HUNTING GUIDE 2 0 1 9
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HUNTING GUIDE 3
South Dakota’s pheasant count jumps 47 percent from 2017........................................ 4-5 ‘Potential for a great year’ for waterfowl hunters.................................................. 6-7 Deer hunting remains steady in the area.................. 8-9 Some good advice on filling that pheasant bag..... 10-12 Sportsmen Against Hunger sees continued success................................................... 13 What to know about South Dakota hunting license and season information................ 14-15 Hunting and saving your hearing..................................16 GF&P’s goal is to provide recreational opportunities........................................ 17-18 Guide editor: Marcus Traxler
Staff photographer: Matt Gade
Staff contributors: Ryan Deal, Luke Hagen, Jeremy Karll and Nick Sabato.
Guide designer: Kayla Ronngren
HUNTING GUIDE
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October 2019
A referral for the right retriever Local breeders share insight on finding, training the right hunting dog By Nick Sabato The Daily Republic A hunting trip is not the same without a dog. Not just any dog will do, though. Hunters are willing to spend thousands for the right dog and sometimes thousands more to train that dog. Like a bucking bull or the average athlete, bloodlines play a major role in selecting and training the right dog. And for many, the price is worth the result. The retrieving process is simplified, the dog often becomes a member of the family and some find the dogs to be the most entertaining aspect of the hunt. “You can buy a Labrador anywhere, but not all Labs are the same,” said Doug Altman, who has owned Altman Labradors in Mitchell for more than 30 years. “If someone is going to have a 14-year investment, they want what they want. … Prior to a puppy leaving, I always tell people, ‘Remember who is training who.’ ” Altman has bought and sold Labradors — white, black, red and yellow — throughout the country. His bloodlines trace back six generations, with those strong bloodlines, he often sells to other breeders. Roughly half of Altman’s sales are for hunting purposes, and with a dog with strong genetics, it does not take long to teach it to retrieve. At seven weeks, a puppy can learn to fetch with little coercion. “It goes by the parents of the dog — their background,” Altman said. “You can turn any dog into a good hunting dog, but when the bloodline is built right into them, it makes it a whole lot easier. Like a human, a dog needs a purpose. If it’s going to be a family dog, they live to please. If it’s going to be a hunting dog, they live to hunt.” While Altman offers his dog services to hunting guide services in the area, he does not believe in having someone else train a dog; instead, he believes the dog will respond better to its owner. Mike Musick disagrees and has successfully trained and bred dogs for 27 years through his Mitchell-based business, SoDak Labradors and Gun-
dog Kennels. As a professional trainer, Musick has bred and trained dogs for a variety of purposes, including companion dogs, but his main pipeline is training hunting dogs. Like Altman, he begins training at seven weeks, but he also offers three-or four-month old fieldbred AKC Labrador retriever starter pups that he has bred through past retriever champions. Musick may disagree with Altman’s philosophy, but he often encourages the owner to come at the end of training in order to learn the commands and get a feel for the dog before heading out to hunt. “The dog learns the sport and gets really good at the sport with the trainer,” Musick said. “Then it’s just a transition to the next handler. As long as they’re using the same commands and they’re being fair to the dog. … I coach (handlers) so they know how to do it better.” One of the most difficult aspects of what is a lengthy training process is teaching the dog hand signals and whistle commands, particularly for a blind retrieve, where a bird is shot down in high grass and the dog cannot see it. Musick’s own dogs are trained only to fetch or retrieve upon hearing their names. “The average hunting dog doesn’t learn a lot of that stuff,” Musick said, “because the handler doesn’t know how to handle them. You’re reading the dog to see if they’re actually paying attention. When you send them out there, they’re going to want to look for the bird themselves.” To thoroughly and properly train a dog, it takes more than a year. The dog can then train through a full hunting season, while a potential owner can more accurately gauge the temperament and look of the dog. Some people intend to train their puppies, but lose track of time and are eventually forced to attempt the process on the fly, which is why Musick also offers one-year-old started and seasoned dogs. “When it’s a puppy, you don’t know. It’s just a baby,” Musick said. “You can actually go out and hunt with
Nick Sabato / Republic Drake, a starter pup owned by Mike Musick’s SoDak Labradors and Gundog Kennels, retrieves a pheasant replica on Sept. 30 in Mitchell.
