2010 South Dakota Pheasant Hunting Season Outlook Forecast Report-Spring
May 06, 2010 by Chris Hitzeman
After a formidable winter across the 5 state region, circumstances did not look good for most wildlife on decent survival rates. However, after working fields and talking with other contacts and other pheasant camp owners, the reports on bird sitings, carry over numbers and spring rooster crowing counts is very very encouraging considering this is the harshest winter I have seen in 9 years.
It should be noted that I visit with contacts across all the great pheasant regions in South Dakota and all areas are boasting encouraging survival news. The Christmas blizzard was sure to have taken some birds, but there is clearly sufficient roosters and hens around to have a go at a good hatch. The state will need a good hatch to get close to seasonal high bird numbers this fall. Each spring I mow food plots for planting and prep new areas for CRP and there was not one piece of cover that did not contain hens and roosters in it.
My next report will be around mid July when we will know what type of conditions and results we had for the hatch.
