"The Greatest State to Pheasant Hunt" continues to support The Habitat Organization
Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) are proud to announce Travel South Dakota and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) have renewed their national sponsorship through 2025. This continued partnership will support the organization’s landscape-level habitat initiatives, helping enshrine South Dakota’s status as "The Greatest State to Pheasant Hunt.” Through this partnership, Travel South Dakota will continue to market to the largest collection of upland hunters in the nation, while providing direct monetary support to PF & QF’s mission of habitat conservation.
“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are thrilled to renew our longstanding partnership with Travel South Dakota and GFP,” said Chris Kalis, the organization’s vice president of corporate partnerships. “Exciting prospects lie ahead for our organization in South Dakota — we couldn’t be more pleased to have the support of Travel South Dakota as we look forward to building our extensive habitat initiatives in the pheasant capital.”
GFP estimates show pheasant hunting generated $281 million in economic impact for South Dakota in 2023. Those revenues are the result of 56,457 resident and 77,003 non-resident pheasant hunters purchasing licenses, fuel, food, and lodging throughout the season.
“Pheasant hunting is a critical component of the tourism economy in South Dakota. In fact, it is a lifeline for many small businesses. Our strong partnership with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever allows us to reach thousands of potential hunters and share our incredible hunting and outdoor experiences with them,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism.
Habitat is considered an important factor for maintaining long-term pheasant populations in the state. The summer of 2024 has produced grassy and lush habitat throughout South Dakota – a promising sight when looking forward to the upcoming hunting season. The notion of habitat’s importance is emphasized by Travel South Dakota with their overarching support of Pheasants Forever – funding which impacts habitat programs on the local level, including the Public Access to Habitat (PATH) program, South Dakota CREP enrollments and other programs.
“This partnership allows South Dakota to continue to put a solid spotlight on the importance of conserving and expanding habitat and access priorities, which ensures pheasant hunting will continue to be a way of life for generations to come,” said Kevin Robling, GFP Secretary.
In addition to advertising in the Pheasants Forever Journal and Quail Forever Journal, Travel South Dakota and GFP will be a featured exhibitor and diamond sponsor for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s 2025 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Kansas City, Missouri on March 7-9, 2025.
Use the following link to purchase your 2024/2025 South Dakota pheasant hunting license today: https://gfp.sd.gov/hunt-fish-license/.