(the older pup) and watch it perform. That’s why they have a higher value than a puppy. It’s already learned the sport of hunting and it’s going to work for you. It’s a team player.” That mentality of being a team player is partly why both Musick and Altman lean toward Labradors, but are not opposed to golden retrievers, spaniels or pointer dogs. While similar to a golden retriever, Labradors have shorter hair and can be more docile. “I like the Labs because they’re not hyper,” Musick said. “Some pointer dogs are bouncing off the wall because they’ve got so much energy and they need a ton of exercise. Sometimes it takes three or four years to calm down. Labs, by the time they’re six or seven months old, they’ll come in the house and lay down.” While breeders, trainers and hunters may disagree on the proper type of dog to use or the proper way to train that dog, most agree that it’s better to hunt with a dog than without. “I would not hunt without a good dog,” Altman said. “It just makes it
Nick Sabato / Republic White Labrador retriever puppies play in their kennel at Doug Altman’s Altman Labradors on Sept. 30 in Mitchell.
way too much work. It’s not productive and it’s way more enjoyable to hunt with a good dog. Everybody says they had one good dog or two good dogs, but I’ve had many of them. “A dog becomes part of you after a while,” Altman continued. “They can read your mind and likewise.”
October 2019
HUNTING GUIDE 5
Republic file photo
Hunters wade through a field.
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HUNTING GUIDE
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October 2019
Pheasant hunting still plentiful despite slight decrease in numbers By Ryan Deal The Daily Republic
“It was more and less in line with expectations given how severe the Despite a harsh winter and a wet winter was and how wet the spring 2019 season to date, outdoor leaders was,” GF&P Upland Game Biologist say pheasant hunting is still strong in Travis Runia said. “It just wasn’t ideal for pheasant winter survival or South Dakota. The South Dakota Game, Fish and reproductions only being down (17 Parks Department is reporting a 17 percent). It really wasn’t too bad. I am percent decrease from last year in its glad it wasn’t any worse.” Runia is still optimistic the pheasannual pheasant brood survey. Officials are reporting a statewide count ant hunting will be strong as ever, but a few challenges will be presented to of 2.04 pheasants per mile. According to the survey, “this hunters this season. “There’s probably going to be just year’s index is 43 percent lower than the 10-year average,” with 2.04 birds a few less birds,” Runia said. “But per mile, and the 10-year average of overall, it’s going to be an interesting 3.58 birds per mile. Fewer hens and fall. I think the habitat conditions broods were counted throughout the and the landscape are going to pose 110 survey routes compared to last some challenges for the hunters. A year while the number of roosters lot of those cattail sloughs and lowremained nearly unchanged. State- land areas that are often targeted by wide, 40 of the 110 survey routes had pheasant hunters are pretty wet this a higher pheasants per mile rate than year. It’s going to be a different chalRepublic file photo 2018.” lenge to those pheasant hunters than
A pheasant flies through the air.
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October 2019 a usual year.” Runia added the crop harvest is going to be delayed this year and it will provide extra cover for birds to hide under. Dave Allen, the president of the Pheasant Country chapter of Pheasants Forever, based in Mitchell, concurs and said pheasant hunting will be better as the season progresses. “There aren’t going to be hardly any crops out before the pheasant season starts,” Allen said. “Once the crops get out it should be a real good end of the year. … I am looking for positive things.” Allen has also ready heard positive feedback from farmers in the area. “A lot of people I have been talking to say they can’t believe how many birds they are seeing out there,” Allen added. The rainy weather in the Mitchell area has helped leave corn and other cover crops in the field. As of Sept. 30, Mitchell had received 32.67 inches of precipitation, the most in more than a decade. A normal year has about 18.7 inches of precipitation through the first nine months of the year. Nearly every other large community in South Dakota has recorded precipitation levels at least 10 inches or more above normal for the year. Also in the state survey, the Mitch-
HUNTING GUIDE 7 ell and Huron regions saw significant decreases from last year’s survey. Mitchell’s 16 routes reported a total of 2.72 pheasants per mile, which is a 36 percent drop from last year. The report also shows Huron at 2.55 pheasants per mile, which is a 29 percent decrease from 2018. But the decreasing trend occurred all over the state. There are 13 regions in South Dakota for the survey, and just three of the regions — Aberdeen, Sisseton and Western South Dakota — saw an increase. The Aberdeen region enjoyed a 46 percent increase. In a statement, GF&P secretary Kelly Hepler said “South Dakota is the best place to hunt pheasants and will be for a long time,” as the second century of pheasant hunting in South Dakota began in October. “South Dakota offers the greatest opportunity in the country for pheasant hunting,” Hepler said. “Pheasant reproduction in 2019 is right in there with other years and lands open to public hunting are abundant, which means our second century of pheasant hunting will be off to a good start.” South Dakota’s 2019 traditional pheasant season runs Oct. 19 through Jan. 5, with a youth season from Oct. 5-9. A resident-only season runs Oct. 12-14.
