SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Because of changes in how lilve animals like hunting dogs are now handled on commercial flights–they’re now considered freight–many out of state hunters aren’t flying their dogs to Sioux Falls Regional Airport.
That’s according to airport director Dan Letellier.
“A lot of dogs with them are probably really trailering them up,” he said. He adds that they’re also bringing up their group’s guns and other supplies.
While flying dogs on commercial flights may be a hassle, he says checking shotguns on airliners is not onerous.
He says that there is extra checking that goes into clearing the weapons and that they need to be in approved cases.
Letellier also says it was a sprint to get the new baggage area completed in time for the onslaught of hunters.
“It’s like the closing of a house,” Letellier said. “There’s been a lot of activity the last couple of days and a lot of contractors to get us where we are today.”
While getting ready for a big increase in passengers with lots of guns and luggage is a lot of work, Letellier also says the airport looks forward to seeing old friends again.”
“Yeah, we’re excited to see a lot of our friends that we’ve seen come through here for the past 20 years,” Letellier said. “It’s really great to see the generational aspect of it.”
He says the airport is seeing more groups of women hunters as well.
Letellier spoke to Bill Zortman on KELO Radio’s It’s Your Business this morning as hunters arrived.
