Tony Dean's Acres Celebrity Hunt weekend a huge success
Nearly $21,000 was raised in conjunction with a pheasant hunt, auction and dinner on December 19th, 2009. As a result, the Tony Dean's Acres Fund now tops $120,000.
Led by Celebrity Huntmasters Ron Schara of Ron Schara Productions, and outdoors editor and columnist Dennis Anderson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, participants saw thousands of pheasants during a celebrity pheasant hunt at the Steve Halverson farm near Kennebec, SD on December 19, 2009. The hunt was followed by a dinner and live and silent auction at the Ramkota River Centre in Pierre, featuring auctioneer Todd Schuetzle of Dakota Proprties Real Estate of Pierre.
Auction items were donated by the family of Tony Dean, conservation organizations, manufacturers, individuals, and South Dakota businesses.
The December 19th event was the fourth fundraiser held for the project in 2009. An auction in Sioux Falls in September netted more than $25,000. A Tony Dean Festival held at Spring Creek north of Pierre in August, and a pheasant hunt at Sutton Bay in the spring of 2009 also raised significant amounts for the fund. In addition, individuals, businesses, and organizations from across the country have sent in donations.
The Tony Dean's Acres Fund will be used to purchase a parcel of land in South Dakota for wildlife and public recreation opportunities, in memory of Tony Dean. Four national conservation partners will match the money raised by the Tony Dean's Acres Steering Committee.
Originally, the Tony Dean's Acres Steering Committee had hoped to generate $100,000 for the Fund by June of 2010, but thanks to the generosity of wildlife and conservation groups, friends of Tony and Dar Dean, fans of Tony's TV and radio programs, and supportive businesses, that goal has been met six months ahead of schedule, allowing the Committee to start working on the second step of fundraising.
The second phase of fundraising will be aimed at establishing a permanent funding mechanism for continuing and possibly expanding current outdoor youth education programs.
Special thanks to the following for their assistance in organizing and promoting the December 19 event:
Ron Schara, Ron Schara Productions
Dennis Anderson, Star Tribune outdoors editor & columnist
Steve & Connie Halverson, Halverson farm, Kennebec, SD
Pierre Capital Journal
KCCR Radio
KGFX Radio
The Reminder
Todd Schuetzle, Dakota Properties Real Estate, auctioneer
Ramkota River Centre, Pierre, SD
Ted Turner's Bad River Ranch, Ft. Pierre, SD
Jim Suedkamp, Pierre, SD
Sunshine Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Pierre, SD
South Dakota Walleyes Unlimited/Central South Dakota Chapter
The Tony Dean's Acres Steering Committee appreciates your support of this project. We have worked hard to raise the money we need to come to the table as a full partner with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Delta Waterfowl. Our goal is to provide you a traditional South Dakota pheasant hunting experience full of camaraderie, entertainment, good food, and laid back fun - all for a very worthy cause.
ITEMS ON THE LIVE & SILENT AUCTION
The following items were sold on a live and silent auction held in conjunction with the December 19, 2009 event. Our thanks to those businesses, organizations and individuals who donated the items.