PHEASANT COUNTRY CHAPTER #872
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Largest PF Membership Banquet in US and Canada As seen on NBC Sports! “Mitchell’s Pheasant Opener Kickoff Celebration”
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Friday, October 18th, 2019
Doors Open at 5:00 p.m. Includes a roast pheasant dinner with a cash bar. The Corn Palace will be decked out in beautiful fall colors and the Starfire Band will be playing. 2019 Wild Dakota Calendar girls will be here!
Over 125 guns to be given away! Auction includes:
Pepsi Gun Cabinet, Granite Springs Hunt, Mark Anderson, John Green, and Nicole Heitzman Original Artwork Finished at Banquet, Hand Carved Items by Troy Bollock, Bonnie Bullock Quilt, Carved Moose Horn, Lab Puppy, Handmade Gun Cabinet, Handmade Dog Kennel Coffee Table, Prairie Dog Hunt, Matt Koop Pheasant Mount and many more unique items.
Numerous Raffles: Winner Take All Raffle, Wheel of Guns - 6 Guns -60 Chances- $100.00 per chance, Dice Game, Cabela’s Table, Winchester Shell Pyramid, Silent Auction, $1,000 Case of Cash, 100 Gun Raffle Bash, Miller Lite Table, Shot Glass Raffle, Mystery Gun, 7500 $ a Firepit Raffle, Fast Draw Raffle, and many more raffles! r a s t ye
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www.pheasantcountry.org
8
HUNTING GUIDE
A successful first year
October 2019
New deer license plan gives more opportunities to hunters By Jeremy Karll The Daily Republic Kevin Robling is excited to see how the new deer license allocation method impacts hunters over a longer stretch of time, but the first-year results are promising. The new method rolled out by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks department limited resident deer hunters to two applications on the first draw, unlike in past years when hunters were able to apply for all six seasons — East River, West River, Black Hills, muzzleloader, refuge and Custer State Park. The goal was to get more hunters in the field with decreasing draw probabilities in recent years. It resulted in 9,000 applications being taken out of the overall draw buckets, which led to a higher probability hunters received their first choice. In 2019, about 1,000 more hunters got a deer license. “It did what it was intended to do,”
said Robling, the GFP deputy secretary. “... If the folks drew licenses, they were happy with the new system. If folks didn’t draw licenses, obviously, there was some uneasiness or negativity toward the deer drawing changes.” The new system impacted each season differently, but according to Robling, West River was still the most sought after season. East River and the Black Hills followed. The chances of drawing a license for West River (54.6 in 2018 to 55.6 percent in 2019) and East River (58.4 to 64.2 percent) went up slightly. GFP saw its biggest increase in draw probability in muzzleloader (12.2 to 19.36 percent) and refuge (13.7 percent to 22 percent). There was also an increase in hunters applying for two seasons. In 2018, 18,332 deer hunters applied for two or more seasons, but 18,767 hunters did so this year. Of those 18,767 hunters in 2019, 3,765 drew their first two
Three deer stand near a wet field near Mitchell.
choices. “At the end of the day, that probably has something to do with not having as many folks drawing preferred licenses in the first draw,” Robling said. “... (Drawing their first two choices) depends on the season combination they did. That will dictate, depending on how many preference points an individual has, if they’re successful or not.” It is one year, though, so Robling is eager to see the long-term impact. But he still calls 2019 a success, especially with the earlier draw deadline in June rather than September.
