South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks officials say the 2024 pheasant hunting season saw the highest harvest numbers in over a decade.
Over 1.3 million roosters were harvested, the highest in 13 years. An additional 380,000 pheasants were harvested on private shooting preserves.
Officials say the average hunter bagged around nine birds for the season.
"The 2024 South Dakota pheasant season was absolutely spectacular," said Gov. Larry Rhoden in a statement. "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.”
According to state data, hunters in South Dakota harvested more roosters in two weeks of October than any other state during their entire season.
Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Kevin Robling credited the successful season on the state’s efforts to improve pheasant habitats and increase access to hunting areas. He said since around 80% of South Dakota is privately owned, landowners and ag producers are at the front line of habitat management.
“Conservation is a team effort, and South Dakota’s conservation delivery team is truly amazing,” Robling said. “Taking care of the land is important to us as South Dakotans, and this land ethic mindset is what results in abundant wildlife populations.”
The 2025 South Dakota Traditional Pheasant Season takes place Oct. 18 to Jan. 31, 2026.