Here's an article if you're bored

[Bob Peters]

It’s Time for a Reality Check on South Dakota Pheasant Hunting

Pheasant hunting in South Dakota still offers plenty of opportunity for wild birds and public lands, but you're going to have to work for it.

www.outdoorlife.com

Here's my favorite part!

"Last year, about 1.1 million pheasants were killed (though folks in the know say that figure includes stocked birds from pay-to-hunt operations) and 121,000 licenses were sold."

Hey, just imagine how high the MN harvest would be if we included all birds shot at the game farm!

 

[A5 Sweet 16]

Sounds like Alex Robinson must've talked to folks in the "just guessing & really have no clue".
According to State Upland Game Biologist Travis Runia, the surveys used to estimate the pheasant harvest in SD do NOT include preserves. Preserves must, and do, report to the State every pen-reared bird released, every pen-reared bird shot, & total number of birds shot. Over 5 seasons from 2017-18 to 2021-22, 92.4% of the birds shot on preserves have been pen-reared, flare nare pseudo roosters. Meaning that the wild ones who use preserves for whatever purpose, quickly realize they're being heavily pressured. They start acting much like wild, public land birds, only using preserves on an "as needed" basis, & don't allow themselves to be shot (for the most part).

 

[Bob Peters]

↑↑↑ Yeah I had come to the same conclusion. Goes to show that hunting conspiracies spread in many different ways.

 

[Matt D]

Sounds like Alex Robinson must've talked to folks in the "just guessing & really have no clue".
According to State Upland Game Biologist Travis Runia, the surveys used to estimate the pheasant harvest in SD do NOT include preserves. Preserves must, and do, report to the State every pen-reared bird released, every pen-reared bird shot, & total number of birds shot. Over 5 seasons from 2017-18 to 2021-22, 92.4% of the birds shot on preserves have been pen-reared, flare nare pseudo roosters. Meaning that the wild ones who use preserves for whatever purpose, quickly realize they're being heavily pressured. They start acting much like wild, public land birds, only using preserves on an "as needed" basis, & don't allow themselves to be shot (for the most part).

Curious how many birds are harvested on preserves annually? SInce they have a percentage that number most be known? By chance do you know what those numbers are? Thanks for the great info!

 

[A5 Sweet 16]

Curious how many birds are harvested on preserves annually? SInce they have a percentage that number most be known? By chance do you know what those numbers are? Thanks for the great info!

Just scroll down toward the bottom. I just did the math for the last 5 years.

Private Shooting Preserves

gfp.sd.gov