GUIDE PACKAGE / GETAWAYS:
Fishing Trip with Steve Pennaz, host of North American Fisherman on Versus. Enjoy a full day of fishing for up to three anglers with Steve Pennaz, host of North American Fisherman television, for species like bass, muskie or walleye, on one of the many great lakes located within two hours of the Minneapolis metro area. Steve will supply boat and tackle. Trip date TBD, but targets summer/fall of 2010. (Winning bidder to supply personal food and beverages, and round-trip transportation to selected body ofwater). Contact information to be shared with winning bidder. (Courtesy of Wildlife Forever / T-901)
River Ridge Ranch: A 3-day, 2-night weekend stay at River Ridge Ranch, a private property through which runs Nebraska's Snake River, a blue ribbon trout stream (spring creek) that harbors wild Browns (up to 20 pounds) and Rainbows (up to 13 pounds). This is catch-and-release only fly fishing. Excellent accommodations, non-smoking throughout. (For meals, you may provide your own food - or dine at any of the outstanding eateries in Valentine, NE). This bit of paradise was one of Tony Dean's favorite places to fish and to just relax. (Courtesy of Cleve Trimble / T-902)
Sutton Bay Golf Package: One round of golf for four players, between June 1 and September 30, 2010. Date to be coordinated with Sutton Bay Golf Club, one of the most unique private clubs in the world. (Note: Also available at Sutton Bay are lodging, meals and walleye fishing on Lake Oahe with guide Chuck Krause, so the winning bidder may want to consider reserving accommodations at the lodge in conjunction with the golf package). (Courtesy of Matt Sutton / T-903)
GUNS & OTHER OUTDOOR GEAR:
Tony Dean's Bartness rod, Tom Backer Tournament Series, with Abu Garcia T1000F tournament spinning reel, and extra spool. (Courtesy of Tony Dean's family / G-701)
G Loomis 7 ft 7 inch medium bucktail muskie rod with Shimano Corsair 400 casting reel spooled with 50 pound fireline, plus box of assorted muskie bucktails and lures. (Courtesy of John Cooper, Pierre, SD / G-702)
Catera IM-8 Graphite Shakespeare SP 6066 2L 6'6" light action rod with Pflueger Trion G/-7 reel. (Courtesy of In Fisherman, Brainerd, MN / G-703)
Shotgun: New Fausti 12 gauge over/under shotgun with 28 inch barrels and set of screw-in chokes, signed by South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds for the 2008 Governor's Pheasant Hunt. (Courtesy of Emmett Keyser, Pierre, SD / G-704)
Mossberg Silver Reserve over-and-under 20 gauge, 26" barrels, gold game scene engraving, sport set choke tubes. (Courtesy of Chuck Clayton of Prairie Pothole Consulting, Huron, SD. SPECIAL NOTE: Chuck purchased this gun at the September 24, 2009 auction for Tony Dean's Acres in Sioux Falls, where it had been donated by Ducks Unlimited. Chuck is generously re-donating the gun for this auction / G-716)
Rifle: Henry Goldenboy rifle, one of a kind. More details to follow. (Courtesy of Izaak Walton League of America, and Henry Rifles / G-705)
Nikon BDC Slam Scope, featuring Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40 riflescope and Nikon ProStart Laser 550 Rangefinder. The set also comes with a case, a DVD, and Nikon ProGear Gift Card. (Courtesy of Dave Zentner, Duluth, MN -and- John Cooper, Pierre, SD / G-706)
DAC Technologies Universal Super-Deluxe gun cleaning kit. Cleans rifles from .17 cal to .50 cal and shotguns from .410 to 12 gauge. Fitted aluminum storage/carry case. (Courtesy of DAC Technologies / G-707)
Bushnell Yardage Pro Sport 450 laser rangefinder, 5-999 yards, with 4x magnification, water resistant, +/- 1 yard accuracy. Great for bow hunters. (Courtesy of Bill DeLay, McMillan, Truax & Associates, Inc. / G-708)
Winchester Drylok 12 gauge 3 inch steel shot. Four boxes of BBs; three boxes of #2 shot. (Courtesy of family of Tony Dean / G-709)
Dog training kit: Tri-Tronics Upland G2EXP model, including charger, control unit, and three collars. Features tone or buzz option. The color-coded design of the control unit and collars makes it possible to use with one dog or multiple dogs. (Courtesy of Dave Zentner of Duluth, MN -and- John Cooper of Pierre, SD / G-710)
DAC Technologies hunting/turkey seat. Accommodates all types of terrain with portable and adjustable legs. (Courtesy of DAC Technologies / G-711)
Dakota Coyote Howler, made by Steve Thompson, a longtime friend of Tony Dean's, and former trapper for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. (Courtesy of Steve Thompson, Pierre, SD / G-712)
