It’s all about Pheasanomics
Fewer Pheasants = Fewer Hunters = Economic Decline
For the Aberdeen Pheasant Coalition, it is all about pheasanomics. The decline in pheasant numbers in the recent previous years correlates directly with the loss of pheasant habitat in South Dakota. Nesting habitat, brood rearing habitat, and winter habitat are critical to a strong pheasant population. If we can increase excellent pheasant habitat thru CRP and have it open to public hunting, not only can increase the number of pheasants but also the number of pheasant hunters coming to Aberdeen. That is good for our Aberdeen economy.
Between 2006-2012, South Dakota lost 1.8 million acres of grass (Study by South Dakota State Plant Science Dept., April 2014). Obviously we lost a lot of prime pheasant habitat during those years.
In 2010, Brown County made $17 million dollars from pheasant hunters. In 2013, Brown County made $8.7 million dollars, a loss of $8.3 million dollars from just three years earlier. Now consider the fact that according to the Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau, every new dollar coming into our community is magnified three to seven times within our community, our Aberdeen economy suffered significant hit due to the decrease in pheasant numbers.
A sign up incentive to be paid to farmers and landowners enrolling land in CRP and the SD Game, Fish, & Parks Walk In Program for Brown County is a strong positive step that our businesses, tourist industry, and community organizations have taken to reverse this situation. Our members are taking ownership of the fact that they have a strong interest in increasing pheasant numbers in Brown County and they are investing their dollars in a program to accomplish this goal. CRP is a program proven to increase pheasant numbers. Having this CRP open to public hunting provides great opportunity for pheasant hunters. The CRP and SDGFP walk in contracts are for a minimum period of 10 years to a maximum of 15 years so we are looking at a long term commitment to increase our pheasant numbers.
Pheasanomics 101
Less habitat means less pheasants. Fewer pheasants means fewer pheasant hunters coming to Aberdeen. Fewer pheasant hunters coming to Aberdeen means fewer hunter dollars coming into Aberdeen. Fewer pheasant hunter dollars in Aberdeen means a slower economy.
Pheasanomics 201
More habitat means more pheasants. More pheasants means more pheasant hunters coming to Aberdeen. More pheasant hunters coming to Aberdeen means more hunter dollars coming into Aberdeen. More pheasant hunter dollars in Aberdeen means a stronger Aberdeen economy!