Eye On the Sky
By Brookings County Emergency Management Director Bob Hill
10/16/2026
Fall has overtaken summer, and the leaves are quickly changing. Folks will be getting out and about to take in the scenery starting this weekend. It is a beautiful time of year. Keep in mind that temperatures can fluctuate significantly, so always have a light jacket nearby, just in case.
Another subject has crept upon us, and that is hunting season. Some people are putting their fishing gear away for the winter, and some people are just now getting their fishing gear out and ready for ice fishing. It might be a month or so before you can get on any ice, so stay calm.
The outdoor types are quite content with the start of Pheasant Season. Resident-only Pheasant hunting was this past weekend (October 10-12, 2026), and the traditional Pheasant season starts on October 17, 2026, and will last until January 31, 2027.
You will start to see a lot of orange vests and people carrying shotguns around the area. If you are driving in the countryside, looking at the scenery, you will often find pickup trucks parked in a farm field. Often, there will be around five to ten people. Pheasant hunters are a mixed type, so there could be men, women, and children all participating in the hunt. It is easy to tell if they are hunters. They will all be wearing bright orange clothing for safety purposes and because it is the law. You could also see some hunting dogs with these groups.
Who are the people that are out there? You may be asking. Some folks go to Disney Land or the Black Hills for a vacation. Others go to SDSU sports events as a family outing. A lot of families plan get-togethers during October so that they can go Pheasant hunting. It is a good way to unwind after harvest. They can park the farm equipment near their barns to work on during the cold winter that they know is coming. Before then, they can get some exercise, camaraderie, and just plain enjoyment by walking the fields and getting their daily limits of “birds”.
If you are new to South Dakota and want to learn more about hunting and fishing I recommend checking out the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks website at https://gfp.sd.gov
On their website, they have hunting regulations for South Dakota. It is important whether you hunt or fish to know the rules and regulations. You do not want to be stopped by a game warden and have too many birds or fish in your possession. The fines can get quite steep, and they need to because the enjoyment of our outdoors is for everyone, not just you.
They also have the license information. You can purchase and print your license from the above website, also.
They produce a good book, titled South Dakota Public Hunting Atlas. This online or paper copy book shows where you can hunt on public lands.
One important note is that you need to have permission to hunt on privately owned land.
The following is taken from https://gfp.sd.gov/hunting-areas/
“South Dakota is approximately 80 percent privately owned, and as a result, most of the hunting that occurs across the state occurs on private land. Finding a place to hunt can be a challenging task at times but is very achievable. This is best accomplished by showing respect for the wildlife, the land and water we enjoy, and, of course, the landowner.
Respect. Just a word on paper, but a very powerful element of landowner relations that opens doors and creates rapport and will ultimately benefit all hunters for years to come. Wildlife is owned by no one and is held in trust for the benefit of present and future generations. Hunting and fishing and gaining permission to access private land are privileges.
Let’s help our future generations on gaining access to private lands by demonstrating respect to the wildlife, the land and water, and to the landowner. “
2026 South Dakota hunting seasons and dates to keep in mind for pheasant, and deer. The pheasant season runs from October 17, 2026 – January 31, 2027, with a Youth-Only Season: September 26, 2026 – October 4, 2026 and Resident-Only Season: October 10, 2026 – October 12, 2026. Deer archery season is from September 1, 2026 – January 1, 2027, while West River firearm season is scheduled for November 14, 2026 – November 29, 2026, West River Special Buck November 14, 2026 -November 29, 2026. And East River firearm season is November 21, 2026 – December 6, 2026 and East River Nonresident Landowner November 21, 2026 – December 6, 2026. Muzzleloader Season is December 1, 2026 – January 1, 2027. This information and more are available online at https://gfp.sd.gov .
As October continues, please remember Harvest is not over, animals are on the move, and the weather is changing so stay alert on the roads and highways. With rain moving in and temperatures falling there are chances of slick driving and walking conditions.
AAA also warns to Look out for leaves
As leaves begin their journey down, vehicles become a type of middle ground for pileups. Vehicle air vents and windshield wipers are most affected by falling leaves, as they clog ventilation systems and radiators, constrict cabin air filters and cause a streaky mess on glass. But it’s also quite common to see significant damage to a car’s clearcoat from leaf wax, sap, pollen and acid.
While it may seem easy to wash leaf residuals away, real damage can be done to your paint’s clearcoat quickly. These types of paint damage can be costly to repair and decrease the overall value of your car.
Always remove leaves from your car by hand or blower, both when you are parked and before you begin to drive. Brooms and brushes are abrasive to paint and can damage delicate mechanical components. Be sure to get under your hood and de-leaf the gully area between your windshield and hood. When wet leaves sit in this area for too long, they can drip moldy, rancid-smelling water into your car that is hard to reverse and can even interfere with electronics. Most importantly, avoid parking under trees when possible.
Remember to always Keep an Eye On the Sky
— Bob the EM
