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Brown County, South DakotaSouth Dakota Pheasant Hunting near Aberdeen
Wild pheasants on private family farmland, guided or self-guided, from the October 17 opener through January 31.
Wild birds, private land, your pace
Hunt wild pheasants on private family farmland near Bath, South Dakota, about 10 miles east of Aberdeen. Hunts run guided or self-guided from the October 17 opener through January 31. Call or text Carl at 605-715-7770 for dates and rates.
2026 to 2027 season at a glance
| Season | October 17, 2026 to January 31, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Shooting hours | 10 a.m. Central to sunset |
| Daily limit | 3 roosters |
| Possession limit | 15 roosters |
| Nonresident license | Small game license, $142, good for two 5-day periods. You pick your start dates when you buy it. |
| Habitat stamp | $25 for nonresidents 18 and older |
| Birds | Wild birds only. No released birds. |
Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Check GFP before your trip.
Cover that holds birds
Wild pheasants need food, nesting cover, and winter shelter. The farm has all three: CRP grass, shelterbelts, food plots, sloughs, river bottom, and a pond.
Guided or on your own
Guided: Carl puts you on the right fields for the day and the wind.
Self-guided: we show you the boundaries and you hunt at your own pace.
What to expect
- Shooting starts at 10 a.m. Central, so mornings are easy.
- Bring your dog.
- Stay at our campground when a site is open, or in Aberdeen.
Rates
Call or text 605-715-7770 for current guided and self-guided rates.
December and January
December and January birds are wary and bunched up in heavy cover. Fewer hunters are out. It is a good time for a group that wants the farm to themselves.
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge nearby opens to pheasant hunting late in the season, which brings more hunters to the area in December.
Also hunting deer this fall? See our whitetail hunts.
Common questions
When does South Dakota pheasant season open in 2026?
October 17, 2026. It runs through January 31, 2027.
What license does a nonresident need?
A nonresident small game license ($142) and a habitat stamp ($25). The license covers two 5-day periods.
Are the pheasants wild or released?
Wild. We do not release birds.
Can I bring my own dog?
Yes. Bring your dog. Guided hunters can ask Carl about dogs when they book.
Where should I stay?
Our Sand Lake Campground in Columbia when a site is open, or a hotel in Aberdeen, about 10 miles from the farm.
How many hunters can you take?
Groups of all sizes have hunted here. Call Carl with your headcount and dates.
Check open pheasant dates
Call or text Carl with your dates and group size.
605-715-7770Call or text. Email carlhanson1671@gmail.com