South Dakota Pheasant and Buffalo Hunting, Archery Whitetail Deer Hunting, Predator Hunting, Walleye Fishing

Home | Pheasant Hunting | Deer Hunting | Buffalo/Bison Hunting | Predator Hunting | Spring Snow Geese Hunting

Antelope Hunting | Prairie Dog Hunting | Pricing | References | Jim River Game Calls | Contact Us


South Dakota Pheasant Hunting

If you are looking for a pheasant hunt where you can avoid the 'Soldier of Fortune' and 'meat hunter' types of hunters, this is your bag. As of 8:00 a.m. this morning, I still have time slots available during the season.

We have had the Chinese Ringneck Pheasant inhabiting this area for nearly 100 years.  They have flourished and become one of the most successful game transplants ever.  After experiencing several mild winters, the pheasant population in our area has grown to be the best ever! Pheasant hunting is great. 

A nice day of huntingWe focus our pheasant hunting business towards two groups of hunters. Day hunters arrive at our farm/ranch to hunt one or two days on our land, with or without our dogs. We can accept large numbers of hunters this way due to the thousands of acres of land we operate on. We ask that you contact us as early as possible to book your dates as we do fill up.

The second type of hunter that we cater to is the full service hunter. The full service hunters typically spend 3-5 days hunting with us. We can pick you up at the airport or you can drive right to our front door. We provide you with lodging, food, lunches, and atmosphere to go along with everything we provide for our day hunters. All groups will have at least one guide to help put you on birds. We are concerned for you and your safety! You can bring your own dogs or we will provide dogs with our guides. You will have a great time.

We have an unbelievable number of wild birds and even stock a few extras to insure excellent numbers of birds. "Willie has more wild birds than most people release tame birds!" says Keith Burgess of Primos Game Calls. Pheasant hunters will spend most of the day walking and blocking corn fields, tree claims, reed draws and ditches. The sight of hundreds of pheasants flying out of a field while others are sneaking back between the walkers makes the whole trip worth while. Wild birds are far more intelligent and challenging than their pen raised counterparts.

If you like, BRING YOUR DOG. I really enjoy having hunters bring their own dogs. I have been complimented many times about the workout the dogs get when they come out here. I have been very impressed with how well some of the dogs will work our fields. I love it, the owners love it, and the dogs love it. They get a chance to hunt fields where they can flush hundreds of birds and retrieve one after another. Hunting out here can really add to your dog's education and experience.

Non-tangible aspects of your hunt:  I enjoy fine foods so, as long as I am providing the meals anyway, expect to eat very well while hunting with me.  Although certain circumstances may prevent it, most of the time you will enjoy prime rib, pork loin, buffalo, and Italian food with wine or beer for supper.  The tailgate lunches typically consist of deli cut meats/cheeses with designer/specialty rolls and condiments with a wide variety of cold drinks, candy/granola bars, fruit, etc.  Your sleeping/living accommodations are excellent.  Expect all of my hunting gear to be of excellent quality and in near-new/new condition.  My pick-up is a like-new crew cab, full sized door 2010 F-250 (I don’t want you Chevy/Dodge guys to hold that against me!) and seats 4 full sized hunters and all of their gear easily.  In some cases, you may wish to drive your own vehicle and that is always fine with me.  I strongly believe that an outstanding outfitter should have excellent hunting gear, vehicles, accommodations and food to support a successful business.  You will not be disappointed with my outfit.

 When researching a hunt, you should ask to speak with ALL of the clients who hunted the same time you are considering hunting the previous year.  It is foolish to consider booking a hunt with an outfitter before you speak with hunters who have hunted the same time and place during the previous season.  It is important to know ahead of time what you are getting for your money. About 30% of my current business is repeat business and each year repeat business grows.  This is because I show my clients a great time. I am proud of the attention I give each client before, during, and after the hunt.  Most importantly, DON'T CONSIDER BOOKING A HUNT WITH ANYONE THAT IS NOT WILLING TO GIVE YOU PHONE NUMBERS AND/OR EMAIL ADDRESSES OF ALL OF THEIR CLIENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. 

   

What's Included

Here is a list of what is included in our complete pheasant hunting package:

Package Prices

A 50% non-refundable deposit will reserve your hunt.

For the complete hunting package as listed above:

Price: $500/person/day

If you'd prefer a package that includes pheasant hunting only (no lodging, meals, transportation, or bird cleaning), including guide, dogs and access to thousands of acres of privately owned ground farmed for pheasants:

5 hunters or less - $300/person/day

6 hunters or more - $275/person/day


Waterfowl/Pheasant Combo Hunting


We also have some nice waterfowl hunting that can be added to your pheasant hunting package for $200/hunter/day as a combo. South Dakota has some excellent waterfowl production areas and is located in one of the major flyways for migrating ducks and geese. There is also a good population of local ducks and the Greater Canada Goose. The Greater Canada Goose is the largest of the Canada Goose species. Other species common to this area as locals or during the migrations are Mallards, Pintails, Gadwalls, Blue Wing Teal, Green Wing Teal, several species of Canada Geese, Snow Geese, Wood Ducks, American Wigeon, Redheads, Hooded Merganser, Canvasbacks and Scaup (Bluebill). We'll hunt waterfowl in the morning and pheasants in the afternoon.


Interesting News

For the third year in a row, we have killed white color phase roosters. We have a genetic line in the birds out here that brings up a relatively high number of birds with non-typical white markings (head, tail, back, and/or feet). You will want to mount these birds for sure.


Ptarmigan Hunting in Alaska


I guide big game hunters in Alaska as part of my hunting business.  And, if you are looking for the pinnacle of wing-shooting, something that even your most experienced wing-shooting friends have probably not experienced, ptarmigan hunting in Alaska is the TOPS.  Contact me for the details of that portion of my bird hunting business.  Before I take my big game hunters in Alaska, we go out and have a great time with  the ptarmigan hunting.  Fishing can be added very easily if that is your bag.  Ptarmigan hunting is fly-in only and we will fly you AND your dog into camp for some of the wildest wing-shooting in the world.  Ptarmigan limits are 15 birds per day!  You can trust me to show you a great time in South Dakota hunting pheasants and prairie chickens AND trust me to show you an unbelievable time in Alaska.  Enjoy hunting the most spectacular wing-shooting fare in the most beautiful scenery in the world.


Contact Information

Please call or e-mail with any questions.
Jim River Guide Service
Willie Dvorak
432 Railway Avenue
Mellette, SD 57461

Phone: 605-887-3561
E-mail: wdvorak@nvc.net