Rooster Road Trip Episode 4:

Glacial Lakes and Longtails

The final day of the Rooster Road Trip found us taking a slight detour to see the new Kessler Game Production Area located in the Glacial Lakes Region of northeast South Dakota. This property was recently acquired and made public through Pheasants Forever’s Build a Wildlife Area Program in honor of lifetime conservationist, and former Pheasants Forever Board Member, Tim Kessler.

Now managed by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, these permanently protected 440 acres contain native prairie, wetlands, and marginal cropland that will be restored and managed for the benefit of upland wildlife and public access. And although the habitat was not quite ready to hunt, it was inspiring to see what the support of members, donors, corporate partners, and agency partners can accomplish in the name of upland wildlife habitat conservation.

After taking in that sprawling landscape, it was time to find some birds. Joining us today was Soil Health and Habitat Specialist, Ben Lardy, and we quickly found ourselves walking a South Dakota CREP property that was enrolled as a perpetual easement and within the Wetland Reserve Program. This property eventually produced a large flush of pheasants, and we were able to connect on one beautiful rooster that held tight on the edge of a cattail slough.

From here we tried our hand at a local Game Production Area (GPA) and a second GPA bordered by CREP. Although we saw birds on both tracts of land, no more shots rang out and with that another Rooster Road Trip came to a close.

Fittingly, the last day didn’t produce heavy gamebags, as that was never the point of this road trip. We travelled through The Dakotas meeting new friends and old acquaintances while exploring public land that’s available to all of us. The call of the uplands isn’t a Siren Song, it’s a feeling of wanderlust that compels us to spend time with good friends and better dogs in landscapes that should never be taken for granted. So get out there, it’s time to take your own Rooster Road Trip – it’s time to answer the call.

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.

Kessler Game Production Area

The Kessler Game Production Area is found within the Glacial Lakes Region that encompasses much of northeast South Dakota and stretches along the Coteau des Prairies hills. This expansive project is home to some of South Dakota’s most iconic species, including ring-necked pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse, and waterfowl, along with the endangered Dakota Skipper butterfly.

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Ready to Run

Director of Marketing, Andrew Vavra, and his French Brittany, Baxter, wait to walk the first field of the day.

Searching for Longtails

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Bob St. Pierre, courses through a CREP property in hopes of seeing some final-day feathers.

All Smiles

Aspen, the Yellow Labrador retriever, living his best life sniffing out longtails.

A Mixed Bag

Andrew Vavra tries to keep his focus on pheasants while walking through an area known for epic waterfowl migrations.

Follow the Leader

Soil Health and Habitat Specialist, Ben Lardy, scans the field with his yellow Labrador retriever, Woodrow, leading the way.

Home Away from Home

Bob St. Pierre’s two German shorthaired pointers sang nothing but praise for their matching Ruff Land Kennels.

Tradition and Technology

Graphic Design Manager, Logan Hinners, show that timeless tradition and new technology can mix with both the Browning Maxus II Hunter and his Garmin Instinct Solar watch.

Hen!

A common refrain throughout the day, it was good to be moving birds, even if most of them didn’t have long tailfeathers.

Public Lands and Public Access

Creating a beautiful mosaic of publicly accessible habitat, our last walk of the day found us on a GPA bordered by CREP.

One Last Walk

Bob St. Pierre takes in the beautiful surroundings on the last day of the Rooster Road Trip.