Republic file photo
GFP worried about the earlier deadline sneaking up on hunters, so they sent postcards to every hunter and advertised it on TV. It worked as it had 53,400 unique applications in 2018 and 53,000 this year, and more importantly, it created more opportunities. “When we can get more hunters in the field more often and expand opportunity, yes, I would consider that a success,” Robling said. “It got more people in the field. Time will tell. This is just one year’s worth of data — it would be nice to have two or three years’ worth of data.”
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HUNTING GUIDE 9
October 2019
Republic file photo
Hunters converse while strolling through a field.
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HUNTING GUIDE
10
October 2019
WILTZ: A land of hunting opportunity By Roger Wiltz Freelance columnist
Contributed photo
Roger Wiltz holds a prized buck.
Hunting Safety For Everyone
hunters, think about using the second half of your license in December. Whether you hunt early or late, avoid 12-gauge shells with a 3-1/4 dram equivalent. Go with a 3-3/4 dram equivalent or a muzzle velocity of at least 1330 fps. Don’t be fooled by a picture of a pheasant on the box. The last time I used shells with 1-1/4 ounces of shot and a 3-1/4 dram equivalent, I hit birds hard but lost them. The penetration isn’t there, especially on big, tough late-season roosters. My second piece of advice goes without saying: a good dog will make all the difference, especially in a season when bird numbers are down. We had some late winter storms that killed a lot of birds, and our wet nesting conditions may not
For the past 60 years I have been a passionate South Dakota hunter. I haven’t missed a pheasant or deer season, and for more seasons than not, I’ve had a duck stamp on my hunting license. I’ve formed some opinions, and whether you agree or disagree, I feel strongly about the following: I’ve always enjoyed the best pheasant hunting later in the season when the crops are out of the fields and the birds are bunched up. This will never be more true than it will be for 2019 season. With the horrendous moisture situation, many prime areas will be under water. Pheasants have no qualms about taking cover over water. They will only be vulnerable after it freezes up. For early season out-of-state LAND: Page 11
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2.To be extra safe, unload guns while traveling to and from the hunting site. 3. Always wear distinctive hunter’s orange clothing. 4. When storing a gun, always unload it first.
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HUNTING GUIDE 11
October 2019
LAND From Page 10
have replaced them; time will answer that question. What I lack in skill — and the ability to get around on aging legs — I make up for in enthusiasm. With no special luck in particular, I have the following 2019 tags in my pocket: antelope, West River deer, East River deer, and fall turkey for Gregory County. I believe that we South Dakotans have the best deer hunting opportunities in the entire United States. I do not wish to boast because I see my luck the past few years as being typical. Last year I took a fine whitetailed buck in Brule County and a fat muzzleloader doe in Gregory County. In 2017 I nailed a mature white-tailed buck in Corson County and a 6-by-5 white-tailed buck in my home county, Charles Mix. As mentioned, I’ll hunt any white-
tailed deer in both Brule and Corson counties this fall; each of those tags were second choice. Why do I believe that our South Dakota deer hunting ranks number one? We have a long deer season. Archery hunting currently runs September 1 to January 1. Many of the other seasons run through January 1. That’s a potential of four months of deer hunting, and archery tags are unlimited! With the new lottery system, we are permitted two first choices in the first round. This almost guarantees two chances to buck hunt with a rifle. Popular options include West River, East River, Black Hills, and Muzzleloader (muzzleloader doe tags are unlimited). For this year, my West River and East River tags were both second choices in the first round. Next year I’ll have preference points, and South Dakota offers both mule and white-tailed deer! We residents have our favorite places to hunt. With the many
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walk-in areas, as well as public land, the nonresident hunter can DIY (do it yourself), though I would still recommend private land and, with patience, knocking on doors ahead of time still works. While our hunter success rate might be around 66 to 70 percent, I believe this rate reflects fussy hunters. If only meat mattered, that success rate would probably be over 95 percent. Other than the pheasants and deer I focused on, a trip to Norris, White River, or points west will yield prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse. Don’t count on it, but you might flush some partridge. With a little effort, ducks are plentiful most everywhere. And then there are coyotes. Relative to all the hunting opportunities I have discussed, not to mention our access to excellent fishing and camping, I have to ask why families from the rest of our country aren’t
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fighting for a chance to live in Mitchell or the wonderful small towns in the adjacent area. Most American families live in an area where they are hesitant to have their children walk home from school and home ownership calls for a six-digit investment. In our small towns, good homes can be had for $60,000, our children can be on the basketball, volleyball, or football teams, and they receive an outstanding all-around education. Job wise, “Help Wanted” is a major theme. Opportunity abounds with Mitchell Tech — one of the nation’s top technical schools — where graduates are recruited before graduation. I know what I’m talking about as a Chicago transplant. You couldn’t pay me enough to go back. Think about it. That big buck could be hanging over your fireplace next winter.
