the EXPERTS

ingneck Retreat emerged from Darik Tschetter’s lifelong passion for hunting and the outdoors. Taught by his father, Harvey Tschetter, Darik grew up in South Dakota and has a thorough appreciation for and understanding of the land and its inhabitants. Today a team chosen for its shared dedication and welcoming nature joins Darik in making Ringneck Retreat an incredible get–away. In the lodge, guests experience warm hospitality and delicious home–cooked meals. Out on the hunt, you will experience personalized attention from professional guides. We pride ourselves on our expert field guides who custom tailor their hunts. Darik and Dean watch each group and the individual group members to get a feel for their needs, and they go out of their way to help someone who may not be getting a shot.

The People

Darik Tschetter, Expert Field Guide and Owner of Ringneck Retreat
Darik has thirty years of experience working the farms at Ringneck Retreat and hunting. Teacher and mentor Harvey Tschetter, who is also his father, showed Darik at an early age the thrill of and respect for the nature that surrounds him. Their shared passion for nature inspired the humble beginnings of Ringneck Retreat, and these roots still hold strong. Darik’s love for the hunt is backed by his clear vision for the strategy needed to hunt wild game. Prior to opening Ringneck Retreat to the public, he enjoyed a career as a big game guide, chasing bear, elk, birds, deer, and other animals. Friends and guests alike often contact Darik for advice on hunting, appreciating his wealth of diverse hunting knowledge. Darik feels a strong sense of pride knowing that he gives each of his guests the very best hunting experience he can create every day, and he has instilled that same spirit in the entire Ringneck Retreat team.

Sharon Tschetter, Head Cook and Darik’s Mother
Sharon, Darik’s mother, is a pillar in the community of Hitchcock. Involved in everything from school events to Hitchcock United Methodist Church activities, Sharon still finds time to work with both Ringneck Retreat and the family business, Tschetter Feed Lot. As her three children and past Ringneck Retreat guests will tell you, Sharon has an amazing talent for crafting culinary delights and makes cooking for groups look effortless. She specializes in traditional Midwestern fare, the home–cooked goodness people often call comfort food. One of our guests’ favorites has been the beef roast dinner with the traditional side dishes of hand–mashed potatoes, thick beef gravy, and glazed carrots (grown in Sharon’s garden). Sharon ends every meal by focusing some attention on the "sweet tooth"; she is known for her pecan bars and vanilla ice cream.

Angie Olmsted, Administrative Assistant and Field Guide
Angie grew up in the Huron area not far from Hitchcock.  She developed her love for the outdoors, hunting and fishing with her father Vern and all of his outdoor friends.  Angie truly loves her time in the field working with our bird dogs.  But what really makes her days at Ringneck Retreat, is the laughter and friendship that she brings to everyone both in the field and at the lodge.  Angie is a very hard worker and wouldn’t have it any other way.  She is also a big part in all of the meals at the lodge as well as taking care hunting licenses, book work, and many other behind the scenes duties. Her skills in the kitchen and caring personality come from her mom, Nellie.  Angie is a mother to a great teenaged boy, Ashton.  She and her family all share a love for drag racing and muscle cars.

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DOGS & BREEDING

Our hunting dogs also play a large role in making Ringneck Retreat a place for incredible hunts. Darik’s first lab, Duke, helped start his guide service years ago, and now Ringneck Retreat has seven dogs expertly trained to accompany hunters. Each breed has its own style, and each dog has its own personality. As each of our dogs offers a different hunting experience, Darik will custom match a dog to each hunter or group.