Rooster Count Scandal
Chislic Exposed
Does the Lt. Gov’s actual bird count match his claims? Our watchdog reporters are on the hunt.
What is this mysterious South Dakota delicacy? We belly up and dig in. See Page 4
See Page 2
G OV E R N O R N O E M’ S 2 0 23 I N V I TAT I O NA L P H E A SA N T H U N T
THE FENCE POST
October 27–28, 2023
Sioux Falls, SD
SD Governor Declares Open Season IN THE LAND OF THE FREE It is my pleasure to invite you to the annual Governor’s Invitational Pheasant Hunt & Prairie Art Showcase, being held October 27–28, 2023 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We’ll kick off the weekend on Friday evening with a welcome reception. When you RSVP, you’ll be assigned to a hunt team, and this reception will give you an opportunity to meet your captain and fellow team members. On Saturday morning, after a hearty breakfast, you and your team will make your way to the fields for a hunting experience like no other. The dogs working, the calls of ROOSTER! and the shotgun blasts will get your heart pumping and blood moving in no time! If you choose not to hunt, you can head to Crooks Gun Club (just six miles away) to test your trapshooting skills, or explore the beautiful city of Sioux Falls and its great shopping, recreation, attractions, and dining. On Saturday night, we’ll meet, eat and swap stories about the day. After
that, we’ll walk over to the PREMIER Center for a special show from Jelly Roll, a five-time CMA Award nominee. The events and festivities are just a part of what makes our annual hunt a tradition like no other. Pheasant hunting in our state dates back more than 100 years, when three pairs of ringnecks were released into the wild north of Redfield. Generations later, the thrill of the rooster rush is still a cherished tradition among family and friends, and a storied celebration of our state's great outdoors. I also want you to know that we’re home to a premier business climate where our top business leaders have started and grown their business into lasting legacies. While you’re here, I encourage you to visit with these leaders and consider what it would take to build your legacy here too. I hope you’ll join me — it’s a weekend you won’t want to miss.
Gov. Noem welcomes you to join a heart-pounding South Dakota tradition.
Schedule
South Dakota Governor's Hunt: What to Know Upon your arrival, please stop at the Hunt Registration Desk to register and receive your team assignment. The registration desk is located in the Sioux Falls Convention Center, and it will open at 11am on Friday, October 27.
RSVP
Please complete the online RSVP at sd.gov/23GovernorNoemHunt. The password to access the site is NoemHunt-23. This invitation is non-transferable.
What to Know
Event Information
Friday, October 27
11am Registration Desk Opens Noon–4:30pm Trap Shoot & Crazy Quail (Crooks Gun Club) 5:30–8:30pm Welcome Social Governor's Prairie Art Showcase
Saturday, October 28
6:30am Registration Desk Opens 6:30–9am Sunrise Breakfast Governor's Prairie Art Showcase 9–10:30am Hunters Depart 10am–2:30pm Trap Shoot & Crazy Quail (Crooks Gun Club) 4:30pm Tailgate Social Governor's Prairie Art Showcase 5:45pm Hunter's Paradise Banquet 7:30pm Jelly Roll Concert
Location
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s Invitational Pheasant Hunt will be held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Arena.
Sioux Falls Convention Center 1201 North West Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Transportation
Transportation will be provided to the field on Saturday and the Crooks Gun Club on Friday and Saturday.
Dining
Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served at the opening reception on Friday evening. On Saturday, all meals will be provided, with the exception of lunch for the non-hunters. Please indicate any dietary restrictions in your RSVP.
Attire
Casual or hunting attire is suitable for all activities. South Dakota’s weather in October can vary — we encourage you to be prepared. Layering your clothes is best, and don’t forget to pack a jacket and gloves if it’s cooler.
LAND OF THE FREE. HOME OF THE BRAVE. FIND YOUR HOME IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
Freedomwor ksh ere . c o m
Page 1
THE FENCE POST
La-Z-Boy Releases BlockerInspired Recliner
Accommodations
Where to Stay You will need to arrange and reserve your own lodging during your stay. Due to the popularity of the event, we strongly recommend you book as soon as possible. Below is a list of hotels within 5 miles of the event.
Sponsored Content from La-Z-Boy
<1 MI.
Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls Downtown Sheraton Sioux Falls & Convention Center .1 Miles
1211 N. West Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-331-0100
2.1 Miles
201 E. 8th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57103 605-444-4700
.3 Miles
1301 W. Russell St. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-937-6486
2.1 Miles
100 N. Phillips Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 50104 605-274-7445
>3 MI.
Bird Dogger comes in camo, leather and blaze orange. "Stay tuned for next year. We're doing a partnership with Tom Brady for UGG® Hunting Boots — the perfect slipper for any slough."
Editorial
Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel Ramada Hotel & Suites
Hotel on Phillips
Claiming that hunting products have long forgotten the all-important blocker, La-Z-Boy has developed a new line of luxury recliners for a more sedentary style of hunter. "Blockers have important jobs, too," said a company spokesperson, who was too busy flipping channels to provide their name. "Finally they can block luxuriously." The new recliner, Bird Dogger, features an extra-deep seat, adjustable leg-rest and built in mini-fridge. The purpose-built arm rests include spaces for extra shells, outlets for phone chargers and a 32inch screen for entertainment afield. "Sometimes the waiting gets really long," the spokesperson added. The
1.8 Miles
3200 W. Maple St. Sioux Falls, SD 57107 605-336-0650
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Sioux Falls Airport 3.3 Miles
4035 Bobhalla Dr. Sioux Falls, SD 57107 605-339-8997
Safety Tips from GFP Secretary Kevin Robling (For the Field and Life) The annual safety chat before the hunt is so popular that we extended Secretary Robling's life lessons beyond the section lines:
ON PROPER FOOTWEAR: "Socks with sandals is both functional AND stylish." ON SHOT SELECTION: "I've never been a fan of Jäg."
Holiday Inn Sioux Falls City Center Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Sioux Falls Airport .6 Miles
2040 W. Russell St. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-331-2040
1.9 Miles
100 W 8th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-339-2000
Sioux Falls Clubhouse Hotel & Suites 4.4 Miles
2320 S. Louise Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57106 605-361-8700
1-3 MI.
2.1 Miles
1.6 Miles
3300 W. Russell St. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-274-1180
ON BARBED WIRE: "Better for fence lines than tattoos." ON SEASONAL ALLERGIES: "Beach vacations work best." ON CHIP DIP OVERLOAD: "Always lift with a spotter — a rescue chip if you will." ON FOOTBALL SEASON: "For Vikings fans, it helps to have other hobbies to fall back on." ON CAR RIDES WITH GOV. NOEM: "Hold on tight."
Country Inn & Suites
AmericInn by Wyndham Sioux Falls North
ON DRESSING FOR SUCCESS: "No, I've never seen a body paint hunting vest. That's ok, I'll take your word for it."
200 E. 8th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-373-0153
Hyatt Place Sioux Falls 4.8 Miles
4935 Lake Shore Blvd. Sioux Falls, SD 57106 605-271-2871
Report
Lt. Gov.'s Bird Count Called Into Question As Eyewitness Wonders What He Was Shooting At Sioux Falls — A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. But what kind of bird math is being practiced by South Dakota Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden? That's the question on everyone's minds. A report released the Sunday after last year's Gov. Hunt found potential discrepancies in the number of roosters Rhoden claims he bagged vs. eyewitness reports. "The Lt. Governor says he's a deadeye, but
the roosters weren't exactly running scared," remembered Kevin Robling, Department Secretary of South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. "He also seemed to have trouble finding the safety on his gun. He kept asking me if he left it in the bus." The Lt. Governor couldn't be reached for comment, as he was at the gun club practicing for this year.
Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden sharing the story of a nearly-unbelievable day in the field.
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October 27–28, 2023 Arts & Culture
Governor's Prairie Art Showcase Bring a Bit of South Dakota Home This two-day showcase features artists and artisans from across our great state. Read on for more about the history and craft behind their art.