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HUNTING GUIDE
October 2019
HAGEN: She ‘lets’ me hunt
My college degree is in mass communications, which makes me an excellent husband. Communication is the key LUKE HAGEN to a happy marriage, they say. Only joking, of course, but talking out problems, learning to compromise and being understanding are serious necessities to making a relationship work. In 11 years of marriage at least that’s what I’ve learned. And in that timeframe, I don’t think I’ve once heard my wife complain when I tell her I’m going hunting. Apparently that’s not the case for all guys. That’s because my wife is caring, selfless and she knows that a passion of mine is waterfowl hunting and she’s not going to get in the way of it. But it’s at this time of year, when the leaves turn colors and the temperatures drop, I hear
the same line from my friends and acquaintances time and again. “She sure lets you hunt a lot.” Excuse me? Lets me hunt? A good majority of my October and November is spent in a blind or wading through duck sloughs. Watching weather forecasts, tossing out decoys and talking to birds are all fall regularities. There’s a lot of work and self-fulfillment that goes into scouting (finding birds), meeting landowners and then enjoying the hunt itself. I’ve met some lifelong friends driving country roads and shaking hands with farmers. Recently, my 5-year-old daughter has enjoyed riding along for scouting trips. It’s a good chance to give some downtime and relaxation for my wife to quiet the house a bit. She’s a super mom, and most often, she is the rock of our family. That’s absolutely true each fall (and probably the other nine months of the year, too.) What’s amazing is that she encourages me to get outdoors to enjoy my passion. There’s no
restriction, and I recognize that. So I don’t really understand why I often hear that same phrase, “She lets you hunt a lot.” Yes, we have kids who need attention and care. Yes, we have a house that needs cleaning and upkeep. During duck opener earlier this year, I did catch a small bit of heat for being a bit lazy after two days of early mornings. Deservedly, she reminded me that I need to do my part to keep the tile floors clean and help with the girls. Life can’t just be hunting, eating, sleeping and watching the NFL on Sunday, apparently. But what she understands better than many wives, I think, is that there are only so many fall days and that hunting season is here and gone in seemingly no time. All of a sudden, winter takes over and cabin fever kicks in for three or four months during South Dakota’s deep, dark winter. She gets it, and I appreciate how awesome that is for me. Maybe each fall when I hear “she lets you hunt a lot,” I need to
Submitted photo The author’s wife, Shannon Hagen, and their lab, Bear.
respond with the question, “And you let your wife oversee your hunting schedule?” Nah, I think a better response is, “Yeah, I guess I’m just pretty darn lucky.”
