ShopPosts Tagged ‘Prairie Storm’
New PF-Logoed Prairie Storm 100 Round Carry Pack
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011
New for pheasant hunters this fall from Federal Premium Ammunition is a 100 round carry pack of the Prairie Storm pheasant load – perfect for any Rooster Road Trip.
The large packs are available at Cabela’s, and only in lead shot (the hunters on Pheasants Forever’s Rooster Road Trip will be shooting only the new Prairie Storm steel, as to avoid regulatory confusion when hunting five states in five days, including an assortment of public areas). But if your own Rooster Road Trip includes many hunters or many days, or both, the carry pack could be just the ticket.
In line with all of Federal Premium’s Prairie Storm products, this bulk pack is emblazoned with a Pheasants Forever logo, meaning with each box sold, a donation will be made to Pheasants Forever in support of the organization’s wildlife habitat conservation efforts.
Follow Pheasants Forever’s Rooster Road Trip 2011 at www.RoosterRoadTrip.org, on Facebook , YouTube, and Twitter (#rrt11).
The Prairie Storm 100 round carry pack.
Anthony’s Antics Afield is written by Anthony Hauck, Pheasants Forever’s Online Editor. Email Anthony at AHauck@pheasantsforever.org and follow him on Twitter @AnthonyHauck.
Prairie Storm Steel Travels at 1600 Feet per Second
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
Federal Ammo makes a donation to Pheasants Forever's habitat efforts every time a box of Prairie Storm is sold.
When you miss a pheasant, is it because you shot behind the bird?
It’s been my experience most of my missed shots (and the misses of others I’m hunting with) are the result of shooting behind fast-moving roosters. Enter Federal Ammo’s new Prairie Storm Steel which travels at a whopping 1600 feet per second (fps). Wowzers, that’s fast! And blistering compared to the many other upland loads on the market which offer just 1200 to 1300 fps.
North Dakota has an earlier pheasant opener than most states, and Jesse Beckers, Pheasants Forever’s Regional Wildlife Biologist there, has been upland hunting and using Prairie Storm Steel for three weeks. “That stuff rocks. I’ve never had steel shot perform so well. I’ve got buddies starting to buy it and thought people would like to know that it’s performing awesome in North Dakota.”
Next time you’re in the ammo aisle of your favorite sporting goods store, check out the stats on the boxes of bird shot. No other load comes close to the 12 gauge Prairie Storm Steel’s 1600 feet per second.
On top of that fast fact, Federal makes a donation to Pheasants Forever’s wildlife habitat conservation efforts for each and every box of Federal shells sold featuring the PF logo, including Prairie Storm and Prairie Storm Steel.
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.
What Makes Prairie Storm Steel Different From Black Cloud?
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
New for 2011, Prairie Storm® FS Steel®. Look for the PF logo, as each box sold supports Pheasants Forever.
Federal Premium has unveiled its new upland load for 2011, Prairie Storm® FS Steel®. Federal’s Black Cloud waterfowl loads, which employ similar technology, have been on the market for a few years, and I know many uplanders who, especially on combo hunts, have used Black Cloud loads for pheasants. So how do they differ?
First, let’s look at the similarities. Both Black Cloud and Prairie Strom Steel have Premium Steel round pellets and FLITESTOPPER pellets. The FLITESTOPPER pellets have sharp, Saturn-like rings around them that really wreak some havoc and create a killing wound channel. Both also contain the FLITECONTROL wad, which is designed to hold the shot and release it at various determined distances to produce a more consistent pattern.
Now, the differences. First is the ratio of Premium Steel vs. FLITESTOPPER pellets. Black Cloud has a 60/40 mix, with 40 percent being FLITESTOPPER pellets. The FLITESTOPPER pellets actually fly different than your standard round pellets to give duck hunters greater killing power at longer ranges. The Prairie Storm Steel loads have a 50/50 mix of the two pellet types. This is due to the fact that shots at a flushing rooster are typically closer, giving you a denser pattern at rooster range!
Next, the FLITECONTROL wad. This really is the magic of the Black Cloud and Prairie Storm loads. There is a crazy rear braking effect which holds the pellets for a controlled release, giving you a specific pattern for the birds you are after. Federal Premium engineered the cuts in the wad to adjust the distance at which the cup will release the pellet load. With the Black Cloud loads the wad will hold the load out to around 15 feet before falling off, giving you a denser pattern at the longer ranges. With the Prairie Storm Steel loads the FLITECONTROL wad will drop off between 7 and 10 feet allowing the pattern to open up more at closer rooster ranges. Pretty cool stuff.
Now if you’re also a duck hunter, like me (and 40 percent of Pheasants Forever members), your mind starts to wander to decoying mallards or a hunt in green timber where your shots become closer – you may want to try the Prairie Storm Steel for those tight ducks! Wow, I may have given the folks at Federal a million dollar idea…and remember, a portion of the proceeds from each box of Prairie Storm Steel sold go directly to Pheasants Forever’s conservation efforts. Again, pretty cool stuff.
