Wessington Springs Pheasants Forever Youth Hunt brings together 17 young hunters and generations of volunteers
For the volunteers who spend countless hours teaching firearm safety, guiding young hunters and sharing their love of the outdoors, the reward often comes down to a simple moment — watching a youngster harvest a pheasant for the first time.
Or perhaps it's the handshake and heartfelt thank-you that follows.
Those moments were plentiful Saturday, Oct. 3, when 17 young hunters, accompanied by parents or mentors, participated in the 2026 Annual Youth Hunt hosted by the Wessington Springs Chapter of Pheasants Forever.
The event brought together volunteers from Pheasants Forever, the Jerauld County Trap Club and the HuntSAFE program, all working toward a common goal: introducing the next generation to responsible hunting, firearm safety and conservation.
The day began at the Jerauld County Trap Club north of Wessington Springs, where participants practiced shooting trap and received a refresher on safe firearm handling before heading east to the hunting grounds.
To participate, youth were required to have completed the HuntSAFE course, possess the proper hunting license and provide their own firearm.
“We had 17 great kids enjoy some time in the South Dakota outdoors,” said Paul Sheldon, chairman of the Wessington Springs Pheasants Forever Chapter. “We saw a record number of pheasants with the kids getting in shooting practice and bagging some birds. They conducted themselves safely and are ready for a lifetime of hunting enjoyment.”
But behind the excitement of birds flushing and shots ringing out across the prairie is something equally important — a community of volunteers dedicated to passing along a tradition.
“It’s all volunteers that make these programs fly,” said Dayle Winter, who has been a certified HuntSAFE instructor for 45 years and has taught more than 1,300 students during his tenure. “It’s not just about getting started with hunting but more importantly, learning safety with a firearm.”
That foundation begins long before the youth hunt. HuntSAFE instructors introduce young people to the responsibilities that come with handling firearms, preparing them for opportunities at the trap club and eventually in the field.
“It takes a lot of volunteers and collaboration to make this thing come together. And clearly there’s passion behind it. These kids are going to be our future volunteers, our future board members,” Sheldon said. “We’re trying to get kids out of the house, into the field and provide a good, safety-focused hunting experience and teach them what conservation is all about.”
For founding Pheasants Forever member Dan Kruse, the annual event represents something even bigger — the legacy of nearly four decades of volunteers investing in young hunters, many of whom eventually return to help the next generation.
“It’s so rewarding to see kids that have gone through HuntSAFE, getting educated by Dayle and the trap club volunteers, who are now coming back to help with the youth hunt,” Kruse said. “It takes a ton of work but when you see a kid get a bird, you can’t beat that feeling. Then some young person comes up and shakes your hand after the hunt, and then you go, that’s why it’s all worth it. That’s why we have so many good people in town that sponsor us, they believe in what we’re doing.”
That community support extends well beyond the volunteers who accompany young hunters into the field.
Pheasants Forever covered the costs of the event, while Jason and Cristin Weber volunteered their property for the hunt and the Mullett family provided access to facilities and bathrooms. The Jerauld County Trap Club provided its facilities for the morning trap shooting, and Hare Trigger Outfitters supplied ammunition.
Local businesses and individuals made sure no one went hungry. Humm-Dinger provided pizza, Springs Food Market supplied Gatorade, and Connie and Kelly Larson prepared their popular homemade snack mix. Nancy Kruse's famous homemade cookies rounded out the meal.
Wilbur-Ellis sponsored a gun drawing, won by Henry Feistner, and also provided bottled water for the group.
Sheldon expressed appreciation to the many volunteers, businesses and families who made the event possible.
“Thanks to all the parents or guardians who took time to spend the day with these kids. Your support means the world to them and created memories that will last a lifetime,” he said. “Thanks to all the chapter volunteers who gave their time to this event.”
For Winter, who has spent more than four decades teaching young people how to safely handle firearms, the impact of those lessons reaches far beyond pheasant season.
“Some of these youngsters out here come just to learn firearm safety, and that’s important. But some, they’re going to hunt pheasants or they’re going to go elk or big game hunting someday — I know there’s a number of them out here today that are waiting for that deer license,” Winter said with a smile.
“Why all of us spend so many hours year after year is well worth it — because in a lot of ways, the part we play helps set them up for a lifetime of enjoying the outdoors, making those memories you can only get out here.”
And if the volunteers have their way, some of those 17 young hunters will one day be the ones leading the next generation into the field.