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Pheasant Survey Shows Healthy Numbers in Lyman County

This autumn, hunters in South Dakota will enjoy pheasant numbers that continue to be some of the best in the state’s history. Overall the 2010 brood survey count shows a small increase from the 2009 survey, which holds true for Lyman County also.
Survey routes through Lyman County, both the south and north route, show an increase over results from last year.
The Game, Fish and Parks Department completed its annual pheasant brood survey in mid-August, and tallied a statewide pheasants-per-mile count that is up about 3 percent from last year.
In 2009, the Lyman County routes yielded an average of 30 pheasants per mile (ppm) but, in 2010 it increased to 33. According to GFP’s Conservation Officer Dan Altman of Presho, despite the harsh winter and wet spring and summer conditions, the pheasant population is still very high in Lyman County. Survey results indicate Brule and Lyman Counties have the highest pheasant population in the state. Altman believes habitat contributes to those numbers.
“Undisturbed nesting cover, foot plots and wide shelter belts help the pheasant population remain stable even when the weather doesn’t cooperate,’ said Altman.
Game Fish and Parks Secretary Jeff Vonk stated in a recent press release that he believes South Dakota pheasant hunters can look forward to some great opportunities this season.
“Our goal has been to increase quality hunting areas that are open to the public. South Dakota has worked intensely with private landowners and other conservation partners to promote habitat programs,” added Vonk. “Statewide Conservation Reserve Program acres have slipped to slightly more than one million acres, but there is encouraging news. Landowner interest in the program remains high and additional acres will likely be enrolled through the recent general CRP signup.”
The official pheasant population estimate is based on data reported by hunters during the pheasant season, and does not come until after the season is over.
In 2009, South Dakota’s official pheasant population estimate was 8.4 million, and hunters averaged 9.9 roosters each for a total season harvest of more than 1.6 million.
Every year from late July through mid-August, GFP personnel survey 110 established routes scattered across the state to estimate pheasant production and calculate a pheasants-per-mile index. The survey is not a population estimate, but rather compares the number of pheasants seen on the routes and establishes trend information.
Survey routes are grouped into 13 areas, based on a local city, and the index value of each local city area is then compared to index values of the previous year and the 10-year average.
The 2010 statewide pheasants-per-mile average is 6.45, compared to the 2009 average of 6.26 and the 10-year average of 5.71.
South Dakota’s regular pheasant season opens on Saturday, Oct. 16 and runs through Jan. 2.
he Chamberlain route encompasses the following areas; Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix (north route), Gegory (north route), Lyman, Tripp (north route), and Aurora.
The Winner route includes; Winner: Tripp, Gregory, Lyman (south route), Jones (south route), Mellette, and Todd. And, the Pierre route covers; Hughes, Jones, Lyman, Potter (south route), Stanley, Hand/Hyde (south route only), and Sully.

Presho shooting Range to be open Tuesday nights
The Presho Public Shooting Range (PPSR), located south of the city airport, will be open to the public every Tuesday evening starting August 31.
Presho City Council member Dustin Smith, who was instrumental in obtaining the Federal grant that helped pay for the improvements at the range, will open the trap and skeet range every Tuesday at approximately 8 pm.
“I hope people will come out and see what has been done and try it out,” said Smith.
While the course is open to the public to use anytime, the trap houses and equipment are locked and a key is necessary to gain access.
According to Smith people can contact the city finance office to obtain a key and sign a waiver and release agreement prior to using the range. “People need to bring their own clay pigeons and ammo as no fees are charged to use the range,” added Smith.
The newly refurbished range has two trap houses, automatic throwers, outdoor lighting, and an eight position skeet range. The project was funded by the City of Presho and with grant funds obtained through US Fish & Wildlife.
Smith said he hopes by opening the range one night a week people will be encouraged to come out and use the facility.