The pheasant count by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department shows a sharp drop in bird numbers. The brood count found an average of one point five two birds per road mile, compared to last years four point one nine birds per mile. G,F&P biologists say last years drought, along with a drop in conservation reserve acres contributed to the drop. Shawn Lyons, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association says that change got their attention…
Lyons says the state has had some very good pheasant hunting years…
Shawn Lyons 1001b
The season brings thousands of out of state hunters and millions of dollars to the state. There have been some reports of hunter cancellations in the Aberdeen and Mitchell areas. Lyons says he knows hunting related retailers will do all they can to retain and attract hunters back to the state…
The pheasant season starts October 19th, and runs through January 5th. The resident only season runs October 12th through the 14th.