Rooster Road Trip Episode 2:

Peace Garden State Pheasants

The second morning of the Rooster Road Trip found our truck pointing east to meet with North Dakota’s Cedar Creek Pheasants Forever chapter president, Ben Geaumont and his two golden retrievers “Lola” and “Maggie.”

We agreed to meet at an out-of-the-way PLOTS property that Ben mentioned might be tough to walk and hunt, but the eye-high kochia should hold a few birds… Both of those statements proved to be correct. Eventually, we managed to pin a few roosters in a corner (remember to always walk to the corner post) and the crew finished out the walk with heavy gamebags before moving on to a large Wildlife Management Area a few miles down the road.

What this next expansive public property lacked in quality grass, it made up for in cattails – something we couldn’t ignore as equaling birds. With temperatures hovering around 77 degrees, the group managed one more rooster (after seeing more wildly flush than we could count) and then sought refuge in the shade as we opted to wait for one last walk once the thermometer began to dip.

For the last walk, we focused on a giant Waterfowl Production Area that had a meandering creek leading to a large stand of cattails (yes, more cattails). When the grass is lacking you have to key in on whatever habitat is available, so into the cattails we went and we were lucky enough to pull out one last Golden Hour bird.

As the North Dakota leg of our Rooster Road Trip came to a close, we couldn’t have been happier with how things turned out. Did the drought impact habitat quality and availability? Absolutely. Did it hamper our ability to put boots on the ground and find a good amount of birds? No.

Saying goodbye to the Peace Garden State, we now turned toward South Dakota and hoped our good fortune would continue. . .

The Rooster Road Trip is made possible by: Ruff Land Kennels, Browning firearms and apparel, Garmin training collars and tech, Thorogood boots, SoundGear hearing protection and enhancement, Federal Ammunition, Apple Autos, and South Dakota Tourism.

Early Morning Caravan

The Apple Autos Rooster Road Trip Truck led the way to our first field of the day.

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Rooster Road Trip Truck caravan enroute to first field of the day.

a large sunflower field, a flock of pheasants

Roadside Roosters

Filtering out from a large sunflower field, this flock of pheasants greeted us in the early morning light.

Open to Hunting

This morning we picked up right where we left off: A weedy PLOTS property.

Coursing Through Kochia

North Dakota Senior Field Representative, Renee Tomala, works her way through the PLOTS property.

Gold on Gold

Adding to the bird dog variety pack, this morning we were joined by two beautiful (and hard hunting) golden retrievers named "Lola" and "Maggie."

Track Race

The birds could easily outmaneuver us as they skirted through the weeds as we tried plowing through the cover behind them.

Swallowed Whole

In the background, PF Cedar Creek chapter president, Ben Geaumont looks on as Education & Outreach Program Manager, Marissa Jensen, does her best to not disappear into the cover.

Tools of the Trade

Both SoundGear and Browning make some of the most reliable and effective tools you can utilize while afield.

Pinned Pheasants

Renee Tomala and her 11-month-old GWP "Quill" helped pin a few birds at the corner of this North Dakota PLOTS property.

Birds in Hand

Few things compare to the beauty of a mature rooster.

Birds in the Bag

Our Browning Bird’N Lite 2.0 Strap Vests continued to get a workout in North Dakota.

Time for More Cattails

High temperatures and hunting in cattails don’t always go together, but you have to go where the birds are. Graphic Design Manager, Logan Hinners, and his Garmin Instinct Solar watch soaked up the rays (and heat) during this hunt.

Staying on Track

"Baxter" the French Brittany wore a Garmin TT 15 collar paired to the all-new Alpha 10 transmitter while coursing through North Dakota.

And More

The temperatures finally dropped later in the day and let the group and Director of Marketing, Andrew Vavra, pile into even more cattails.

Sensing Some Action

Precision Ag & Conservation Specialist, Emily Spolyar, keeps an eye on the movement of her cocker spaniel "Bridger" as he works his way through the thick cover.

Proof in the Pheasant

Flush, shot, retrieve – perfection. Emily and "Bridger" proved the birds were in the thick cover.

Picture Perfect Ending

(L to R) Andrew Vavra, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Bob St. Pierre, Quill, Renee, Marissa, and Emily proudly display their (and their dog’s) hard-earned roosters.