Pheasant hunting is big business for South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Pheasant hunting season is big business in South Dakota bringing in millions of dollars annually.

As out of state hunters arrive at the Sioux Falls Airport Friday for Saturday’s opener, they are being greeted by lots of vendors.

Hunters are getting an early taste of South Dakota’s hospitality with free cookies, coffee, and a coffee mug from Experience Sioux Falls.

Other vendors like Fleet Farm are here offering free hunting items as well.

“I’m pretty low on them, but I do have a hat that does say the year for pheasant flush, I got snacks, I got this popable dog dish, been very hot this year and ads and maps to our location in case they forgot anything Fleet Farm can find anything they are looking for,” Amanda Finzen of Fleet Farm said.

Karol Madill of Deer Creek Alpacas is selling gloves, caps, socks and neck warmers. Some are commercially made, others are hand woven.

“This is made from fleece that is from an animal we have on the farm,” Madill said.

Besides the great hunting in South Dakota, the hunters tell us, it’s the welcoming committees like these that keep them coming back year after year.

Garrick Crosby is from Florida.

“I love it, we come here every opening weekend it’s really great,” Crosby said.

Don: You loaded up on a few things.
Garrick: Yes sir, yes sir,
Don : What did you get?
Garrick: Fleet Farm, the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, mug and everything else.

While the hunters will be shooting pheasants this weekend, they’re also providing a financial shot to our economy.

“We’re just here to welcome all the out-of-staters for pheasant hunting and you know maybe they’ll come back out for a family vacation,” Finzen said.

The GFP estimates pheasant hunting generated $281 million in economic impact for South Dakota in 2023.

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