Habitat loss as farmers return land to production hurts wildlife, hunting in northern Plains

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Hunters in the northern Plains who've grown accustomed to bringing home three pheasants or a deer are finding the years of abundance may be over. Three brutal winters and a steady loss of habitat have hurt reproduction and reduced the number of animals hunters have seen this season, wildlife and conservation experts say. Randy White, who's been hunting South Dakota pheasants for a quarter of a century, said wild birds are out there but hunters are no longer reaching their three-bird-per-person limit within the first hour. "I'm hunting with two very good dogs, and it's still tough," said White, who has spent some 30 days this season in fields with his golden...