South Dakota Pheasant Hunting with Chad Allen Rischar

South Dakota Pheasant Hunting with Chad Allen Rischar – Part 1

Who doesn’t dream of bird hunting on the northern Great Plains with close friends, incredible dogs, big open skies and beautiful ring-necked pheasants? Here’s Part 1 of Chad Allen Rischar’s epic hunt, along with four great DIY tips he’s offering to help you plan your own western bird hunting adventure:

How did you get into hunting, who exposed you to it, and how old were you when you were exposed to it?

My paternal side of the family small-game hunted in Nebraska and Illinois growing up.  I  grew up in South Georgia in White-tail deer country, primarily.  Most of my friends hunted, but my family was steadily getting back into the sport. My dad and uncles told stories of pheasant hunting with their grandfather and that always seemed fascinating.  However, chasing pheasants in corn fields wasn’t exactly a reality in South Georgia.   My grandfather joined a deer lease when I was around 13 and I was hooked- I mean I swallowed the hook without prejudice.

We would tent camp amongst the weathered campers and humble hunting cabins, and I couldn’t get enough of the camping and hunting experiences.  I was officially hooked while hunting with my Grandfather in a creek bottom on a deer lease in Stewart County, GA.  My grandfather was enjoying a quick nap when a main frame and stud 8 point slowly trotted through the hardwood bottom towards our post.  I nudged him and gently motioned towards the buck’s direction.  Grandpa harvested that rack buck, but it was a team effort in my opinion at age fourteen.

After that fond memory, I was fired up about deer hunting and the never-ending pleasures of outdoor experiences.  That 8-point stud resides above the French doors of my wife’s family’s lake cabin in South Georgia.  That shoulder mount is a testament to my grandfather, and what I consider to be our endowed accomplishment as hunters- generations apart. When I stare at that shoulder mount I recount that incredible hunt time and time again.

Can you describe your western bird hunt – how did you choose the location and species?

Hunting fair chase pheasants always seemed like a worthwhile pursuit.  The Florida group I joined, hunted in South Dakota the year prior, so I essentially committed to the 2015 trip based on their recommendations.  It wasn’t a blind decision, but I lacked some context and details.  They had a solid hunt in 2014 and openly committed to returning the following season.  “Fair chase pheasants” was the key phrase, and I was on-board for the adventure.  The group of three friends and three bird dogs were not the most seasoned SD hunters; however, they were hunting buddies and the dogs were disciplined, with more experience than me.

Take a big step back with me – guys you trust, a new adventure, a relatively inexpensive adventure to SD, and more than likely solid hunting experience.  Sign me freaking up and let’s be positive about unexplored country.  Who cares if the birds are tough to harvest – I had never tried it before. No need to be reluctant.  It’s an experience and a trip that I often reflect on with a smile.

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from bird hunting in the West?

Tip 1 – Choose your hunting party wisely and plan ahead. I was fortunate and our group was solid.  The planning process was a group effort, but we developed an approach well in advance.  Most notably, we valued each other’s opinions and continued to do so throughout the trip. Think tank the trip and goals.

Tip 2 – Although we vetted a general plan and mutual strategy, we adapted to the conditions and weather.  We also adapted to sucky weather, the random nuances of hunting, and being out of our Florida comfort zones. We excelled at daily debriefing and sharing tomorrow’s strategies.

Tip 3 – Remain respectful of your hunting party and their dogs.   If someone relished a new approach on the adventure, the group should admonish that request. If it works, high fives all around and you fill your blaze orange vests with roosters.  If that approach was a flop, develop a new strategy and move on. Remain adaptive to every suggestion, but discuss the options and seek consensus.  If you don’t reach a quorum, that’s perfectly acceptable- divide up and make and attempt a new offensive plan. Trust the dogs more than you think. They are much more skilled at pointing and retrieving than you!

Tip 4 –  Don’t forget to smile, laugh, and remember you’re on vacation – enjoy your collective time in the field. In conclusion, these are your friends, they are tired of chasing roosters through the cattail and briars just like you, but you are a team- so act like a team. So you drove for 35 hours to make the trip a reality. Take another step back and spiritually appreciate God’s country. This is what you’ve planned, packed, and budgeted for weeks and months. Don’t forget that this is the antithesis of those efforts, so soak up the sun, solid points and retrieves and enjoy it!

The following video was produced by Bosier Outdoor Adventures from our follow up trip in 2015. I often watch this video when I need a firm reminder of why to smile and enjoy the company of family, friends and dogs:

Chad Allen Rischar is a Southeast Chapter Board member of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and resides in Northeast Florida. He’s a generalist hunter, angler, and outdoorsman. As a scientist, natural resource manager and conservation advocate, he appreciates the inherent value of the out-of-doors and is seeking to improve the well, not just the pump. Chad can be contacted at Florida.BHA@gmail.com