Top Unexpected (and Wonderful) Things Found at Pheasant Bonanza

Explosive pheasant flushes, spectacular dogwork, hearty steak dinners, nightcaps by the great-room fire.... Booking a trip to a world-class wingshooting destination like Pheasant Bonanza elicits a number of great expectations, and the Nebraska lodge boasts a stellar track record for delivering on everything a wingshooter would hope for on a great Midwestern upland hunt. However, despite its secluded rural location, Pheasant Bonanza offers a surprising number of things beyond what a guest might expect. Here are a few of them.

Photo by Nathan Nedley.

1. Swing it

Some folks never miss the opportunity to swing a golf club, and they won’t miss anything if they book an early season hunt and set a tee time at Northridge Country Club. Not only is Northridge one of the better nine-hole courses in Nebraska, but it’s only 15 minutes from the lodge. And if you can make time for 18 holes, the Oakland Golf Club and River Wilds Golf Club are only a few minutes farther.

2. Mix it up

If anything matches the thrill of a cackling rooster erupting almost underfoot, it’s the sight of a flock of cupped-wing mallards dropping into a decoy spread. If the migration is optimal, Pheasant Bonanza can offer waterfowl hunts that rival those of any hardcore duck-and-goose lodge. Add a little “blind time” to your upland hunt and, presto, you’ve turned your upland hunt into a wingshooting bonanza.

3. Go back in time

The early history of life in America’s Great Plains is absolutely fascinating. With nine attractions on the National Register of Historic Places, Pheasant Bonanza’s hometown of Tekamah is an excellent place for visitors to take a deep dive into the lifestyle, artifacts and riveting stories of that amazing era of our nation’s history. It is well worth a trip into town—even if it’s a quick one—for a look-see.

Pheasant hunting at three Pheasant Bonanza locations.

4. Dog rescue

Dog-rescue programs are an awesome concept on so many levels, and every program has a distinct combination of people and stories behind its reason for being. Pheasant Bonanza runs a program called KAMO (K-9 Adoption and Mentoring Outdoors), which specializes in sporting dogs. Meet the people, get the story and maybe, just maybe, meet a dog that you decide to add to the family.

5. Make time for targets

Pheasant Bonanza’s hard focus on high-quality bird hunting belies the fact that the lodge is a full-fledged clay target venue as well. A 20-station walk-through sporting clays course as well as trap, skeet and 5 Stand layouts can all be shot; and there’s a rifle and pistol range too. There are even Orvis-Endorsed clays instructors on staff for anyone wanting to sharpen their “long crosser” game.

6. Bring it home

Lodge Chef Kris Cohen makes and bottles wicked-good hot sauces and BBQ sauces. You’ll very likely have a chance to try them at mealtime—and it’s equally likely you’ll love them! Buy a bottle or two to take home, where they’ll serve as great souvenirs to tide you over until your next trip to Pheasant Bonanza. And while you’re at it, be sure to spring for some of Pheasant Bonanza’s Longhorn Beef. The grass-fed, corn-finished beef comes in a variety of cuts (aged ribeye, anyone?) and can be packaged for your trip home!