Watertown’s County Fair Food Store Supports Wheelin’ Sportsmen Pheasant Hunt Near Flandreau

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Large group of hunters pose outside a white building with a Dennis Schoffelman memorial hunt banner and rows of ducks on the ground — Photo Credit: Michael G Brown.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Twenty-five hunters with disabilities took to the field for the 22nd annual South Dakota National Wild Turkey Federation State Chapter’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen pheasant hunt near Flandreau, supported in part by a meal donation from Watertown’s County Fair Food Store.

Held at Sioux River Wildlife and sponsored by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, the annual event brings hunters with disabilities together for a day of camaraderie and pheasant hunting. Jeff Gamber of County Fair Food Store in Watertown donated all of the food for the two meals served to participants and volunteers during the event.

Yellow Labrador wearing a black-and-orange collar lying in green grass, looking alert and calm outdoors. — *Photo Credit: Michael G Brown.*

Hunters navigated wet, soggy conditions under a low cloud ceiling and sideways mist, which offered a break from the warm temperatures of previous years. Assisted by towable trailers, track wheelchairs, hunting dogs, and volunteers, participants pursued pheasants across Sioux River Wildlife’s native prairies, food plots, shelterbelts, and bluffs along the Big Sioux River.

The hunt marked a milestone for Jack Ringer of Hull, Iowa, who harvested his first pheasant. The event also brought together family members, including brothers Doug, Rodney, Greg, and Wayne Boddicker, along with their nephew, Preston Boddicker.

Hunters with shotguns and dogs stand in a grassy field near trailers and trucks, one in a camo wheelchair, on a misty farm. — Photo Credit: Michael G Brown.

Participants also honored longtime attendee and friend Denny Schoffelman, who passed away last year. Hunters signed a commemorative banner featuring Schoffelman’s image during the event.

Sioux River Wildlife owners and NWTF volunteers Tad and Kathy Jacobs have hosted the hunt at their preserve since 2014. Earlier this year, the couple received the Wheelin’ Sportsmen Volunteer of the Year award during the NWTF’s National Convention and Sport Show for donating their time, expertise, property, and resources to grow the South Dakota event. NWTF volunteers are already planning next year’s hunt.

Two hunters in orange gear pose outdoors with a crossbow; one seated man holds a bird, cloudy sky and fields behind. — Jack Ringer of Hull, Iowa, poses with Ron Schauer of the South Dakota NWTF State Chapter after harvesting his first pheasant. Photo Credit: Michael G Brown.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Local and state NWTF chapters host thousands of outreach events nationwide each year. Since 1973, the NWTF has invested more than $500 million into wildlife conservation and impacted more than 25 million acres of wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the organization has also invested more than $2.7 million in wild turkey research—leveraged with partner contributions to more than $25 million—to guide wild turkey management and maintain sustainable populations.