South Dakota pheasant count down

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - This year’s summer pheasant survey shows fewer birds per mile than last year. Still, game officials say the 6.3 pheasants per mile is the fourth highest statewide count in 45 years.

The Game, Fish and Parks Department has conducted the summer brood survey annually since 1949.

This year’s count is down 26 percent from 2008, but the GF&P says it’s still 13 percent above the 10-year average.

The hunting season for residents and nonresidents opens Oct. 17. Last year, it drew 176,180 hunters.