SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Clear skies and pleasant weather opened up the 2023 pheasant season in South Dakota; a time that brings a big boost to the state’s economy.
South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks estimates that spending on pheasant hunting accounted for over $250 million last year, with $166 million of that coming from non-resident hunters. The total number of non-resident hunters in the state tallied by SDGFP last year reached over 73,000.
Brown County saw the highest total in spending, with $17.4 million spent overall. Beadle, Brule, Lyman, Spink, and Tripp counties also all saw spending reach over $10 million.
While that spending isn’t even across the state, indirect spending can also have an impact. Katlyn Svendsen, Global Public Relations & Content Services Senior Director for Travel South Dakota, said pheasant season is unlike any other tourism push that the state sees. Almost every community, big or small, sees some sort of economic impact from traveling hunters.
“People are coming in to our regional airports, our major hubs in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Pierre, Watertown, Aberdeen. They’re coming in and they’re spending their dollars not only in those major cities. They’re going out to small communities and they’re buying ammo, filling up with gas, eating at small local diners. Getting supplies and everything they need,” Svendsen said.
Take Sioux Falls for example. Those same Game, Fish & Parks numbers estimate that Minnehaha and Lincoln counties only saw about $5.5 million in economic impact last year. But Experience Sioux Falls Communications Manager Matt Barthel said plenty more benefits come from hunters flying into the city’s airport, as well as hotel and dining boosts as well.
“These people come through, they’re renting a car, getting gas, going out to eat, going shopping. Things like that, staying in hotels. It’s a big boost to our economy. They’re putting their dollars in our city,” Barthel said.
That infrastructure to bring in non-resident hunters before they head elsewhere in the state is important, and helpful for all.
“When these people come through, they’re enjoying their time in Sioux Falls. But we know they’re going to go out to these other communities, spend their time and their dollars there. If we win, they win. It’s kind of a win-win scenario for everyone,” Barthel said.
It’s not just the beginning of pheasant season that sees this impact. Svendsen said while overall numbers do drop off through the season, there’s still plenty of hunters that come to the state later to get around the rush, and continue to provide a boost for those businesses.
“Truly extending into the late season for pheasant hunting. So many people love to come to South Dakota not just opening weekend, but November, December, and January,” Svendsen said.
Both Barthel and Svendsen also added that the opportunity to bring even more hunters to South Dakota in the coming years is there, and has the focus of both organizations. If South Dakota can give them a great experience with plenty of hospitality, both argue that word-of-mouth will help bring even more first time hunters to the state and keep them coming back.
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2023-10-23 23:15:00
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