OUR NEWS COVERAGE
DOESN’T MISS! The Daily Republic 514 N Main - Mitchell 605-996-5514 www.mitchellrepublic.com
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HUNTING GUIDE 13
October 2019
2019 South Dakota hunting license and season information By The Daily Republic Here’s a list of what hunters need to know ahead of the hunting seasons in the Mitchell area:
Hunting season dates
► Pheasant • Resident only: Oct. 12-14 • Youth only: Oct. 5-9 • Statewide: Oct. 19 to Jan. 5, 2020. • *Future opening dates: The pheasant season traditionally opens on the third Saturday in October, which is Oct. 17 in 2020 and Oct 16 in 2021. ► Prairie chicken/grouse • Sept. 21 to Jan. 5, 2020. ► Ducks • Low Plains — north zone: Sept. 28 to Dec. 10 • Low Plains — middle zone: Sept. 28 to Dec. 10 • Low Plains — south zone: Oct. 26 to Jan. 7, 2020. • High Plains: Oct. 12 to Jan. 16, 2020. ► Deer • Youth: Sept. 14 to Jan. 1, 2020 • Archery: Sept. 1 to Jan. 1. • East River: Nov. 23 to Dec. 8. • West River: Nov. 16 to Dec. 1 • Both West River and East River, only antlerless deer tags are valid Dec. 14-22. • Black Hills: Nov. 1-30 • Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 to Jan. 1, 2020 ► Antelope • Archery: Aug. 17 to Oct. 31 (closed during firearm season). • Firearms: Sept. 28-Oct. 13. ► Fall turkey • Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, 2020 ► Sandhill crane • Sept. 28 to Nov. 24 *For those seasons not listed here, see the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department website at gfp.sd.gov.
Places to buy hunting licenses in Mitchell
• Cabela’s, 601 Cabela Drive. • Coborn’s, 1800 N. Main St. • County Fair Foods, 1305 W. Havens Ave. • Cubby’s, 1000 S. Burr St. or 1700 W. Havens Ave. • Northside Sinclair, 1905 N. Main St. • SoDak Sports, 515 E. Spruce St. • Walmart, 1101 E. Spruce St. • Westside Sinclair, 1527 W. Havens Ave.
Metro Creative Services The South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department recently released its deer management plan for public review.
Cost for licenses
► Resident fees • Combination (small game and fishing): $55 • Senior combination (age 65 and up): $40 • Junior combination (ages 16-18): $27 • Small game: $33 • One-day small game: $12 • Youth small game (ages 12-15): $5 • State migratory bird certification: $5 • Predator/varmint: $5 • Furbearer: $30 ► Non-resident fees • Small game (two 5-day periods): $121 • Youth small game, ages 12-15: $10 • Waterfowl (valid 10 days, lottery only): $121 • Waterfowl (valid 3 days, lottery only): $86 • Predator/varmint: $40 • Furbearer: $275 • State migratory bird certification: $5 • Shooting preserve (annual): $121 • Shooting preserve (5-day): $76 • Shooting preserve (1-day): $46 • 2019 licenses are valid Dec. 15, 2018 through Jan. 31, 2020. • 2020 licenses will be valid Dec. 15, 2019 through Jan. 31, 2021 (Note: Some fees include a $6 surcharge mandated by state law, which are dedicated to hunting access, wildlife damage management and animal damage control programs.)
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P.O. Box 10, Mitchell, South Dakota 57301 Call: (605) 996-1120 Email: mkuchera@santel.net • Website: www.sdpheasants.com • Find us on
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October 2019
Republic file photo
Hunters search for pheasants in a field.
Get your animals treated by the team at Pleasant Lake Veterinary Clinic. We treat livestock as well as domesticated pets in our clinic. Comprehensive Veterinary Services for Cattle and Horses
Spay and Neutering • Dental • Vaccinations Minor Injuries • Surgeries
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Dr. Mary and Dr. Jeff Grosdidier 302 E. Davenport St, Plankinton, SD
MITCHELL, SD
605-942-7701
24/7 Emergency Veterinary Services
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Mitchell SD
WELCOME HUNTERS!
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October 2019
Shutterstock
Forum News Service PIERRE, S.D. — Tough weather means fewer pheasants. The South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department is reporting a 17% decrease from last year in its annual pheasant brood survey, which was released Thursday. Officials are reporting a statewide count of 2.04 pheasants per mile. The report says historic winter snowfall and spring/summer rainfall resulted in many road ditches containing water. Also, about 3.8 million acres of crop-
land went unplanted due to the wet conditions. “Although it is unknown how these circumstances may have influenced pheasant behavior and visibility during this survey, the impact on the detectability of pheasants was most likely negative,” the report said. Last year, the preseason report showed a statewide pheasantsper-mile index of 2.47, which resulted in a season-harvest total
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Pheasant Acres has been restored back to 3,500 acres of natural state by planting native grasses and scattering tree strips, food plots, and wetlands throughout the property. We even selectively harvest the area crops, managing everything for the sake of the birds. Thanks to over 30 years of hard work, South Dakota Pheasant Acres is an absolute wildlife haven.
