Kyle Hupfer on ScatterGun Lodge, Indiana Politics, and Hard Work

Kyle Hupfer built a career spanning law, Republican politics, and business before purchasing ScatterGun Lodge, a 2,200-acre pheasant hunting operation in South Dakota, in 2025. He talks with host Dave Calabro about what drew him to the property, his plans to grow the lodge, and why he believes land is one of the most reliable long-term investments a person can make. Hupfer traces his path from working on Mitch Daniels' gubernatorial campaign to running the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, serving seven years as Indiana Republican State Chairman, and taking on the role of General Counsel for the Republican National Committee. Along the way, he reflects on what Daniels and former Gov. Eric Holcomb taught him about leadership, and why he describes hard work, not ingenuity, as the defining factor behind most people's success. Hupfer also discusses his playing days at Pendleton Heights, his time at Manchester University under coach Steve Alford, and the lessons from competitive athletics that still shape how he thinks about business and parenting. He talks candidly about running for the Indiana State House and losing, and why he treats setbacks as data points rather than defining moments. ScatterGun Lodge hosts corporate and private groups for full-service pheasant hunts on property that includes nearly a million planted trees. Hupfer says bookings for the season fill quickly. More information is available at scattergunlodge.com. Learn more about Indiana Members Credit Union at https://www.imcu.com/business