That Was Great! Can I Have the Recipe?

We hear this pretty often at the lodge, so I thought I'd share a few of our favorite recipes. Enjoy!

This one is for Irvin...

Cheeseburger Chowder

• 3, 12 oz cans of condensed cheddar cheese soup (mix 3 cans milk)
• 3, 12 oz cans of condensed nacho cheese soup (mix3 cans milk)
• 2 lbs hamburger or deer burger or sausage
• 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
• 3 Tbsp minced garlic
• 4 cups frozen hashbrowns

Brown burger with onion & garlic. Drain & mix with soups bring to a boil over medium heat. Add hashbrowns, simmer 15-20 minutes stirring occassionally.

Cream Pheasant

• 6 pheasant breasts
• 2 pints heavy cream
• 3 Tbsp minced garlic
• 5 Tbsp butter
• Salt & pepper to taste

Melt butter in lg skillet, add garlic & pheasant. Brown breasts on both sides over medium heat. Add cream slowly (may not need to use the full 2 pints). Cream should cover the bottom of the pan and 1/3 of each breast. Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over wild rice or mashed potatoes.

Pheasant & Wild Rice Casserole

• 6-8 bnls, skinless pheasant breasts
• 2 boxes Zatarain’s Long Grain Wild Rice
• 2 packets Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 3, 12 oz. cans Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 2% milk
• 2 cans water chestnuts (optional)
• 1 cup frozen or fresh peas (optional)
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• ½ cup Craisins (optional)
  
  Mix cream of mushroom soup with 3 cans of water and 2 cans milk, add rice, onion soup mix and optional ingredients. Stir to mix. Place pheasant breasts in 9X13 deep sided, slightly greased cake pan. Pour rice mixture over the top. Cover with tinfoil. Bake at 350 for 1 to 1.75 hours. Check after 1 hour- pheasant should be tender and still juicy. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

What To Bring on your Pheasant Hunt

You'll enjoy your hunt even more if you are prepared, so here's a checklist to help you with packing.

*These items can be purchased in our Pro Shop.

· Waterproof hunting clothing (jacket, pants, boots, gloves, etc.)
· Clothing that can be easily layered. Fall temps can range from 30-85 degrees.
· Nov-Mar, bring winter boots, winter coat, gloves & stocking cap.
· Well-worn hunting boots and several pairs of warm socks.
· *Protective eyewear
· *Blaze orange clothing (vest, shooting shirt, cap, etc.)
· *Hunting vest or shell belt
· *Camouflage clothing if you plan on waterfowl hunting.
· *Thermal shirts, long underwear or a hooded sweatshirt
· *Slippers or something similar. Outside shoes cannot be worn in either lodge.
· Casual clothing including a bathing suit for our hot tub
· Camera, batteries and film

If you bring your gun-
· A hard-side, locking gun case. 12 or 20 gauge shotgun is recommended. We provide one box of shells/hunter daily. After that shells must be purchased at the Pro Shop.

If you bring your dog- (please let us know in advance)
· Food, dishes, protective vest or any other supplies your dog may require

Your South Dakota Hunting License can be obtained at the lodge. Please be sure to bring your State-Issued ID Card or Drivers’ License.

Food Plots and Bird Numbers Both Looking Great

Throughout the spring and summer we've worked our food plots, watched their progress and marveled at the birds numbers we've see in them. Our food plots are a rotation of corn, milo and alfalfa. Several years ago we also started planting a crop called Buck-N-Cock (see below). It is hardy, long-lasting and upland birds and deer can't get enough of it. The abundant food supply, mild weather and adequate moisture have caused our wild bird population to soar! We've had at least two hatches this year and just recently we saw several groups of week old chicks.

Think we're biased? Just ask anyone who's traveled the South Dakota Highways about how good the birds are this year! Seeing is believing- call to book your hunt today!

She's Going to Go Any Day Now...

Nearly a month ago I wrote about our litter of German Shorthair puppies due "any day now" according to Sal. After much anticipation the puppies finally arrived last Saturday. Seven puppies in all- 4 males and 3 females. Molly & the pups are doing great. Our vet made a house call this week to look everyone over and dock tails/remove dew claws. Everyone is healthy and growing quickly.



As for Sal's birth predictions, so far they are only accurate in cattle. Although we'll get a chance to test his skill with humans- our baby boy is due in mid December. Sal has already said he thinks Thanksgiving is a more likely time. I think sometimes his excitement clouds his judgement.