
The Ferritto Family hunt 2020.
This weekend was bittersweet at Broken Arrow Farms. We bid our final farewell to our friend Rick Ferritto. He’s been coming every October for more than 20 years. Over those years, we became more like family. We watched his kids grow up, get married, and start families of their own. While we so looked forward to seeing the Ferritto family, it wasn’t the same without Rick.
This man lived. He truly LIVED. Maybe God knew He would be calling him home sooner than any of us were ready for. One thing I know for sure, anyone who knew Rick was blessed. He improved our lives in ways he never knew. He cherished his family and friends. He loved and served the Lord.

Release of pheasants in honor of Rick and Sully. Cooper, Matt, Catie, & Chris salute.
Rick was one of the best story tellers I have ever known. He would come up to South Dakota telling stories of his adventures back home, so I am sure he would return home filled with stories about his travels in South Dakota. Like the time his father, Sully, killed 6 pheasants in 6 shots. Or the time he rescued a dog who was wandering around in a field. Turned out she was my dog, Pepper. And she was learning to stay with her guide or she’d get left behind. Haha!
Although it won’t be the same without their dad/grampy, the Ferritto’s will continue the tradition started by Rick, just as he would have wanted it to be. Life goes on. Cooper, Matt’s son, has been carrying his BB gun on hunts and walking along with his dad. Before we know it, Cooper will be a pro and maybe even carry on Sully’s title, “6 for 6.” 🙂

The Ferritto Family 2022. In loving memory of Rick.
Rick smiled down on us this weekend. We had perfect weather for spending time in the great outdoors. The hunters had a great hunt and the non-hunters enjoyed playing with the puppies, painting pumpkins, a lively game of nature bingo, and even a little pony ride. It would have also been Rick’s 65th birthday on Friday… so we celebrated him to the fullest. See our tribute to Rick here.