Fall 2003

THIS IS THE YEAR!

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If you hesitated to hunt in South Dakota last year because of the decreased numbers in birds,
or were disappointed in last year’s hunt, have second thoughts.

We just received the official GF & P bird count and they are predicting the BEST hunting since the mid 60’s!  Our area shows a 160% increase in birds … and we can personally attest to incredible bird numbers all over our ground, even in our grazing areas that we don’t normally hunt.  We are including a write up from the Sioux Falls “Argus Leader” in regards to the Game Fish and Park report.

We have increased the number and sizes of our food plots, and rented another ¼ section that we have planted specifically with hunting in mind.  Ron has become involved with a company called Prairie Land Management, which designs and implements practices that enhance habitat for birds and wild life.  Look forward to some differences in our food plot designs.

 Trent, and his dedicated dog, Beta are returning to guide for us for the forth consecutive year.   We have also added a second guide, who has three exceptional dogs, to create a more exciting hunt for our larger groups.  Mike, our son–in–law, will also be guiding this year.  He has two 18 month old labs, a chocolate and black, who have been to school this summer and are ready and excited about our upcoming season.  Not to be outdone, Ron was given a yellow 3 year old lab, last spring who is very anxious to get in the field.

 Some of our groups from last year have chosen to come in a day early for some fishing on the Missouri, or were drawn for water fowl, so will be hunting ducks in the early dawn hours, before the official pheasant hunt begins. Although it is too late for this year, (unless you have already been drawn for a water fowl) our guides are set up to take hunters out for ducks or geese in the morning.  If you have interest in either of these, or any other activities, let us know and we can send you information on rates and what to do in advance.

We would like to encourage young people to come and start their own South Dakota hunting traditions, so have created special youth and college rates, to accommodate their financial limitations.  We have also created other packages as requests have come in, so if our advertised packages don’t meet your needs, be sure to let us know and we will see if we can accommodate your needs and desires.

We are very excited that Wessington Springs is building a 3600 foot paved airstrip, and have reports that it should be ready for this hunting season.

We have had a very keen response to the hunting packages we offer, and are filling up very quickly.  If you would like more information on hunting at ECHO VALLEY RANCH, please visit our web site at www.echovalleyranch.com , then get in touch with us, either by email (ronogren@sbtc.net) , or a phone call (605-539-1730)

We are looking forward to our most rewarding season yet, and would be honored to have you part of it.