28146 382nd Ave, Armour, SD 57313
605-850-3000 • www.sdpheasantacres.com
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South Dakota pheasant survey shows bird numbers drop 17%
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of about 951,000. It was the second straight year South Dakota failed to harvest 1 million pheasants after doing so 23 out of 25 years. “South Dakota offers the greatest opportunity in the country for pheasant hunting,” said Kelly Hepler, department secretary for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, in a press release. “Pheasant reproduction in 2019 is right in there with other years and lands open to public hunting are abundant, which means our second century of pheasant hunting will be off to a good start.” The Mitchell area saw a 36% decrease in its pheasant survey compared to last year. Sixteen routes showed 2.72 pheasants per mile. Ten of the 13 routes saw a drop in its pheasant numbers with the exception of the Aberdeen, Sisseton and “western South Dakota” routes. The 110route survey, which covers about
30 miles on each route, was conducted from July 25 to Aug. 15. Meanwhile, GF&P focused its annual press release not on the specifics of the report but looking at Gov. Kristi Noem’s Second Century Initiative that focused on the next 100 years of pheasant hunting in South Dakota. “Enhancing habitat in South Dakota touches every aspect of life in our state,” Noem said. “We must be responsible in protecting these resources, creating healthy habitats, and supporting growth and health in our natural populations. My Second Century Initiative is about families, introducing kids to the adventure of the outdoors, and conserving our outdoor culture for the next generation. Enhancing habitat is a crucial step in strengthening the next 100 years of our outdoor traditions.” The statewide pheasant season begins Oct. 19 and runs through Jan. 5. The three-day resident only season is Oct. 12-14. The limit is three roster pheasants per day with a possession limit of 15.
Welcome Hunters
October 2019
A dog returns a fallen pheasant.
Republic file photo
Everyday and emergency care for your best friend!
Fresh & Delicious Chinese Food
Twin Dragon CHINESE
605-996-5446
OPEN MON-SAT 11AM-10PM | CLOSED SUNDAYS RESTAURANT Credit Cards Accepted | Family Owned Business Since 1990
704 E Norway • Mitchell, SD Interstate 90-Exit 332
rollinghills@venturecomm.net 102 1st St. NE • Wessington Springs, SD 605-539-1040 Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am-12:00 pm
001782953r1
Rolling Hills Veterinary Clinic Dr. Kelli Tobin
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October 2019
Republic file photo
A hunter wades through a field.
Hunting HEADQUARTERS TYNDALL ACE HARDWARE 802 Main Street Tyndall,SD
605-589-4700
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Owners Wayne & Peg Winckler
Find everything you need for the hunt from these area businesses! GET IT ALL IN ONE SHOT WELCOME HUNTERS!
HOT & COLD FOODS ♦ VIDEO LOTTERY WIFI ♦ GASOLINE ♦ CONVENIENCE STORE ♦ OPEN 24 HOURS!
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GEAR UP FOR HUNTING AT DAKOTA FOOD & FUEL
201 E 7th St. • Platte, SD 605-337-2645
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I-90 & US HWY. 281 EXIT 310 • PLANKINTON 605-942-7138
709 1st St. • Armour, SD 605-724-2459 Party trays, sandwiches, deli meat & cheese, rotisserie chicken, dog food, fresh bakery items, ice, liquor, wine, beer and soft drinks. Open 8 am-8 pm Monday-Saturday; 9 am-1 pm Sunday 001783630r1
207 S. Main • White Lake 001636602r1
605-249-2444
Country Pumper
Noon Specials MondayFriday!
