From KELO:
It's was big day for South Dakota hunters Saturday. Pheasant season kicked off at noon. Hunters from across the state were welcomed in to the state. Senator John Thune was among the many who donned the orange gear and took aim at a few pheasants.
Walking the fields with his friends at the Rubendall Ranch near Artesian is something Senator John Thune has looked forward to the entire year.
"It's something I've been doing literally since I was 12 years old when I hunted with my dad and now I'm hunting with my brother and friends and some nephews," Senator John Thune said.
Out of state hunters bring lots of money to South Dakota, $153 million to be exact. And Thune knows the experience is what always brings the hunters back each fall.
"It's a tradition that gets passed down from one generation to another and just on a family and friend level. It's a great opportunity to experience something truly unique," Thune said.
Senator Thune says along with the economics and sportsmanship pheasants bring to the state, for him opening day is one big holiday.
"When I was a kid, this was a bigger deal than Christmas, I mean opening day of pheasant season was the day of the year. And its nice now to have a more abundance of pheasants," Thune said.
Add to that an abundance of sunshine and everybody in todays group had an excellent hunt.
"It's something I think we're blessed to have in South Dakota and hopefully we're able to enjoy for a lot of generations to come," Thune said.
And it's the younger hunters who are helping to spread the tradition.
The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department says for the most part, Saturday's opening day was a success. But some hunters didn't like the muddy conditions. Officials also say at least five hunting accidents were reported but none were life-threatening.
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