A Fly-Over Guide to Hunting South Dakota

The third-largest city in South Dakota is a pheasant hunting hub — and it's surrounded by 332,000 acres of public land. As an added bonus, all hotels are pet-friendly.

The "Pheasant Capital of the World" sits on the intersection of US Hwy 281 and US Hwy 212. It's the home of numerous outfitters, guides and lodges.

If you love great dining after a day's walking, stay in this town right off I-90. Be sure to try the award-winning pizza at Dempsey's Brewery Pub & Restaurant.

Within a 60 mile radius of Huron is 124,652 acres of prime public hunting. This year, hunters found plenty of birds. Midday hunting conditions are presenting a challenge to find birds, so hunters are focusing on high-percentage locations when birds would fly back to grass and other roosting areas. There's one bird here you definitely can't miss: The World's Largest Pheasant. It's a 28-foot, 22-ton fiberglass rooster near Highway 14.

Pierre offers all the essential amenities for an unforgettable trip, from fine dining to dog-friendly hotels. It's also one of the few places in the world where you can bag the upland bird trifecta⁠ — sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chicken and pheasant — all on the same hunt. Bird numbers are strong here this year, especially in the mornings along road ditches. Good hatches in areas that received a decent amount of rain are making for solid hunting.

Walleyes meet ringnecks on the banks of the Missouri River in Chamberlain. If you’re looking for a rod and reel vacation, this is a great place to start. Chamberlain is also home to the luxurious Thunderstik Lodge.

Ready for a West River adventure? Tripp County routinely ranks near the top of the South Dakota harvest lists. This year, hunters say bird numbers are up from recent years. Windy and dry conditions add a level of challenge, but a lot of birds are still being taken.

Mitchell is where eastern South Dakota blends into the west. It's also where you'll find plenty of corn, birds, and blaze orange adventures. Hunters in the Mitchell area are doing well this year, finding birds across the Mitchell area.