The Great SD Pheasant Hunt of '08

Two weeks ago, Mark and Mingo embarked on an epic journey out west where they joined forces with 6 other men and 7 other dogs to wreak havoc on the dense pheasant population of the fine state of South Dakota. On this adventure, the mighty hunters drove through rain, sleet and snow and spent nearly $700 in gas (2 pickup trucks pulling hound trailers) to arrive at their destination of the small town of White Lake. White Lake is approximately 45 minutes west of Mitchell, South Dakota--home of the "world famous" Corn Palace.

The Corn Palace

The guys stopped at a huge Cabela's on the way out

Although the driving was often treachorous, with heavy winds and snow, everybody is quite relieved that they went 2 weeks ago instead of waiting and scheduling the trip later. The poor residents of the area the guys were in just got pounded with over 3 feet of snow, with loss of power in thousands of homes, schools closed, and hundreds of people stranded on the roadways!

Van with Mingo and Lizzy

A sunrise

Mark reports that even though the weather was not very hospitable, the hunting was incredible. Everyday, the guys got their limit of pheasants--which is 3 per day, each--and saw hundreds more than they harvested. On a calm morning, Mark and Van went out behind the barn of the farm where they were staying and watched the sunrise. While there, they witnessed dozens and dozens of roosters jumping straight up into the air and cackling. According to their friend, Paul Hellenbrand, this behavior is to dry the dew off their feathers while looking for potential predators. Mark said it was quite a sight to behold!

Lizzy and Mingo get ready

The house

Mingo was in absolute bird heaven! Everyday he awoke quivering with anticipation and excitement. ALL of the dogs were thrilled to be on the trip--plus they got to eat soft food EVERY NIGHT, which is quite unorthodox for their normal day-to-day routine.

Paul preparing the dogs' dinner
One of the dog trailers

Little Lily had to stay home with me. Although she is improving, she is still quite gun shy and would not have enjoyed the trip very much. Lily did miss Mingo tremendously, but she did have a couple days to play with her good friends Bella, Wiley and Buddy at Marko and Liz's. The Baxters were very kind and took her in for 2 days while I had longer days of work with school and tutoring. My mother-in-law, Judy, also picked her up one day and took Lily to her house for a walk and companionship while I was finishing my work day at school. Thanks you guys!

The cafe where the guys ate breakfast every morning

Mark's friends, Greg and Dan, with their dogs (Dakota and ?)

Mark's trip was a wonderful experience and I'm glad he got to go with his dad and some of his dearest friends. All of the photos shown here were taken by Mark with my old digital camera.

Dan with a new friend

I do have to admit that I was rather mad at Mark when they returned and I saw how my once stately, handsome dog looked pretty darn beat-up and tired. Mark had given Mingo a horrible haircut before they left for the trip in anticipation of the awful burrs out there, so Mingo's gorgeous tail was chopped and he had a couple "bald spots" from Mark getting a little too aggressive with the scissors. There were a couple scrapes on Mingo's legs too. Most striking was how tired he was. Once he laid down on the couch by me, he didn't move for anything. The picture below is of me talking to Judy on the phone, commiserating about how our poor babies were all beat-up from the trip (Van took their Brittany, Lizzy, along too). Never mind about having Mark and Van return home safely...we were doting on our dogs!

A disapproving wife reunited with her precious dogs