ABOUT

INTRODUCING THE NAMANNY'S

Shane and Jennifer, second generation owners of Horseshoe K Ranch, proudly carry on the family legacy as the fourth generation on the ranch.

The couple are parents to three grown children; Ty, Bennett, and Harley. Although each has ventured into their own pursuits, they make a point to return and contribute their assistance whenever they can at HKR.

THE PATH THAT LED US HERE...

Jennifer’s family is deeply rooted in the ranch. Her great grandparents, Warren and Mary Aikins, settled in the early 1930’s, dedicating their days to farming, milking cows, and raising their family. In the 1940’s Jennifer’s grandparents, Victor and Donna, joined the operation. By the 1970’s, Jennifer’s great grandparents moved to town, and her father, Dihl, joined the operation with his parents. In the 1980’s, a new chapter began as Dihl and Joanne introduced a hunting operation to compliment their farming and feed lot activities. In 2012, Shane and Jennifer took over the hunting aspect of the operation from her parents, continuing the family legacy on the ranch.

Meet our Guides

Shane Namanny

Shane Namanny, a dedicated full-time guide and co-owner of Horseshoe K Ranch's hunting operations, joined the ranch in 1997. In 1998, he married Jennifer (Grohs), the daughter of the original owners of the hunting operation, Dihl Grohs and Joanne Grohs. Beyond his role in the field, Shane can often be found grilling steaks, working on a bus, or sharing captivating stories. Notably, Shane played a key role in constructing almost all of the lodges on the ranch, including the popular main lodge in 1999. Hunters frequently inquire whether Shane has a large map of the ranch to direct hunting parties, and the answer is yes—he keeps it all in his head. Shane and Jennifer feel incredibly blessed to have taken over the family hunting business initiated by Jennifer's parents many years ago.

Mike Namanny

Mike Namanny, the great uncle of Shane, joined the guiding team at Horseshoe K Ranch in 2014. Mike finds joy in engaging with hunters, sharing stories of past hunts, travels, and his experiences as an over-the-road truck driver. Beyond his role at the ranch, Mike is actively involved in volunteer work for veterans, his church, the fire department, and various community initiatives in his hometown. When guiding hunting groups to the Horseshoe K Ranch food plots, Mike is dedicated to ensuring a safe and successful hunt, creating lasting memories for years to come

Brian Zeman

Upon joining the Horseshoe K Ranch in 2017, Brian Zeman brought with him a youthful exuberance that quickly made him a favorite among hunting groups. Brian's dedication to ensuring a memorable experience is evident as he goes the extra mile, whether it's pulling tail feathers, delivering safety speeches, or assisting in finding lost items in the field. In addition to being a valued hunting guide, Brian showcases his athletic skills during the hunting off-season as a pitcher for his amateur baseball team, delivering a pretty good curveball. Furthermore, he plays a crucial role in year-round predator control on the ranch, contributing to the overall management of the property.

Matt Wenzel

Since 2003, Matt Wenzel has been a dedicated guide at HKR, and his journey has been filled with memorable highlights. One significant moment for Matt is the opportunity to guide alongside three of South Dakota's finest guides, including his father. Matt reflects on the joy of meeting hunting groups for the first time, only to forge friendships that extend over the years.

For Matt, guiding is about sharing the unique Horseshoe K Ranch experience, describing it as a "slice of heaven in the Dakota’s." Witnessing the excitement of hunters at the end of a food plot, where a large flush of birds occurs, and hearing them express their love for HKR is particularly rewarding. Matt emphasizes that, at that moment, he knows he has done his job.

The most priceless experiences for Matt involve witnessing fathers, grandfathers, or family members see their sons or grandchildren bag their very first South Dakota ringneck pheasant. He finds joy in observing his dogs in action, hearing hunters talk about them, and even having hunters request pictures with both the dogs and the guides. Matt acknowledges that words can only capture so much, and some things are truly better experienced firsthand.