What draws people to South Dakota and keeps them there to raise their families? For many people, it’s definitely the hunting. We reached out to nationally known hunter Melissa Bachman, host of the TV show Winchester Deadly Passion, to answer those questions and a few more about her outdoor lifestyle, including some tips on hunting in South Dakota.
What brought you to South Dakota?
I grew up in central Minnesota, but I had a deer hunting trip in South Dakota years ago, where I met my now husband, Ben Bearshield. He’s a game warden for the Rosebud Reservation and I met him in the field. We talked briefly on the hunt, and then I ended up coming back the following year to turkey hunt with him. Afterward, we became friends and would meet up each November to hunt deer. Fast forward many years, we are married, have five kids and love our life in South Dakota.
You live in a small town. What brought you there? Tell us why it’s such a great place to live.
The main reason I moved to this town was my husband. It’s the place where he grew up and where we first met. For years, I was constantly on the road, rarely spending time at my townhouse in Minnesota. But when I met Ben, I fell in love not only with him, but also with this small town. It’s like stepping back in time – people are incredibly friendly, everyone knows each other and there’s a strong sense of community. Crime is almost nonexistent; folks rarely lock their doors, and it’s not uncommon to see cars left running. You truly feel like the whole town is one big family or a close-knit group of friends.
You have five kids in your household. Why is South Dakota such a great place to raise a family?
I love raising my kids in South Dakota because they’re surrounded by wonderful people, have access to wide-open spaces and so many opportunities. Jax has been able to hunt, ranch, ride dirt bikes, attend rodeos, play and cheer on a variety of sports, deliver flowers to the nursing home, attend the Sturgis motorcycle rally, fish, camp and so much more. South Dakota isn’t crowded, so our kids have plenty of room to run and play. The school systems are excellent, the community is strong, they’re learning the importance of helping others and being accountable for their actions. These values will serve them well throughout their lives.
You’ve hunted in many places worldwide. Tell us about your hunting experiences in South Dakota.
We hunt deer, pheasants, prairie dogs, antelope, elk, turkeys, doves and coyotes in South Dakota. My favorites are deer and turkey. I truly believe we have world-class hunting for both right in our own backyard.
For those from out of state, South Dakota offers public land hunting, and some areas are excellent for a wide variety of game. My top tip for public land hunting is to do your homework – use a hunting app like HuntStand to locate public land, and then take the time to explore it. There’s nothing like firsthand experience to find the best spots for whatever game you’re after.
Your son Jax started hunting at a very young age. Please share with us some tips for raising youth hunters.
Jax started hunting with us when he was about eight months old. He joined us on a few turkey hunts that first spring and has been coming along ever since. I even went on an elk hunt in South Dakota just ten days after having Jax; though he didn’t make that trip, he’s missed very few since. I believe the earlier you introduce kids to hunting, the more likely they are to enjoy it and want to join you regularly.
We never force hunting with the kids; instead, we treat it as a privilege for them to join us. The key is to ensure they’re having fun, bring plenty of snacks and make it a positive experience. Also, involve them in the process; give them a camera, let them use rattling antlers or bring along a box call and let them call for turkeys. Once the game is down, let them help with the process, from getting the animal out of the field to processing and packaging it, then finally cooking it together. These are memories that will last a lifetime.
South Dakota is perfect for youth hunting because of the variety of game and the opportunity to hunt in different seasons and environments. From beautiful spring days hunting turkeys, to pheasant and dove hunts under sunny skies in the fall, the state offers a game-rich environment not far from home. It allows kids to start at an earlier age than many others, which I believe is extremely helpful.
Obviously you love hunting in South Dakota. How would you suggest someone get started hunting there?
If you live in South Dakota, my advice to get started is to go out of your way to help others. Some of the best hunting spots come from permissions granted over the years. If people trust that you’ll treat their land with respect, and if they don’t hunt themselves, there’s a good chance they’ll allow you access. Building trust and demonstrating that you’re a good person willing to lend a hand when needed is key. If you don’t live in South Dakota, do your research ahead of time, and then visit local hangouts where ranchers meet for coffee. Be friendly and open to conversation. People here are generous, and even if they don’t have land you can hunt on, they might know someone who does.
You spend a lot of time outdoors. Do you also fish in South Dakota?
We don’t fish as much as we used to – there’s only so much time in the day. But we’ve had great luck fishing the Missouri River and several private lakes around our home. We take the kids there whenever we can. One day, we hope to have a beautiful fishing pond right outside our house, stocked with fish for the kids, but for now, that’s still just a dream.
For those who have never been to South Dakota, especially hunters, what would you tell them about the people?
The outdoor culture in South Dakota is the most thankful and appreciative of hunters that I’ve seen anywhere in the country. Many communities benefit from the tourism that hunting brings, so almost everyone is touched by it in some way and, in turn, feels grateful. In our town, you’ll see “Welcome Hunter” signs everywhere: from the gas station to the grocery store to the hair salon. People here are very welcoming and genuinely enjoy having hunters visit our state.
Give us your elevator pitch inviting families to South Dakota.
I’ve traveled all over the world, and I genuinely believe South Dakota is the best place on earth to raise a family and live. We have some of the most amazing people, no state income tax and a place where kids can just be kids and play outside. Neighbors treat you like family, and everyone is willing to lend a hand when needed. The school systems are top-notch and we live in a game-rich state. I think the rest of the country could learn a lot from how things are done here.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your life in South Dakota?
Even though we live in a more remote part of South Dakota, which I love, places like Sioux Falls and Rapid City still offer the sense of living in a larger city without some of the drawbacks. We’re 1.5 hours from the nearest Walmart, 2.5 hours from the closest airport and Amazon takes a minimum of five days to deliver. This place is paradise, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Visit Melissa Bachman’s website here.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
