Pheasant Chat

From October 11th through the 13th, South Dakotans can start hunting pheasant on public hunting land. This includes:

- GFP (Game Fish and Parks) land that is managed, owned, or leased by the department and normally open to public hunting

- GFP Walk-in areas

- GFP Waterfowl areas

- US Army Corps of Engineers land on the Missouri River

- US Forest Service National Grasslands

- US Bereau of Reclamation land

- State School and Public Lands property

- Public road rights-of-way adjacent to public hunting areas that are open to hunting

Story from KTIV - http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9123642

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota's first pheasant hunting season of the year is at hand.

The youth season runs Saturday through Wednesday for hunters ages 12 through 17. Shooting hours are 10 a.m. to sunset with a daily limit of 3 roosters. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult who's not carrying a gun.

Next up is the 3-day resident-only pheasant season that opens Oct. 11. The regular season for residents and nonresidents opens on Oct. 18.

From the Black Hill Pioneer - http://bhpioneer.com/

SIOUX FALLS (AP) - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department's annual brood survey reveals 2008 - the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Chinese ring-necked pheasant to the state - is the best year for the state bird since 1963.

"The survey results show a statewide increase of 9 percent in pheasant numbers," said Jeff Vonk, GF&P secretary. "That's amazing, considering the record-setting level of last year's brood survey."

Last year's brood count showed about 7.8 birds per mile.

From the Mitchell Daily Republic

Article by Ross Dolan

PLANKINTON — In the movie “Forrest Gump,” Bubba Blue told Forrest dozens of ways to prepare shrimp.

When it comes to preparing pheasant, the folks of Plankinton have got Bubba beat by a mile.

Attendees at Saturday’s Fourth Annual Pheasant Fest were able to sample pheasant pizza, pheasant quesadillas, pheasant and dumplings, pheasant roll-ups, spicy pheasant chip dip, pheasant paprikash, sweet and sour pheasant — and that didn’t cover half a block.

With the South Dakota pheasant season just around the corner, I've been mentally preparing myself for all the fun! My pants still fit from last year, my vest is still loaded up with shotgun shells, I have my favorite public hunting areas marked on the map, and my newer boots are now broken in.

CK Hunting Lodge is located in prime pheasant hunting country in Clark County, South Dakota. This is the farm that I grew up on and have hunted on over the years. We have 1000 acres of farm ground, sloughs, foodplots, and CRP to hunt.

Whether you have been pheasant hunting many times or if this is your first time, we are sure you will enjoy your stay at the CK Hunting Lodge. We want to make your get away a memorable one for you, that will keep you coming back again and again.

So call or email now with any questions and book your hunt with us today.

CK Hunting Lodge

Pierre, South Dakota (AP) 7-08

One of two hunting guides charged with leading nonresidents on elk, deer and pheasant hunts near Witten in south central South Dakota has acknowledged the crime.

Manfred Fast Horse, 47, pleaded guilty in federal court in Pierre to violating the Lacey Act. The maximum punishment is five years in prison.

Prosecutors accused Fast Horse of selling his Rosebud Sioux tribal elk-hunting tag to an undercover agent and guiding officers and out-of-state customers on illegal hunts.

Here's a good article from the Argus Leader about keeping your hunting dog in shape. With the South Dakota Pheasant Hunting season right around the corner, this article is worth a read for all you pheasant hunters with dogs!

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080723/OUTDOORS0...

I saw this post on a hunting forum. I thought I would try to help this guy or gal out by posting it on Pheasant Chat as well:

I've reserved a pheasant hunt for Nov 3-5 on a 2400 acre ranch. I hunted there last year and hunting was exceptional. The owner said the hatch has been good. I am looking for someone who would be interested in hunting with me. Cost is $150/gun/day. I would provide transportation and I also have an experienced hunting dog. I would like to split gas and motel costs.

If interested email me at sbode@aol.com

Here is a recent article from www.twincities.com. It looks as if pheasant numbers are on the rise everywhere, including South Dakota!

Minnesota pheasant kill highest in 44 years
By Chris Niskanen
cniskanen@pioneerpress.com
Article Launched: 07/09/2008 12:01:00 AM CDT

Minnesota's ring-necked pheasant kill last year soared to the highest level since 1964, according to new estimates from the Department of Natural Resources.