South Dakota Pheasant Opener Hunts
South Dakota pheasant opener
2023 Pheasant Opener
The South Dakota traditional pheasant season opens on the 3rd weekend every year.
This year, it opens on Saturday, October 21st, 2023 and runs through Tuesday, January 31st, 2024.
The South Dakota pheasant shooting hours are 10:00am to sunset throughout the whole season. Central Time is used for opening shooting hours statewide.
Extended Pheasant Hunting Season
South Dakota allows for an extended pheasant hunting season on pheasant preserves, which runs from September 1 through March 31. At Buffalo Butte Ranch we do have a few groups that come out during this time to enjoy pheasant hunting on our preserve at Buffalo Butte Ranch.
Openings & Pheasant Hunting Availability
Each year our pheasant opener slots fill up quickly. It's best to book early in the year and we prefer groups of 12+ for the opener weekend. Call or email us for availability.
Typical South Dakota Opener
Flying In - For our private jet corporate customers, you will fly into Gregory airport or Winner airport. We will pick you up at your jet and take you right to the lodge on the Friday morning or afternoon before the Saturday Noon opener. After you get settled in the lodge and everyone has a fresh drink, your group can discuss what everyone would like to do for the day.
Driving - For our Sioux Falls commercial flyers or customers making the drive, a typical pheasant opener would be to stop at Cabela's in Mitchell, South Dakota and spend money on items you probably already have. Most of our customers stop there and spend money because it never hurts to have more. Don't worry about the pheasant license, as we have a internet connection and printer here when you arrive. So you are covered.
Arrival - After you arrive at Buffalo Butte Ranch and get unpacked, most of our customers hit the beer cooler or our bar to enjoy a cocktail where they discuss what is on tap for Friday night. Some of our pheasant hunting customers opt for nightlife in "Dallas", play poker, play shuffleboard, pool or watch post-season Major League Baseball.
Saturday Opener Hunt - On Saturday, the famed South Dakota Pheasant Opener you can enjoy breakfast, coffee, and talk with the group. Following breakfast, gear up and head to the shooting range for sporting clays around 10:00am to get the guns ready for Noon. That's right, noon. The pheasant opener in South Dakota is not until noon, so a few of our customers like to enjoy the nightlife and sleep in. After a safety talk, we hit the field at Noon. Hearing shooting all over Gregory County, SD is always a great sound!
For some hunters, the South Dakota pheasant opener is a once per year event that they live for.
