South Dakota Pheasant Hunting

Bird dog owners will tell you there is a place in the Americas that has more upland birds than any other. Some dream of traveling to far-off places in South America to chase quail and doves, but the fact is the Dakotas are THE destination for wing shooting. Last year 1,255,880 birds were harvested by about 143,000 hunters across South Dakota (2015 Harvest Statistics) and this season promises more of the same. Despite the fact that South Dakota Game Fish and Parks is reporting a 20% decline in brood numbers, the volume of birds will still not be touched. One million pheasants will hold up the state's high hunting standards.

The 2016 South Dakota pheasant season opens October 15th and runs until January 1st. Here's a little advice to plan your hunt. What follows is a comprehensive list of SD pheasant hunting tips. It is by no means exhaustive, but it will give the reader a good foothold to get to South Dakota and do some upland bird hunting this fall.

One of our breeder friends told us, "I just want to take care of my dogs. It can be hot and they're gonna get tons of action. The pace of our Dakota Hunts is grueling. The last thing we want to do is burn out, or worse, hurt our animals." It’s important to go through the motions of dog training in the off-season to better prepare your companion for when it's time to hunt. Gun Dog Training: Upland Birds will give you some great tips.

Always have a kit to take care of cuts and your dog’s pads. Plenty of water is obviously a key. Early season hunts (October 15th is opening day in South Dakota) can get hot. If you need to fly to the destination, keep in mind there are basic rules for transporting your dogs on airlines. Each airline has its own restrictions and rules. Delta has a nice page of restrictions and rules at Delta Pet Travel Regulations. The cost of transporting your dogs will vary depending on distance of travel and each dog’s weight. Plan on spending about what you paid for your own plane ticket.

If you don't have a dog, keep in mind how the hunt will play out. You'll be working bristly fall brush and crops post-harvest. Birds will literally "get up" under foot. They will shock you. Be prepared and comfortable in the variables you can control. Here's a quick gear checklist:

• Great Boots (You will be walking a lot.)
• Under Layer, including long underwear
• Tough pants for brush busting (Chaps or chordura-lined jeans are never a bad idea.)
• Tough gloves that are still flexible enough to get inside the trigger guard
• Versatile coat (goretex or tin-oiled finishes will shed water and breath easily.)
• Hat to keep sun and weather off your dome
• Sun and/or safety glasses
• And last, but not least, your gun

While shotgun hunting for pheasant, most will use a 12-guage gun, but a 20-gauge is also plenty of gun. In fact, having a lighter firearm is preferred by many who don't want to carry the weight all day.

We asked one of our guide friends for some shooting tips. "Don't 'flock shoot'" says Oakley Eide of Oakley's Outback.

Birds get up and mass, and shooters will often miss-point at the entire group. Pick a rooster and knock it down. Your limit is three per day and 15 pheasant in possession, so shoot straight. 7-shot rounds are plenty to knock the birds down. When they do drop, mark the spot and get there quickly. A wounded pheasant will hit the ground running. If it isn't dead, having a dog will be really handy.

Layering is key to how you dress. "Most hunts are within close proximity of the rig, but be prepared to be in the elements," says Mark Baaten, a guide with Brown's Hunting Ranch near Gettysberg, SD. "It's hot in the middle of the day during early season and when the season closes in January, that wind'll crack you cold."

Blaze orange is a must. Birds will be everywhere in the heat of a great hunt. The law tells us to have blaze on your hat and vest to prevent accidents.

A pack or vest will be your friend. It'll hold your shells and birds. Also, it can carry an extra layer of clothing and some water for you and your dog. Our favorite light carry bag is Alps Outdoorz Belt Pack. It's a lightweight, flexible system great for carrying an entire day in the field. You can get into a nice bird hunting vest very inexpensively, but keep in mind you pay for what you get.

But where stay? There's lots of options for lodges and ranches to take care of all your needs. One can find a range of trips in any region of the Dakotas. Go for a high-end trip at Dakota Prairie Lodge and Resort in Kimball. They'll provide the guides, the dogs, and five-star accommodations. There is nothing like a good long day in the field with professional guides and dogs. You'll get back to the lodge to wind down with a great cocktail and a brilliant meal. Or try more of a Do-It-Yourself option. Renting a hotel or a small house can be a fun way to go. You'll have to do a bunch of door knocking to find fields to hunt, but there is plenty of land. Keep in mind, pheasant hunting is an estimated $500 million business in the Dakotas. Many landowners expect some fees to be paid.

The hardest part of hunting the Dakotas is figuring out where to go. There are birds everywhere. The projections in 2016 for Chamberlain, Pierre and Mobridge seem to be strongest according to SDGFP 2016 Pheasant Outlook Survey. The major airports in South Dakota are Pierre, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City. Generally, the eastern side of the state has better yields for upland game hunting.

Keep in mind rules apply to flying with your shotguns. TSA mandates a hard case with authorized locks. The TSA website has detailed information.) It is not generally a problem if you follow the rules, but you will have to do a separate check at your departure airport. Plan on getting there a little earlier than normal.

Most hunters, especially those with dogs, make the annual pilgrimage in trucks to the grassy plains. Make sure your rig is serviced and be prepared for weather. December can be brutal if an early winter storm rolls through. If a system rolls through, drifting snow can be pushed by winds in excess of 50 mph. Highways and interstates can get closed down. Have some stuff to stay warm that will last a few hours.

After a successful hunt, you need to get your birds home. Pheasants make an exceptional meal (Apple/ Bourbon Glazed Roast Pheasant.) Make sure you understand how to safely transport the meat. First of all, you must be within the limits of harvest regulations: no more than 15 in possession. Further, full plumage from the head or one wing must be attached, or one foot must remain. This allows fish and game officers to monitor sex and species of upland game birds harvested. Additionally, only freeze birds in packages of two so game officers won't have to cut your packages open to count.

Hunting the Dakotas is a reward all its own. Get there and see more birds than you will see anywhere else. Do it over a great gun dog and it'll be a memory you'll never forget.