Pheasant Hunting on Public & Private Land
Join the hunt in South Dakota!
ABERDEEN PHEASANT HUNTS
Bag your limit of ringnecks in the ideal hunting destination! We are the pheasant hunting capitol of the world, for good reason, it’s even our state bird. Our scenic hunting land, abundance of quality birds and friendly locals make Aberdeen THE place to be. While you’re here, be sure to explore our lively downtown scene, excellent restaurants and all the great amenities Aberdeen has to offer.
Public Hunting Land
South Dakota has over 5 million acres of hunting opportunity on public land and leased private land. Enjoy free hunting in designated Walk-In Areas, CREP lands, Game Production Areas, Waterfowl Production Areas and more.
The interactive South Dakota Hunting Atlas is a hunter’s guide to all lands open to the public. County maps are also available for print. Brown, Day, Edmonds, Faulk, McPherson, Marshall, Spink,
ABERDEEN PHEASANT COALITION
Founded by our local Pheasants Forever chapter, the Aberdeen Pheasant Coalition strives to pass South Dakota pheasant hunting traditions on to future generations. They work to keep our pheasant population thriving by improving habitats and preserving our pheasant hunting land.
Tribal Land Hunt Regulations
The tribal lands of South Dakota provide incredible pheasant hunting opportunities you can’t find anywhere else. Each of the 9 tribes have their own rules and regulations to follow. Hunters must apply for a license from the Tribal Game, Fish & Parks office for that tribe. Tribal hunting licenses are not interchangeable with the state of South Dakota hunting licenses or those of other tribes.
MIND THE SIGN
Walk-In Areas
More than 1.25 million acres of privately owned land is leased for public hunting access by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks. Driving is not allowed on walk-in areas except on designated trails and parking areas.
C.R.E.P.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program lands are owned by private individuals who have enrolled them in CRP and signed a lease agreement with South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks to provide public hunting and fishing access.
Game Production Areas
South Dakota has approximately 730 Game Production Areas, totaling more than 295,000 acres. Each area is managed for the production and maintenance of all wildlife species with species emphasis varying from site to site.
Waterfowl Production
Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) are owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are managed for the production of waterfowl, but other game and nongame species thrive on them as well. There are 1,000 WPAs in South Dakota, totaling nearly 150,000 acres.
Pheasant Hunt Regulations
South Dakota pheasant hunting season starts mid October and goes through early January. Check this year’s dates at South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks.
Shooting hours are from noon to sunset for the first 7 days of the season and from 10a to sunset the rest of the season. Youth regulations differ.
Out-of-state hunters will need a nonresident small game license which will be valid for two 5-day hunting periods, so you’ll need your start date(s).
The daily limit is 3 rooster pheasants and the possession limit is 15 rooster pheasants. The limit accrues at the rate of 3 birds a day.
