NEAR FLANDREAU, S.D. (KELO) — It’s opening weekend of the traditional pheasant hunting season in South Dakota.

It’s been a busy start to the season at Al’s Dream Pheasant Hunts.

“I’ve noticed a lot more action around the county, more people hunting. Some people have stopped by. They’ve been hunting and said they had good success this year,” co-owner Dave Johnson said.

With the company of your friends and man’s best friend, pheasant hunting allows for a unique experience.

Everything to know about South Dakota’s state bird

“I do a lot of hunting, elk, deer, whatever. The great thing about pheasant hunting, you can be walking, talking or harassing your buddy right next to you, you got dogs going around you, having conversations, it’s a different kind of hunt,” hunter Greg Rieland said.

The beginning of the traditional pheasant season also brings a lot of hunters from out of state.

“We grew up hunting in Kansas, and we don’t have the pheasants anymore. My family started coming up here, and we came with them. Now, there’s guys from Kansas, Missouri and Minnesota. They get together every year, and we have for about 10 or 15 years,” hunter Jacob Buehler said.

“In Minnesota, the birds have been dwindling. In South Dakota, it’s night and day different. Just a ton of birds up here,” Rieland said.

Those birds help put South Dakota on the map.

“It gives our state a lot of exposure and gives our business some exposure, and it’s fun. Hunters are great people,” Johnson said.

The season will run until the end of January, and these hunters have some high hopes for the next three months.

“Limit out every day. That’s the goal,” Rieland said.

And they’re off to a great start.

The traditional pheasant hunting season ends on January 31. For more information about Al’s Dream Pheasant Hunts, click here.