On top of everything else, Gov. Mike Rounds stopped in the pub and visited for a bit!
That’s just how things work in my second-favorite state, South Dakota. Secret public spots shared by good friend Joey … incredible hospitality … and the birds. THE BIRDS! Ten miles from Pierre on the Ft. Pierre National Grasslands, is a place wild beyond imagination. Unplowed prairie like the pioneers found, water, cover, crops nearby and a flourishing population of ringnecks. And sharptails. And did I mention prairie chickens?
After a week on the injured reserve list, nephew Manny was out of the box and hunting before I could get the e-collar on his uncle Buddy. Both were glad to be moving – fast – after a long day of travel from Wyoming. Into the tough cover, the rattle of dry grass, and … silence! As deafening as a thunderclap, the quiet was soon interrupted by our jaws dropping as we found Buddy on point. Manny slid into a beautiful back, and a very young rooster cackled skyward. A second or third hatch? Anyone know what the bird situation was in the area this fall?
Here’s the country:
Joey is a deadeye and dropped the bird at 40 yards. A bounce, two dogs vectoring for it, and nothing. Buddy’s a lackluster retriever, especially if he thinks someone else will pick up the slack. Evidently even Manny fits that bill. Redirected into the thick stuff, and again, nada. A delberate track toward the next patch, though, scared the wing-clipped bird into a race ultimately won by Buddy.
We celebrated with a tall cold one at a local pub, and as we shared videos and toasted Joey’s recent wedding, in walked friend of hunters Gov. Mike Rounds. I hadn’t seen him since our interview at the SHOT show, so a lot of reminscing took place. He’s served South Dakota as governor for eight years, is term limited-out, and will soon have a little more time for … hunting! See you in the field Mike!
And here’s our bag:
Scott Linden Outdoors 
Scott
Wondering if you have weighed in on this ballot measure that attempted to ban hunting ranches. We just heard about it today. It seems there is a rift between agri-tourism and a sector of the hunting population claiming it is not ethical.
The ethics question is interesting since we haven’t heard anyone complain about hatchery trout or pheasants.
I just thought it’s topic you might like to cover in your show.
Not having following it too closely, I’m not familiar with the details, but would guess some interpret the difference as being all about fair chase. Big game enclosed by a high fence, no matter how much acreage, seems different than free-flying birds or free-swimming trout that can escape. Whaddya know? Was that part of the debate? It will undoubtedly come up again.
I sure can’t wait to see this episode, My wife and I will be moving to S.D. in the spring. Looks like I may be busy up there.
You’ll see two episodes from SD this season … keep watching … though this experience was way different than those! Good luck on the move.