2012 looks to be an amazing year for the wild Pheasant population here at Rivett Refuge Preserve.  We escaped the drought and were blessed with adaquate moisture for crops and grasses.  Sorghum, Corn, and Grasses look great and should be some of the finest hunting cover we have ever had.  We’re looking forward to getting to know all of our new clients (soon to be good friends) this fall season at the preserve.

This April the Rivett Refuge Preserve had the unique opportunity again to be a Team Sponsor partnering with several of today’s hottest country music star’s for the first-ever NRA Country/ACM Celebrity Shoot, during the Academy of Country Music Awards week in Las Vegas “The Week That Vegas Goes Country”. Sporting Clays competition took place on at Nellis Air Force Base, and was hosted Country Music Superstar Blake Shelton.

The NRA Country/ACM Celebrity Shoot was a 13-station, 50-target sporting clays competition for 19 teams of five shooters—including a celebrity captain—with prizes going to the top three teams.

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/1C3RB7OfKAb/NRA+Country+ACM+Celebrity+Shoot+Hosted+Blake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fszMHzvnyWk

http://nracountry.com/acm-celebrity-shoot-0

http://www.acmcountry.com/home/index.php

If you are looking for a “bucket list” bird hunting experience, drop everything and go to Rivett Refuge Preserve. The Wingshooting USA TV crew enjoyed a stunning lodge experience with a world-class trophy room … where you always felt at home, part of the Rivett family. I give every lodge the “kitchen test.” If I feel welcome hanging out there, I know we’ll have a good time. Rivett Refuge Preserve’s kitchen passed with flying colors.

The habitat is the real gem in Rivett’s crown, and Mike Helm deserves much of the credit. From crops to food plots, water to shelterbelts, you’ll find hunting of all sorts to challenge your shooting, dogs and your legs! I will never forget some of the thick cover we explored, Buddy pointing birds in trees – literally! There is a hunting scenario for everyone: standing corn, CRP, all accessible and ready for your flushers or pointers (or Rivett Refuge Preserve’s fine dogs). My wirehair Buddy was in heaven! Actually, so was my Wingshooting USA crew, Lynn Berland and Tad Newberry – they got more and more varied footage at Rivett than anywhere we hunted last season.

But don’t take my word for it. Watch one of the shows we made there:

http://scottlindenoutdoors.com/wingshootingusa/watch-the-show/

Then, pack your bags.

Scott Linden
Host/creator
Wingshooting USA TV on the Versus Network

South Dakota Pheasant Hunting for a great cause.  The Rivett Refuge Preserve once again will a host of the 2011 10th annual Celebrity Pheasant Hunt. This years dates will be October 28th and 29th. All proceeds of the Celebrity Pheasant Hunt are donated to Camp Gilbert. Camp Gilbert is a week long camp that gives children with diabetes an opportunity to learn about their disease and make lasting friendships with other children who have diabetes. The camp is located on lake Enemy Swim in northeast South Dakota and staffed by physicians, nurses, social workers, diabetes educators, dietitians and adult volunteers. Last year the Celebrity Pheasant Hunt raised over $10,000 for Camp Gilbert. We hope to make this year even better with your help. Come have some fun with us as we try to raise money for a great charity. For more info on the Celebrity Pheasant Hunt check out their website at www.ringneckroundup.com

Winter weather was harsh in South Dakota as it always is. The Rivett Refuge Preserve takes pride in our winter habitat to protect our bird populations from severe losses in winter months. The Rivett Refuge Preserve stands with the best in holding large populations of healthy wild pheasants throughout the tough winters. This makes for many more birds when fall hunting arrives. I have seen thousands of hen pheasants nesting in our eastern gamma grass much earlier than in past years. We are confident that we will have an abundance of birds this fall hunting season. Make your reservations now to have the upland hunting experience of a lifetime. Dates are becoming limited and openings fill up fast when quality of habitat and winters impact makes others rethink their 2010 hunting trip.

Spring 2010 - Cover, Nesting Grasses, Food and Pheasants.