Opening Day of the season for hunting pheasants in South Dakota is celebrated by many who never carry a gun or bag a bird. SD pheasant hunting brings friends and family together, draws people to the state from all over the nation, and pours tourist dollars into the state and local economies. This sport is so important that the Ring-neck is the state bird, much private and public effort is devoted to wildlife management, and efforts are made to raise public awareness of the impact of this naturalized bird on all residents as well as hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Anyone who actually wants to stalk the birds needs a small game license, which can be obtained by both residents and nonresidents. A license gives the holder the right to hunt pheasants for two five-day periods. The daily limit is five male birds (hens are protected), and the annual limit is fifteen. Hunters need to specify the dates of their hunts beforehand, which enables them to be spread out over the season. This is further protection for the bird population.
There are many wildlife refuges and game preserves in South Dakota, but the state invites sportsmen from all over the world to hunt over its other lands. Much private as well as public land is open during the season. This sport, which harvests over a million roosters a year, is carefully managed by wildlife specialists and enthusiastically supported by private landowners. To keep the population of the Ring-necked pheasant viable, landowners must help provide proper habitat.
Proper habitat is the most pressing need, which many landowners are happy to provide. Pheasants prefer lots of cover for protection from predators, which are a greater threat than weather. They like idle fields, native grasslands, brush, and cattail marshes. Peak populations were recorded in years when much farm land was fallow: during the Great Depression, the second World War, and periods when farmers were paid not to plant under government programs. Drought poses a real problem, but the severe winters of SD don't negatively impact birds that have adequate cover.
The birds are relatively short-lived because of predators more than climactic conditions. Winter snows, which otherwise don't bother the birds to any great extent, make them more vulnerable to foxes, coyotes, and other animals which prey on them. Landowners are encouraged to plant plots of corn and sorghum near winter cover to help sustain the birds over the winter.
Both Ring-necked and Golden pheasants were introduced in the late 1800s but failed to naturalize. Later and more successful attempts were negated by unrestricted hunting. However, with today's regulations, the Ring-neck population is self-sustaining, needing neither trapping to disperse the birds or supplementation by birds raised in protective captivity. Wildlife authorities estimate a population of over 10 million Ring-necks.
2008 records show that over a hundred thousand visitors and more than seventy-five thousand residents sought small game permits. All fifty states of the union were represented in applications. Many more people come for the social life that revolves around the sport. The season brings in more than two million dollars annually, boosting the state and local economy.
For fun, sport, and congenial fellowship, come see why so many flock to South Dakota for pheasant hunting season. Opening Day is in October, a great time to visit the Mount Rushmore State.
Anyone who actually wants to stalk the birds needs a small game license, which can be obtained by both residents and nonresidents. A license gives the holder the right to hunt pheasants for two five-day periods. The daily limit is five male birds (hens are protected), and the annual limit is fifteen. Hunters need to specify the dates of their hunts beforehand, which enables them to be spread out over the season. This is further protection for the bird population.
There are many wildlife refuges and game preserves in South Dakota, but the state invites sportsmen from all over the world to hunt over its other lands. Much private as well as public land is open during the season. This sport, which harvests over a million roosters a year, is carefully managed by wildlife specialists and enthusiastically supported by private landowners. To keep the population of the Ring-necked pheasant viable, landowners must help provide proper habitat.
Proper habitat is the most pressing need, which many landowners are happy to provide. Pheasants prefer lots of cover for protection from predators, which are a greater threat than weather. They like idle fields, native grasslands, brush, and cattail marshes. Peak populations were recorded in years when much farm land was fallow: during the Great Depression, the second World War, and periods when farmers were paid not to plant under government programs. Drought poses a real problem, but the severe winters of SD don't negatively impact birds that have adequate cover.
The birds are relatively short-lived because of predators more than climactic conditions. Winter snows, which otherwise don't bother the birds to any great extent, make them more vulnerable to foxes, coyotes, and other animals which prey on them. Landowners are encouraged to plant plots of corn and sorghum near winter cover to help sustain the birds over the winter.
Both Ring-necked and Golden pheasants were introduced in the late 1800s but failed to naturalize. Later and more successful attempts were negated by unrestricted hunting. However, with today's regulations, the Ring-neck population is self-sustaining, needing neither trapping to disperse the birds or supplementation by birds raised in protective captivity. Wildlife authorities estimate a population of over 10 million Ring-necks.
2008 records show that over a hundred thousand visitors and more than seventy-five thousand residents sought small game permits. All fifty states of the union were represented in applications. Many more people come for the social life that revolves around the sport. The season brings in more than two million dollars annually, boosting the state and local economy.
For fun, sport, and congenial fellowship, come see why so many flock to South Dakota for pheasant hunting season. Opening Day is in October, a great time to visit the Mount Rushmore State.
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Our informative online page includes guidance about our SD pheasant hunting lodges. To review the information, visit the homepage at http://www.riegercreeklodge.com/Guides.html.
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