It’s pheasant hunting season in South Dakota, drawing outdoors enthusiasts from all over America to small East River communities - and the season appears to be off to a strong start in the state.
Nick Harrington is the communications manager for South Dakota Game Fish and Parks. He says the reports are looking good so far.
“Across the premiere pheasant range, so Redfield, Huron, Aberdeen, Pierre, Winner, Madison, everyone is reporting very good bird numbers," Harrington said. "Many landowners, many hunters saying up from previous years. Hunting conditions: a little bit challenging depending on where corn is in.”
Harrington reminds hunters to be mindful of landowners still harvesting crops.
Carisa Giblin is a board member on the Redfield chamber of commerce. She said so far hunters are finding success.
“We’re getting actually a good turnout of hunters," Giblin said. "The hunters that are actually coming through are saying that they are getting their birds.”
Mitchell is another pheasant hunting hot spot. Chamber of Commerce Director Tiffany Batdorf said they’re seeing hunters from all over the country.
“We saw a lot from Arkansas – Eastern Arkansas, Tennessee, California," Batdorf said. "We saw a bunch of out-of-state hunters for the weekend, our airport has been nice and busy.”
Nonresident pheasant hunting season began October 15th and runs through the end of January.