GROWING UP IN THE SIXTIES IN WATERTOWN, S.D., PHEASANTS WERE EVERYWHERE AND WE DIDN’T HAVE TO GO FAR FROM TOWN TO GET OUR LIMITS.

THIS YEAR   SOUTH DAKOTA PHEASANT SEASON OPENS OCTOBER 18, 2025, STARTING AT 10:00 AM.

WALKING INTO THE WHEEL INN IN WATERTOWN FOR BREAKFAST  IT WAS OBVIOUS, AS IT WAS FILLED  WITH HUNTERS  CLAD IN TRADITIONAL HUNTER’S ORANGE CLOTHING.

SINCE I MOVED BACK TO MY HOMETOWN, THIS WIOULD BE MY FIRST RESIDENT HUNT AND I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

MY CLASSMATE CRAIG MATTESON AND I PLANNED ON HUNTING SOME WETLANDS NEAR LAKE KAMPESKA, NO MATTER WHAT WAY WE’D LOOK, THERE WERE WETLANDS AND CRP.