FL-20 Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Ultrapack Flasher Depthfinder. (Courtesy of Steve Baumann of Vexilar / G-713)
FL-10 In-Dash, flush mount Flasher Depthfinder (Courtesy of Steve Baumann of Vexilar / G-714)
LC-507 Liquid Crystal Graph Depthfinder (Courtesy of Steve Baumann of Vexilar / G-715)
Tony Dean's waterfowl field laydown blind. This is Tony's personal field blind which he used on many of his waterfowl hunts in the Dakotas. Regular viewers of his TV show will certainly recognize it and now you have a one-time only chance to own it. (Courtesy of Tony Dean's family / G-717)
8-1/2 foot rigging rod: Pflueger Trion IM8 SP 4786 med PLUS two books which belonged to Tony Dean, "Walleye Fishing in the Dakotas" and "12 Days in Walleye Heaven." (Courtesy of In Fisherman, Brainerd, MN -and- Family of Tony Dean / G-718)
8-1/2 foot rigging rod: Pflueger Trion IM8 SP 4786 med PLUS two books which belonged to Tony Dean, "Walleye Patterns" and "Catching Fish", which was a particular favorite of Tony's. (Courtesy of In Fisherman, Brainerd, MN -and- Family of Tony Dean / G-719)
A Tony Dean's Acres camo cap, plus DAC Technologies hunting/turkey seat. Accommodates all types of terrain with portable and adjustable legs. (Courtesy of DAC Technologies / SA-4)
Pheasants Forever Bob Allen Sportswear vest size XL PLUS a DAC Technologies hunting/turkey seat PLUS a Tony Dean's Acres camo cap. (Courtesy of DAC Technologies & Pheasants Forever / SA-5)
Shoobug pants with Space Shield II repellent PLUS a DAC Technologies hunting/turkey seat PLUS a Tony Dean's Acres camo cap. (Courtesy of DAC Technologies & Family of Tony Dean / SA-6)
Walleye boat brake drift control sea anchor. (Courtesy of Tony Dean's family / SA-11)
Bass and pike lure bin, with large assortment of plastic baits, hard baits, line, leaders and other terminal tackle for bass and northern pike fishing. (Courtesy of Tony Dean's family / SA-12)
Salmon bin, with spoons, dipsy divers, side planer boards and terminal tackle for salmon fishing. (Courtesy of Tony Dean's family / SA-13)
ALSO:
24-gun rack made of cedar, by Gary Hoscheid. (Courtesy of Gary Hoscheid, Pierre, SD / G-720)
DAC Technologies all-purpose portable aluminium folding table PLUS DAC Technologies hunting/turkey seat. (Courtesy of DAC Technologies / SA-7)
ART:
"Buzzin' Beauties". This beautiful bronze sculpture of Green Winged Teal would lend grace to any room. (Courtesy of Ducks Unlimited / A-601)
Framed John Green original oil on canvas, "Pheasant Hunting on the Homestead." A beautiful original that captures the fall colors and excitement of a South Dakota tradition. The painting was originally a gift from John Green to Dave Simon, and is signed, "To my good friend Dave." Dave Simon later presented the painting to his friend, Tony Dean. There is a reserve on this painting. (Courtesy of Family of Tony Dean / A-611)
"Forever Free" eagle print on canvas (unframed). Limited edition #530 of 2,500. Size: 25 x 37 inches. Artist: Daniel Smith, former Federal Duck Stamp winner. This beautiful print must be seen to be fully appreciated. (Courtesy of Wildlife Forever / A-602)
Canada Geese. 1996 South Dakota Waterfowl Stamp, #313 of 8,000. Artist: Russ Duerksen. (Courtesy of South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks / A-604)
Green Winged Teal. 1998 South Dakota Waterfowl Stamp, #317 of 8,000. Artist: Mark Anderson. (Courtesy of Ducks Unlimited / A-605)
"White Elegance." Tundra Swans - 1999 South Dakota Waterfowl Stamp, #313 of 8,000. Artist: Russ Duerksen. (Courtesy of Ducks Unlimited / A-606)
Buffleheads. 2000 South Dakota Waterfowl Stamp, #313 of 8,000. Artist: Russ Duerksen. Framed by Finished Frame of Pierre, SD. (Courtesy of Ducks Unlimited / A-607)
Mallards. 2001 South Dakota Waterfowl Stamp, #6,203 of 8,000. Artist: Mark Anderson. (Courtesy of Ducks Unlimited -and- Elliott Nelson of the Finished Frame, Pierre / A-608)
"Opening Day on Lake Mille Lacs". #2,222 of 5,000. Artists: Les C. Kouba and Bud Grant. (Courtesy of Tony Dean's family / A-609)
"Wings of Freedom". #958 of 1,000. The third in a series of "Bramble Park Zoo" limited editions. Artist: Larry D. Negaard. (Courtesy of Curt Johnson, Watertown, SD / SA-8)
"Grass Lake Pintails". #139 of 950. Artist: John S. Wilson. (Courtesy of Curt Johnson, Watertown, SD / SA-17).
