The Great Outdoors Are Just Outside Mitchell
Retailers cater to hunters, fishermen, hikers and campers
PHOTO BY SD TOURISM
South Dakota’s love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors is apparent in Mitchell. In addition to great outdoor opportunities just outside of town, the city has a number of businesses geared toward hunting and fishing. The plains of eastern South Dakota are home to one of the richest ringneck pheasant populations in North America. Bird hunters from across the United States flock to the Mitchell area for pheasant hunting. Guided and youth hunts make Mitchell a great place for a yearly hunt. Our nation’s first president should be thanked for making South Dakota one of the top pheasant harvest states. George Washington is credited with being the first to bring pheasants
Resident and nonresident small game licenses can be purchased online with a credit card or from a local licensed outlet. South Dakota residents need an annual small game, one-day small game, youth small game, combination or junior combination license to hunt pheasants. nonresident small-game license.
pheasant was not successfully released into
Locally owned sporting good stores such as K & B Archery and Leader Sporting Goods are
is now around 10 million birds.
year-round businesses that cater to hunting,
“South Dakota is renowned worldwide for its
archery, and fishing enthusiasts. Additional
pheasant hunting, and rightfully so,” says South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. “Only twice in the
outdoors-oriented businesses like Precision Reloading, Lucid Manufacturing and Boyds’
past 20 years has the annual pheasant harvest
Gunstock Industries also call Mitchell home.
been under 1 million roosters, and those “down”
Outdoors outfitter Cabela’s chose Mitchell in
years of 1992 and 1997 were both over 900,000”.
Opening Date: October 18, 2014 Daily Limit: 3 rooster pheasants
Additional hunting and fishing information available at www.gfp.sd.gov.
Nonresident adults need a South Dakota
to the United States. Although the ringneck South Dakota until 1908, the current population
Pheasant Season
2000 as one of its first retail stores outside its Sidney, Neb., headquarters. The 80,000-squarefoot facility is part retail store, part wildlife
And there’s a reason those animal mounts look so realistic: Hellman’s Taxidermy, also located in Mitchell. The renowned taxidermy shop has created pieces for Cabela’s and other clients featuring everything from North American trophies to exotic animals from Asia and Africa. Pheasant hunting not for you? Fishing has become one of the most popular outdoor activities in America and is enjoyed year round in Mitchell. Just outside Mitchell, the James River and Lake Mitchell offer great fishing for crappie, bluegill and bass.
museum and part tourist attraction. The
In addition to over 1,000 hotel rooms in
aquarium -- in the fishing tackle section,
the Mitchell area, it’s easy to find a relaxing
naturally -- features living lunkers such as trout,
hunting lodge or bed & breakfast to meet your
walleye and other fish that can be found in
needs after a long hunt. When you’re ready to
nearby waters. Against the soaring back wall
come inside, enjoy a meal at one of our local
is a “mountain” teeming with a wide variety of
restaurants. Mitchell also houses sports bars,
realistic animal mounts, from bighorn sheep and
coffee shops and retail stores.
mountain goats to mountain lions, bears, moose
Be sure to contact the Mitchell Convention
and elk.
& Visitor’s Bureau to help plan your outdoor escape. www.VisitMitchell.com | 2014-2015 Mitchell Community & Visitor Guide
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