South Dakotans Enjoy Tremendous Pheasant Opener

by
posted on November 10, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (70)

With South Dakota's pheasant-brood survey up 76-percent over last year, all signs pointed to a fantastic season opener on October 18. However I'll bet few expected it to kick off quite as well as it did.

According to field reports compiled by the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks, hunters in nearly every county averaged at least half a limit. Many counties' hunters averaged 2 to 2.5 birds, while remarkably—and this makes me downright jealous of South Dakotans—hunters in the western region's Ziebach County averaged a 3-bird limit.

"We know bird numbers are higher this year due to excellent reproduction in parts of the state where quality habitat conditions still exist, primarily on grasslands including those enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program as well as fields of cereal crops such as winter wheat," said Jeff Vonk, Secretary of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.

Here are the specifics, per SDGFP:

Central Region, Nathan Baker, GFP regional game manager
For most areas in central South Dakota, hunters averaged 1.5 birds each.In Hughes, Sully, Potter and Stanley counties, hunters averaged 2-2.5 birds each.

• Northeast Region, Jacquie Ermer, GFP regional game manager
• In northeast South Dakota, Spink county reported hunters averaging 2 birds each.
• In McPherson, Faulk and Edmunds counties, hunters averaged 1 bird each.

Southeast Region, Julie DeJong, GFP regional game manager
• In Beadle, Aurora, Hutchinson and Bon Homme counties, hunters averaged 1-1.5 birds each.

Western Region, John Kanta, GFP regional game manager
• In Bennett and Perkins counties, hunters averaged 1.5 birds each.
• In Ziebach county, hunters were limiting out, with 3 birds per hunter.

Latest

Success
Success

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

2025 Online Firearm Sales Continue to Grow

While nationwide firearm sales have held steady this spring, guns.com is reporting significant growth, surpassing 10-percent year-over-year gun sales growth in the first half of 2025, according to the company's internal data.

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.