History of the World's Largest Pheasant

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

1. History of the World's Largest Pheasant Marker

Inscription.
The World's Largest Pheasant spans 40 feet in length, stands 28 feet tall, and weighs 22 tons. It was dedicated on October 18, 1959. Sculptor RF Jacobs of Gooding, Idaho completed the project in 4 ½ months, costing $23,000 at that time. The bird was christened by Governor Joe Foss with approximately 2,500 people in attendance.

A Pheasant Restoration Committee was established in 2010 to restore, enhance and maintain the aesthetic beauty of the World's Largest Pheasant structure and mural for current and future generations.

Fundraising efforts began in January of 2011 local and in May of that year the actual restoration work began by local artist Schaun Schnathorst, with the help of his brother, Bob Carlson, at a cost of $20,000. Prior restoration included fiberglass repair and new paint in 1974 and 1989.

The World's Largest Pheasant continues to be a well-known symbol among hunters and has been the subject of numerous travel and outdoor magazines over the years, paying tribute to the South Dakota state bird and serving as a testament to the area’s abundant pheasant numbers.

Topics. This historical marker is

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

listed in these topic lists: Animals • Man-Made Features • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is October 18, 1959.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 44° 22.199′ N, 98° 11.997′ W. Marker was in Huron, South Dakota, in Beadle County. It was on 4th Street NE (U.S. 14) west of Jersey Avenue NE, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted on the east side of a small building near the south side of the highway at this address. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 960 4th Street NE, Huron SD 57350, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in East River

and specifically in the James River Valley.

It was also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At

History of the World's Largest Pheasant Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

2. History of the World's Largest Pheasant Marker (wide view)

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: "The Heart of Pheasant Territory" (a few steps from this marker); W. Glenn Sloan (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pyle Home (approx. 0.7 miles away); Votes for Women (approx. 0.7 miles away); "The Evolution of Medicine" (approx. 0.8 miles away); Downtown Saturday Night (approx. 0.8 miles away); Grace Episcopal Church aka "The Centennial Center" (approx. 0.8 miles away); Dr. Karl J. Blessinger (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huron.

More about this marker. This is a large "billboard-style" marker.

Regarding History of the World's Largest Pheasant. The "World's Largest Pheasant" is 28-foot tall, 22 ton, fiberglass sculpture mounted on top of the small building at this address, facing north toward U.S. Highway 14.

Also see . . .
1. World's Largest Pheasant. The World's Largest Pheasant is located along Hwy 14 on the east edge of town. This 30 foot fiberglass behemoth stands atop what used to be the Pheasant Liquor store. This giant pheasant has long been proclaimed to be the world's largest of its

The World's Largest Pheasant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

3. The World's Largest Pheasant

kind and symbolized Huron's claim as the "Pheasant Capital Of The World". Restored and majestic, it rises above the James River valley near Memorial Park. (Submitted on September 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. World's Largest Pheasant. The World's Largest Pheasant is located on Highway 14 in Huron. This 28 foot, 22 ton pheasant made of fiberglass and steel has affirmed Huron as a premier pheasant hunting location since 1959. From its beak to the tip of its feathered tail, this giant bird spans over 40 feet. (Submitted on September 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

The World's Largest Pheasant (<i>wide view; showing mural underneath sculpture</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

4. The World's Largest Pheasant (wide view; showing mural underneath sculpture)

The World's Largest Pheasant (<i>west side view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

5. The World's Largest Pheasant (west side view)

The World's Largest Pheasant (<i>wide view from U.S. Highway 14</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

6. The World's Largest Pheasant (wide view from U.S. Highway 14)

Side view World's Largest Pheasant Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 28, 2025

7. Side view World's Largest Pheasant Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 894 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on July 22, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on July 22, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.