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Photo by John Castis
Can't make it to the annual Rooster Roundup but want to take advantage of the legendary pheasant hunting in the Mount Rushmore State? A quick Google search of "accessible pheasant hunting in SD" yielded several lodges and outfitters that are able to accommodate hunters with disabilities. |
South Dakota
An award-winning hunt in the pheasant capital of the world
The love of hunting. Helping people with disabilities. Having fun in pheasant fields.
Mix them together and add devoted volunteers, the result is Wheelin' Sportsmen. And in South Dakota, the program is special.
The Wheelin' Sportsmen Rooster Roundup is an event close to the heart of the South Dakota NWTF Chapter. Dean Schueler, former chapter president, accepted the Best State Chapter Event award at NWTF's 2009 national convention for the chapter's sponsorship of an annual pheasant hunt for people with disabilities.
The event is held at Twin Creek Farm near Fedora, and owner Chuck Blain ensures the property is farmed with wildlife as a top priority.
In 2009, more than 60 volunteers helped 15 folks with disabilities hunt pheasants. Six disabled non-hunters from South Dakota Achieve were also present.
Volunteers used a variety of ATVs, utility vehicles and trailers to transport hunters and walkers, as well as provided hunting dogs for flushing, pointing and retrieving birds. Only disabled hunters carried shotguns, and they were stationed as blockers at the end of Conservation Reserve Program grass fields. Volunteers walked the fields and pushed pheasants toward the hunters in several drives. Each hunter had a family member or NWTF volunteer assisting them during the hunt. Fifteen birds fell to the hunters' guns.
"I have been to this hunt the last four years and every time I feel like I have more fun than the last," said Bryce Neu. "The friendships I make and the stories that are shared between the hunters are just a few of the reasons I continue to attend these great hunts.
"Words cannot express what the South Dakota NWTF staff and volunteers mean to not only me, but to all of the hunters who attend. It is wonderful these people give time and energy to provide people like me the chance to get in the field and enjoy one of the great South Dakota traditions."
Rooster Roundup starts with breakfast, continuing with trap shooting, a safety talk, lunch, hunting, break time, more hunting and evening dinner. Jeff Gamber, owner of County Fair Foods in Watertown, donates all the food and refreshments. Gamber's son, Tyler, is one of the hunters.
John Thompson, a member of the James River Gobblers Chapter in Mitchell, is state chapter treasurer and state Wheelin' Sportsmen coordinator. He received the national Wheelin' Sportsmen Volunteer of the Year award at the 2009 NWTF national convention.
"John is very deserving of the award," said Schueler. "He organizes the entire Rooster Roundup and does all of this without a thought for himself. We have had many positive comments and thanks from the participants at our event. It is a great way for NWTF volunteers to give back to the community. And for the volunteer, this event is a truly moving experience."
Thompson was instrumental in visiting with landowners and acquiring approval for the hunt. He handled various other details, like inviting disabled hunters, organizing volunteers and soliciting equipment.
"I would like to extend an invitation for anyone to join us at the event this fall," said Thompson. He's proud of what Wheelin' Sportsmen is doing in South Dakota.
The seventh annual South Dakota Rooster Roundup is Oct. 23, the second weekend
of the season. — Berdette Zastrow