The Pheasant Fest blog is written by Brad Heidel, Pheasants Forever’s Director of Corporate and Special Event Sales. Look for Brad’s column, “The Gun Shop,” in the Pheasants Forever Journal.
Packing a Suitcase Warm Enough for a Pheasant Hunt on the North Pole
Thursday, December 9th, 2010
The best single item of hunting clothing I've ever owned.
In September, I blogged about my early season hunting clothes selections in a post titled A Bird Hunter’s Suitcase: Everything but Underwear. As you read today’s post, I’m headed west for my fourth visit to SoDak this pheasant season. On this particular trip, I’ll be hunting with FAN Outdoors radio host “The Captain” Billy Hildebrand in temps approaching zero, so I thought it appropriate to detail my favorite late season duds.
By the way, please tune in to www.KFAN.com this Thursday evening from 7 to 8PM CST and this Saturday morning from 6 to 8AM CST for live broadcasts from the pheasant fields of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Beretta Wind Barrier Sweater: If I were stuck on a polar ice cap, this is the piece of clothing I’d want with me. There is no hyperbole in the statement that this is the single warmest, most efficient, best piece of hunting clothing I’ve ever owned. ALL SIZES NOW IN STOCK.
Boyt Base Layers: I used to be an Under Armour guy until I started wearing Boyt’s merino wool zippered top. There exists no more comfortable “long underwear” item than this one. The other notch in the belt is that Boyt supports conservation groups like Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and Ruffed Grouse Society.
Boyt Heavy-Weight Uplander Socks: Speaking of our friends at Boyt, they make a heckuva good pair of toe-coverers. Tired of socks that slide down your boot? This pair ain’t cheap, but how much would you pay for warm feet on a hunting trip?
Stormy Kromer: As a native Yooper, it’s my duty to don the cap of the northwoods even in the pheasant field.
Wrangler Upland Jeans: When it comes to comfortable pants, I’m a jeans guy and these are the best out there.
Filson Tin Cloth Chaps: If there’s heavy snow, then I throw these babies over my jeans and the snow just slides off without ever melting . . . in other words, my jeans never get wet and cold because Filson chaps protect my legs like armor.
PF’s Leather Trophy Gloves: I like to feel the safety and trigger, so I go with unlined gloves. These babies will keep me warm as long as the temps don’t sink below freezing.
Browning Strap Vest: I have short arms, so I am really conscious of bulky clothing to enable quick shouldering of my scattergun. Consequently, I’m a guy that likes to wear strap vests. Thanks to the warmth of my Beretta Wind Barrier Sweater, I can afford a game bag that doesn’t come in coat form.
Danner Santiam Boots: I have two pairs of these bad boys. They are warm and comfortable. Unfortunately, Danner discontinued this model in the spring. I’ve been told they are bringing it back . . . but so far it’s not appeared on their website. This bums me out because both of my pairs won’t survive till the 2011 opener.
Pendelton Wool Board Shirt: I discovered these 100 percent wool shirts on the closeout rack of a local mom & pop sporting goods store last spring. BEST DISCOVERY EVER! Talk about the perfect shirt for cold weather hunting. The only downside is the exorbitant price. If you can find them on sale, buy six.
Prairie Storm: Want late season power that will reach out and grab those “educated” roosters? Here you go! I was in Gander Mountain last night and there are still a few boxes left.
Garmin Astro: I’ve got my new toy along for this trip too.
Snowshoes: Ever tried to walk through two feet of snow? These babies will save you from a heart attack. Honest; you’ll be surprised at how much easier your walking will be, and you’ll be surprised by the balance.
When the weather turns cold, really cold, make sure you've got the warm gear packed.
See you on the airwaves this evening and on Saturday morning bright and early at 6AM!
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.
I’m Dreaming of a White Pheasant Hunt
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
This guy will be in the cattail sloughs today. Will you be there? PHOTO BY ROGER HILL
While the fine folks in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado may disagree, I consider December 1st the beginning of late season pheasant hunting. By now, most states’ roosters have been flushed a time or two. Many have evaded canines and errant shooting. Along with the birds’ “education,” I believe the arrival of snow changes the game for bird dog and hunter. As I write this evening, I’ve just finished packing for a South Dakota pheasant trip where 6 to 8 inches of snow is expected to fall by the time I arrive. Here are some of the flurries in my head:
Fresh Snow
Only opening day fills me with more excitement than the morning after the season’s first snow fall. It’s been my experience the birds move to thermal cover (cattails, thickets, willows, shelter belts, etc.) as soon as the snow falls and they hold tight that first morning. For a hunter with a close working pup, it can be magical. The other benefit of a fresh snow is the ability to see tracks. Not only can you locate where the birds are, you can also eliminate where they’re not. I don’t know about you, but when I KNOW the birds are there, I focus better on being ready and shoot with more accuracy.
Crusty Snow
In my opinion, snow that’s been on the ground long enough to develop an icy crust creates the most difficult conditions to hunt. Not only does it make the walking tough, but each step is a warning blast to “educated” roosters planning their escape hundreds of yards out of your gun’s reach.
