10-10-2004, 12:07 AM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. – When mountain lions pose a threat to citizens and livestock in western South Dakota, Jack Alexander is one of the first to know. The Hot Springs man serves as a trapper for the Department of Game, Fish and Parks and has become the designated mountain lion tracker for the agency. To honor his work, GFP has named Alexander their Trapper of the Year for 2004.[/size]
[size 2]"Jack accepted the responsibility of caring for a team of dogs we use for mountain lion tracking," said GFP regional supervisor Mike Kintigh. "The result is that we have an exceptional team of tracking hounds and a high degree of success when addressing mountain lion problems."[/size]
[size 2]Kintigh noted that Alexander’s work with mountain lions has been in addition to his regular trapping duties in the Fall River County area. "He is a very busy trapper with a large constituency to service. Jack has effectively responded to complaints on coyote, prairie dogs, beaver, skunk, raccoon and many more animals. I have received many positive comments from people in his area."[/size]
[size 2]Department Wildlife Damage Management Program Administrator Art Smith said, "Comments received from other GFP trappers highlight Jack’s professionalism and good work ethic that he displays on the job. Landowners have told us of the positive relationships Jack has with them, their respect and admiration of Jack’s talents, and his ability to take a tough situation and calm the seas with his honesty and fairness. When something needs to get done, he rolls up his sleeves and takes care of it."[/size]
[size 2]Alexander’s primary work with mountain lions is to target and kill mountain lions that have been designated a direct threat to the general public or to livestock. However, his talents for training and working with tracking dogs have been used in other ways.[/size]
[size 2]"Jack has been instrumental in assisting ongoing mountain lion research," Kintigh said. "I have no doubt that our research program would not have progressed this far were it not for his knowledge and dog handling abilities. He has helped track and tree many of the lions we have tranquilized and radio-collared for study."[/size]
[size 2]Alexander was honored at the recent annual gathering of state trappers.[/size]
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[size 2]"Jack accepted the responsibility of caring for a team of dogs we use for mountain lion tracking," said GFP regional supervisor Mike Kintigh. "The result is that we have an exceptional team of tracking hounds and a high degree of success when addressing mountain lion problems."[/size]
[size 2]Kintigh noted that Alexander’s work with mountain lions has been in addition to his regular trapping duties in the Fall River County area. "He is a very busy trapper with a large constituency to service. Jack has effectively responded to complaints on coyote, prairie dogs, beaver, skunk, raccoon and many more animals. I have received many positive comments from people in his area."[/size]
[size 2]Department Wildlife Damage Management Program Administrator Art Smith said, "Comments received from other GFP trappers highlight Jack’s professionalism and good work ethic that he displays on the job. Landowners have told us of the positive relationships Jack has with them, their respect and admiration of Jack’s talents, and his ability to take a tough situation and calm the seas with his honesty and fairness. When something needs to get done, he rolls up his sleeves and takes care of it."[/size]
[size 2]Alexander’s primary work with mountain lions is to target and kill mountain lions that have been designated a direct threat to the general public or to livestock. However, his talents for training and working with tracking dogs have been used in other ways.[/size]
[size 2]"Jack has been instrumental in assisting ongoing mountain lion research," Kintigh said. "I have no doubt that our research program would not have progressed this far were it not for his knowledge and dog handling abilities. He has helped track and tree many of the lions we have tranquilized and radio-collared for study."[/size]
[size 2]Alexander was honored at the recent annual gathering of state trappers.[/size]
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