2008 South Dakota Pheasant Hunting Outlook Forecast - October
October 07, 2008 by Chris Hitzeman
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 state's pheasant population at 9% above lasts year's record breaking season, many are itching to get out in the fields on the October 18th season opener. Crop harvest conditions are always a nail biter 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 the 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 the 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 ask for and the season should be a good one. The major impact is as always, "The Weather". Check Availability of Private-Exclusive-Self-Guided Pheasant Hunting Packages Here
