'Strong' pheasant for start of 2023 hunting season. What you should know before you go:
Only a few states allow hunters the unusual privilege of bagging its state bird.
South Dakota is one of them, and the iconic ring-necked pheasant will soon be the quarry of tens of thousands of hunters aiming to take part in the 2023 traditional pheasant hunting season this weekend.
Whether you're on your first hunt or your 50th, this guide has what you need to know about the pheasant population outlook and weather forecast for eastern South Dakota, as well as fees, regulations and license dealers in Sioux Falls and abroad.
Welcome to South Dakota, good luck and, most of all, enjoy the hunt!
What's the pheasant season outlook for South Dakota?
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks stopped conducting brood surveys in 2020, which means pheasant population estimates remain unknown.
More: Risk of inaccurate pheasant numbers remains since end of South Dakota's brood survey
However, GFP's Upland Outlook states conditions are "excellent" in western, central and northeast South Dakota because of ideal weather conditions during the spring.
GFP indicates reports of large-size broods are "common" and hunting conditions should be better than 2022. Hunters bagged 1,158,000 pheasants statewide last year, the highest total in five years and 10% higher than the past 10-year average, but lower compared with previous decades, according to GFP data.
Thousands of hunters are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Tourism is one of the leading industries in South Dakota, and in the northeast part of the state, pheasant hunting is a big draw. Last year, 127,733 resident and nonresident hunters took part in South Dakota's pheasant season, according to GFP data.
More: South Dakota pheasant harvest numbers below average compared to previous decades
The five counties with the highest reported harvests were Beadle, Brown, Brule, Lyman and Tripp. In all, resident and nonresident hunters spent an estimated $257.3 million.
What's the weather outlook for pheasant season in eastern South Dakota?
The weather should be mildly warm and a bit windy in the Aberdeen area on Saturday, National Weather Service Meteorologist Katherine King told the Argus Leader.
Temperatures are expected to stick around 60 degrees, while breezy winds ranging from 10 to 15 miles an hour and occasional gusts around 20 miles an hour will likely linger throughout Saturday. King said to expect conditions to be sunny with a chance of some clouds.
By Sunday morning, temperatures could hit highs of 60 degrees in the morning, but King said lows around 37 degrees could make for a slightly chillier day. Hunters will likely see another day of breezy winds around 10 to 15 miles per hour and gusts up to 20 miles per hour. Clouds are expected to hang over the region but rain is unlikely.
In the Mitchell area, NWS is forecasting a high near 62 degrees and winds around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph on Saturday. Sunny conditions are expected.
On Sunday, the region is projected to see a high near 64. Hunters should expect another breezy day, with 10 to 15 mph winds increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon and gusts as high as 30 mph.
As for the Sioux Falls area, NWS is forecasting a sunny Saturday, with a high temperature near 63 degrees. 15 to 20 mph winds and gusts as high as 30 mph are expected throughout the day.
On Sunday, conditions will be mostly sunny, with temperatures up to 62 degrees. Hunters can expect a slightly less breezy day, with 5 to 15 mph winds and gusts up to 20 mph.
When can hunting start, and what's the bird limit?
The pheasant season opens on Saturday and runs until Jan. 31, 2024. Shooting is allowed from 10 a.m. Central until sunset for the entire season.
Three rooster pheasants are allowed each day, with a possession limit of 15 roosters total, according to the GFP.
More: Ducks become flashpoint in growing debate over resident vs. nonresident hunting in SD
All public lands in South Dakota are open for hunting, with the following exceptions where pheasant hunting is only allowed in December and January:
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Brown County): Dec. 11, 2023 through Jan. 31, 2024.
Renziehausen Game Production Area and Game Bird Refuge (Brown and Marshall counties): Dec. 1. 2023 through Jan. 31, 2024.
Gerken Game Bird Refuge (Faulkton County): Dec. 1. 2023 through Jan. 31, 2024.
