THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota is getting ready for a "Pheasantennial," celebrating 100 years since the Chinese ring-necked pheasant was introduced to the state.

Six birds were introduced originally, but there are now millions of them around the state, and pheasant-hunting is a US$219 million industry, according to Buddy Seiner, spokesman for the South Dakota Office of Tourism.

The official start to hunting season is Oct. 18, ending Jan. 4. Before open season begins, the first weekend in October is reserved for youth hunters and the second weekend for residents only.

Out-of-staters must purchase a nonresident small game licence for $110. It's good for two five-day periods. In addition to pheasants, a small game licence allows you to hunt grouse, quail, cottontails, partridges, doves, squirrels, and other small creatures. Hunting licences may be purchased online at http://www.sdgfp.info/licenses.htm. Small game licences are also sold over the counter in South Dakota, and may be purchased at most gas stations, bait shops and outfitters.

Last year, more than 103,000 nonresident hunters and 77,000 residents took part in pheasant-hunting.

Prime pheasant country begins at "an imaginary line in Murdo, S.D., and covers the rest of the state going east," Seiner said. Areas most densely populated by the birds include much of the upper northeast, central South Dakota and the centre of the southeast region.

In addition to private hunting preserves, South Dakota also has many acres of public land where you can hunt.

Details at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/Pheasant/.