South Dakota pheasant count down as season nears

Hunters will find this year’s South Dakota pheasant season a little more challenging than last year, with an estimated 17 percent fewer birds per mile.

Fewer hens and broods were counted along 110 survey routes; while the number of roosters remained about the same, according to the Game, Fish and Parks

.

Of course, success or failure depends on where you hunt; 40 out of the 110 routes had a higher pheasants per mile index than 2018. Western South Dakota is reportedly a little better than last year but not by much. The Pierre area is “significantly below the 10-year average,” the GF&P report stated.

South Dakota’s 2019 traditional pheasant season runs Oct. 19 through Jan. 5, with a youth season from Oct. 5-9. A resident-only season runs Oct. 12-14.

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for detailed information about South Dakota’s pheasant hunting season.