the National Wild Turkey Federation, and other wildlife conservation groups through his nearly 30-year career. MarkAndersonWildlife.com RE– • Fort Pierre Pat Brown primarily uses recycled copper and other repurposed materials in her work. Most of her designs are jewelry, but she has several other home decor items regenerated from copper wire, roofing material and plumbing items. facebook.com/ReCuDesigns
^ Josh Spies Fine Art • Sioux Falls Joshua Spies paints from his real-life wildlife experiences, from Tanzania to Argentina. Joshua grew up observing wildlife on the vast prairies near his hometown of Watertown. Josh earned his B.A. in fine art from the Department of Visual Arts at South Dakota State University. Josh has helped raise millions of dollars worldwide for conservation efforts. In 2008, Josh won the prestigious Federal Duck Stamp competition and has been a finalist in this event 5 other times. His work has been selected for the Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever national art packages numerous times, and he was a finalist for the Ducks Unlimited International Artist of the Year. He is currently serving on the South Dakota Arts Council's board of directors. JoshuaSpies.com Mark Anderson Art LLC • Sioux Falls Mark was born and raised in South Dakota where he grew up hunting and fishing, which is his inspiration for painting the wildlife and fish found in the Midwest. Mark is a self-taught acrylics artist, whose paintings are very detailed and photo-realistic. Mark is a full-time artist with several honors and awards, including winning first place in federal wildlife stamp art contests for several states; Artist of the Year awards for Ducks Unlimited,
BronzeAge Art Casting • Sioux Falls Lisa Myhre and Rick Haugen showcase hot metal ... and cool art. BronzeAge sculpture foundry uses molten metal to create fine and functional artworks. From bottle stoppers to monumental outdoor sculptures, BronzeAge transforms the visions of artists, architects, communities and individuals into bronze, brass, aluminum and iron. BronzeAgeArtCasting.com
Pheasants Triggered by Gov's Invitational Hunt ^ Dakota Bones • Mitchell Cherie Ramsdell's art is a contemporary interpretation of an ancient process where horsehair is burned into clay to honor the fallen war horse. Her horsehair pieces are intimate holders of memories. Art and the passion for the unexplored are in Cherie's DNA — forces that have shaped her life since childhood. Creating is not a choice for Cherie. She says it is something she is driven to do. DakotaBones.com
South Dakota's pheasants' feathers are ruffled after Gov. Kristi Noem announced that, once again, they will be the subject of this year's pheasant hunt. "You know, at first we felt flattered," said Rooster Beaker, pheasant from Minnehaha County. "A chance to represent our state on the big stage. Sweet. That's cool. But year after year after year after year, we wonder if some other bird would fly for a change." Many pheasants took to social media, cackling their displeasure
online. "South Dakota has ducks, doves, geese, turkey. You name it. I can tell you where they live," one post read. Another rooster added, "It doesn't matter if you're left wing or right wing, this hunt is bad news for pheasants. And don't even get me started on the gender discrimination." At press time, sources confirmed pheasants were gathering for a protest at the Mitchell Corn Palace, where they planned to “eat the whole thing.”
^ Cristen Joy Photography • Okaton Through photography, Cristen has discovered fathomless depths in shadows, penetrating brilliance in the sky and profound beauty in the wide-open spaces of these Great Plains as she works alongside her husband, ranching in South Dakota's western prairie. Cristen's photograph, Authentic Cowgirl, was purchased by the South Dakota Arts Council as part of their Art of State Buildings collection. She is currently serving on the SDAC board of directors. CristenJoyPhotography.com
GOED Commissioner Chris Schilken to Open for Jelly Roll As Commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, Chris Schilken has overseen more than 100 complex projects and brought in billions of dollars in capital investment for the state of South Dakota. But it's his second job — performing at street dances and karaoke bars as country music singer Glazed Donut — where his talents shine brightest. "When the stage lights go on and the fog machines start rolling, that's when the magic happens," said Commissioner Schilken. He tuned his guitar strings, strummed a chord. "Yep. There we go." Under the name Glazed Donut, the Watertown resident owns a SoundCloud channel full of lo-fi, soulful country music with titles like "Dakota Doughboy," and his biggest hit with over 125 streams, "Need a Permit." He added, "Opening for Jelly Roll could be my big break. I can practically taste it." At press time, Commissioner Schilken was taping obviously hand-made posters to lightpoles near the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, promoting his new mixtape, Baker's Dozen.