Phone: 495-4242 East of Forestburg on Hwy. 34
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HUNTING GUIDE
October 2019
Ring-necked pheasant is
‘king of the game birds’ By Blane Klemek All 50 states have official state birds as their adopted avian symbols. Minnesota’s, of course, is the common loon, the only state claiming this emblematic bird as its own. Several states share the same bird, including the cardinal, meadowlark, and robin. And while one would think that each state’s citizens and legislatures would have chosen native birds to represent their states, two states did not – South Dakota and Rhode Island, the latter choosing a chicken, the Rhode Island Red, as its state bird. And our neighbor to the west, South Dakota, chose perhaps the most colorful bird of all –non-native or otherwise – as its state bird, the ring-necked pheasant, which is also known as the Chinese ringnecked pheasant. Indeed, the bird has established itself throughout North America’s grasslands, especially within the Great Plains, and can be found in semi-open landscapes and farmland. They came from a few released stock in the late 1800s, and are known by many a hunter that takes to the field each fall as, “the king of the game birds.” Chinese ring-necked pheasants were first released in Oregon in 1881. A man named Owen Nickerson Denny had 60 birds shipped across the Pacific Ocean to Washington, and then released the surviving birds along the Columbia River in his home state of Oregon, followed by a couple more releases in Willamette Valley a few years later. More pheasant introductions by more people across the United States followed Denny’s releases. South Dakota had its first pheasant release in 1898. Today, the ring-necked pheasant
is found across much of the northern tier of states, as well as areas along the northern East Coast and on grasslands of the northern Great Plains and the West. There are also ring-necked pheasants in parts of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Globally the population is estimated at around 50 million, with about 31% of this estimate occurring in North America. And while the ring-necked pheasant population in South Dakota has fluctuated widely since the first release some 120 years ago, the state’s vast farmlands and grasslands hold anywhere from around 5 to 10 million birds annually. With South Dakota’s pheasant plentitude, it’s no wonder the state named the ring-necked pheasant in 1943 as its state bird. In fact it was during the 1940s that the ring-necked pheasant population reached its zenith in South Dakota. Population estimates during this pheasant heyday were anywhere from 11 million to over 16 million birds. Still, even today, no state has more pheasants than South Dakota. Although I have hunted pheasants throughout western Minnesota’s Big Stone, Lac Qui Parle, Stevens, and Douglas counties, including many isolated pockets of pheasant habitat surrounding the Otter Tail County dairy farm where I grew up (I also raised pheasants as an FFA member in high school) my only South Dakota pheasant hunt occurred in 2006. I’ll never forget that lone hunt. Four of us Bertha boys gathered for a trip to Eureka near the North Dakota border, where we not only enjoyed observing hundreds of pheasants — on both public and private land — that we hunted
A ring-necked pheasant in Minnesota.
and drove by, but the hospitality of those good folks we encountered while hunting the countryside and patronizing the businesses of their small town. In South Dakota, you see, pheasants are big business. I liken the economic boost that these birds provide to rural South Dakota communities to what walleyes and whitetails mean to Minnesota’s economy. The infusion of the sportsman and sportswoman dollar is substantial and very important. Ring-necked pheasants, the non-native species of bird they are, are nevertheless an avian native,
Photo by Karie Reishus/USFWS
for all intents and purposes. The crowing and beautifully plumaged rooster and the cryptic colored hen are gorgeous and hardy birds to be sure. Found here in Minnesota in just about every county but the heavily forested northeastern third, ringnecked pheasants, a bird related to our native wild turkey, ruffed grouse, prairie chicken, spruce grouse, and sharp-tailed grouse, is here to stay and appreciate, as we get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Blane Klemek is a Minnesota DNR wildlife manager. He can be reached at bklemek@yahoo.com.
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October 2019
IF YOU SEE A VIOLATION, REPORT IT.
Scope out powerlines.
• • • • • •
Do not confront the violator. Get a license plate number. Get a description of the violator. Get a description of the vehicle. Get the location of the violation. Be able to describe the violation.
This hunting season we urge you to follow our important safety tips. Look up and look out for overhead power lines. Aim away from power poles, overhead power lines and transformers. And if you see a downed line or damaged electrical equipment, call 911 immediately.
Shawn H. District Operations Manager, 13 years of service
1.888.OVERBAG | tips.sd.gov INFORMATION THAT LEADS TO AN ARREST IS ELIGIBLE FOR A REWARD.
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October 2019
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Full Service Meat Department
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Largest Cold Beer Selection in 50 Mile Area
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Easy in and out with access to the entire store.
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