By 
Doris Wilkey
On the morning before the opening of pheasant hunting season, regular customers of Kampeska Lodge & Store were dropping in to buy hunting licenses and supplies.
It’s been a tradition at the venerable Lake Kampeska business for more than 60 years. Owner Doris Wilkey was on hand to greet every customer and hand out free Rooster Rush swag packets.
Many of the customers are out-of-staters who migrate back to the lodge every year. Friday’s visitors included a couple from southern Indiana who come to Northeast South Dakota every year to hunt pheasants. Another customer was inquiring about license needs for out-of-state children.
Everyone was treated like an old friend.
“I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for more than 60 years,” Wilkey said.
Wilkey had the lodge decorated for Rooster Rush, and customers scrambled to get their photos taken in front of the building North Lake Drive.
It’s as much a tradition for the Lodge as pheasant season itself.
