South Dakota reports high pheasant kill in 2024

South Dakota GF&P Report

Pierre, S.D. — The S.D. Game, Fish, and Parks Department last week announced 2024 pheasant season harvest numbers. More than 1.3 million roosters were harvested across the 2024 season, which is the highest harvest in 13 years. An additional 380,000 pheasants were harvested by hunters within a defined private shooting preserve.

Hunters averaged about nine birds for the season.

“Habitat and access have been a top priority for the department, and that has played a key role in abundant bird numbers and ample locations for hunters to target them,” said Kevin Robling, GF&P secretary. “We are extremely pleased with the success of the 2024 season and plan to build on the success for 2025.”

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This is accomplished by partnering with landowners and agriculture producers through habitat programs offered by the state of South Dakota, the federal government, and multiple conservation groups working together to put more habitat acres on the landscape.

One example of these programs is be the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program on the James River and Big Sioux River valleys, which provides the benefits of CRP with the additional component of access.

“These CREP lands are directly in the primary pheasant range and provide high-quality grassland habitat and access as well,” Robling said. “This is just one example of the many great habitat programs offered.”

The 2025 South Dakota traditional pheasant season will take place Oct. 18 through Jan. 31.