It might seem odd to think of hunting as a celebration, but Opening Day of the hunt season for pheasants is one of South Dakota's most significant holidays. Not only is it a time for hunters to stalk through grasslands and marshes, but it's a favorite time for social gatherings of family and friends. SD pheasant hunting is a vital part of the economic and social fabric of the state.
Almost all that is required to participate in the hunt is a small game license, available for both residents and nonresidents online or at specified physical locations. The license, which covers two 5-day periods, allows for the taking of fifteen birds, limited further to three roosters a day. Hunting hens is not allowed. The annual limit is 15 birds.
Apart from extensive preserves and refuges, hunting is allowed on most public and much private land. The state works with landowners to open as much grassland and woodland as possible. Over a million male Ring-neck pheasants, or roosters, are harvested every year, and it takes both state and private management to sustain the usual population of over 10 million birds.
Proper habitat is the most pressing need, which many landowners are happy to provide. Pheasants prefer lots of cover for protection from predators, which are a greater threat than weather. They like idle fields, native grasslands, brush, and cattail marshes. Peak populations were recorded in years when much farm land was fallow: during the Great Depression, the second World War, and periods when farmers were paid not to plant under government programs. Drought poses a real problem, but the severe winters of SD don't negatively impact birds that have adequate cover.
The birds are relatively short-lived because of predators more than climactic conditions. Winter snows, which otherwise don't bother the birds to any great extent, make them more vulnerable to foxes, coyotes, and other animals which prey on them. Landowners are encouraged to plant plots of corn and sorghum near winter cover to help sustain the birds over the winter.
Both Ring-necked and Golden pheasants were introduced in the late 1800s but failed to naturalize. Later and more successful attempts were negated by unrestricted hunting. However, with today's regulations, the Ring-neck population is self-sustaining, needing neither trapping to disperse the birds or supplementation by birds raised in protective captivity. Wildlife authorities estimate a population of over 10 million Ring-necks.
Figures from 2008 show that more than 76,000 state residents and over 100,000 visitors obtained small game license that year. Visitors came from all 50 states in the union. Many people come on a annual pilgrimage to enjoy the outdoor adventure and the congenial fellowship. The sport and its attendant social activities bring in over two million dollars for state and local economies every year.
If you enjoy hunting, love the outdoors, or want to share vicariously in this traditional part of life in South Dakota, come for Opening Day in October or during the rest of the season. It's a great way to see this awesome state and meet great people. If you visit during the spring and summer, you can visualize millions of pheasant chicks happily eating insects in the tall grass or the bushes all around.
Almost all that is required to participate in the hunt is a small game license, available for both residents and nonresidents online or at specified physical locations. The license, which covers two 5-day periods, allows for the taking of fifteen birds, limited further to three roosters a day. Hunting hens is not allowed. The annual limit is 15 birds.
Apart from extensive preserves and refuges, hunting is allowed on most public and much private land. The state works with landowners to open as much grassland and woodland as possible. Over a million male Ring-neck pheasants, or roosters, are harvested every year, and it takes both state and private management to sustain the usual population of over 10 million birds.
Proper habitat is the most pressing need, which many landowners are happy to provide. Pheasants prefer lots of cover for protection from predators, which are a greater threat than weather. They like idle fields, native grasslands, brush, and cattail marshes. Peak populations were recorded in years when much farm land was fallow: during the Great Depression, the second World War, and periods when farmers were paid not to plant under government programs. Drought poses a real problem, but the severe winters of SD don't negatively impact birds that have adequate cover.
The birds are relatively short-lived because of predators more than climactic conditions. Winter snows, which otherwise don't bother the birds to any great extent, make them more vulnerable to foxes, coyotes, and other animals which prey on them. Landowners are encouraged to plant plots of corn and sorghum near winter cover to help sustain the birds over the winter.
Both Ring-necked and Golden pheasants were introduced in the late 1800s but failed to naturalize. Later and more successful attempts were negated by unrestricted hunting. However, with today's regulations, the Ring-neck population is self-sustaining, needing neither trapping to disperse the birds or supplementation by birds raised in protective captivity. Wildlife authorities estimate a population of over 10 million Ring-necks.
Figures from 2008 show that more than 76,000 state residents and over 100,000 visitors obtained small game license that year. Visitors came from all 50 states in the union. Many people come on a annual pilgrimage to enjoy the outdoor adventure and the congenial fellowship. The sport and its attendant social activities bring in over two million dollars for state and local economies every year.
If you enjoy hunting, love the outdoors, or want to share vicariously in this traditional part of life in South Dakota, come for Opening Day in October or during the rest of the season. It's a great way to see this awesome state and meet great people. If you visit during the spring and summer, you can visualize millions of pheasant chicks happily eating insects in the tall grass or the bushes all around.
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