No, it’s not legalized marijuana.
It is the exotic wildlife industry. And it is not entirely “banned”, but highly restricted, regulated and banned in some measure.
Most specifically, nearly all exotic wildlife ownership is prohibited in West River South Dakota.
High fenced game ranching is fraught with prohibitions, regulations and restrictions in South Dakota. In Texas, this industry provides over 14,000 jobs and Two Billion Dollars each year to the economy. South Dakota farmers & ranchers could use those extra dollars. It would help keep farming and ranching a family business.
The State of South Dakota owns a high fenced game ranch. They call it Custer State Park. Hunting licenses for a variety of big game are sold each year to a limited number of hunters. The tags are always old out, with a waiting list.
Exotic species do have an unspoken exotic success story. The Pheasant isn’t native to South Dakota. Since its introduction to the state, it has become a significant part of the State’s economy, bringing in upwards of $200 Million dollars each year. Not bad for one bird.
In Texas, deer farming provides another $1.6 BILLION dollars.
If you do the math, those additions to our state would rival the entire budget for the State of South Dakota. Additionally, hunting opportunities would abound for residents and non-residents alike. That flies in the face of the argument by some, that allowing game ranching would diminish hunting opportunities for South Dakotans.
Governor Noem’s proposal to offer residents the option of spending an extra $10.00 for wildlife habitat when the buy their license plates is a step… a very small baby step… in the right direction. Making the state much more friendly to game ranching and exotic animal ownership could create an economic explosion in the agriculture community. But first, there would need to be a significant change in the attitude of Game Fish & Parks and some of their closest allies.
Adding and creating VALUE to wildlife is the quickest, most effective way to improve habitat.
Is South Dakota ready for this kind of positive step forward?
*** Gordon Howie *** is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media 
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