White Lake Game Bird Refuge (Marshall County): Dec. 1. 2023 through Jan. 31, 2024.
The state’s Turn In Poachers hotline is 1-888-OVERBAG (or 1-888-683-7224). Reports can be made anonymously. Informants are eligible for rewards.
How much are small game licenses and where can I get them?
Nonresident small game licenses that include pheasants are $121 and are good for two five-day periods. The two periods can be consecutive. A nonresident youth license is $10.
A $25 habitat stamp is also required for nonresident hunters who are 18 and older if this is the first hunting license purchased in 2023.
Licenses may be purchased online. A $6 surcharge is assessed for each license. For more information, visit gfp.sd.gov/hunt-fish-license/.
There are more than 290 registered license dealers across South Dakota. Licenses can be purchased at the following businesses in or just beyond the borders of Brown County:
Aberdeen
Dunham’s, 3315 Sixth Ave. S.E., Suite 300
Ken’s SuperFair Foods, 2201 Sixth Ave. S.E.
Kessler’s, 621 Sixth Ave. S.E.
Runnings, 1815 Sixth Ave. S.E.
Sodak Sport and Bait, 850 S. U.S. Highway 281.
Walmart, 3820 Seventh Ave. S.E.
Brandon
Ace Hardware, 304 S. Splitrock Blvd.
Harrisburg
Ace Hardware, 200 W. Willow St.
Hartford
Ace Hardware, 701 S. Western Ave.
Mitchell
Cabela's, 601 Cabela Dr.
Coborn's Grocery Store, 1800 N. Main St
Granite Springs Lodge, 1525 W. Elm Ave.
Sinclair Gas Stations
Northside: 1905 N. Main St.
Westside: 1527 W. Havens Ave.
Runnings, 1313 S. Burr St.
Sodak Sports, 515 E. Spruce St.
Walmart, 1101 E. Spruce St.
Sioux Falls
Dakota Angler, 1120 E. Benson Rd.
Fiverstar General Agent, (605) 978-2100
Fleet Farm, 3035 W. Fleet St.
Get N Go, 6201 W. 12th St.
Holiday Gas Station, 5000 N. Cliff Ave.
Northview Bait & Tackle, 1400 N. Kiwanis Ave.
Nyberg's Ace
200 E. 12th St.
607 S. Sycamore Ave.
2500 W. 12th St.
330 W. 41st St.
Runnings
3709 E. 10th St.
3835 S. Western Ave.
Scheels
2101 W. 41st St.
Walmart
3209 S. Louise Ave.
7821 S. Minnesota Ave.
5521 E. Arrowhead Pkwy.
5200 W. 60th St. N.
Tea
Ace Hardware, 701 N. Heritage Pkwy.
Electronic small-game licenses are accepted. To use one, log in to the GFP licensing account and take a screenshot.
Maps and apps show public access areas
Maps showing public access hunting areas are available on the GFP website at gfp.sd.gov/maps. Smartphone apps are also available for both Androids and iPhones. Search for “SD GFP Outdoors” in the respective stores to download the app.
Blaze orange is recommended, but not required
Wearing bright orange in the field is not required by law. However, it is strongly recommended so hunters can be easily spotted by others.
Trespassing on private land not allowed
It is illegal to hunt on private land without permission. Violators could be charged with trespassing. Hunters are allowed to shoot pheasants in most road rights of way. Right-of-way hunters must be on foot.
Birds must have taken flight from within or be flying over the right of way. A pheasant shot in a right of way that lands on private land may be retrieved on foot. Hunters are not allowed to discharge firearms from vehicles.
Aberdeen Pheasant Coalition provides incentives for walk-in program enrollment
A group of local businesses and organizations, spearheaded by Northern South Dakota Pheasants Forever Chapter No. 77, provides financial incentives to property owners to enroll land in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Reserve Program and the GFP public walk-in program. Land enrolled in both programs is added to public walk-in maps.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: What you need to know ahead of the 2023 pheasant season opener
