Wild Dakotas passion for sometime now, has been keeping kids in the outdoors and the South Dakota Outdoor Adventure Foundation, which focus' on Veterans and Disabled Children fulfilling their dreams of being in the outdoors, or rekindling an old passion, or even creating a new one. This Ringneck Retreat Hunt was made possible by people who care deeply about the cause, and also wanted to take part in this wonderful experience as well.

      The anticipation of this trip, grew more and more as the time to depart from Sioux Falls, SD drew closer as we had begun to load the last few items into the truck and trailer. The four of us; Jeff, Kara, Mike and myself, piled into the vehicle and began to make our way towards Hitchcock, SD which is just North of Huron, SD. We made a quick pit stop in Hartford, SD to round up the rest of the group to follow us to our destination. Grabbing some snacks and drinks, we were quickly on the road once more. During the duration of the trip, many stories were shared of hunting and fishing adventures from the past. Within these conversations sparked a Fishing Trip with the Wild Dakota Team to be auctioned off along with the other fantastic items that would later be set out for all to observe and make an offer on.

     Our arrival time to Ringneck Retreat was 6pm. The sun was down, and the lodge looked beautiful, lit up in the darkness. Before unloading the truck and trailer and getting settled in, a tour was given of the inside of the lodge. Through the front door was an enormous bench style dining table to your right. To your left you notice a log style, wrap around bar attached to the kitchen area, a hallway to the first set of rooms, a bathroom, and a storage area. Infront of you there is a mini bar under a massive set of stairs, a pool table, and a wide open living area with a sectional sofa, two recliners, and a flat screen TV. From the living room, you work your way up the stairs on to a landing with an office and a long hallway which lead to four more rooms. Each room in the lodge contains three twin beds, all covered in camouflage bedding. The walls and windows are decorated with miscellaneous outdoor photos and camouflage curtains. Each room has 

it's own wash area with mirror and sink. There are showers and restrooms split between two rooms each. The walls of the lodge have many large deer heads, some pheasant feather wreaths, and outdoor photos lining them, creating that true, out in the woods feeling.

     At about 7pm Mike Hackett, our chef and videographer for the weekend, started on dinner while everyone unloaded their necessities and tried to get settled in. Jeff Boer, Producer/Director/Host of Wild Dakota and former Miss Minnesota Kara Wattunen, set out the auction items, while still helping everyone get situated in the lodge. As soon as everything was in, dinner was ready, and drinks and fellowship shortly followed. The silent auction items were bid on almost immediately. There were many different items ranging from large outdoor prints to coasters engraved with the Wild Dakota logo to knives and blaze orange vests. The night came to a close around 11pm and everyone headed to their respective rooms.

      7am came around faster than we expected. The smell of buiscuts and gravy filled the air. Coffee seemed to be the drink of choice for many guests this morning. Everyone seemed eager to begin the first day of hunting, as many were coming down for breakfast all dressed in their attire and ready to go. A breif meeting was called to inform all participants of how the day was planned, and the safety rules/tips that needed to be followed. Following the meeting, everyone hopped in their vehicles and we drove to the trap shooting area, which was just down the road from the lodge. Everyone was given a chance to shoot a few clays, even myself, which was a really treat. From the trap shoot, we headed to the lodge to gather the rest of our gear, and then headed out to the first field of the weekend, and what a field it was.

     Between the whole group, everyone rotated in and out when it came time to walk the fields. One field half of us would block, and the other would walk, and then the next field the groups would switch. This continued for the entire weekend, so that everyone had a chance to participate equally. The sights and sounds of birds flying, dogs rustling in the cattails and everyone crunching through the thigh deep snow, really set the stage for the shots that rang through the air, and the shouting of "Rooster!" when a big beautiful bird would get up. It was an amazing sight to see, the smile on any of the hunters faces after collecting a retrieved bird from one of the many amazing hunting dogs that were available to us. Definitely an experience of a lifetime.

      The closing of the weekend was the most difficult part for most of the group, because no one wanted to leave this beautiful place. All the experiences and time that we had all shared together was really an amazing thing. Everyone seem to have a wonderful time, and I know, with the help and support of people who are passionate about hunting, and about giving others the opportunity to hunt as well, this fantastic organization will flourish, and events like this will continue to be made possible.

By KatB Photography

      A new nation wide survey, conducted for the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, found support for hunting and fishing has remained strong over the past decade with 3 out of 4 americans approving of legal hunting and more than 9 out of 10 approving of recreational fishing.  Advertise with us packages starting at under $9 a month! Get your message out to the most loyal audience in the world!  Contact us for more information!

Team Wild Dakota is asking everyone to take a stand against invasive and noxious species! This concerns everyone not just the sportsmen!  Get more information! or click here to watch videos!  To simply  Report a problem at with the Early Detection and Response action web page follow he link and directions!

Our first Out door Adventure Foundation fishing adventure to Zipple Bay on Lake of the Woods was an awesome adventure. A total sucess.  Nick & Deanna. owners of the resort where awesome hosts. Every one of the kids caught walleyes, the BIGGEST a 29" er and many released in the 20 to 29" range. slot is 19 1/2" to 30."Wow". We will be hosting more kids with terminal illness on more hunting & fishing adventures.

If you would like to help out contact us.  We host kids with terminal illness under the age of 25 & combat injured Vets under 40.

 Watch Wild Dakota video trailers!  Several different productions all about the money shot.  After all that's what gets the heart  going!