Trip Planner

Plan Your Hunt
As you arrive at our luxury lodge, you will given time to settle in and relax. The hunt begins after a hearty breakfast. Your guide will arrive and lay out the schedule for the day. You will find that days at Rieger Creek have a gentle flow, allowing hunters to enjoy South Dakota.
For Flying Commercial:
- Aberdeen, SD - 1 hour 15 min away to the East - Delta Only
- Pierre, SD - 1 hour 15 min away to the South - Keylime (United Affiliated)
- Bismarck, ND - 1 hour 45 min away to the North - Larger Airport with multiple carriers
For Private Charters:
- Mobridge Regional Airport - 4,410 foot long asphalt runway - 15 minutes from the lodge.
- Pierre Regional Airport - Can accommodate aircraft of all sizes.
Hunting Dog Etiquette
- Dogs are always welcome at Rieger Creek Lodge. Accommodations can be made for your dog but do be sure to let us know if you plan to bring one.
- Hunting Dog Etiquette:
- Do not attempt to take a bird from a dog. Most dogs are trailed to retrieve only to their handler and could bite anyone who attempts to take their retrieve.
- Do NOT shoot anything on the ground - the dog could be there.
- Do not yell or direct at the dog - let the dog do what he does best.
- When a bird goes down, mark where it lands and wait for instructions from the guide. If the dog marks the bird, hunters need to stop and wait.
Bringing Shotguns
- 12 and 20 gauge shotguns are the most common. We provide shells and have some guns available for use if needed. Please let us know in advance if you need a shotgun to use.
Pheasant Hunting Suggested Gear List
- Temperatures vary from 10-to 80 so layers are key. It can be cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon. Everything from snow to bright sunshine. We recommend coming prepared for anything.
- Wind/Rain Layers - Waterproof hunting jacket
- Warm Layer - Insulated jacket or fleece jacket/wool sweater
- Wicking Layer - Some type of sporting synthetic light layer underneath.
- Brush Pants - Nylon, canvas, or leather fronted pants/chaps will help to protect against ground cover when breaking through dense brush.
- Blaze Orange is required. Hunting Vest, Jacket, Sweatshirt or Hat(recommended). One blaze orange item is required.
- Gloves - like the other clothing, gloves should also be layered. Bring different thicknesses of gloves to be prepared for the ever-changing South Dakota fall weather.
- Boots - A good waterproof hunting boot is a must. We will be walking prairie grass, food plots, tree rows, and corn strips. A brush boot or upland game boot. Make sure to break your boots in before the hunt. Your feet will thank you.
- Socks - Socks are like gloves, make sure to bring plenty and different thickness.
- Ear protection is recommended but not required. Eye protection is required. We have both if needed.
Safety and Hunting Etiquette
What to do:
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
- Safety stays on until you lift your gun to shoot
- Firearms should be unloaded when not in use (end of each field and before entering a vehicle)
- Always wear an Orange hat and safety glasses
- Use proper ammunition
- Keep a straight line when walking through fields
- Before showing - make sure you see the blue sky under the bird. This ensures your shot is safely above the dog's head.
- Always inform your guide of any problems you have with your gun
What not to do:
- Do not shoot a hen pheasant
- Do not shoot toward a hunter, dog, buildings, or vehicles
- Do not point a gun at any person or dogs
- Do not consume any alcohol before or during the hunt - Your guide has the discretion to end hunt at any time if he feels a hunter is impaired.
- Do not shoot any animals other than rooster pheasants