"Spring Migration: White Fronts". #1,848 of 2,500. Artist: John S. Wilson. (Courtesy of Curt Johnson, Watertown, SD / SA-20)
"Leaving the Sanctuary." White tailed deer browsing through a posted area. A strict limited edition print; conservation edition. Artist: Terry Redlin. (Courtesy of Mike Williams, Watertown, SD / A-610)
"Majestic Swans". #157 of 800. Artist: John Wilson. (Courtesy of Curt Johnson, Watertown, SD / SA-21)
"A Dakota Double". Watertown Glacial Lakes Pheasants Forever Habitat Print No. 2, #453 of 500. Artist: Larry Negaard. (Courtesy of Curt Johnson, Watertown, SD / SA-22)
"Late Break Canadas". Large framed print of Canada Geese coming in a snow-covered corn stubble field. #1160 of 1800. (Courtesy of Darrel Reinke, Ft. Pierre, SD / A-612)
"School Daze" - Jim Killen collector plate of Labrador and Golden Retriever puppies. From the James Killen Dogs series of plates. Franklin Mint numbered plate. (Courtesy of Darrel Reinke, Ft. Pierre, SD / SA-18)
"Eye to Eye." Jim Killen collector plate featuring a puppy and a bird, "eye to eye". From the "Sporting Companions" collection. Franklin Mint numbered plate. (Courtesy of Darrel Reinke, Ft. Pierre, SD / SA-19)
ALSO:
1977 South Dakota Pheasant Stamp, framed. The stamp is unique in many ways, and as this was only sold in South Dakota in 1977, this is a rare opportunity. (Courtesy of David Mitchell, Brookings, SD / A-603)
OTHER ITEMS:
Knife set: Eagle River carving knife and fork set from Alaska. This set was made for the Wildlife Forever 20th Anniversary, and is one of only three sets made. Each set is engraved with the number, along with the Wildlife Forever 20th Anniversary stamp,and the Eagle River stamp. Tony Dean saw and admired one of the three sets on one of his last big trips to Alaska. (Courtesy of Wildlife Forever / M-801)
Commemorative coins: set of three coins in a presentation boxed set. One side of the medallion features the screaming eagle logo of Wildlife Forever, and the reverse side has a flying Canada Goose. The set, numbered 32 of only 100, contains a .999 pure silver medallion with selective 24 karat gold highlights, a .999 fine silver medallion, and a bronze medallion. All are dated 2002 honoring the 15th anniversary of Wildlife Forever. Made by the Northwest Territorial Mint, handcrafted in the USA. The coins are sold out, but when available back in 2002 sold for $125. (Courtesy of Wildlife Forever / M-802)
Mallard nesting boxes: These are Missouri National Recreational River/National Park Service nesting boxes. These boxes provide a perfect opportunity for parents or grandparents to help their kids or grandkkids gain an appreciation of the outdoors and waterfowl. (Courtesy of Mike Madell, National Park Service, Yankton, SD / M-804)
Wood Duck nesting boxes: These are Missouri National Recreational River/National Park Service nesting boxes. Pick up one of these boxes for a great chance help your kids or grandkkids not only learn about the outdoors, but also learn proper maintenance of nesting boxes. (Courtesy of Mike Madell, National Park Service, Yankton, SD / M-805)
Dooney & Burke medium wristlet, finely crafted and stylish. (Courtesy of Bill DeLay, McMillan, Truax & Associates, Inc., Plymouth, MN / SA-15)
Dakota Watch Company water resistant watch with carabiner, perfect for clipping to your belt. (Courtesy of Bill DeLay, McMillan, Truax & Associates, Inc., Plymouth, MN / SA-16)
Snowman tapestry/rug made by Shaw Rugs. (Courtesy of Curt Johnson, Watertown, SD / SA-9)
Once again, a major fundraising event for the Tony Dean's Acres project surpassed expectations.
