and Parks Commission increases the number of nonresident waterfowl licenses too much.
• Dean Hyde of Pierre, a hunter, said he opposed the bill because it could lead to too many nonresident hunters.
• "I hate to see something that we enjoy so much get too much commercialized," Hyde said. "I want to see a place for my kids and grandkids to hunt."
•

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Agriculture officials are encouraging ranchers in counties devastated by an early October blizzard to apply for donated hay bales.
• All producers in disaster-declared areas are eligible to apply.
• The South Dakota Department of Agriculture will select the producers who will receive the hay based on the number of applications received, the amount of hay available and need. Recipients will be responsible for arranging the transportation of the hay and the associated costs.
• Applications will be accepted through March 21. They can be found on the department's website.
• The blizzard caused South Dakota ranchers lose an estimated 43,000 cattle and other livestock.
•