Local businesses, organizations, families roll out the orange carpet during season opener weekend

Pheasants, Fellowship and Fun

  • Area families welcomed out of town hunters as they continue decades-long season opener traditions. True Dakotan intern Riley Roduner (pictured front row center) said her favorite season has always been pheasant season. “Growing up, it has become second nature to my siblings and I that when we have weekend hunters we get to go out and walk with them in the field. As I have gotten older, I have taken over the role of running our dogs, Mack, Chloe, and Ray, through the fields." PHOTO COURTESY STEVE RODUNER
    Area families welcomed out of town hunters as they continue decades-long season opener traditions. True Dakotan intern Riley Roduner (pictured front row center) said her favorite season has always been pheasant season. “Growing up, it has become second nature to my siblings and I that when we have weekend hunters we get to go out and walk with them in the field. As I have gotten older, I have taken over the role of running our dogs, Mack, Chloe, and Ray, through the fields." PHOTO COURTESY STEVE RODUNER
  • Out-of-town visitors and locals alike flocked to the American Legion on the eve before Pheasant Season Opener last Friday, kicking off the season-long celebration with food, friendship and fun. A record number of attendees at the Wessington Springs Pheasants Forever Chapter annual banquet and auction fundraiser caused the American Legion event center to reach capacity last Friday.
    Out-of-town visitors and locals alike flocked to the American Legion on the eve before Pheasant Season Opener last Friday, kicking off the season-long celebration with food, friendship and fun. A record number of attendees at the Wessington Springs Pheasants Forever Chapter annual banquet and auction fundraiser caused the American Legion event center to reach capacity last Friday.
  • Wessington Springs Pheasants Forever Chapter member Mike Krueger volunteered at the banquet which featured many games, raffles and a live auction.
    Wessington Springs Pheasants Forever Chapter member Mike Krueger volunteered at the banquet which featured many games, raffles and a live auction.
  • Two longtime conservation advocates and Wessington Springs Chapter Pheasants Forever founding members Fred Krohmer (left) and Dan Kruse were inducted into the chapter’s Hall of Fame at the banquet, honoring the duo for their many decades of dedication to habitat, education and conservation in the area. Krohmer and Kruse are pictured with their daughters, Kali Holt and Sherri Weeldreyer. 
    Two longtime conservation advocates and Wessington Springs Chapter Pheasants Forever founding members Fred Krohmer (left) and Dan Kruse were inducted into the chapter’s Hall of Fame at the banquet, honoring the duo for their many decades of dedication to habitat, education and conservation in the area. Krohmer and Kruse are pictured with their daughters, Kali Holt and Sherri Weeldreyer. 
  • Original artwork by local artist Kenzee Schafer and Madison- based, 1991 South Dakota State Artist of the Year, John Green brought a pretty penny to the chapters coffers during the live auction.
    Original artwork by local artist Kenzee Schafer and Madison- based, 1991 South Dakota State Artist of the Year, John Green brought a pretty penny to the chapters coffers during the live auction.
  • Pheasants Forever Youth Hunt participants drew cards for a gun sponsored by Pheasants Forever and Mustang Seeds. The lucky winner was Emmitt Feistner, shown with Dan Kruse (far left). Other youth in attendance were Teagan Scheel, Hunter Heezen, Nolan Schaller, Hudson Weber and Drake Tobin. Steve Winter, HuntSAFE instructor and Pheasants Forever member is shown at right.
    Pheasants Forever Youth Hunt participants drew cards for a gun sponsored by Pheasants Forever and Mustang Seeds. The lucky winner was Emmitt Feistner, shown with Dan Kruse (far left). Other youth in attendance were Teagan Scheel, Hunter Heezen, Nolan Schaller, Hudson Weber and Drake Tobin. Steve Winter, HuntSAFE instructor and Pheasants Forever member is shown at right.

    South Dakotans and our visitors have built a rich and deeply rooted tradition around pheasants and pheasant hunting for over a century. Opening weekend in October continues to carry on as an event anticipated not only by hunters, but also loved ones and  friends who are reunited during this time of much-loved customs and gatherings. Season opener 2022 was no different, offering an abundance of time-honored events that encourage quality moments with friends and family as visitors and locals alike enjoy the season-long celebration.

     

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