Hunters who venture to South Dakota for pheasant hunting will quickly see that the myth of needing to come here the first month of season, before all the birds are shot off, is just that—a myth. From opener on, every successive day of the season improves. Several factors contribute to this. First and foremost is temperature. Until the weather cools down significantly, the birds have absolutely no reason to be in cover and will be loosely scattered most anywhere—often away from classic habitat options, making them difficult to pin down.

So, we are putting on more miles, and our dogs dozens more, to pick off one bird here and there. And it is too warm for them to work effectively. By midday, the extra stress sets in and they are just going through the motions. It can even become flat-out dangerous for dogs, and a good many have died in the field because their masters lacked the common sense to spot the warning signs.

Another significant consideration is standing row crops, posing further challenges in our quest to harvest a limit of roosters. It’s not that the birds are hiding from us in the corn; they simply have absolutely no reason to leave, other than a sunrise strutting session and coming to the roads for gravel at sunset. It is a pheasant paradise with overhead cover from raptors, along with being able to easily see and hear any ground-bound predators approaching. And an inexhaustible source of food.

Narrow corn strips which remain after harvest, purposely left intact for hunting, are a completely different story. If you have access to them, they are easily the most effective way to quickly fill your game bag.

I am sharing insight and perspective gained by the blessing of being raised in South Dakota and having logged 45 years of hunting traditions in this region.

As the temps cool a little, the action heats up a lot

Later season means crops are in the bin and birds are in the cover—thus, not only narrowing our search, but the birds also become much more predictable. Temps are conducive for the dogs to be on top of their game. You will immediately appreciate the extra bounce in their step. Peak performance is a direct result.

The birds are no longer scattered and will be found in clusters, and we encounter flushes ranging from a half-dozen to, at times, hundreds.

When pursuing mature, now-seasoned birds in varying temps and conditions during the later season, we must put more emphasis on all the gear and tactics that we use. A little forethought and preparation not only pays dividends with more tails sticking out of your vest, but also makes the whole affair comfortable, no matter what Mother Nature throws our way.

Hopefully, I have dispelled some misconceptions and opened some eyes and attitudes, inspiring you to skip the opening season hoopla and crowds, work some heavier cover and put up some big flushes.

If you are interested in a South Dakota pheasant hunt in the fabled James River Corridor, I strongly recommend checking out the go-to resource for the entire area: huntfishsd.com.

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