October of 2021 was a memorable month for my family as my daughter went on her first pheasant hunting trip to Cavour, South Dakota. My brother-in-law, his daughter, and son joined us on this adventure. We drove for five hours from our home in southern Minnesota to reach our destination. It wasn’t easy scheduling the field training during the pandemic, but we managed to secure a slot for Saturday morning at Ahlman’s Gun Shop in Morristown.
With her field training complete, my daughter took the online safety test for hunting while we were on the road. She passed with flying colors, and we arrived in Cavour just in time to hit the last field of the day. We didn’t even stop at the farm but got dressed and headed straight to the Swamp, one of the many fields where we hunt.
Familiar Ground
Where we hunt, every field has adopted a name over the years. Some of the most notable ones include the Abandoned Farm, the Two Mile Tree Strip, and Stickerville. But the field that holds a special place in our hearts is the Swamp. It is a long batch of cat tails and brush in the middle of a field, this year it was planted with beans. The Swamp cuts an entire section of the field almost in half, starting from the southeastern part and extending to the northwest corner. Although the wind was not quite in our favor, we worked our way down the field, hoping that on the way back, the wind would be in our face, and we could kick up some birds.
A Perfect Shot
My brother-in-law and I both managed to shoot a couple of birds, but my daughter had yet to fire her gun. By now, it was getting late, and there wasn’t much shooting time left. We were all tired, but I convinced my daughter to walk it out. We pushed the final bit of the field, and just as I had hoped, she got her first bird. She may not have had the most birds of the day, but she had the best shot accuracy, one shot and one bird.
A New Tradition
Since then, my daughter has been back a few times, and we always look forward to living in the pole barn for a week, getting outside, and chasing the birds. We are grateful to Kathy and Matt, whose family has been taking in my in-laws for a week in October for decades now, for their hospitality and generosity. Going on a hunting trip with family can be a great way to bond and create unforgettable memories, and my daughter’s first pheasant hunting trip was no exception. We hope to continue this tradition for years to come.
