Darn Good Pheasant Hunting Forecast For South Dakota

Pheasant hunting is a big deal in South Dakota and 2024 looks like it's going to be a good year for hunting pheasants in the state.

South Dakota is renowned for its pheasant hunting, and this year's forecast looks promising for hunters.

South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks conducts annual surveys to estimate pheasant populations, which inform the hunting outlook.

Recent surveys indicate stable to slightly increasing pheasant numbers across much of the state.

Favorable weather conditions during the spring nesting season, including adequate rainfall and mild temperatures, have contributed to good habitat conditions and strong brood survival rates.

Key pheasant hunting regions like the James River Valley, northeastern South Dakota, and areas around Pierre are expected to offer solid opportunities.

Matt Gottlob, Pheasants Forever’s state coordinator in South Dakota says “It’s looking like it will be the best fall in a long time.

Pheasant harvest totals from last year were above the 2022-2023 season, and most of the people I talk to in the state are saying bird numbers are as good as they can remember.

And that’s not just pheasants. They’re seeing sharptails, chickens and even lots of partridge in places. It’s going to be a heckuva fall for birds.”