09/02/2026
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ค๐จ๐ญ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐! ๐คฉ
Last year, hunters harvested 1.35 million pheasants โ the highest harvest in 14 years โ along with nearly 55,000 grouse across the state. And according to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parksโ newly released 2026 Upland Outlook, conditions are pointing toward another great upland season.
A mild winter, near-normal spring conditions and timely summer rainfall have helped create favorable grassland habitat across much of South Dakotaโs pheasant range.
And thatโs the part we love to hear. ๐พ
Healthy bird populations donโt happen by accident. They start with habitat: grass on the landscape for nesting, brood-rearing, winter cover and everything in between. Every acre restored, retained and managed today helps protect South Dakotaโs outdoor heritage for generations to come.
๐
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ
โข Prairie Grouse & Partridge โ September 19
โข Traditional Pheasant & Quail โ October 17
โข Seasons run through January 31, 2027
Read the full 2026 Upland Outlook here:
https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/docs/uplandoutlook.pdf
Hereโs to another great fall in South Dakota and to the landowners, conservation partners and supporters who help make it possible.
Habitat today. Pheasants tomorrow.