PIERRE – Months of persistent drought in 2012, a cold, wet spring in 2013 and a reduction in habitat have impacted pheasant brood counts, according to a report by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.
But officials note that South Dakota will still offer the best pheasant hunting experience in the country, with more than 1.1 million acres of public land available for pursuing birds within the state’s main pheasant range.
The Department’s annual brood count surveys the number of pheasants per mile as a means to track pheasant numbers over time. The actual population size is estimated after the pheasant hunting season ends, with additional information gathered from hunter surveys and a winter rooster-to-hen ratio survey.
The 2013 report indicates an index of 1.52 pheasants per mile, down from 4.19 pheasants per mile last year.
“The annual brood count provides us with a year-over-year analysis tool,” said Travis Runia, GFP’s lead pheasant biologist. “Our numbers may be down from last year, but hunters will still be able to find birds.”
GFP conducts the brood route survey each year on select stretches of roads around the state. All pheasants are counted along each route, with particular attention to the number of broods.
“Much of the northern Great Plains experienced the same weather and habitat factors that impacted our brood counts,” Runia said.
Runia noted that lower brood counts in 1992 and 1997 still resulted in almost one million pheasants harvested in South Dakota each year. Since 1992, the state has added 350,000 acres of public access within the main pheasant range, expanding hunting opportunities.
The 2013 pheasant season opens Oct. 19 and runs through Jan. 5, 2014. The Youth Pheasant season will run from Oct. 5–9 and the Resident Only season Oct. 12-14.
The 2013 Pheasant Brood Survey Report, complete with comparisons for different local areas, can be accessed at http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/small-game/pheasant-outlook.aspx.
-
Weather
Failure notice from provider:
Connection Error:http_request_failedUpcoming Events
June 2025 SSunday MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday 1June 1, 2025 2June 2, 2025 3June 3, 2025 4June 4, 2025 5June 5, 2025 6June 6, 2025 7June 7, 2025 8June 8, 2025 9June 9, 2025 10June 10, 2025 11June 11, 2025 12June 12, 2025 13June 13, 2025 14June 14, 2025 15June 15, 2025 16June 16, 2025 17June 17, 2025 18June 18, 2025 19June 19, 2025 20June 20, 2025 21June 21, 2025 22June 22, 2025 23June 23, 2025 24June 24, 2025 25June 25, 2025 26June 26, 2025 27June 27, 2025 28June 28, 2025 29June 29, 2025 30June 30, 2025 1July 1, 2025 2July 2, 2025 3July 3, 2025 4July 4, 2025 5July 5, 2025 -
Recent Posts
Contact Us
Archives
Tweet