South Dakota GFP Offers Apple App for Hunters and Anglers
OutdoorHub 02.28.12
The South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks has just released a smart-phone application that will make life easier for hunters and anglers.
The GFP application, or app, is a free download at the App Store for users of the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. It allows sportsmen to purchase and apply for licenses via their phones, provides GPS-enabled maps of public hunting areas and fishing access, and provides access to the current South Dakota Fishing and Hunting Handbooks.
The iPhone app, which joins a similar GFP app for Android phones, also has links to the GFP website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.
“Technological tools like these apps allow South Dakota hunters and anglers to have a lot of useful information at their fingertips,” said GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk. “Three years ago, we decided we wanted to be at the forefront of this technology, and I am proud to say we are one of the first states to provide these tools to sportsmen and women.”
The new apps also have room to grow.
“We have plans to add some fun, educational aspects to the app, and it also will offer different links during different times of the year,” said app creator Chris Marsh, GFP geographic information system specialist. “Currently, users can access the mountain lion hunting season totals, but as soon as snow geese show up in the state, they’ll be able to follow that migration as well.”
“The recent development of these mobile apps represent a significant efficiency improvement in state government operations,” said Dom Bianco, commissioner of the state Bureau of Information and Telecommunications. “Game, Fish and Parks continues to be a leader in supporting Gov. Daugaard’s e-Government initiative. We applaud GPF’s efforts to increasingly shift government services online and in a mobile-friendly format by creating tools that its customers can access away from home and in the field.”
South Dakota sportsmen have responded well to the new mobile tools, Vonk added.
“We have more than 8,000 people using our GPS downloadable maps. In three months, more than 6,000 people have downloaded our Android app, and over 50,000 people have viewed our waterfowl migration/hunting opportunity maps,” Vonk said. “I believe that makes for more informed and more active hunters, and that is our ultimate goal.”
