South Dakota Wheelin’ Sportsmen Pheasant Hunt Celebrates 22nd Year
As pheasants flushed, shotguns rang and volunteers celebrated, hunters with disabilities experienced the joy of returning to the field.
For 22 years, the South Dakota NWTF State Chapter’s annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen pheasant hunt has brought hunters with disabilities together for a day of camaraderie, laughs and chasing pheasants. 25 hunters participated in the event this year, which was again held at Sioux River Wildlife, near Flandreau, South Dakota. The event was sponsored by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
This year, hunters navigated wet and soggy conditions. The low cloud ceiling and sideways mist was a welcome break from the sweltering temperatures of previous years.
Assisted by towable trailers, track wheelchairs and dedicated volunteers (including the dogs), hunters chased pheasants across the Sioux River Wildlife's native prairies, food plots, shelterbelts and bluffs along the Big Sioux River.
For Jack Ringer from Hull, Iowa, the day included a milestone: his first pheasant. For brothers Doug, Rodney, Greg and Wayne Boddicker, along with nephew Preston Boddicker, the hunt became a family affair.
This year’s hunt also honored longtime participant and friend Denny Schoffelman, who passed away last year. In his honor, hunters signed a banner with his image, and his presence was felt throughout the day.
Two meals were served during the event, and Jeff Gamber of County Fair Food Store of Watertown generously donated all the food for the meals.
Sioux River Wildlife owners and NWTF volunteers Tad and Kathy Jacobs have hosted the hunt at their preserve since 2014. The couple was recognized earlier this year during the NWTF's National Convention and Sport Show with the Wheelin' Sportsmen Volunteer of the Year award. The donation of their time, expertise, property and resources has been a primary reason for the growth and success of the NWTF South Dakota Wheelin’ Pheasant Hunt.
And the event doesn't seem to be going anywhere. With another successful hunt on the books, NWTF volunteers are already planning next year's gathering.
Local and state NWTF chapters host thousands of similar events nationwide each year through the organization’s education and outreach programs.
Learn more about the NWTF's Wheelin' Sportsmen program and other NWTF education and outreach programs.