Nice rig, isn’t it? You could win it

By Patrick Lalley, for Pigeon605

Pheasants shmeasants.

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is raising money to support habitat by raffling off a utility terrain vehicle.

The “ultimate rooster-chasing UTV” is decked out for the wonder of the fall pheasant season.

But let’s be honest for a minute. This thing is suited for more than rumbling across the grasslands.

It’s a fully decked out recreational wonder bus.

More like the ultimate tailgating UTV.

Or the ultimate outdoor concert UTV.

The Can-Am branded four-wheeler has a price tag of $50,000, though you won’t find it on the company website. It has an enclosed cab that seats four with enough rack space to be the base of operations for a survivalist weekend.

The promotional photos show it set up with two dog kennels and a Yeti cooler, top-rack lights, storage drawers and a front-bumper winch. There’s no indication of what goodies are built into the interior, but for fifty grand, there better be at least a CD player in there somewhere.

The beast will be on display at the Sioux Empire Sportsmen’s Show at the Convention Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. Thursday, and it wraps up at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Raffle tickets are $100 each, and you can buy as many as you like.

Now, if you’re a bird hunter of any sort, you can get the satisfaction of knowing you’re giving back to the sport. The GF&P will use the money to support habitat in the state, something that’s a priority as the number of acres enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program has fallen in recent years.

If you’re not a hunter, you get the satisfaction of giving back to land conservation generally.

Plus, you get a chance to win the ultimate rig to haul your buddies around at the Dakota Bowl or the State-U game.

Not to encourage overindulgence by any means, but the word “Kegmobile” comes to mind pretty quickly.

The drawing will be held in October at the annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunt, so you’ve got plenty of time to dream.

The raffle is backed by the South Dakota Department of Tourism, Can-Am and R+R Pheasant Hunting. The money goes to the Second Century Habitat Fund.

“Habitat is the foundation of hunting and fishing,” said Lisa Weyer, executive director of the Second Century Habitat Fund board. “For those of us who value these lifelong traditions, habitat is a top priority. Proceeds from the raffle will help ensure that our kids and grandkids can enjoy the natural resources we have today.”

The mission of the Second Century Habitat Fund’s board is to be advocates of habitat stewardship, collaborate with community partners and be conservation leaders to benefit all of South Dakota. To learn more about the organization, the raffle or to purchase tickets, visit sdhabitatfund.org.