News

Aug. 26, 2010 - This autumn, hunters in South Dakota will enjoy pheasant numbers that continue to be some of the best in the state?s history. The 2010 brood survey count shows a small increase from the 2009 survey. The Game, Fish and Parks Department completed its annual pheasant brood survey in mid-August, and tallied a statewide pheasants-per-mile count that is up about 3 percent from last year.

Aug. 23, 2010 - Well this is ahead of the South Dakota Brood Reports but you can form your own opinions from thier data. Last week I was out at the farm and took this video from a 6 mile drive between farms in Charles mix County South Dakota. This is UGUIDE's first (and maybe last) informal roadside survey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TppsITzN0oE

Jun. 29, 2010 - From mid-May until now we have seen warmer temps across the state vs. 2008 or 2009. However, a dry May gave way to an above average wet June. Anytime snowfall amounts or rainfall amounts go up then bird numbers typically decline. I am still encouraged however...

May. 06, 2010 - After a formidable winter across the 5 state region, circumstances did not look good for most wildlife on decent survival rates. However...

Mar. 24, 2010 - I just got back from a week out at the farm getting equipment ready for spring planting and here is my take on the state of the pheasant union

Dec. 15, 2009 - Hunting conditions continue to improve amid the slow harvest progress. Bird harvest reports have improved from most areas in the state as wet areas are now frozen allowing both farmers and hunters to get into areas previously inaccessible. Corn harvest is continueing to progress but pace is slow by weather and storage shortage and dryer capacity at the elevators. Corn harvest looks like it will take right up until end of year to complete.

Dec. 07, 2009 - Most all of the crop in the state of South Dakota is out of the fields now except for 28% of remaining corn crop which is coming down fast. Winter storm is blowing across state today and that may slow things out but within 2 weeks the rest of the corn crop will be out making the last 2-3 weeks of the pheasant hunting season spectacular.

Nov. 30, 2009 - Summary: Corn moves from 40% harvested to 58% this last week. Beans, Sorghum and Sunflowers are all in the 90% range which effectly brings those to closure (done). The 10 day forecast looks dry and sunny which won't help drying much but will allow farmers to continue working on harvest. At this pace corn harvest could finish in 2-3 weeks. SD Game and Fish has a vote on the table Dec. 3rd to increase pheasant daily limit from 3 to 5 birds per day increasing game bag total from 15 to 25 in possession.

Nov. 28, 2009 - Pierre, S.D. ? Due to the delayed harvest of crops this fall, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission intends to act at its Dec. 3-4 meeting in Pierre on a proposal to raise the three-bird daily pheasant bag limit to five cock pheasants daily.

Nov. 24, 2009 - Cover that pheasants hide in during the day continues to shrink at substancial pace each week. Hunting conditions have improved and reports are good around state. Corn crop is 40% out of field now but 60% still remains and sounds like areas in NE part of state may be in all winter due to mold and muddy fields being inaccesible. The weather has been dry and mild the last week and that bodes well for continued harvest. Pheasant hunting looks to be its best after Thanksgiving and on into the new year in South Dakota.

Nov. 16, 2009 - Soybeans are all but done and corn made its biggest harvest leap this year last week. With a favorable 10 day weather forecast the farmers should begin hitting the corn hard and getting it out of the fields. I can speak first hand about how this will improve the hunting conditions as my operator stripped out all the corn on my farm abd we went from seeing no birds to harvesting 19 in one day.

Nov. 11, 2009 - Major gains have been made in soybeans and now corn ans well as sorghum across the state. However, corn and beans are still behind but catching up quick. Hunting will pickup but a lot more corn has to come out to really improve hunting conditions dramatically. The report also does not refelct the great gains made this week on crop harvest due to excellent harvest and drying weather.

Nov. 02, 2009 - Limits coming from Dewey county camps and Lyman county camps but most East River camps struggle as plagued by standing corn. Corn harvest only making 3% per week. Beans is going at 10% per week which would mean another 4-5 weeks to get done and then start on corn which would means corn harvest would start at large around 1st week of Dec.

Oct. 26, 2009 - Limits coming from West River, Stoney Butte Creek and Aberdeen North locations. Corn harvest increased only 3% last week across state from 6% to 9%. Soybeans went from 30% to 40% harvested and milo only went from 24% to 26%. Temps are cooler across state and rains over last 2 weeks have not helped harvest conditions improve much. Hunters are finding best hunting during last hour of daylight as birds move from corn to roosting cover.

Aug. 28, 2009 - GFP counted an average of 6.32 pheasants per mile in 2009, the fourth highest statewide count in the past 45 years. Although this year?s statewide index has decreased from last year, the 2009 statewide pheasant per mile count is 13 percent higher than the 10-year average.

Aug. 26, 2009 - For the fifth year out of the last six, Minnesota pheasant hunters in 2008 harvested more than a half million roosters. Prior to 2003, Minnesota hunters had bagged more than 500,000 birds during just two seasons since 1964 (1981 & 1991). While the 2008 harvest fell well below the 40-year record set in 2007 with a 655,000 bird harvest, hunter participation and success during the 2008 season remained high.

Aug. 05, 2009 - PIERRE, S.D. ? South Dakota has millions of acres of lands open to the public, and a new option to locate those areas is being offered by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

Aug. 05, 2009 - North Dakota?s spring pheasant crowing count survey revealed a 25 percent decrease statewide compared to last year, according to Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department.

Jul. 07, 2009 - The critical nesting season is winding down. Mid June to mid July is critical nesting season. I've had reports of 22 egg nests and 12,14,16 chick broods.

Feb. 12, 2009 - I've been talking with landowners across the state and also tracking the snow line.

Jan. 22, 2009 - South Dakota - In recent years, South Dakota has experienced very mild winters which have helped produce record pheasant populations. To date, the 2008-2009 winter has brought an end to this mild spell as constant cold fronts carrying snow, arctic temperatures and strong winds (up to 70 mph in some areas) have passed across the entire state.