Story perspectives

South Dakota's Pheasant Season Promises Record Harvests Ahead

9/20/2025

50 11

Summary

Story summary

South Dakota's pheasant hunting season runs from Oct. 18, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026.
A youth-only season is scheduled from Sept. 27 to Oct. 5, and a resident-only season from Oct. 11 to Oct. 13.
In 2024, over 140,000 hunters harvested 1.3 million pheasants, the highest in a decade.
Good habitat and weather conditions are anticipated to enhance the 2025 season.
Hunters require a small game license costing $36 for residents and $142 for nonresidents, with a daily limit of three rooster pheasants.

1 of 1

Story summary

South Dakota's pheasant hunting season runs from Oct. 18, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026.
A youth-only season is scheduled from Sept. 27 to Oct. 5, and a resident-only season from Oct. 11 to Oct. 13.
In 2024, over 140,000 hunters harvested 1.3 million pheasants, the highest in a decade.
Good habitat and weather conditions are anticipated to enhance the 2025 season.
Hunters require a small game license costing $36 for residents and $142 for nonresidents, with a daily limit of three rooster pheasants.