Entertainment
Jelly Roll Set to Rock the Denny Outright genre-bending singer/songwriter Jelly Roll has quietly been building a remarkable career, under the radar and on his own terms. Since his days selling his mix tapes out of his car, he has constantly been releasing new music, touring relentlessly, consistently topping various iTunes charts, engaging a rabid fanbase and creating videos that have amassed more than 4 billion views on YouTube. He pairs deeply personal lyrics with music that blends Old-school Rap, Classic Rock, Country and Soul to create music that is therapeutic, raw and tackles the heaviness in life. His 2020 single "Save Me" — a confessional, vulnerable expression of self-doubt — set the stage for his new season of life and took him to new heights, with more than 160 million
WHO
Jelly Roll WHERE
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center WHEN
Saturday, October 28 @ 7:30pm views on YouTube and Platinum certification from the RIAA. Born and raised in Nashville's Antioch neighborhood, Jelly Roll released his seventh studio album, Whitsitt Chapel, on June 2, 2023. Whitsitt Chapel debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Album Charts and No. 3 on Billboard's 200 all-genre list. This September, Jelly Roll was recognized as a five-time CMA Award nominee, including nominations for Single, Male Vocalist, Music Event, Music Video and New Artist.
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THE FENCE POST
October 27–28, 2023
A Dakota Delicacy: The Big Dish on Chislic Fun to say. Even more fun to chew on. As the official state nosh, chislic is as much a part of South Dakota's culture as Mount Rushmore and laissez-faire economic principles. So what the heck is it?
CHISLIC INGREDIENTS • Mutton (traditional), deer or beef • Garlic salt HORSERADISH DIPPIN' SAUCE INGREDIENTS • 1 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup horseradish • 2 tbsp. mayonnaise • Salt & pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Cut meat into half-inch cubes. Heat oil in a frying pan to 350˚F and cook the meat for 1 to 3 minutes, depending on personal preference. Dump meat into a bowl lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil and immediately sprinkle with garlic salt. Toss to coat evenly. For the sauce, combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk well to combine. Grab a toothpick, some club crackers, maybe a cold beverage. Enjoy.
This June, South Dakota's unemployment rate was 1.8% — the lowest in US history. "South Dakotans are the hardest working folks I know, and this record low unemployment rate is proof of that," said Governor Noem. "South Dakota is setting an example for the rest of the nation. We are showing that work ethic and traditional American values still have a place in the United States of America."
The Tax Foundation found South Dakota as the 2nd best state for business tax climate behind only Wyoming in business-friendly policies. South Dakota's non-existent corporate and individual income taxes certainly have something to do with it.
1. Wyoming
2. S. DAKOTA
3. Alaska 4. Florida 5. Montana 6. New Hampshire 7. Nevada 8. Utah 9. Indiana 10. N. Carolina
In their 46th Annual National Movers Study, United Van Lines ranked South Dakota as a top-10 moving destination, with the 8th highest inbound moving rate. The report reinforced the trend of Americans moving to areas of lower population density for career opportunities, retirement and wanting to be closer to family.
Source: www.taxfoundation.org
SOUTH 5 Highest Population Growth DAKOTA 4 Hardest Working State th
th
BY THE NUMBERS
(US Census Bureau)
(WalletHub)
7th Lowest Cost of Living (Bureau of Economic Analysis)
2nd Highest GDP Growth (Q4 2022 – Q1 2023)
5th Best Economic Health (WalletHub)
Daily Crossword
1
2
SD Ranks 2nd Best State for Business Tax Climate
A Top 10 Moving Destination
The name is an anglicized version of a Russian recipe "shashlik," a grilled meat similar to shish kebab. Chislic's arrival in South Dakota is usually credited to John Hoellwarth, a German Russian Immigrant who brought chislic to Hutchinson County in the 1870s. The dish's popularity grew, popping up as a favorite in VFW bars and county fairs throughout the southeastern part of the state. Here's how you can enjoy it at home.
Chislic is cubed, marinated, garlicsalted, deep-fried meat, usually served on a stick and dipped in a sauce of your choosing. Historically, lamb was the meat of choice. Today, beef and venison fly, too.
S. Dakota Sets National Unemployment Record in 2023
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"I told ya she was a dead eye."
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4 7
5 8
DOWN 1. Another word for pheasant 2. Ammo/made for getting the lead out (two words) 3. Furry best friend in the field (two words) 4. South Dakota hates these 5. The perfect pheasant habitat ACROSS 6. Famous faces in the black hills (two words) 7. The best vest color 8. Something you yell in the field
1. Ringneck | 2. ShotgunShells | 3. BirdDog | 4. Taxes | 5. Prairie 6. MountRushmore | 7. Orange | 8. Rooster
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YOUR LOCAL GOVERNOR
Kristi Noem FRE ED
T OM EXPER
We Mean Business!