FEDORA, SD (KELO) — It’s been a successful pheasant season so far at a hunting lodge that has big plans of opening up more hunting opportunities for people of all abilities.
Suncatcher Acres will become the state’s largest ADA-compliant lodge for veterans and others will disabilities.
The goal is to provide hunters of all abilities, and all ages, to enjoying their time outdoors.
A future generation of hunters is learning how to shoot pheasants at Suncatcher Acres, a non-profit ministry dedicated to opening up hunting opportunities for all people.
“When a bird gets up, you’re going to shoot like this, okay? You’re going to shoot at blue sky,” owner Nick Kolterman said.
Owner Nick Kolterman teaches the young hunting enthusiasts all about firearms safety.
“Most of these kids, through their mentor programs, the dads can’t carry a gun, or the guides don’t carry a gun. But the fun thing is we’re teaching them responsibility with a firearm,” Kolterman said.
Class is over.
“You ready to have some fun?”
“Yeah!”
“Alright, let’s go!”
Now it’s time to take aim in the fields.
“Okay, are you ready?”
“Ready.”
“And to give back to teaching some of these kids that may have an interest in it. But their dads may not know, or have the means to a shotgun, they may not have a fishing pole, or things like that, and we have all of those things,” Kolterman said.
Hunters from across the country have been flocking to Suncatcher Acres during South Dakota’s pheasant season.
“Once I moved to Colorado, there’s not much opportunity, at least not for pheasants, so, figured I’d start coming up here where the birds are,” Colorado hunter John Blair said.
And more people will be arriving during future hunting seasons. Kolterman, who has a background in health care, wants to provide hunting opportunities for veterans and children with disabilities. His goal is to break ground next spring on a 15-thousand square foot ADA compliant lodge. All part of a ministry, located in a hunting hotspot, promoting faith and pheasants.
Also in the works at Suncatcher Acres, a 3-acre expansion of its pond for visitors to catch more fish at the lodge.
