South Dakota is dotted with population centers known as micropolitan statistical areas. These have one or two urban centers surrounded by thousands of acres of wide open spaces. One of these areas is Estelline, with a grand population of around 770 people as of the 2010 census. Estelline also happens to be a perfect environment for South Dakota pheasant hunting. The entire population occupies an area of just less than one square mile. This makes working out the population density of Estelline a very simple matter. Now, compare it to New York, the nation's most populous city, with a density of 28,000 per square mile.
Two other fruitful areas for pheasant-hunting are Aberdeen, about a five-hour drive southwest of Estelline, and Chamberlain, between two and a half and three hours to the northwest. Chamberlain has half the population of Estelline distributed over nearly three times the area, for a population density of 360/square mile. Aberdeen, another micropolitan statistical area, has a population density of 1,700/square mile.
Part of the Golden Triangle of pheasant-hunting, Chamberlain is located on the Missouri River. Brood counts here have averaged close to 16 per square mile during the decade leading up to 2014. This is twice the average for the state as a whole. The area around Aberdeen has around 200,000 acres of land available to the public for tracking down these birds. Hunters here can average nearly nine birds per season in a good year.
Pheasants have pronounced sexual dimorphism, with the males highly colored and exhibiting distinctive features such as long tails and wattles. The family name for these birds is Phasianidae. They breed happily in captivity and settle in happily in a variety of climates.
As a pastime, shooting Phasianidae is pleasant, not to mention great exercise. It is highly advisable to practice with your shotgun before you go out for some serious stalking. Clay pigeon, or skeet, shooting is a good way to practice aiming ahead of your target. Only shoot after your target is above human height.
You will also need to make sure you are fit before you venture into the wilderness. This is a sport that involves a lot of walking up and down hills and through marsh areas. When you are out shooting with your buddies, you must walk side by side to avoid shooting each other.
Bringing man's best friend along for the ride can be very useful. Before you decide which breed to settle down with, ask yourself whether you want your dog to point or flush. Pointing refers to the beast showing you where to flush out your own prey. If you want the dog to do the flushing for you, get a retriever or a spaniel. Brittanies, on the other hand, make good pointers.
An extra perk to wearing yourself out and getting sopping wet is the possibility that you will bring home a little something for the dinner table. Slowly roast it, perhaps with juniper berries, and serve alongside a jug of old-fashioned bread sauce.
Two other fruitful areas for pheasant-hunting are Aberdeen, about a five-hour drive southwest of Estelline, and Chamberlain, between two and a half and three hours to the northwest. Chamberlain has half the population of Estelline distributed over nearly three times the area, for a population density of 360/square mile. Aberdeen, another micropolitan statistical area, has a population density of 1,700/square mile.
Part of the Golden Triangle of pheasant-hunting, Chamberlain is located on the Missouri River. Brood counts here have averaged close to 16 per square mile during the decade leading up to 2014. This is twice the average for the state as a whole. The area around Aberdeen has around 200,000 acres of land available to the public for tracking down these birds. Hunters here can average nearly nine birds per season in a good year.
Pheasants have pronounced sexual dimorphism, with the males highly colored and exhibiting distinctive features such as long tails and wattles. The family name for these birds is Phasianidae. They breed happily in captivity and settle in happily in a variety of climates.
As a pastime, shooting Phasianidae is pleasant, not to mention great exercise. It is highly advisable to practice with your shotgun before you go out for some serious stalking. Clay pigeon, or skeet, shooting is a good way to practice aiming ahead of your target. Only shoot after your target is above human height.
You will also need to make sure you are fit before you venture into the wilderness. This is a sport that involves a lot of walking up and down hills and through marsh areas. When you are out shooting with your buddies, you must walk side by side to avoid shooting each other.
Bringing man's best friend along for the ride can be very useful. Before you decide which breed to settle down with, ask yourself whether you want your dog to point or flush. Pointing refers to the beast showing you where to flush out your own prey. If you want the dog to do the flushing for you, get a retriever or a spaniel. Brittanies, on the other hand, make good pointers.
An extra perk to wearing yourself out and getting sopping wet is the possibility that you will bring home a little something for the dinner table. Slowly roast it, perhaps with juniper berries, and serve alongside a jug of old-fashioned bread sauce.
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