South Dakota
Deadly Pneumonia Hits Bighorn Sheep in Prime South Dakota Unit
Wildlife biologists discovered symptomatic and dead sheep in the Hell Canyon herd while conducting a collaring project. The die-off could be significant, officials say
Pneumonia was discovered in a premiere bighorn hunting unit in South Dakota. Photo by tomolsonphoto.com / Adobe Stock
South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks wildlife division director Tom Kirschenmann interrupted a commission meeting Thursday to share some troubling news with attendees: the Hell Canyon herd of bighorn sheep is likely in the early stages of a pneumonia outbreak.
SDGFP biologists were recently conducting a collaring project in Hell Canyon (not to be confused with Hells Canyon in Idaho, where sheep pneumonia has also been an issue) when they noticed sheep coughing and exhibiting lethargy, Kirschenmann says. As biologists investigated further, they discovered multiple dead sheep.
“It’s always troubling and discouraging to give you bad news,” Kirschenmann says. “In Hell Canyon, one of our premier units that we offer licenses for hunting opportunities, our capture crew witnessed multiple sheep coughing and not doing well. We had the opportunity to deploy 22 radio collars on bighorn sheep in that particular area. Many of them were coughing. We did locate a few mortalities as well.”
Biological samples are currently undergoing testing to determine for sure that any one of the many bacteria that cause sheep pneumonia is to blame, Kirschenmann says. Biologists deployed all the radio collars, which will be used to further monitor the herd — particularly for more deaths.
“Based on the number, we would anticipate … a significant event. We’re going to watch it closely,” he says. “We’ve had so many success stories related to bighorn sheep management in South Dakota. We’ve made great strides in bringing bighorn sheep numbers back. But unfortunately we are witnessing something right now that could be a significant mortality event, so we’re going to continue and watch it over the next 30 days.”
Pneumonia in sheep is 50 to 80 percent fatal. Unfortunately, like most other wildlife diseases, no known cure exists, and the only management option is to try keeping wild sheep from contracting the disease in the first place. Breakouts usually occur when wild sheep come in contact with domestic sheep that carry the pathogen. Wild sheep can then pass the pathogen to their offspring, resulting in low lamb recruitment in previously-impacted herds.
Meanwhile, SDGFP has been considering a proposal to increase the number of bighorn sheep tags available to hunters, including for the Hell Canyon herd. But this discovery could affect tag allocations. (Only South Dakota residents are currently allowed to hunt bighorn sheep in the state.) In 2023, more than 12,600 resident hunters applied for just seven ram tags in the Black Hills, which contains the Hell Canyon herd. A 2020 report from the SDGFP commission noted the Hell Canyon bighorn population contained a maximum of 76 sheep.
Kirschenmann assured the commission there would be an update on the pneumonia outbreak at the next meeting in early April.
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“We did have the number of rams available for some unique hunting opportunities and we wanted to provide that wonderful experience to our bighorn sheep hunters,” Kirshenmann says. “We will learn a lot over the next few weeks to next month.”
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 21, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 21 drawing
01-36-43-56-58, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 21 drawing
01-04-40-47-58, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Clear Lake businessman Tim Begalka is running for re-election to the South Dakota Senate for District 4. Begalka served two terms in the State House and two terms in the Senate.
He and his wife Rhonda live in Clear Lake. Their have three adult children also live in the state.
Begalka has owned Sodak Gardens, a local greenhouse and nursery, for the past 30 years. The business was started by his late father Leon Begalka in 1954. Begalka is a graduate of Clear Lake High School and South Dakota State University, and is a fifth generation Deuel County resident.
While in the legislature, Begalka served on the agriculture, education and commerce committees and was vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In his release he said he has always looked out for the “little guy,” whether that be an individual, family, township, small-town, farm, business or school. He is a defender of property rights, the 2nd amendment and the right to life, he said in a release.
“While in Pierre, I frequently witnessed the bigger businesses, schools, and government entities try to take advantage of the little guys,” Begalka said in a release. “The big guys already have more money, power, numbers, and lobbyists. The little guys need a Senator with a backbone to stand up for them. That’s what I promise to continue to do, represent the citizens of District 4.”
He has never lost an election, and his winning philosophy, he said, is “Always tell the truth, and try to be nice to everyone”.
Begalka will be on the ballot for the June 2 Republican Primary. In order to vote in that primary, you need to be a registered Republican in District 4 by May 18th. District 4 includes all of Deuel, Grant, and Hamlin Counties, greater Codington, southeastern Roberts, and all of Clark County except the southwest corner.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from April 20 drawing
09-17-36-47-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from April 20 drawing
05-07-31-41-43, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 20 drawing
19-37-40-41-53, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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