PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Tourism will be attending the National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Kansas City, Mo., February 17^-19. 

As the premiere destination for pheasant hunters, this trade show offers South Dakota a great opportunity to show off everything the state has to offer to hunters and the outdoorsman.

For the first time, the Department of Tourism is partnering with thirteen entities from across the state to attend this trade show.  Partners range from local convention and visitors bureaus to hunting lodges and regional tourism associations.

The South Dakota Department of Tourism and its partners will have what they are calling the “South Dakota Pavilion,” including 14 booths decked out in blaze orange décor.  South Dakota will also sponsor the “Bird Dog Parade” in which more than one hundred hunting dogs will be wearing an orange Rooster Rush bandana.

Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic was started in 2003 by the Pheasants Forever Association and annually has attracts more than 20,000 attendees. This trade show will focus on wildlife conservation, upland game bird hunting (pheasant and quail), dog training, and wildlife habitat management. Pheasants Forever will also hold seminars on habitat improvement, pheasant hunting, shooting sports, wild game cooking, dog training, and conservation.

The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council, and the South Dakota State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen.

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