Mornin' Sunshine Coffee House

Mornin' Sunshine Coffee House, Hot Springs

Mornin' Sunshine is a small town coffee shop offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Providing our customers a place to come and relax, enjoy their favorite beverage, fill their bellies, and support a local Hot Springs business is what we're all about. We keep things fresh by offering seasonal

The Cornerpost Grapefarm & Winehouse

The Cornerpost Grapefarm & Winehouse, Huron

At The Cornerpost Grapefarm & Winehouse west of Huron, we planted our first grapes vines in 2014. They were planted originally as a hobby for Ryan to breed them. Turns out it’s more fun to make wine than breed them. By 2016, we had collected our first crop. We have currently made eight different

Into the Woods Property Management

Into the Woods Property Management, Deadwood

With concierge-style services, at Into the Woods Property Management we help you manage all aspects of your Black Hills vacation rental experience. We provide our guests with the option to customize their stay, tailoring preferences to suit each client’s unique needs. Whether you’re looking for an

Fun Time Adventures

Fun Time Adventures, Fort Pierre

Fun Time Adventures, just north of Fort Pierre, is your central South Dakota home for go-karts, mini golf and axe throwing. We are dedicated to creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere that encourages everyone to let loose, have fun and make memories. We are open seasonally and our hours are 10 a.m

The Cookie Jar Eatery

The Cookie Jar Eatery, Sioux Falls

The Cookie Jar Eatery has been a cherished family-owned and operated bakery in Sioux Falls for more than 50 years. We take immense pride in our exquisite, made-from-scratch bakery items. With an unwavering commitment to quality, we use only the finest ingredients and each of our breads is crafted

The Market

The Market, Aberdeen

The Market is a coffee bar, eatery and taphouse located on Malchow Plaza in Aberdeen. See Facebook for food specials, Drink of the Month, and other updates. Our hours are 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; and 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday.

The Smoked Culture

The Smoked Culture, Sioux Falls

At The Smoked Culture, we strive to make Sioux Falls proud by serving up some bomb BBQ. All meat is seasoned with a signature dry rub and smoked low and slow and sliced per order. We promise to always give every cook everything we've got. Our menu includes a selection of appetizers, street tacos

Road Journal: Late Season Hunts | South Dakota Pheasant Hunting

Two pheasant hunters in a snow covered field
Frost covered cattails at sunrise
For the All-season hunter

Tips for Late Season Hunts

South Dakota pheasant hunting heats up in the winter. Make the most of the season and squeeze in some winter wingshooting action.

When the snow flies, so do the feathers. That’s the idea, anyway, on a late-season South Dakota hunt. While October’s rooster rush gets the limelight, it’s late season hunts – when there’s less competition for prime spots – that often produce the best results. Keep these tips in mind and you just might find yourself looking forward to Old Man Winter’s frosty grip.

Do a Snow Dance

Just like you don’t eat on the patio in a downpour, pheasants leave corn stubble in a storm. That’s what makes public hunting areas and CRP even more attractive to pheasants after a healthy snowfall. So go out when the flakes are flying. It could lead to a flurry of action.  

The Thicker the Better

Walking thick cover isn’t just a way to warm up – it’s the path of least resistance to more birds. The rationale makes sense: pheasants hunker down more in worse weather. Look for frozen cattail sloughs and dense shelterbelts. Look even harder for Waterfowl Production Areas, which may have been inaccessible for hunters in the fall.

Lab holding a pheasant in its mouth on a snowy field
Two pheasant hunters in the field

Turn on Silent Mode

Winter roosters made it that far for a reason: they know a thing or two. They’ve dodged dogs, coyotes and BBs all fall. It makes sense that they’re a little gun shy. The best way to hunt is wily birds is silently. Whether it’s not slamming your car door or keeping the chatter to a minimum, there are plenty of little ways to add stealth to your stalk.

Game Plan It

This time of year, the smart birds flush fast or not at all. Walk towards land you can hunt and you’ll have a better chance of bagging any early-risers. It’s no perfect science, but field management — when it pans out just right — can give you bonus shots.

Layer Up

Last but certainly not least, layer up. Like the highs and lows of hits and misses, so does your body temp fluctuate afield. When you get in the thick of it, you might be dripping sweat in freezing temps. Wait a couple minutes and that sweat could turn ice cold. The solution, then, for all-season hunters is flexibility. With layers, it helps to add, peel and repeat throughout the day, even sometimes in the same parcel of land.

Planning Tools

Planning Tools

Whether you’re looking for a guided lodge experience or a public land adventure, we’ve got the resources to get you started. 

Public Hunting Resources
Maps & Resources

Find a variety of maps, downloads, and planning information on the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website. 

Public Hunting Maps
SD GFP Mobile App

Carry your license in your pocket. Type "SD GFP Outdoors" into the App Store. 

#SDinthefield

Start planning your next trip to South Dakota
2025 South Dakota Vacation Guide Cover
Order Your Free Vacation Guide

Find our travel guide, state map, and other free publications to aid in your travel planning.

Fall River Hot Air Balloon Fest
Sign Up for the E-Newsletter

Receive monthly inspiration about places to see, activities to try and upcoming events.

When the snow flies, so do the feathers. That’s the idea, anyway, on a late-season...