The South Dakota Department of Tourism has renewed their national sponsorship with Pheasants Forever through 2022 in support of the organization’s landscape-level habitat initiatives which support South Dakota’s economy and status as “The World’s Pheasant Capital.” Through this innovative partnership, the department markets to the largest collection of upland hunters in the nation, while providing direct monetary support to Pheasants Forever’s mission of habitat conservation.
“Pheasants Forever is thrilled to renew our longstanding partnership with the South Dakota Department of Tourism in support of our volunteer efforts to maintain 1.5 million acres of grasslands throughout the state for an abundant wild pheasant population and world-class wingshooting opportunities,” stated Chris Kalis, Pheasants Forever’s director of corporate partnerships. “Exciting prospects lie ahead for Pheasants Forever in South Dakota over the next three years; we couldn’t be more pleased to have the support of ‘The Pheasant Capital’ as we look to unveil new habitat initiatives and an exciting statewide announcement for 2021.”
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks estimates show pheasant hunting generated $218 million in economic impacts for the state in 2018. Those revenues are the result of 52,577 resident and 69,018 non-resident pheasant hunters purchasing licenses, fuel, food and lodging during the state’s three-month hunting season. South Dakota’s pheasant population rebounded in 2018 with an estimated 47 percent increase in pheasant brood surveys – an increase largely attributed to mild weather conditions throughout the nesting season – but habitat is considered the critical factor for maintaining long-term populations, a notion that is emphasized by the South Dakota Department of Tourism with their overarching support of Pheasants Forever.
“Pheasant hunting is a critical part of the tourism economy in South Dakota. In fact, it is a lifeline for many small businesses in our state. Our strong partnership with Pheasants Forever allows our department to reach thousands of potential hunters and share our incredible hunting and outdoor experiences with them,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. “Our partnership also allows us to continue to put a solid spotlight on the importance of preserving and expanding habitat so pheasant hunting can continue to be a staple of our economy and way of life for generations to come.”
In addition to advertising in the
Pheasants Forever Journal &
Quail Forever Journal, the following highlights key components of the national sponsorship:
- National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic – The South Dakota Department of Tourism will be a featured exhibitor and diamond sponsor for the South Dakota Pavilion at Pheasants Forever’s 2020 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Minneapolis on February 14-16. Additionally, South Dakota Tourism will be the major sponsor of the event’s renowned opening day ceremony, the Bird Dog Parade.
- “Dog of the Day” Sponsor – Pheasants Forever’s “Dog of the Day” posting – Each week, a different bird dog belonging to a Pheasants Forever member is featured on the organization’s website and social platforms.
- Pheasant Hunting Short Films –The South Dakota Department of Tourism will sponsor two short films – “Opening Day” and “DIY Public Lands” – highlighting the wingshooting traditions of opening day in South Dakota and logging the activities of upland hunters throughout the state’s extensive network of public lands.
Learn more about the South Dakota Department of Tourism and their upland hunting opportunities by following this link:
https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/things-to-do/recreation/hunting
Use the following link to purchase your 2019/2020 South Dakota pheasant hunting license today:
https://apps.sd.gov/gf79license/login.aspx
About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division,
Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 130,000 members and 740 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $867 million on 540,000 habitat projects benefiting 18 million acres nationwide.
Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org