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On your Pheasant Fest show floor journey, pay a visit to some of these new vendors making the commitment to conservation.

By Tom Carpenter

Between all the dog-training seminars, habitat stage sessions, wild game cooking stage presentations, youth activities, special events and “everything else bird hunting and conservation” that’s going on at 2018 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic both day and night, you have a show floor jam-packed with upland excitement to tour.

Of course, the big booths always get a lot of attention, and that’s great. Many Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever National Sponsors – such as Scag Power Equipment, Federal Premium Ammunition, Nestle Purina Petcare, SportDOG and newest National Sponsor ORCA Coolers– exhibit at the show, and really do it up right for guests. 

Make some time on your tour, though, to visit a few of the following new, and sometimes much smaller, exhibitors who are “testing out the waters” at Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic … and telling compelling stories of their own.
 

Klock Werks

There’s a big crossover between upland hunters and motororcycling. Maybe we just like fresh air! In any event, Klock Werks (www.getklocked.com), makers of the original FLARE motorcycle windshield, have evolved into much more. Stop by and see everything else for the outdoors enthusiast that they’re up to these days at Booths 2504 and 2506. Note that Klock Werks did all the customizing work on the Polaris Ranger you could win at the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Floor Raffle in Booth 1220!
 

5.11 Tactical

5.11 Tactical’s original vision – to make purpose-built tactical gear for most demanding of law enforcement, first responder and military-style missions – evolved perfectly with the company’s innovation into the outdoor world.  Check them out at Booths 505, 507, 604 and 606. Ask about the 5.11 name! www.511tactical.com.

Pete’s Taxidermy

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever got Pete’s Taxidermy of Gregory, South Dakota, to provide an array of mounts to add charm and excitement to the event’s banquet halls. Anybody who has travelled through south-central South Dakota knows (or should know) about Pete’s! Stop by and see this craft-shop’s work at Booths 2520 and 2522. “I mounted my first bird in my basement when I was eleven years old.  Now, thirty-seven years later, eight full-time and numerous part-time people work for Pete's Taxidermy,” says owner Pete Liewer. www.petestaxidermy.com.
 

U.S.S. South Dakota

It may not have a lot to do with pheasant hunting, but it has something impressive to do with pheasant hunting’s top state. The U.S.S. South Dakota is a fast-attack nuclear submarine that also happens to be the third U.S. Navy vessel bearing the state’s name. This will be the first ship to bear the South Dakota name since the famed U.S.S. South Dakota battleship, which earned 13 Battle Stars for its distinguished service in World War II, before being retired. Stop by Booth 3206 and get the full story on the new South Dakota!
 

All German Dog Aisle

Achtung! Visit Booths 201 - 217 to learn about some of the world’s most versatile hunting dogs – Deutsch Drathaars, Kurzhaars and Langhaars, Deutscher Wachtelhunds, and Klein Munsterlanders. If you don’t know the English or common names of the aforementioned great hunting dog breeds, all the more reason to visit the All German Hunting Dog Aisle! 

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks … and Tourism

Okay so these two are not so new to Pheasant Fest, but South Dakota’s natural resources agency is helping the state celebrate its 100th pheasant season in 2018 – the Pheasantennial!  Pheasant Fest is helping serve as a kickoff for this event-filled year. Learn about it, and all the other hunting, fishing and outdoor opportunity South Dakota has to offer, at Booths 015, 016 and 1706. Meanwhile, get a start planning your hunting trip or family vacation with the help of South Dakota Tourism in Booths 1609 and 1708. www.gfp.sd.gov and www.travelsouthdakota.com.
 

Two Pollinator Plaza Premiers

A pair of exciting new vendors are joining the Pollinator Plaza this year. Bare Honey’s (www.barehoney.com) theme is “Sweet, the way nature intended.” Hear their sweet story – and discover their naturally wholesome honey products – at Booth 2402. While you’re in the plaza, visit A Touch of Honey (www.tofhoney.com) in Booths 2406 and 2408. Explore their wide variety of clover honey products created from their family’s North Dakota beehives … and ask about somebody allergic to bees marrying the beekeeper!