The South Dakota Pheasant Hunting
Tradition
The diverse landscape
of South Dakota is characterized by an assortment of habitats and
an abundant array of natural resources. For many outdoor
enthusiasts, no other wildlife species in the state is as
recognized or valued as the ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus
colchicus). Though pheasants are not a native species to North
America, they have become naturalized to the mosaic of grassland
and agricultural land habitat found throughout South Dakota.
From the first successful releases of pheasants in 1908 to the
current estimated population of around 10 million birds, South
Dakotans pheasant hunting has become a rich and deeply rooted
tradition. The opening weekend in October is an event anticipated
not only by pheasant hunters, but also family and friends who are
reunited during this social gathering.
With a high rate of annual mortality, pheasants are a
short-lived bird with a capability of high reproductive rates. The
quantity, quality, and distribution of season-specific habitats and
weather conditions are the primary factors that influence pheasant
populations. As a result, private landowners and wildlife managers
focus on the development and management of suitable habitat to meet
the needs of pheasants throughout their annual life cycle.
Since their introduction and expansion in areas of interspersed
cropland, grassland and other habitats, pheasant populations have
been notably high on four occasions: the early 1930's following the
Great Depression and drought period when much farmland was idle;
the mid-1940's during and just after World War II when again much
habitat was unintentionally created on idled cropland; the early
1960's at the peak of the Soil Bank Program; and currently as a
result of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres and
favorable weather conditions.
Today, there are far more pheasant in South Dakota than people!
In 2008, an estimated 76,000 residents and 100,000 non-residents,
from all 50 states, harvested approximately 1.9 million pheasants
in South Dakota. Pheasant hunting in South Dakota tops the
list for upland bird hunters, and has become an annual event for
many.
Related Links - South Dakota Pheasant
Hunting
South
Dakota Pheasant Hunting License fees
South Dakota
Pheasant Hunting License Sales (Online)
South
Dakota Hunting Handbook PDF (2009 ed.)
Field
Care of Trophy Waterfowl & Birds
Getting There - South Dakota Pheasant
Hunting
Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines are
service Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rental vehicles are available at
the airport. Ground travel time to the lodge is about 1
hour. Transportation is available for all guests arriving by air.
We will pick you up in either Sioux Falls or Mitchell and deliver
you back to the airport when your stay is complete.
Suggested airports those piloting their own private planes
include Sioux Falls, Madison and Mitchell, South Dakota.
Other Local Attractions - South Dakota Pheasant
Hunting
Cabela's Mitchell, South Dakota Retail Store is located just off
I-90. In addition to offering quality outdoor merchandise, the
80,000 sq. ft. showroom has educational and entertainment
attractions, featuring a décor of museum-quality animal displays,
huge aquariums and trophy animals interacting in realistic
re-creations of their natural habitats.
The World's
only Corn Palace is Mitchell's Premier tourist attraction. Some
500,000 tourists come from around the nation each year to see the
uniquely designed corn murals. The city's first Corn Palace was
build in 1897 as a way to prove to the world that South Dakota had
a healthy agricultural climate. The needle of the corn compass
points to Mitchell, a prairie town that is corn crazy and proud of
it. Mitchell's high school sports teams are the Kernels. Its local
radio station's call letters are KORN.
Mitchell's Corn Palace is built out of reinforced concrete, not
corn. Every spring, however, its exterior is completely covered
with thousands of bushels of native South Dakota corn, grain and
grasses that are arranged into large murals. Corn Palace Week marks
the end of the harvest - and the beginning of the planning for next
year's Palace theme. The Corn Palace has one more title - the
World's Largest Bird Feeder. After Corn Palace Week is over and
winter sets it, local pigeons and squirrels make a feast of the
tasty murals.
Contact us about this exciting
2010 Midwest Dentistry Seminat to include South Dakota Pheasant
Hunting!