Thanks for the clarification. Personally I don't see an issue using steel shot on pheasants regardless of where hunted. I use a high velocity #4 steel shot, 3" shell and knock them down reliably.
Here is a brief recap of the posted regulations for anyone who cares...
Key components of the Nontoxic Shot Implementation Schedule included:
1. In 1986 - nontoxic shot would be required for all shotgun hunting of waterfowl on or within 100 yards of the water?s edge of the Missouri River from Choteau Creek (Charles Mix-Bon Homme County line) all the way to the Iowa border, including Lake Yankton and all islands and bars.
2. In 1987 - nontoxic shot would be requires statewide for all waterfowl hunting.
3. In 1989 ? nontoxic shot would be required for all shotgun hunting of waterfowl, upland game birds, and small game on most public lands, most notably state Game Production Areas and federal Waterfowl Production Areas.
This effort was a giant undertaking for GFP with some bumps along the road but in 1988 nontoxic shot was required for all waterfowl hunting, statewide, with no exceptions. And, beginning on September 1, 1998 nontoxic shot was required for all small game hunting on most public lands in South Dakota, notable exceptions being private land walk-in areas, state school lands, and national grasslands.