Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith Law Firm, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, welcomes pheasant hunters to the pheasant hunting capitol of the world! We have compiled South Dakota pheasant hunting resources and news from across the state, below. Davenport Evans lawyers serve clients across the nation and around the world in matters relating to trusts and trust companies, taxation, financial institutions and creditors’ rights, litigation and corporate and business law. Get to know our lawyers here.
Pheasants and pheasant hunting are solidly engrained in South Dakota culture for good reason, according to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
First successfully introduced in 1908, this game bird native to China thrives in South Dakota’s diverse landscape of grasslands, croplands, wetlands and shelterbelts. Since 1919, the tradition of pheasant hunting has brought friends and families together in holiday-like fashion. Every year opening weekend brings unprecedented enthusiasm, excitement, and activity to cities and rural communities across the state.
Pheasant Survey Indicates 47% Increase for South Dakota’s 100th Hunting Season
This year’s pheasant brood survey shows a 47 percent increase over last year. The 2018 statewide pheasants-per-mile (PPM) index is 2.47, up from the 2017 index of 1.68. The full report provides an overview of upland habitat; which remains a concern for all wildlife across the state. Just as changes in landscape-level habitat conditions have produced peaks and valleys in the pheasant population for 100 years, habitat will again be the key to preserving pheasant hunting for another century.
Local News Leading Up to Your Hunt
- Sioux Falls, SD – Argus Leader: Sioux Falls readies for wet, muddy 100th season opener
- Sioux Falls, SD – Argus Leader: Pheasant hunting: Sioux Falls airport provides window on hunting trends
- Gregory, SD – Argus Leader: Once a family tradition, pheasant hunting season has gone commercial
- Mitchell, SD – The Daily Republic: Young pheasant hunters carry on tradition
- Mitchell, SD – The Daily Republic: Pheasant numbers up, but not like the good old days
- Mitchell, SD – The Daily Republic (Editorial, not an opinion of Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP): OUR VIEW: Road hunting is OK, but safety is key
- Mitchell, SD – The Daily Republic: South Dakota hunting laws most permissive in Great Plains
- Pierre, SD – Capital Journal: Pheasant counts up for 2018, still below long-term average
- Rapid City, SD – Rapid City Journal: Pheasant numbers rebound in South Dakota, but not in the western part of the state
- Statewide, SD – Black Hills Pioneer: Pheasant centennial shows 45% population increase (Chamberlain area greatest number of pheasants per mile)
- Yankton, SD – Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan: South Dakota’s 100th Pheasant Season
- 2018 Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, Argus Leader: ‘Spectacular’ Pheasant Fest draws more than 28,000 visitors. (Feb. 20, 2018)
- National: Pheasants Forever South Dakota Pheasant Hunting Forecast
- Aberdeen, SD – Aberdeen American News: Dry, tough pheasant? You’re cooking it wrong, Aberdeen chef says.
Pheasant Hunting Resources from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
- Past Pheasant Statistics
- 10 Year Trends
- 2018 Pheasant Outlook
- 2018 Pheasant Brood Survey Report
- Pheasant Ecology
- How to Remove a Dog from Snares and Traps
Pheasant Hunting Guidelines from the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks via ArgusLeader.com
- What: Pheasant season (traditional)
- When: Oct. 20 – Jan. 6
- Where: All of South Dakota except designated refuges and where prohibited (get landowner permission)
- Daily limit: 3 rooster pheasants
- Possession limit: 15 rooster pheasants
- License requirements, more info: See South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is one of the State’s largest law firms. The firm’s attorneys provide business and litigation counsel to individuals and corporate clients in a variety of practice areas. For more information about Davenport Evans, visit www.dehs.com.