Page 2 - SDWF Out of Doors

Out of Doors 2 January - April 2023

President’s Column by Zachery T. Hunke

NEW TIMES AND NEW ENERGY FOR YOUR SOUTH DAKOTA WILDLIFE FEDERATION

I regret to inform those of you that have not already heard, imagine, the loss of Chris not only weighed heavily on our
our long-standing Executive Director Chris Hesla passed hearts but also on our organization. Chris stored much
away this last fall. Chris spent a great deal of his life following of his experience and day to day workings in his mind, so
his dream of making a difference to South Dakota’s outdoor the task Mitch and the Executive Board took on was quite
heritage. Chris worked tirelessly for 24 years in Pierre and great.
around the state lobbing for the rights of outdoorsman and The South Dakota Wildlife Federation’s future is as bright
women alike. Some of Chris’s greatest passions included: as ever! New energy, new tools, and new ways to reach
Sportsman/women rights and privileges, representing our members are all in the works. As the state’s oldest
the outdoor community, lobbying and representing conservation group, SDWF will continue to build upon its
state and nationally for those rights, fair chase, non- solid base.
meandered waters, public trust doctrine, protecting the
publics resources from over commercialization as well as I took on the role of President in the Fall of 2019. I have
President, opportunity and access. Chris’s legacy will forever live on been so grateful for the opportunity to be a voice for your

Zachery T. Hunke in South Dakota’s outdoor heritage. South Dakota Wildlife Federation. The countless hours
traveling to Pierre, organizing meetings, and representing
Your South Dakota Wildlife Federation is directed by a the Federation were a true pleasure and passion of mine.
volunteer board of directors. Replacing Chris and keeping As a businessman, father of 3 beautiful children, husband
the organization moving forward is a task the volunteer of an amazing and supportive wife, coach to a group young
board took on and the Federation will forever be grateful hockey players, CAMO President and volunteer to our
for those efforts. local affiliate and other groups, my time has become the
I am very pleased to announce that Megan Howell is now most important resource to many who rely on me. This
our Executive Director and Outreach Coordinator. The fall I will be looking to volunteer in a different capacity for
hiring committee was extremely excited to have Megan as your South Dakota Wildlife Federation. I can appreciate
a candidate and felt she was a perfect selection for the the responsibilities taken on by a new President and I look
job. Megan brings experience and energy that we are very forward to hopefully filling the executive role of immediate
grateful for! past President!
The SDWF Camo Coalition had a very good year in Getting involved and volunteering are the ways we make a
Pierre. Mitch Richter was retained as the Camo Coalition’s difference. We are simply borrowing our land, water, and
lobbyist and SDWF director. Mitch went to great lengths to resources from our future generations, let’s make sure they
pick up where Chris left off by coordinating efforts in Pierre have the opportunities we’ve been blessed with!
and within the organization. Mitch has been instrumental As Chris Hesla would say, “Thank you for all you do,
in helping Megan hit the ground running! As you can together we do make a difference.”

