[birdman]

Longer S.D. Pheasant Hunting Season Considered

By: Chet Brokaw
Associated Press Writer


PIERRE - The Game, Fish and Parks Commission agreed Thursday to consider adding almost a month to South Dakota's popular pheasant hunting season. The season has been ending on the first Sunday of January. A proposed rule change would extend next season to Jan. 31. That would mean this fall's regular pheasant season would run from Oct. 18 through the end of January.

The commission will vote on the proposal after a public hearing at its meeting April 3-4 in Brookings. State wildlife officials said extending the season would not harm the pheasant population but that some people might oppose a longer season. "This is not a biological issue. We know we have the birds out there. It comes down to the social end of it," said Tom Kirschenmann, game program administrator for the state Game, Fish and Parks Department.
The department got many calls from people urging a longer season or a higher bag limit, Kirschenmann said. Wildlife managers decided a longer season would be the best option, he said.

South Dakota last year had its highest pheasant population in four decades, but Kirschenmann noted that the future is uncertain because Congress has not passed a final version of the Farm Bill, and less land is expected to be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. That CRP land provides crucial pheasant habitat. High grain prices also will encourage farmers to plant more corn, wheat and other crops.

Commission Chairman Tim Kessler of Aberdeen noted that a longer season would give hunters more opportunities, but he said landowners already think the season is running pretty long. Assistant Wildlife Director George Vandel said lengthening the season is not based on the current high pheasant numbers. If the commission decides to extend the pheasant season, it should be considered a long-term change, he said.

Season lengths or bag limits should not be changed year to year as the pheasant population fluctuates, Vandel said. "I just recommend you not get into a yo-yo effect every time bird numbers go up or down." Extending the pheasant season makes sense because some other hunting seasons, such as archery and muzzleloader deer, also end at that time, Vandel said. General hunting licenses also expire at the end of January, he said. The commission proposed that grouse, partridge and quail seasons run to Jan. 31 to be consistent with the pheasant season.
In addition, the panel proposed that the youth pheasant season be extended from three days to five days this fall. If approved, it would run Saturday Oct. 4 through Wednesday Oct. 8 for young hunters accompanied by unarmed parents or guardians.