The pheasant hunting season is officially underway in South Dakota, and blaze orange once again dots the landscape as hunters from across the country descend on local fields and pastures, both public and private.
The Governors Hunt was held this past Saturday outside of Egan at Patriots Bend land owned by Egan native and former state legislator Russell Olson. Olson, who maintains close ties with many former colleagues including Governor Rhoden, has hosted the event locally four times in recent years..
Olson said hes grateful for the opportunity to bring state leaders and others to Moody County to showcase what the area has to offer. Rhoden and others taking part Saturday echoed that sentiment, saying the event is about much more than time in the field its about connecting people and promoting the states character.
The hunt is just a vehicle to showcase our state and the peoplethey get a taste of the quality of people and work ethic and way of life. Every year it kind of makes me smile and the conversations and really seeing people start to light up when they come to South Dakota for the first time.
The season provides a welcome boost to businesses statewide after what many described as a slower-than-normal summer tourism stretch. Rhoden said that while the national economy has hit a lull, South Dakota remains in a strong position.
Obviously there might be certain areas lagging behind but events like this are our opportunity to fill in the voids. Weve had a lot of things happen in South Dakota big picture over the last four years, since COVID, that have put us in a much stronger position to weather the storms and into the future.
Even so, he added, the states economic picture is entering a transition.
The post-COVID boom that brought new residents, business investment, and record revenues has leveled off and lawmakers are adjusting to that reality.
For over half of our legislators, their entire experience in office has been during record revenues, Rhoden noted.
Now, with things flattening, its about figuring out what to do in the lull battening down the hatches and planning wisely.
According to Game, Fish and Parks, roughly 140,000 hunters from around the globe harvested more than 1.3 million pheasants in 2024 the highest total in a decade. More roosters were harvested in two weeks of October than any other states entire season.
Officials say a mild winter last year helped more hens survive, leading to strong nesting and favorable spring weather. The 2025 season is again looking strong, with expectations it could rival or even top last years record harvest.
