B.A.S.S. Nation invades South Dakota

Two brothers - also B.A.S.S. Nation members and hunting lodge operators - host a motley crew of Nation members and B.A.S.S. staffers for a good time on the plains of South Dakota.

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<p>Part of the gang was, from left to right, Chad Ekroth, Skip Sjobeck, B.A.S.S. Nation tournament manager Jon Stewart, Leon Wildeman, Ryan Dickinson and Brett Stewart.</p>
Part of the gang was, from left to right, Chad Ekroth, Skip Sjobeck, B.A.S.S. Nation tournament manager Jon Stewart, Leon Wildeman, Ryan Dickinson and Brett Stewart.
<p>In 1992, <em>Fortune</em> magazine declared - rightfully so - that Gregory, S.D., is the "Ground-Zero of pheasantdom," and this monument was erected.The Ekroth's farm and hunting gounds are just west of Gregory in Dallas, S.D. The entire area is overrun with these Chinese birds.</p>
In 1992, Fortune magazine declared – rightfully so – that Gregory, S.D., is the “Ground-Zero of pheasantdom,” and this monument was erected.The Ekroth’s farm and hunting gounds are just west of Gregory in Dallas, S.D. The entire area is overrun with these Chinese birds.
<p>South Fork hunting lodge (also in Dallas) agreed to host the gang of B.A.S.S. Nation guests for a day on their grounds. The group of 8 hunters limited (24 birds total) before noon. The guides still insisted that we had a slow day. This is South Fork's casual bar/lounge area where hunters kick their boots up after a day of hiking through corn and milo stalks.</p>
South Fork hunting lodge (also in Dallas) agreed to host the gang of B.A.S.S. Nation guests for a day on their grounds. The group of 8 hunters limited (24 birds total) before noon. The guides still insisted that we had a slow day. This is South Fork’s casual bar/lounge area where hunters kick their boots up after a day of hiking through corn and milo stalks.
<p>The gang in front of South Fork's main hall.</p>
The gang in front of South Fork’s main hall.
<p>This is the great room inside South Fork's main building. It's rife with taxidermy that would make any hunter salivate. The main lodge can sleep up to 80 individuals.</p>
This is the great room inside South Fork’s main building. It’s rife with taxidermy that would make any hunter salivate. The main lodge can sleep up to 80 individuals.
<p>This pheasant had it coming anyway.</p>
This pheasant had it coming anyway.
<p>South Fork hunting lodge - whackin' birds and keeping guests happy since 1994.</p>
South Fork hunting lodge – whackin’ birds and keeping guests happy since 1994.
<p>When moving from field to field at South Fork, you're driven in a 4X4 school bus. The fact that it's a short bus is a sheer coincidence, and is in no way an indicator of this group's mental abilities (though it proved to be alarmingly appropriate).</p>
When moving from field to field at South Fork, you’re driven in a 4X4 school bus. The fact that it’s a short bus is a sheer coincidence, and is in no way an indicator of this group’s mental abilities (though it proved to be alarmingly appropriate).
<p>Though they're all Chinese ring-necked pheasants, no two birds are the same.</p>
Though they’re all Chinese ring-necked pheasants, no two birds are the same.
<p>Pete's Taxidermy is a must-see for any hunter venturing to southern South Dakota. This bruiser "lives" there with hundreds of other incredible animals.</p>
Pete’s Taxidermy is a must-see for any hunter venturing to southern South Dakota. This bruiser “lives” there with hundreds of other incredible animals.
<p>Skip Sjobeck made a friend while at Pete's.</p>
Skip Sjobeck made a friend while at Pete’s.
<p>Any turkey hunter worth his box calls would pull the trigger on these rare birds.</p>
Any turkey hunter worth his box calls would pull the trigger on these rare birds.
<p>Chris Wayne Powers found a friend roaming about the Ekroth's fields.</p>
Chris Wayne Powers found a friend roaming about the Ekroth’s fields.
<p>The gang found plenty to crow about as brother, B.A.S.S. Nation members and pheasant guides Chad and G.W. Ekroth escorted them around the farm. Chad Ekroth is co-founder of <a href=
The gang found plenty to crow about as brother, B.A.S.S. Nation members and pheasant guides Chad and G.W. Ekroth escorted them around the farm. Chad Ekroth is co-founder of Pro Patterns, which teaches anglers to fish the pro way via DVDs. that take the viewer on an unedited practice day with the Elite Series pros.
<p>Lots of time on the clay range was needed.</p>
Lots of time on the clay range was needed.
<p>Brett and Jon Stewart hitch a ride to the next field.</p>
Brett and Jon Stewart hitch a ride to the next field.
<p>G.W. Ekroth proved to be quite a hand at working his dogs and ensuring they covered every inch of each field.</p>
G.W. Ekroth proved to be quite a hand at working his dogs and ensuring they covered every inch of each field.
<p>Skip Sjobeck with a nice specimen from the Ekroth farm.</p>
Skip Sjobeck with a nice specimen from the Ekroth farm.
<p>G.W. and his compadres unload to take on another field.</p>
G.W. and his compadres unload to take on another field.
<p>Hunters scatter to cover another strip of pheasant-infested cover.</p>
Hunters scatter to cover another strip of pheasant-infested cover.
<p>Brett Stewart, Jon's son, shows off his first pheasant.</p>
Brett Stewart, Jon’s son, shows off his first pheasant.
<p>The gang was all smiles at the end of each day.</p>
The gang was all smiles at the end of each day.