2021 Pheasant hunting forecast presented by Sportsman's Guide

Pheasant Hunting Forecast is presented by sportsman's Guide
SOUTH DAKOTA—MILD WINTER BOOSTS PHEASANT NUMBERS

Forecast: South Dakota’s pheasant population appears to be roaring back. Even though roadside survey results in all but two regions lag behind the state’s 10-year average, the statewide average has jumped 42 percent over last year. According to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, the statewide index is similar to 2011 when hunters shot 1.56 million roosters.
 
Regions with the highest bird counts are perennial hotspots of Chamberlain, Winner, and Pierre. Yankton and Sioux Falls were the two regions that surpassed their 10-year averages. Regions lagging farthest behind the 10-year average are Watertown, Brookings, and Aberdeen.
 
The key to the strong recovery through most of the state was a mild winter that ensured a lot of birds entered the nesting season. Spring weather started dry but habitat perked up with moderate rains.
 
“Bird numbers are higher in parts of the state where quality habitat conditions still exist, primarily on grasslands including those enrolled in CRP, as well as fields of cereal crops such as winter wheat,” says GFP Secretary Kelly Hepler.
 
Season Dates: October 17, 2015 through January 3, 2016
 
Resident-Only Dates: October 10, 2015 through October 12, 2015
 
Youth Season Dates: October 3, 2015 through October 7, 2015 (ages 12 through 17, daily bag limit is 3, and possession limit is 15; Resident mentored hunt program exists for youth ages 10 through 15, may hunt any open small game season.
 
Daily Bag Limit: 3
 
Possession Limit: 15
 
Field Notes: Season dates true for all of South Dakota except the following—Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Brown County; Renziehausen Game Production Area and Game Bird Refuge in Brown and Marshall Counties: Gerken Game Bird Refuge in Faulk County and White Lake Game Bird Refuge in Marshall County—which are open December 8, 2015 through January 4, 2016
 
Helpful Links: