The opening day of the traditional pheasant hunting season in South Dakota is the third Saturday of October. However, the resident-only season starts this Saturday.
And last year, the Game, Fish and Parks Commission finalized a proposal that allows hunters to begin earlier, at 10 a.m. Central every day of the season (shooting hours end at sunset). The commission also extended the end of the hunting period to Jan. 31 next year.
The commission struck down a proposal to increase the daily bag limit of pheasants. However, commissioners did vote to adopt an unrestricted harvest opportunity for those hunting on private shooting preserves.
Hunting licenses are required for all hunters, including youth.
The daily limit on rooster pheasants is three.