Follow the Pheasants

They say that if you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. If that’s true, Taniya Bethke must feel like she’s on permanent vacation. As director of operations for the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, Bethke is dedicated to making hunting and the outdoors more inclusive and accessible to a wide range of people. Her passion for welcoming others to a world she loves is obvious in the way her work and recreation priorities blend so naturally. In South Dakota, she’s found the perfect place to practice what she preaches, so we asked her about her home state, the rewards of pheasant hunting, and how others can share her passion for the outdoors. 

Outside: What makes South Dakota a top pheasant hunting destination?

Taniya Bethke: Birds, access, and peace. South Dakota has more pheasants than any other state, with access programs and vast public land that support pheasant hunting for everyone. With fewer than a million people living in South Dakota, population density is low. That means you’ll experience so much more than hunting. If you’re looking for solitude, unbelievable views, and peace, this is the place for you.

But that’s just the start. It’s also the welcoming outdoor culture, which makes living or visiting here so special. After moving to South Dakota six years ago, I have come to love the rhythm of the seasons and the way people come together outdoors. I expected to feel like a true outsider because I didn’t grow up hunting and am not from here, but instead, I was very fortunate to be adopted by an amazing group of badass women. We hang out, hunt, scout, train dogs, and prep for the season together. They have become my mentors and more. The camaraderie I feel sharing stories and a drink around a campfire fuels our friendships and inspires more adventures year after year. 

South Dakota is rich with a sense of community like this. There are people with open arms who love to be outside and are eager to share their knowledge and company. So, yes, the hunting is amazing, and so are the wild places, but there’s so much more that makes South Dakota incredibly special.

How is the pheasant hunting culture in South Dakota unique?

I’ve lived in a lot of places in this country, but never before have I seen a place that literally rolls out the red carpet for hunters like South Dakota does. Pheasant hunting is woven into the fabric of South Dakota culture, from the chambers of commerce that set up welcome booths at airports during the nonresident pheasant opener, to the pheasant hunting traditions families have been celebrating for generations, to the learn-to-hunt opportunities offered by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks and Pheasants Forever. 

I have seen neighbors, friends, and colleagues do so much to open up pheasant hunting opportunities for others. I especially love Women on the Wing, which is designed to engage and support women in upland bird hunting. The state also offers a program called Becoming an Outdoors-Woman that’s great for getting started. South Dakota gets that you didn’t have to grow up in a hunting family to be able to enjoy the cornflower-blue skies, camaraderie, and uninterrupted prairie views of pheasant season.

What’s it like outdoors in a South Dakota fall?

The season itself is so special. In South Dakota, winters are frigid and summers are scorching, yet pheasant hunting—the season typically starts around October 21—comes at one of those magical pivot points between extremes. Fall is glorious in South Dakota, with crisp breezes rustling through cattails and swirling the tall prairie grasses. I love hiking, so to have a chance to hike through remote grassland vistas while working next to friends and behind dogs is next to divine.

How should someone start planning a pheasant hunting trip in South Dakota?

Your first stop should be Hunt the Greatest, a resource developed by the South Dakota Department of Tourism and South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks. You’ll find everything you need to scout locations, find guide services and lodging, address equipment needs, and brush up on regulations.

Do you have a favorite pheasant hunting experience in South Dakota so far?

A few years ago, I had the chance to hunt with friends outside of Aberdeen on land secured through the Aberdeen Pheasant Coalition. The coalition provides funding to open up private land for public hunting access. When we arrived on the property, it was snowing and soggy, but there were SO MANY BIRDS! I kept thinking to myself, “I can’t believe this opportunity even exists!” The habitat was unbelievable—for birds and people alike. As a public land hunter, I feel so fortunate to live in a state where people innovate and collaborate to provide hunting opportunities for all.

Travel South Dakota enhances the quality of life for South Dakotans and visitors by strengthening communities, encouraging responsible stewardship, and creating meaningful experiences for all to enjoy. Together, we’re here to serve the people of South Dakota and all who come to explore.