The Outdoors

By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This certainly explains the super mild winter we are having. I planned a few days off to go spearfishing for pike early last week and got a call on Saturday from the outfitter we were going to rent a shack from telling me that the ice conditions were not good enough to pursue my effort safely.

So goes the winter with little to no safe travelable ice. On the other hand, it does make any travel plans you have a lot easier to deal with. So, what is an outdoor person to do? I think I have a great answer to that question. On March 1, 2 and 3, Pheasants Forever is holding its national event in Sioux Falls, S.D., at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.

This event has been held all over the Midwest and I can say that I have never missed one. For most folks, it looks a lot like a state fair. There will be three days of event exhibitors showing off everything from new guns to wildlife art.

There were north of 25,000 attendees to this show the last time it was in Sioux Falls. The show floor opens at 12:00 noon on Friday. Just prior to that they kick off the event with a bird dog parade. If you get there in time to take that in, you will get to see every conceivable dog breed that has ever been used to hunt winged quarry. Many of the breeds represented there I have only seen during the parade.  You can visit with the dogs’ owners and get all kinds of information if you are in the market for a four-legged hunting companion.

One part of the show floor will have dozens of different kennels represented and almost all of them will bring a new litter of puppies with them. You can spend half a day just petting fuzzy balls of dog. All day long there are different seminars to attend, and I spend part of everyday getting advice from some of the top dog trainers from all over North America. Where else can you get this kind of information for free?

There is a huge banquet on Friday and Saturday night with far more ways to spend your money than I could ever afford. 1200-1500 people attend depending on the venue the Pheasant Fest is located at that year. I check all of the newest offerings from about 20 different gun manufacturers. You can hold and shoulder guns and ask questions of the company reps to help make your next gun purchase your best decision yet.

Every known-to-man dog supply is also exhibited at this event. Custom dog collars, electronic training collars, kennels, underground fences and 1,000 more items are all in plain view. I have always wished I could figure out just what is in the food I feed my dog and all of the major dog food producers will have their best reps on duty to answer any and all questions you have about dog health and fitness. When I get started with these folks it is hard for me to get away. Before you know it, an hour has passed.

The excitement level of this event is unlike any other event I attend. I have met people from all over the world who have become long-term friends. Many of them end up in my county to hunt birds with me the following fall. The cost to get into the event, I think, is about $10. Right now, it is buy one pass and get a second pass for free. I don’t know how long this offer lasts so if you’re interested, I would get your tickets now. If you are not currently a member of Pheasants Forever purchasing an annual membership for $35 gets you a pass into the show for all three days.

The sun is finally out after what seemed like foggy days for a month in a row. I need something to look forward to and for me this event is it. If you have never attended, I can promise you that you won’t be sorry to have made the drive. We are turning the corner on old man wimpy winter, but it will still be a few weeks until other outdoor options become available. Until then, stay safe on our crummy ice conditions and I might see you in Sioux Falls in a few weeks.

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If you have any questions, reach out to me at scottarall@gmail.com.