2007 south dakota pheasants
 

well, the latest counts are in.......they are saying the most birds they have seen since 1963!!!!!!! WOWZA!!!

I read an article from the SD game and fish a couple months ago and they thought they may be below last years numbers. It's good to know that the rain and hail didn't effect the birds that much.

I am a little skeptical on the counts but will know more next week.
I am going to make a trip across the State and will see how it looks.

Well made the trip and covered 181 miles via Hwy 212 before I saw a pheasant. From there the other 100 miles East there was plenty but it was hard to say with all the tall crass and crops still in the field. THe State says they are up 23% and from talking with the locals in the Eastern part this may very well be true.

I hope you guys have a great season. Post us some pictures and let us know. Good hunting, grayghost

I'll be in Wessington Springs a week from today. We'll be at the same lodge as last year and it's hard to imagine more birds this year than last. Never having hunted S.D. before I was awestruck by the number of birds. I'll be sure to post some pics when I get back.

The opener was great from what I hear with plenty of birds.
They had some rain so the fields were muddy and there is a ton of un picked corn fields yet for the birds to hide in but they sure are there. I am going back east in a month or so when the hunting pressure is down and give it a try.