In a Pheasant State of Mind
Joe Kratzke of Mankato, MN proudly displays his daily South Dakota daily bag limit. Credit: (Ryan Trask, Ultimate Pheasant Hunting)
Source: www.uplandalmanac.com
Published: Sep. 01, 2007
The newly minted South Dakota 25-cent piece says it all: On the back, a ringneck pheasant, official state bird of South Dakota.
Here in America’s breadbasket, the ringneck pheasant is the main attraction in the autumn and early winter months. Whereas in other parts of the country, the sight of blaze orange attire may be seen as peculiar or even shunned, it seems that here, every convenience store, restaurant and hotel are flying banners saying “Welcome Hunters.” Indeed, pheasant hunting has evolved into a vital part of South Dakota’s economy. Many hotels offer bird cleaning stations and freezer space. They are as geared-up for bird hunters as Barbados is for beach-going tourism, and with good reason. South Dakota resident and non-resident hunters spent over $150,000,000 in 2005 alone on pheasant hunting. Eighty thousand residents and almost 95,000 non-residents combined to take nearly 2,000,000 pheasants in that year. Pretty impressive, eh?
What is even more amazing is that the birds seem to be everywhere. Well, maybe not everywhere, but find an area with roost cover, water and feed cover, and chances are you’ll find pheasants. Of course, some areas are better than others. With so much space, one is better served by hunting at a farm that caters to bird hunters, with an outfitter or on public access land known for pheasants. However, with public access comes lots of pressure, so after the first few weekends, birds in those areas may be hard to come by.
For free public access, South Dakota offers official Walk-In Areas where the habitat is managed by the state. Then there are CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) covers, some of which are held for private use, some of which are tied into the Walk-In Areas.
Generally speaking, the best hunting will be had with outfitters or by staying with farmers and ranchers who cater to hunters. They control access to their land and thereby the hunting pressure. They also manage their lands themselves. In addition to lodging, they will offer meals, guiding and dogs.
Lands are relatively flat and the better-managed cover will usually feature strips of standing corn or other food plots. Adjoining groves and hedgerows will provide roost cover. One morning, while getting ready for the 10:00 a.m. opening of shooting hours, pheasants by the dozens were observed flying from roost to feed in the standing corn in a single field about one half mile in length and perhaps 300 yard in width. In fact, crop growers with an interest in outfitting for pheasant hunters come fall plant a strain of field corn with shorter stalks, perhaps four feet in height, as well as “pheasant cane,” a sorghum variety with a 3-foot-high stalk, which makes for a more hunter-friendly environment as opposed to 7- or 8- foot tall stalks which make visibility difficult.
Without question, this scenario creates a situation where numerous hunters are needed, with several walking the feed strips perhaps 30 yards apart, flankers walking on the outside of the strips and slightly ahead of the center walkers with blockers standing at the end of the strips. Birds will run ahead of the guns, with some occasionally flushing within range. Remember. It is shooting for roosters only in South Dakota, but the brilliant coloration, longer tail feathers and noisily cackling takeoff make them rather easy to differentiate from the more subtle hens. While the roving line of guns get walk-up shooting opportunities, those chosen for the blocker position often enjoy some driven-style shooting of truly wild birds not easily found in other locales of North America.
Most of the action occurs when the sweep is within 200 yards or so of the end of the strip. Running birds usually accumulate ahead of the walkers. Suddenly, when one bird panics and takes flight, it can be immediately accompanied by dozens or (and this is not an exaggeration!) 100, 200 or more pheasants in the air simultaneously. It has to be seen to truly be believed.
Pointing dog enthusiasts may be frustrated taking their dogs into this situation. The dog not accustomed to such sensory overload can have a virtual meltdown of its normal field manners. Not coincidentally, the most popular breeds used on such birds are close working spaniels and retrievers.
Shooting can be so robust that one can easily limit out early in the day. Some areas offer sharp-tail grouse hunts as an alternative, while some outfitters may offer walleye fishing or mule, white deer or fall turkey hunting to fill the void.
Depending upon the stage of the season, weather can range from quite warm to cold and blustery with driving rains or snow. Part of being well prepared is to check the long-term weather forecast and pack accordingly. Good walking boots are a must. Of course, carry plenty of water for both dogs and humans, for even in cooler temperatures, adequate hydration is essential. Nothing lighter than 20-gauge and no. 6 shot is recommended, with most outfitters carrying both 12 and 20 gauge shells in inventory.
South Dakota non-resident small game licenses cost $110 and are good for two five-day segments throughout the season. The season generally runs from the third week in October through the first week in January in most areas of South Dakota. Check with SD Game, Fish & Parks or your outfitter for more specific information.
• More South Dakota News • More The Upland Almanac, Conservation News • South Dakota Forum BoardReader Comments
0 Comments on In a Pheasant State of Mind
