Fact sheet: pheasant season 2025

Pertinent information for hunters on the upcoming season opener.


According to the South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks Department, the outlook for the 2025 pheasant season is “excellent given favorable conditions throughout the prior spring and summer seasons.” Here are a few highlights hunters should know before heading to the field.

Hunting conditions

A mild winter and abundant rainfall earlier this year created “perfect” nesting conditions in the pheasant range of the state according to GF&P.

While hunters may have experienced drought conditions in previous years in the areas they were hunting, the abundance of moisture this year has created bountiful coverage options for pheasants in both private and public hunting areas.

Reports from the field

Pheasant numbers start and end with a good quality habitat. Adequate rainfall set up habitat conditions this year for a successful nesting season and wardens have reported large-sized broods throughout the state. Last year, between the 135,488 hunting licenses issued, hunters harvested 1,243,000 roosters—this year is expected to have much higher numbers.

Where to hunt

Watertown, Codington County and the surrounding areas are well-placed in prime upland bird habitats and is popular with out-of-state hunters due to consistent pheasant numbers and hunter satisfaction over the years.

If you don’t have a place to hunt, or hunt out your usual plot, there are ample opportunities to hunt for free on state approved public lands which total over 5 million acres (or 7,800 square miles). Hunters can use Walk-In Areas, Game Production Areas (GPAs), Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs), School and Public Lands, National Forests and Grasslands, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and other lands open to public hunting.

These areas are depicted in a free atlas published by the GF&P. Hunters can pick up at atlas at most places that sell hunting licenses, the local GF&P office (located in Uptown Watertown at 400 W Kemp Ave), or digitally through a web browser by accessing gfp.sd.gov/maps/, downloading a Google Earth extension for mobile devices by going to gfp.sd.gov/alternative-maps/, or by downloading the free phone apps GFP Go Outdoors app or Avenza Maps (3rd party).

But hunters take note—hunting on public lands requires non-toxic shot, so trade in that lead for steel or alloy (like tungsten or bismuth) to protect the environment and avoid a citation.

Hunting licenses

Hunting licenses can be purchased online through GF&P by visiting gfp.sd.gov/pheasant/ or by visiting a local retailer listed below.

Prairie Stop

1007 9th Ave SW

(605) 886-3133

Walmart

1201 29th St SE

(605) 882-0801

Runnings

1701 9th Ave SE

(605) 886-5859

M&M Little River City

20 9th Ave SW

(605) 882-3744

Gas N Goodies

152 4th St NE

(605) 882-3692

Dunhams Sports

1300 9th Ave SE

(605) 882-3428

Nybergs Ace Hardware

702 9th Ave SE

(605) 878-0187

Types of licenses

There are a variety of in-state and out-of-state licenses available for purchase. The money from licenses goes directly back to the GF&P’s operating budget which, in turn, is put into habitat and access, law enforcement and administration, wildlife and fisheries management, support services and capitol development projects.

Another requirement to hunt in South Dakota is the purchase of a Habitat Stamp, purchased at the same time as your hunting license. Effective July 1, 2020, the stamp is a requirement for any individual over 18 years of age purchasing a hunting, fishing or trapping license. This money goes directly back into improving habitat on public lands or providing public access to private land.

License types:

  • Resident small game license (including pheasant, grouse, gray partridge, quail, sandhill crane, cottontail, squirrel and includes predator/varmint privileges): $33
  • Resident one-day small game license: $12
  • Resident youth small game license (ages 12-17): $5
  • Non-resident pheasant license (adults): $129
  • Non-resident youth pheasant license (ages 12-15, two 5-day periods): $14
  • Non-resident shooting preserve (one day): $46
  • Non-resident shooting preserve (five days): $76
  • Non-resident small game license (10-day pass): $114 (also qualifies for 2-5 day periods)
  • Habitat Stamp (required for ages 18 and older): $10 for residents, $25 for non-residents

Hunting can occur between 10 a.m. and sunset for the duration of the season ending Jan. 31. Bags are limited to three roosters per day, with a season maximum of 15 roosters. Hens are illegal to shoot.

Transporting pheasants

If taking harvested pheasants home or off private property, the birds must either be fully feathered, or after cleaning must retain the head and neck feathers, one fully-feathered wing, or one leg with the foot attached to prove that it’s a rooster. If stopped by a warden, they have the full authority to inspect licenses, guns, ammunition and other contents of your vehicle without a warrant to ensure that hunting laws are being followed.