Reality Check: South Dakota Pheasant Hunting
After an hour of anticipation, my black Lab Otis took off in pursuit of a rooster. I followed, imagining the bird darting through the grass. As predicted, a young rooster burst from the cover and fell to the ground, caught by Otis.
With one bird down and two more to go, we took a breather in the prairie grass.
Instead of joining the social event that is South Dakota’s pheasant season, I chose to hunt alone in public walk-in areas and state game lands. Over the years, pheasant hunting in South Dakota has undergone a cultural change.
In 2007, the season hit its peak with around 2.1 million harvested pheasants and 180,000 hunting licenses sold. Last year, those numbers dropped to about 1.1 million pheasants and 121,000 licenses sold. While it may seem like a massive crash, the reality is that the 2020 season saw a slight uptick compared to 2019. However, the number of pheasants killed per license has been declining, from 11.6 in 2007 to 9.1 in 2020.
Despite these changes, pheasant hunting in South Dakota still outshines other states. Traveling hunters from the east, instead of heading to the Dakotas, are finding good hunting in Iowa. Iowa hunters bagged 320,000 roosters during the 2020 season. So, rather than doom and gloom, let’s focus on how hunting has evolved and the opportunities that still exist.
The Impact of Drought
This year, the northern Plains faced a drought that significantly reduced the amount of cover in pheasant country. This led to emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) habitat in South Dakota. While this may cause short-term challenges with less cover and more concentrated bird populations, it can have long-term benefits for pheasant habitat, as long as drought conditions don’t persist.
Managing native grasslands through grazing and prescribed fire can improve diversity, composition, and structure, and provide better navigation for chicks. However, mowing and haying can result in lower habitat quality and less diversity. With careful management and leaving areas of refuge, the CRP can provide a safety net for both wildlife and producers during tough times.
Habitat, Pressure, and Outfitters
To ensure the survival of pheasants, quality habitat is essential. South Dakota has over 1.1 million acres enrolled in CRP, with efforts to increase enrollment to 1.5 million acres. The Call of the Uplands campaign aims to raise funds for enhancing upland habitat and permanently protecting land across the country.
With more huntable habitat, the landscape can support more hunters. While pay-to-hunt models have gained popularity, public lands and wild birds can provide unique experiences. By focusing on maintaining public access and habitat, a balance can be struck between private operations and public lands.
Hardcore Hunting
Gone are the days of easy hunting from the roadside. To be successful in South Dakota today, hunters must be willing to walk, scout, have well-trained dogs, and shoot accurately. Hunting hard is part of the fun, and every wild bird bagged is a trophy.
After bagging two roosters, I spotted a long-tailed cackler near a cattail slough. As the day ended, I walked back to the truck, already planning my next hunt.
A skilled hunter, dedicated conservationist, and advocate for ethical practices. Respected in the hunting community, he balances human activity with environmental preservation.