Pheasant hunters flock to South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The third Saturday of October may as well be a holiday for hunters. The traditional pheasant season opener in South Dakota annually attracts thousands of people, with many touching down at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport.

The pheasant hunting season starts in less than 24 hours. Hunters from every corner of the country are pouring into the airport, with Experience Sioux Falls playing the role of welcome wagon.

“We’re out here every year when the pheasant hunters come to town, this is opening weekend, so we come out to roll out the orange carpet,” Experience Sioux Falls CEO Teri Schmidt said.

Schmidt says it’s important to make the hunters feel welcome as they pass through the city.

“This is economic development. These people come here, they spend their money to get here, they spend money while they’re here, and the best part of it is we get to share what South Dakota is really about,” Schmidt said.

“We don’t have the birds that you do here in South Dakota,” pheasant hunter Dan Stoudt said.

Stoudt is from Traverse City, Michigan.

“Most of the pheasant hunting there is done on a game ranch, which is not the same,” Stoudt said.

His group of eight is headed for Gregory. He says as good as the pheasant hunting is, this weekend is about more than birds.

“What am I looking forward to most? Being with my son, being with my grandson, and some of my best friends,” Stoudt said.

And Schmidt says he’s not alone in his quest for camaraderie.

“More and more, we see families coming, grandpas bringing grandchildren. It’s all about the traditions, the culture, and sharing the state,” Schmidt said.

And they’re coming back year after year.

Pheasant hunting season starts Saturday across South Dakota and runs through Jan. 31. Shooting hours are from 10 a.m. Central Time to sunset all season.

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