2008 South Dakota Pheasant Hunting Outlook Forecast - October
By Chris Hitzeman | October 07, 2008
We're soon to be on the eve of the opener of the 100th year of pheasants since the introduction of the bird to the state a century ago.
With recent predictions putting the states pheasant population at 9% above lasts years record breaking season many are itching to get out in the fields on the October 18th season opener.
Crop harvest conditions are always a nailbiter this time of year and this fall is no different. Recent warm and dry conditions got the soybean harvest well underway and I would hedge to say it is about 50% complete or better statewide.
The corn harvest is a different story. Corn harvest usually lags bean harvest as most operators try to get all their beans combined first and then go to corn.
Recent wet weather across the eastern half of state has caused a major slowdown to all crop harvests. Lack of a hard killing frost will also delay the drying down of corn and delay corn getting out of fields.
This is an impact to early season pheasant hunters since most of the birds hang out in the standing corn until it is harvested and then move to remaining available cover which concentrates birds and makes them easier to hunt.
Crop harvest usually wraps up around mid to late November.
In any regard, the bird numbers are more than one could asked for and the season should be a good one. The major impact is as always, "The Weather".
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We're soon to be on the eve of the opener of the 100th year of pheasants since the introduction of the bird to the state a century ago.
With recent predictions putting the states pheasant population at 9% above lasts years record breaking season many are itching to get out in the fields on the October 18th season opener.
Crop harvest conditions are always a nailbiter this time of year and this fall is no different. Recent warm and dry conditions got the soybean harvest well underway and I would hedge to say it is about 50% complete or better statewide.
The corn harvest is a different story. Corn harvest usually lags bean harvest as most operators try to get all their beans combined first and then go to corn.
Recent wet weather across the eastern half of state has caused a major slowdown to all crop harvests. Lack of a hard killing frost will also delay the drying down of corn and delay corn getting out of fields.
This is an impact to early season pheasant hunters since most of the birds hang out in the standing corn until it is harvested and then move to remaining available cover which concentrates birds and makes them easier to hunt.
Crop harvest usually wraps up around mid to late November.
In any regard, the bird numbers are more than one could asked for and the season should be a good one. The major impact is as always, "The Weather".
