The 2024 pheasant season was fantastic in South Dakota, and the final harvest reports indicate over 1.3 million roosters were harvested by hunters. According to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) this is the highest pheasant harvest in 13 years.
“The 2024 South Dakota pheasant season was absolutely spectacular,” said Governor Larry Rhoden in a press release. “Hunters come from across the world to enjoy South Dakota’s pheasant season because they know they are going to find, and harvest birds, which makes South Dakota truly the greatest state to pheasant hunt.”
In addition to the 1.3 million roosters harvested across the state, an additional 380,000 pheasants were harvested on defined shooting preserves.
There was a significant amount of excitement heading into the 2024 pheasant season, which we discussed in our forecast, All Signs Pointing Toward an Excellent South Dakota Pheasant Season. This forecast was indeed proved correct, and it’s reassuring to see the outlooks, reports, and hunting success all aligned.
South Dakota is represented as the greatest state to pheasant hunt, and while this is a tall task to fill this claim was again proven factual this year. In fact, there were more pheasants harvested in the two weeks of October in South Dakota than any other state during their entire season.
While this past season was by all accounts a great success, there is still more work to be done.
“Habitat and access have been a top priority for the department, and that has played a key role in both abundant bird numbers and ample locations for hunters to target them,” said Kevin Robling, GFP Secretary. “We are extremely pleased with the success of the 2024 season and plan to build on this success for 2025.”
Conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), have played a critical role in providing adequate nesting habitat for pheasants, but access programs are just as important. The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) on the James and Big Sioux River valleys provides access to these CRP acres, and the Walk-In Area program has been one of the most successful access programs in the country.
“These CREP lands are directly in the primary pheasant range and provide high quality grassland habitat and access as well,” added Robling. “This is just one example of the many great habitat programs offered, and ultimately what makes South Dakota such a successful story for conservation as a whole.”
As with any major accomplishment it takes collaboration between multiple partners, and in South Dakota these partners include GFP, USDA, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, private landowners and producers, hunters, trappers, and everyone else who manages land or purchases a license.
“Conservation is a team effort, and South Dakota’s conservation delivery team is truly amazing,” elaborated Robling. “Taking care of the land is important to us as South Dakotans, and this land ethic mindset is what results in abundant wildlife populations.”
One additional partner is the Second Century Habitat Fund (SCHF). SCHF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that works to educate landowners on the importance of grassland to improve pheasant habitat in South Dakota. A major component of their mission also includes fundraising for habitat programs.
One of these ways to fundraise for habitat is the Defender for Habitat raffle, which offers one lucky winner a brand new Can-Am Defender Max Limited.
“All proceeds from this raffle go directly into habitat restoration and conservation programs led by SCHF,” said Liz Kierl, Executive Director of the Second Century Habitat Fund.
Raffle tickets are 1 for $20, 3 for $50, 10 for $100, and 50 for $500. More information, and where to purchase tickets, can be found at sdhabitatfund.com.
“We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our partners and the people of South Dakota,” added Kierl. “This raffle is more than a prize—it’s a way to power habitat conservation and protect the land we love.”
Learn More: Can-Am Raffle Accelerating Habitat Conservation in South Dakota
The combination of successful partnerships, successful programs, and positive weather conditions set up for a fantastic pheasant season and hunters were able to take advantage of it! Fortunately, conditions for 2025 are looking just as promising.
“We are seeing great numbers of birds on the landscape currently and are in the heart of nesting season at this moment,” concluded Robling. “As successful as the 2024 season was, the ingredients are there for 2025 to be even greater.”
The 2025 South Dakota pheasant season begins October 18, and hunters are encouraged to purchase their licenses and plan their trips so they are ready for an exciting fall!
To help build the excitement through the summer, be sure to support the Defender for Habitat raffle as well! Now is a great time to purchase your tickets and put more acres of habitat on the ground!
