PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Big changes are coming in an effort to revive pheasant hunting in South Dakota.

Two state government departments plan to spend $700,000 on advertising this year to market South Dakota as the nation’s best place to pursue ring-necks.

Paid advertising that starts in mid-June will cover 16 states and run through November.

The state Wildlife Division meanwhile will halt the summer brood routes that have been used since the 1940s to gauge pheasant populations.

Wildlife Division Director Tom Kirschenmann said proposals will come in July to extend the season deeper into January, expand the late-season bag limit, and expand shooting hours.

The main season this year runs October 17 through January 3. A hunter can take three roosters daily. The first eight days of the season open at noon local time and then switch to 10 a.m.

The…