Daybreak Ranch

Daybreak Ranch recreates authentic South Dakota upland hunting from the 1950s and 60s. Located north of Highmore in central South Dakota, the operation spans 8,000 private acres of native grassland, CRP, cropland, wetland sloughs, food plots, and tree plantings. Three generations of the Faulstich family have built this as a working ranch while managing habitat specifically to sustain wild bird populations.

• •No preserve or hatchery birds. Everything at Daybreak Ranch is wild and naturally sustained through deliberate grassland management. Jim Faulstich, the owner, hunted pheasants here in 1959 and remembers exactly what made those hunts legendary. His habitat methods generate wild pheasant populations you won't find elsewhere.

"Upland hunting at the Faulstich farm is like hunting at a family farm decades ago. Warm hospitality, thousands of acres of grasslands properly managed for livestock grazing and bird habitat, field crops, and shelter belts provide the right recipe for a plethora of pheasants all season long." — Whit O'Daniel, IL

Hunters report coveys of 30-50 birds regularly, with sharptail grouse and prairie chickens available as bonus species throughout the season.

• •Pheasants (wild populations)
• •Sharptail grouse
• •Prairie chickens
• •Hungarian partridge
• •Whitetail deer (trophy hunting)
• •Mule deer
• •Ducks
• •Antelope

Daybreak Ranch has been recognized as one of the premier grassland management operations in South Dakota. South Dakota State University sends Wildlife Management, Animal Science, and Range Management students to the ranch to study the impacts of excellent habitat stewardship. Jim Faulstich received the National Cattlemen's Beef Association 2009 Environmental Stewardship Award for Region VII.

Lodging available for hunting groups. Call Jim Faulstich to plan your hunt.