South Dakota Pheasant Hunting

South Dakota pheasant hunting? You won't find a better place than in the southeast region of South Dakota. If it's pheasants you're looking for we have them. Pheasant hunting in SD offers access to nearly 4.5 million acres of public land. Many private landowners are happy to let a person enjoy South Dakota hunting on their property. The secret is to get permission first and to honor the privilege of hunting there. Pheasant hunting in SD can also be done on private reserves. Many of these offer guided hunts along with lodging and food.

The traditional South Dakota hunting season for pheasants starts in mid-October. The 2012 South Dakota pheasant hunting season opens October 20.
(See the chart below showing the different dates for pheasant hunting in SD).

Although pheasants are found statewide, the main South Dakota pheasant hunting range encompasses the eastern two-thirds of the state. Pheasants prefer agricultural fields, wooded draws, tree strips, wetlands and set-aside acres. Most of South Dakota is privately owned and permission is required for pheasant hunting in SD, but public lands such as Game Production Areas and Walk-In Areas offer choice habitat for South Dakota pheasant hunting.

If you come for pheasant hunting in South Dakota you'll find that early in the season, pheasants are scattered in small flocks, but winter's fury pushes birds into heavy cover and concentrates them. Tree strips, cattail sloughs and dense weed patches hold pheasants this colder time of year.

South Dakota hunting is nearly year around. Upland game, waterfowl, small game and big game dominate the fall hunting seasons. Predator hunting fills the winter months, and spring signals the start of turkey hunting as well as the snow goose hunt. The avid hunter will find Southeast South Dakota a virtual hunter's paradise, with abundant game of varied species providing a variety of hunting opportunities. Though pheasant and deer are the most popular, South Dakota hunters can find additional hunts for partridge, quail, dove, coyote and fox.