South Dakota Pheasant Hunting

Take a look around at the tools and information on the left to find Season Dates, License and Application Requirements and much more.

Sharptail Grouse Hunting

Ruffed grouse are a forest bird found in limited numbers in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. They spend much of their time foraging on the ground in mixed woody areas. The birds are noted for their explosive takeoff and loud beating of their wings in flight.

Sharp-tailed grouse (Sharptails) and prairie chicken are closely related native birds, and are interspersed across the short grass prairie of central and western South Dakota.

Adult males have a yellow comb over their eyes and a violet display patch on their neck. The female is smaller than the male and can be distinguished by the regular horizontal markings across the deck feathers as opposed to the irregular markings on the males deck feathers which run parallel to the feather shaft. Females also tend to have less obvious combs. Males weigh an average of 33.5 oz. and females average 29 oz.

Hunting grouse and prairie chicken is an exercise in...well, exercise. These birds are usually found in larger coveys in native grassland areas and are prone to be jumpy. Dedicated hunters may walk miles in pursuit of their quarry. A good hunting dog is a valuable companion for finding and flushing birds.

Sharptails and prairie chicken are among the most popular game bird species in the state. In 2008, 12,600 hunters harvested over 48,000 birds. The 2009 counts for both birds were the highest in the past decade.

Sharptails have a relatively short tail with two central feathers somewhat longer and darker than the outer tail feathers, accounting for its name. The plumage is mottled dark and light browns against a light background. Prairie chickens have a tail that is short, dark, and rounded.

And if you already have plans to hunt grouse in South Dakota, or have been here before, stop by our Galleries, Forums or Blog to get the latest scoop on the bird population and weather forecast for the 2010 South Dakota Pheasant Hunting Season.