Proposal Aims to Help Terminally Ill Hunt in South Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Wildlife officials in South Dakota are considering making it easier for people who are terminally ill to get hunting licenses.

The proposal before the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission would allow terminally ill hunters to get a permit outside the lottery system and could fast-track their applications to ensure they're able to hunt before they die.

The Rapid City Journal reports that under the proposal, the Game, Fish and Parks secretary could authorize a hunting license for terminally ill patients diagnosed by a licensed doctor.

It comes at the urging of South Dakota Outdoor Adventure Foundation Director Vern Boer. He was inspired by a bill that passed the North Dakota Legislature earlier this year providing big game and turkey hunting licenses to youth with life-threatening illnesses.

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