Winner, South Dakota  is just across the border from Nebraska, and is the home of Prairie Legends Outfitters. A dozen outdoorsmen from across the southern United States gathered there recently for three days of incredible pheasant hunting at the invite of Garry Mason, of Legends of the Outdoors.

Tarell Bauld, the general manager of Prairie Legends, said. “We manage well over 50,000 acres of private lands and offer a true South Dakota hunt.”

Prairie Legends Outfitters offers turkey, deer, prairie dog and coyote hunting in addition to pheasant hunts. Combo hunts are a popular item for many out of state hunters.

Garry Mason, the owner of the  Legends the Outdoors National Hall of Fame, and a past hunting guide in South Dakota, said that pheasant hunting has a huge impact on the economy of the state.

“Pheasant hunting is a significant economic driver for South Dakota, generating an estimated $281 million in 2023 through spending on lodging, food, and gear, supporting local businesses in rural communities, and contributing to the state's overall tourism industry,” Mason said. “This impact is felt across multiple sectors, including retail, hospitality, and services, making it a critical component of the state's economy.”

Mason led a group of dedicated outdoorsmen, from several walks of life, on an exciting adventure to Prairie Legends Outfitters. Donnie Conway, from St. James, Missouri, is a Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame board member. Bill Cooper, from Cuba, Missouri is a long time outdoor communicator, and an inductee of the Hall of Fame. John Faber, of Tennessee, and Sandy Brady, of North Carolina, represented Migra Ammunition. Steve Moseley, owner of Better Plant Growth, also hails from Tennessee. Tom Berry, of North Carolina  is state fish and game commissioner, as well as a farmer. Darrell Hilyer, of North Carolina,  is distributes gasoline products to five southeastern states. a concrete contractor. Well known bass fisherman and TV personality Jimmy Houston, from Oklahoma ,attended, along with his black Lab, Bennelli. Sixteen year old Landon Dean, from Tennessee, made his debut as a cameraman for Legends of the Outdoors TV. A common bond brought the group to South Dakota - their love of the outdoors and b bird hunting.

Everyone arrived at the lodge on Friday afternoon and evening. The spacious facility, with plush leather couches, big screen TVs, and spectacular outdoor decor created a charming atmosphere that any outdoorsman would enjoy.

Everyone got acquainted while enjoying a football came and relaxing for the evening. Chatter echoed through the building as everyone enjoyed the camaraderie and made plans for the next day’s hunt.

Bauld arrived early the next morning, along with assistant Shay Mednansky, to serve a fabulous hot breakfast of biscuits and gravy along with a tasty fruit dish and an incredibly delicious breakfast cake.

All the hunters began gathering their gear soon after breakfast. Temperatures had dropped during the night and 2-inches of fresh snow blanketed the rolling hills creating an outdoorsman’s wonderland.

In short order hunters and dogs boarded the camp bus for the 20 minute ride out to the farm where the pheasant hunt would  take place. Everyone marveled at the big screen TV mounted in the back of the bus. A football game raged on as laughter and conversion overrode the TV.

We clambered out of the bus, along with Katie and Benelli, two black Labs. Bauld assembled everyone to give a short safety speech, including hunting  and gun handling techniques to keep both shooters and dogs safe.

Our 11-man hunting party stretched out on a straight line across the field, and Bauld released three Labs, a yellow Lab by the name of Chief, a black Lab, called Bo, and a silver Lab called trigger, which I soon fell in love with.

The Labs quartered back and forth in front of us through the tall grass and weeds, while a cold north wind swept the landscape.. Bauld and Mednansky controlled the range of the dogs, keeping them close in order to flush pheasants within shotgun range. Two teenagers, Beckem Bauld, and Dalton Carroll, walked in the gaps to help flush birds and carry birds after the shot and retrieve.

It quickly became apparent that the crew at Prairie Legends Outfitters loved guiding and all that it required. Their crew operated like a well oiled machine.

Shortly, the first flush of the day caught us all by surprise, but Darren Hilyer calmly swung on the colorful pheasant and dropped it  with one shot. Hoorahs and congrats filled the air as everyone chimed in to share the moment. 

Pheasants began to flush often and the hunt took on a serious note as everyone became intent and focused on rising birds. Laughter and a bit of goading when someone missed a shot added to the light hearted atmosphere of a bunch of guys thoroughly enjoying themselves. 

Andy Brady, who also did a stint of guiding in South Dakota remarked, “the folks at Prairie Legends Outfitters did a great job. The habitat was superb, their dogs performed well, and there were lots of birds. It was a great time in the outdoors with good friends.” 

I personally marveled at the incredible dog work. Five Labs coursed through the fields and the handlers effectively controlled them to maximize the odds of finding and flushing birds in order to give all hunters ample shot opportunities. 

Within a couple of hours our party had downed 27 gorgeous Chines ringneck pheasants. Everyone gathered around for photo opportunities. Lifetime memories with friends had been made.

  South Dakota is known as the "Pheasant Capital of the World.” While the state holds this title due to its abundance of pheasants and hunting opportunities, certain areas like Redfield and the "Golden Pheasant Triangle" around Winner are specifically marketed as "capitals" due to their historical significance and prime hunting. To schedule a hunt with Prairie Legends Outfitters go to: www.prairielegends.com.