The South Dakota Out of Doors (ISSN
0883-6809, USPS 503-320) is published Ms. Megan Howell Mr. Ryan Roehr Region 2 Directors at Large: OTHER NAMES & ADDRESSES OF IMPORTANCE:
bimonthly by Curt Merriman Printing , Inc, Executive-Director & Outreach Coordinator (Hired) Region 2 Director (Term: Aug 2022 to Aug 2024) Mr. Larry Lewis Mr. Brad Johnson
South Dakota Wildlife Federation
306 S Coteau, Pierre, SD 57501, South Dakota Wildlife Federation 1215 North Roosevelt Street – Apt. 112 Director-at-Large - (Appointed Aug 2022 to Aug 2024) Delegate to NWF(Term: Aug 2022 to Aug 2023)
19887 284th Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Subscription Rate - $30.00 per year or with Telephone: (605) 224-7524 Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401 South Dakota Wildlife Federation South Dakota Wildlife Federation
membership in SDWF Individual members Cell Phone: 605-453-0895 Telephone: (605) 228-1639 40751 102nd Street , Hecla, SD 57446 950 North Lake Drive, Watertown, SD 57201
devote approximately 40 cents of their Email address: mhowell.sdwf@outlook.com Email address: Acs@venturecomm.net Telephone: (605) 994-7446 Telephone: (605) 880-6478
Email address: bdjohnson@iw.net
annual dues for each copy of the newspaper. Mr. Brad Johnson Mr. Cody Warner
Periodicals Postage Paid at Pierre, SD Zachery T. Hunke Region 2 Director (Term: Aug 2022 to Aug 2024) Director-at-Large - (Appointed Aug 2022 t- Aug 2024) Looking for alternate delegate to NWF
President (Term: Aug 2021 to Aug 2023)
57501 and additional mailing offices. South Dakota Wildlife Federation South Dakota Wildlife Federation South Dakota Wildlife Federation
950 North Lake Drive, Watertown, SD 57201
POSTMASTER: Send address 16651 Sioux Conifer Road Telephone: (605) 880-6478 1102 East 7th Street, Webster, SD 57274 Mr. Bob Schaeffer
Telephone: (605) 590-0001
Youth Camp Director (Non Board Member)
changes to South Dakota Wildlife Watertown, South Dakota 57201 Email address: bdjohnson@iw.net Email address: Cody.warner01@gmail.com South Dakota Wildlife Federation
Telephone: 605-881-6745
Federation, Mr. Charles Dieter 1409 North 1st Street, Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401
PO Box 7075, Pierre, SD 57501. Email address: zach@hunkestransfersd.com Region 3 Director (Term: Aug 2020 to Aug 2024) Region 3 Directors at Large: Telephone: (605) 380-0125
Mr. Terry Mayes South Dakota Wildlife Federation Mr. Jerry Soholt Email address: hunterbob1@abe.midco.net
1st Vice-President (Term: Sept 2022 to Aug 2023) 7115 Valley View Circle, Brookings, SD 57006 Director-at-Large (Appointed Aug 2022 to Aug 2024)
South Dakota Wildlife Federation Telephone: (605) 693-3123 - Home South Dakota Wildlife Federation Mr. David Dittloff (Non Board Member)
223 Jasper Lane (605) 688-4555 - Work (605) 690-6351 - Cell 2628 East Regency Ct., Sioux Falls, SD 57103 NWF Regional Representative for SD
Email address: charles.dieter@gmail.com
OUT OF DOORS EDITOR Rapid City, South Dakota 57701 Steve Thompson Telephone: (605) 261-9104 National Wildlife Federation
Email address: Lacseul12@yahoo.com
Telephone: (605) 341-1568
Megan Howell Email address: lmayes@rap.midco.net Region 3 Director (Term: Aug 2019 to Aug 2023))South Dakota 240 N. Higgins
Missoula, Montana 59802
PO Box 7075 • Pierre, SD 57501 Mr. Joe (Randall Joseph) Long Wildlife Federation Other Board Members: Telephone: (406) 541-6732 - Office
Phone 605-453-0895 2nd Vice-President (Term: Sept 2022 to Aug 2023) 1501 S. Deerberry Trail, Sioux Falls, SD 57106 Mr. Mark Widman (406) 214-8109 - Cell
Telephone: 605-359-3911
mhowell.sdwf@outlook.com South Dakota Wildlife Federation Email address: aiathompson@live.com Immediate Past President (Ex-offico) Email address: dittloffd@nwf.org
South Dakota Wildlife Federation
South Dakota Wildlife Federation OUT OF 1410 Pinewood Lane, Aberdeen, SD 57401 Vacant 2315 N. Devon Avenue
Cell: 605-216-4618
DOORS, is the official publication of the South Email address: smokinjoe64@abe.midco.net Director District 10 (Term: Aug 2017 to Aug 2021) Tea, South Dakota 57064
Dakota Wildlife Federation (SDWF), a private, Region 1 Directors at Large: Telephone: (605) 215-3102
non-profit statewide organization of affiliated Mr. George Vandel Mr. Jeff Olson Email address: mwidman294@gmail.com
(Term: Aug 2022 to Aug 2026) Region 1 Director
organizations and individuals incorporated South Dakota Wildlife Federation (Appointed Aug 2021 to Aug 2023) Other Board Members:
under South Dakota laws. Subscription to 911 Woodridge Drive, Pierre, South Dakota 57501 Director-at-Large
this publication is through membership in Telephone: (605) 224-0271 South Dakota Wildlife Federation Mr. Mark Widman
the SDWF or direct contact with the SDWF, Email address: gvan3@pie.midco.net 1301 W Omaha St. STE 228, Rapid City, SD 57701 Immediate Past President (Ex-offico)
South Dakota Wildlife Federation
PO Box 7075, Pierre, SD 57501. All communications Mr. Robert D. Bucholz Telephone: (605) 393-5225 2315 N. Devon Avenue, Tea, SD 57064
regarding advertising, editorial, circulation and Region 2 Director (Term: Aug 2020 to Aug 2024) Email address: Beatis@aol.comm Telephone: (605) 215-3102
SDWF matters may be sent to SDWF OUT OF South Dakota Wildlife Federation Mr. Mike McKernan Email address: mwidman294@gmail.com
DOORS, PO Box 7075, Pierre, South Dakota 3208 Cyprus St. N. Director-at-Large (Appointed Aug 2021 to Aug 2023)
Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401
57501. Permission to reprint articles normally given Telephone: (605) 226-8262 Cell: (605) 228-9802 612 S. Garfield, Murdo, South Dakota 57559
providing proper credit is given the publication and Email address: rdbuch@nrctv.com Telephone: (605) 669-2829
Email address: hdmac@goldenwest.net
author. Views expressed by free lance writers are
their own and do not necessarily express those of
the publication or the SDWF.