Rooster!

Every October, out-of-staters and locals alike flock to the plains of South Dakota for the opening weekend of pheasant hunting season. Hunters spend hours in the field bagging birds and enjoying the company of friends.

Andrew Johnson, his son Gavin and stepson Noah Watson walk through wildlife habitat land created by Johnson’s friend, the late Steve Bierle, during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 17, 2020 near Olivet, South Dakota.
Andrew Johnson, his son Gavin and stepson Noah Watson walk through wildlife habitat land created by Johnson’s friend, the late Steve Bierle, during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 17, 2020 near Olivet, South Dakota.
Hunters arrive at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport to take part in the upcoming pheasant hunt on Thursday, October 17, 2019.
Hunters arrive at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport to take part in the upcoming pheasant hunt on Thursday, October 17, 2019.
Andrew Johnson takes a bird retrieved by his dog, Gage, during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 17, 2020, near Olivet, South Dakota.
Andrew Johnson takes a bird retrieved by his dog, Gage, during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 17, 2020, near Olivet, South Dakota.
Veterans take aim at pheasants as they fly overhead on a Wings of Valor retreat on Friday, February 17, 2023, in Parker, SD.
Veterans take aim at pheasants as they fly overhead on a Wings of Valor retreat on Friday, February 17, 2023, in Parker, SD.
Tanner Jones moves through tall grasses to force hiding pheasants to the edge of the field during the season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019 in Mitchell, SD.
Tanner Jones moves through tall grasses to force hiding pheasants to the edge of the field during the season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019 in Mitchell, SD.
Pheasants lie in the snow behind the firing line of a Wings of Valor tower hunt on Friday, February 17, 2023, in Parker, SD.
Pheasants lie in the snow behind the firing line of a Wings of Valor tower hunt on Friday, February 17, 2023, in Parker, SD.
Terry Birchfield is the first in line for the lunch buffet after hitting the most clay targets during practice that morning on Friday, February 17, 2023, at a Wings of Valor retreat in Parker, SD.
Terry Birchfield is the first in line for the lunch buffet after hitting the most clay targets during practice that morning on Friday, February 17, 2023, at a Wings of Valor retreat in Parker, SD.
Noah Watson, Gavin Johnson and Don Bierle hitch a ride on the back of a pickup truck during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 17, 2020, near Olivet, South Dakota.
Noah Watson, Gavin Johnson and Don Bierle hitch a ride on the back of a pickup truck during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 17, 2020, near Olivet, South Dakota.
Dan Weiss laughs at a comment made by a fellow hunter as the party moves toward a new field during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019, in Mitchell SD.
Dan Weiss laughs at a comment made by a fellow hunter as the party moves toward a new field during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019, in Mitchell SD.
A shot pheasant falls from the air during the season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019 in Mitchell, SD.
A shot pheasant falls from the air during the season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019 in Mitchell, SD.
Bryce Lien keeps an eye out for roosters while wading through tall grasses during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019, in Mitchell, SD.
Bryce Lien keeps an eye out for roosters while wading through tall grasses during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019, in Mitchell, SD.
A veteran carries pheasants back to the lodge after hunting on a Wings of Valor retreat on Friday, February 17, 2023, in Parker, SD.
A veteran carries pheasants back to the lodge after hunting on a Wings of Valor retreat on Friday, February 17, 2023, in Parker, SD.
Scott Tyler takes a break from hunting to eat from a watermelon growing on the property while participating in the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019, in Mitchell, SD.
Scott Tyler takes a break from hunting to eat from a watermelon growing on the property while participating in the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 19, 2019, in Mitchell, SD.
Pheasant tail feathers and feet stick out from a holding box in the back of John Pollmann's truck during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 17, 2020 near Olivet, South Dakota.
Pheasant tail feathers and feet stick out from a holding box in the back of John Pollmann's truck during the pheasant season opener on Saturday, October 17, 2020 near Olivet, South Dakota.
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