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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
South Dakota records best pheasant season in 13 years, state parks department says
A male ring-necked pheasant. (Photo by Travel South Dakota) Hunters bagged more pheasants last fall in South Dakota than they have for 13 years, the state department of Game, Fish and Parks said Thursday. More than 1.3 million roosters were harvested during the 2024 pheasant hunting season, the department said, with another 380,000 harvested within defined shooting preserves. 'The 2024 South Dakota pheasant season was absolutely spectacular,' South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden said in a press release. South Dakota, the governor said, is 'truly the greatest state to pheasant hunt.' The state saw more roosters harvested in two weeks of October 2024 than any other state during their entire season, the release says. South Dakota's postseason pheasant harvest figures come from 15,000 random surveys of resident hunters and 13,000 nonresident hunters, the Mitchell Daily Republic reported Tuesday. Questions include the number of days hunted, areas hunted and how many birds were harvested are all part of the survey. Pheasants Forever launches new initiative to expand outdoor access in South Dakota More than a million birds have been harvested in each of the past five years in South Dakota, but Upland Game Biologist Alex Solem of the parks department told the Republic that 2024 stood out. 'Our over-winter survival was absolutely phenomenal,' Solem told the Mitchell publication. 'It was certainly evident just driving around this spring, tons of roosters crowing everywhere, lots of hens selecting those roosters for mating purposes. Pheasant hunting is an economic engine for South Dakota. Pheasants Forever, a private conservation organization, put the financial impact of the 2023 pheasant season on the state's economy at $281 million. The release from Game, Fish and Parks on Tuesday did not include a financial impact estimate of the 2024 pheasant season, instead focusing on bird harvest numbers. Hunters averaged approximately nine birds per hunter, said Kevin Robling, secretary for the parks department. 'Habitat and access have been a top priority for the department, and that has played a key role in both abundant bird numbers and ample locations for hunters to target them,' Robling said in the press release. Landowners and farmers partner through habitat programs to open conservation land, using programs offered by the State of South Dakota, the federal government, and multiple conservation groups. Pheasants Forever partnered with the state in 2023 to pay landowners additional stipends for enrolling land in conservation programs, with the goal of adding 10,000 acres a year. In the press release on the 2024 pheasant harvest, Robling pointed specifically to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) on the James River and Big Sioux River valleys, which provides the benefits of the long-standing Conservation Reserve Program, but also ensures access for hunters. 'These CREP lands are directly in the primary pheasant range and provide high quality grassland habitat and access as well,' added Robling. The 2025 pheasant season in South Dakota will take place Oct. 18 to Jan. 31, 2026. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
'THE TYRANT KING: THE REVENGE OF THE FALLEN' wins the 2024 Reader Views Grand Prize Silver Award in Fiction
The debut fantasy novel by Michael Robling earns one of the top prizes in the prestigious annual awards program. AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES, March 4, 2025 / / -- Reader Views announces The Tyrant King: The Revenge of the Fallen by Michael Robling as one of the overall grand prize winners in the 2024 Reader Views Literary Awards. Robling's inaugural novel is celebrated for its imaginative storytelling, unique characters, and engaging themes, distinguishing it as one of the standout entries in this year's competition. The novel takes home the silver award, an honor accompanied by a cash prize and special marketing promotions. The Tyrant King: The Revenge of the Fallen transports readers to a fantastical realm where anthropomorphic dinosaur kingdoms vie for power. The story follows Prince Thadarack, a young Scythekin warrior-in-training, and his unlikely friendship with Gwon, a Gigakin carnivore raised among herbivores. As tensions rise and ancient rivalries resurface, the pair must navigate personal struggles and tribal politics to prevent their world from all-out destruction. Terri Stepek with Reader Views praised the novel, stating, 'It is not possible to overstate how well-written, tightly plotted, and fabulously crafted this novel is. This may be Michael Robling's debut novel, but it won't be the last time we hear from him. The world-building here is first-rate, inviting readers to become completely immersed in this world where dinosaurs talk, live in tribal villages, and make friends (or enemies).' Reflecting on the award, Robling shared, 'Receiving this honor from Reader Views is a profound affirmation of my journey as a first-time author. The Tyrant King is a labor of love, born from my passion for fantasy and storytelling. I hope it inspires readers to explore new worlds and embrace the power of imagination. As an independently published author, I am beyond grateful for this opportunity.' The Tyrant King: The Revenge of the Fallen (ISBN: 979-8989960804, Independently Published, 2024) is available on Amazon. ABOUT THE AUTHOR A lifelong fan of fantasy literature and dinosaurs, Michael Robling found inspiration for his book while playing with his children, Adalynn and Jackson, using their collection of dinosaur figures. Unable to find a story featuring anthropomorphic dinosaur kingdoms, he decided to create one himself. The novel is the first installment in a planned trilogy, with the second book expected to be released in early 2026. Robling enjoys connecting with readers, especially fellow dinosaur enthusiasts. Learn more and reach out to Michael Robling at The Reader Views Literary Awards Program helps level the playing field for self-published and independently published authors, providing recognition for outstanding books across all genres. Celebrating creativity and excellence, the program is respected industry-wide and awards top honors with cash prizes totaling $2,500. Learn more at Sheri Hoyte X LinkedIn Other Legal Disclaimer:
