The Chinese ringneck pheasant is the state bird of South Dakota and unquestionably the most beautiful fowl to hunt. Pheasants have been toughing it out over all these years and enduring every way the prairie or political winds (farm programs) have been blowing.

Pheasants have been surviving and, thankfully, thriving over the last century-plus. There’s been a decided upswing the last several years as the stars have aligned for the third successful hatch in a row.

Mild winters mean thriving birds

Weather is continuously the first topic to enter the conversation as it relates to our roosters, with winter always being the major factor that determines what we begin each spring with for breeding stock. And ultimately, what our hunting prospects will be.

For 2023/24, we basically experienced no winter whatsoever. One small cold snap in early January was all that we, and the birds, had to contend with. With zero stress endured, they easily shook it off, as the fall was incredibly mild with no snow and continually near or record-breaking temperatures.

Once this Arctic front blew through, it was smooth sailing the rest of the way. With a brown winter and even more welcome balmy weather, the buffet table was fully set with limitless feeding opportunities. It also allowed the birds to be more spread out as they did not need to be confined to just heavy winter cover. Thus, they were less concentrated for the predators to pick on.

An equally bountiful buffet line full of furry little mammals was laid out for the carnivores that typically survive on a winter diet rich in pheasant dinners. Rabbits and mice found the weather conducive to being active and therefore easily accessible to all predators, rather than hibernating under feet of snow and frozen ground. This greatly reduced the stress load that our birds normally endure.

So, we entered the breeding season with the complete survival of our already strong bird numbers. Spring proved to be equally mild. In my over 50 years of observing our birds, I have never seen hens in such great condition. As there was no snow to melt, they were up and active on the roads well ahead of schedule. All of them seemed to rival the size of a nearly colored out young rooster. And the roosters quickly found them to be as attractive as I did, resulting in early breeding and subsequent nesting.

The reports are consistent from landowners in all areas of the state—even in perpetually arid western regions where we have extensive leases for not only pheasants, but sharpies, chickens and huns. Reports of excellent hatches of all species of upland birds are the norm there as well. It is a bit rare for conditions to be so conducive over such a widespread area. Believe me, this is a rare blessing that we are darn sure going to capitalize on, sharing the South Dakota Bounty with as many enthusiastic guests as possible.

We were wet last fall, with perfectly timed rains in early spring to kickstart all the vegetation. Ideal nesting conditions quickly ensued with hens hastily getting into action. As the broods began hatching, the little ones benefited from already present overhead cover from ever-menacing and always-overpopulated airborne avian predators. The quick cover was also perfect for darting and dodging ground-bound predators. We must also factor in that the bunnies and mice have also found the conditions ripe for reproduction, therefore providing ample food sources, helping to take the targets off the backs of our beautiful birds.

Early nests equal big broods

I can verify this is the case as we started to see them exploding up out of the ample vegetation in mid-June, with full-flight capabilities! I absolutely cannot recall broods this far along in development at this date. Their chance of surviving to maturity has now dramatically increased. Thus, we will have big numbers of first-year roosters that are full sized and completely colored out by opening day. These are backed by a very strong population of second-year roosters, which will now be sporting some respectable spurs, followed by a vigorous population of cagey third-season, sharp-spurred, long-tailed survivalists. There is absolutely nothing better than watching a seasoned dog go paw to claw with one of these escape artists, and to literally be led around by the nose until the bird either dives deep in cover for a solid point, or runs out of cover options and flushes.

Bugs beyond belief or relief

To the point of making one of my favorite summer activities, country dog walks (just like hunting without the shots and retrieves) nearly unbearable. Kind of a grin and bear it scenario as the insects are a definite plus in the protein department for the quickly maturing chicks. The instant and always accessible protein will just quicken the pace of maturation and in turn, predator evasion.

At this point, they have cleared all the major hurdles enroute to surviving to fall. I can confidently predict some of the best bird numbers in my lifetime. Rivalling and perhaps even equaling or let’s hope surpassing the early 2000s and the height of CRP acres

Expanded CRP acres

The government programs have become much more palatable and profitable for our farm producers. The additional CRP lands will nicely complement our ongoing and uncompromising efforts to continue to offer what we feel are the most traditional hunts possible.

Our history and heritage continue to this day with our guests hunting not only the area of origin, but on the very land where it all began. If you would like to learn more and get a real feel for our good fortune, go to the Focus Outdoors TV YouTube channel and search the “Pheasantennial episode” that commemorated the 100th anniversary.

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