Agent who sparked ire in S.D. moves to Neb.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent whom Gov. Mike Rounds publicly accused of harassing hunters has moved to a new state.

Bob Prieksat, the regional agent in charge of South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska, is now based in Omaha, Neb., in a change that was effective Sept. 28. He still supervises fish and wildlife law enforcement programs in the three states.

The Fish and Wildlife Service said the move from Pierre was at Prieksat’s request. Prieksat declined to comment.

“There is nothing for me to say to you officially or otherwise,” he told the Capital Journal of Pierre.

In 2006, Rounds wanted Prieksat fired or transferred from his South Dakota post after hearing reports of altercations with hunters.

In June 2007, an agreement was reached under which Prieksat would continue supervisory work but would work as a field agent only in emergencies or when directed by his supervisors on federal or tribal land.

The governor’s former chief of staff, Rob Skjonsberg, had claimed Prieksat’s tactics angered members of the public and tainted the image of state Game, Fish and Parks conservation officers.

The case that attracted the most attention involved Caleb Gilkerson, a game processor from Pierre. Based on an investigation by Prieksat, Gilkerson was taken to federal court and accused of possessing untagged Canada geese when his shop was checked in December 2006.

Gilkerson claimed that Prieksat was unfair, over-zealous and abusive.

A magistrate judge convicted Gilkerson, who appealed to U.S. District Judge Charles Kornmann. Kornmann overturned the conviction, but a three judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned his ruling. Later, the full appeals court refused to hear the case, sending it back to Kornmann for further proceedings that could reinstate Gilkerson’s conviction.

Gilkerson said he’s glad Prieksat no longer is based in Pierre.

“We feel like we were victimized by him, and we still feel he should have been relieved of his job,” he said.

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