Welcome To Steamboat Game Processing LLC
Since 1984
At Steamboat Game Processing we strive to offer a high quality cut of meat that will have your taste buds tingling. We offer over 24 smoked products including but not limited to: pepper sticks, a variety of jerky, summer sausage, and salami. We also take pride in the fan favorite smoked pheasant to which the secret recipe has been played with for over 15 years, perfecting the "kind of sweet, and not too salty" flavor we all know and love!
Our History:
Steamboat’s Incorporated is a family owned/operated business and over the last two decades has transformed from a bait shop into an outdoor recreational enthusiast’s paradise. In 1984 with the help of John (our uncle) and Morris (our grandfather) Gilkerson Steamboat Bait & Tackle Incorporated began. A few years later, Sam Gilkerson (our uncle) took over for John Gilkerson when John left to begin a new venture at Sunset Lodge north of Pierre. Currently, John now owns Dakota Septic and Dakota John’s. Sam continued operating Steamboat with Morrie and Ruth Gilkerson (his parents). Later Sam modified the business’s name to Steamboat Game & Fish Inc, and quit the bait business to focus on wild game processing and guiding walleye fisherman. In 2000, Caleb Gilkerson began operating Steamboat Game & Fish Inc. Caleb added the canoe and kayaking known as Steamboat’s Dakota Adventures. Sam Gilkerson presently works for the State of South Dakota Dept. of Transportation as an engineer. Later, in 2005 Caleb bought Oahe Skin and Scuba (now Steamboat’s Skin & Scuba) from K. Thomas Bowers. Tom owned and operated Oahe Skin & Scuba for 30 years offering commercial diving, scuba classes, and much more. In 2006 Josh Gilkerson became co-owner with his brother Caleb. Together they renamed these different business’s that could only co-exist in Pierre, South Dakota, to Steamboat’s Inc. For marketing, they are known as Steamboat’s Game & Fish, Steamboat’s Skin & Scuba, and Steamboat’s Dakota Adventures. In 2010 Sam Gilkerson and Ben Gilkerson became co-owners with Caleb and Josh. Sam and Ben Gilkerson bring new energy and ideas to the Steamboat's Inc. team. In late 2022, Steamboat Game & Fish was purchased by long term employee and friend, Blake Anderson. Blake has worked at Steamboat Game & Fish since he was a freshman in high-school and has always enjoyed spending his time with the Steamboat community.
Although Steamboat is out of the Gilkerson name, you will still see of familiar faces around the shop. Caleb has offered his expertise in the transition. Also, you may recognize some of the "bird crew" as many of them have been working here for over 10 years!