Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota
The mideastern to southeastern areas of South Dakota has long been considered the Pheasant Hunting Capital of the World because the conditions and climate are ideal for ringneck pheasant populations.
Unlike next door neighbors Nebraska and Iowa, South Dakota's farmland isn't as flat and a little rockier providing many wooded areas for wind breaks which allow great cover for pheasant nesting.
Coupled with unusually warm winter weather, ringneck pheasant populations in South Dakota have climbed to record numbers in recent years.
Working grain farms like Andersen Farms thrive on incorporating pheasant hunting into their business strategy during the late fall and early winter pheasant hunting season.
Pheasant hunting has become such a staple for the state of South Dakota that the pheasant has not only become the state bird, but is also featured along with Mount Rushmore on the South Dakota commemorative quarter.
If you are looking for a great upland wild pheasant wingshoot, South Dakota certainly offers the best.
Throughout the winter months I had been driving at least 75 miles one-way to work. Each week I would spot at least 2 rooster pheasants downed by highway traffic along the side of the road, and spot at least 1 live bird every other day. So the pheasant population still seems strong despite the fact that we had a hard winter. Perhaps having record numbers for so many years prior taught our birds how to endure so that they could this past winter.
The same can be said about the deer, I would see at least 2 roadkill deer on the side of the road and spot at least a live deer every other day. I think I have been watching one buck grow up, actually.
South Dakota also offers great duck, goose, quail and deer hunting as well. White tail and mule deer are a common big game favorite, and SD has opened some restricted hunting for wild animals such as cougars and coyote in the western part of the state. So often a hunting trip to South Dakota can mean more than just bagging pheasants and other game birds, as it offers a complete hunting experience.