Cattails
At 5’7″ (some would say I’m only 5’6″), I have short legs for busting cattails. However, I am just tall enough to get poked right in the face with every pointed cattail spear. I also have a long-legged grassland running pointing dog ill-suited to busting cattails. Cattails are my least favorite part of pheasant hunting. No matter how much I protest, I know one simple fact: pheasants love cattails sloughs, especially in the winter.
Cold Hands
Like any hunter, I am very focused on keeping my hands warm enough to have a good feel on my shotgun. I’ve found that these leather trophy gloves keep me warm on days with temps into the single digits. If it drops below zero, then I keep the leather trophy glove on my trigger hand and jump up to a heavier wool glove for my other hand.
Sweaty Back
I also battle with being warm enough to comfortably start the day’s hunt, but also try to prevent dressing so warm that I start sweating heavily during the hunt. This isn’t a major issue if you’re just hunting one spot all day, but most of the time I hunt multiple spots in a day and have to jump in the truck to get from spot one to two to three; try staying warm as you emerge from the truck to hunt spot #3 with a sweaty back and soaked clothes. Certainly Under Armour and merino wool base layers that wick moisture away from your body have made major advances; however, I am still a firm believer that the key is layering. The minute I start to feel a little too warm, I yank off a jacket and tie it to my game vest. I probably average five different layers of clothing on a cold weather day of hunting.
Ice Covered Utopia
Hard water isn’t just for ice fishermen anymore. Frozen ground opens up acres upon acres of public ground and roosters that have been protected by those hunters in fear of soggy feet for the first couple months of the season.
If forced to choose between early season and late season, I admit to being an early season October and November fan first. That being said, I’d certainly rather it be late season than the off season. So here I come snowy South Dakota. I’ve got my Stormy Kromer, a new pair of gloves and a box of Prairie Storm.
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.
Federal Premium’s New Black Cloud Snow Goose Ammo
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
Since I’m just waiting on a phone call from my brother to boogie out of the city, my mind is one tracking it on light geese today. For those of you also considering chasing these wary birds this spring and later during the fall, Federal Premium Black Cloud ammunition has new loads designed especially for you.
Black Cloud Snow Goose loads feature the same proven FLITECONTROL Wad and FLITESTOPPER® (FS) Steel to hit geese at longer ranges. The new 1-1/8 ounce, 3″ 12-gauge (#2 and BB) loads feature a muzzle velocity of 1635 fps for added effective range. These Snow Goose loads are available in stores now. Federal Premium’s new Prairie Storm pheasant loads utilize this same Black Cloud technology, so it’s a great way to get acquainted until Prairie Storm is available this summer.
Free Tees, Dr. Death and Other Pheasant Fest Happenings
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Pheasants Forever’s Bob St.Pierre has a hard to top must-see list for this weekend’s National Pheasant Fest. So do I. While I likely won’t get to do them all (I am working, ya know), here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish at the show.
"Storm Reports" - videos from Pheasant Fest - coming to the Pheasant Blog this weekend.
- Storm Reports – We’ll be posting video “Storm Reports” all weekend long from National Pheasant Fest, brought to you by Federal Premium Ammunition, the Official Ammunition of Pheasants Forever and makers of the all-new Prairie Storm pheasant loads (available summer 2010). “Storm Reports” will be posted here at the Pheasant Blog and also at Pheasants Forever’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pheasantsforever).
- Predators Rx – Don’t bring your pet coyote in for a checkup. The Coyote Doctors (think Kevorkian, not House) will be giving presentations on calling these wily predators. A pastime I’m just getting into; and I need a professional diagnosis.
- Classic Guns Rock – Parker Gun Collectors Association, at booth #642 and also a pair of seminar presentations, will be profiling classic American double guns. And I like looking at guns.
- Remington, Benelli, Beretta, Browning/Winchester, DPMS, booths etc. – Did I mention I like looking at guns?
- Free T-Shirt – Word on the street is that you can check out the new Prairie Storm pheasant load at Federal Premium booth #625 and pick up a free t-shirt to boot (limit of 1,000). But you didn’t hear that from me…
- Makin’ Acres – Since my parents will be taking in the event this year, I’d like to go through the Landowner Habitat Help Room with my dad and see where we could add a few acres of habitat on the family farm.
- Snows & Toms – If you’re like me and the spring snow geese & tom turkey dates are coming up fast on the calendar, snooping around for some deals on the show floor might not be a bad idea. Maybe back to the Federal Premium booth for a look at the Black Could Snow Goose load. And maybe a visit with an outfitter or two.
- National Pheasant Fest 2010 Banquet – At Pheasants Forever’s 25th Anniversary in Saint Paul, I took in the evening banquet with my parents and Pheasants Forever colleagues Bob St.Pierre and Mike Traxinger. Now a law student at Drake, “Trax” will be back volunteering for “The Habitat Organization” this weekend. Could be déjà vu all over again. I wonder if Yogi will be in attendance????
My Pheasant Fest Top Ten
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Check out all the details at www.PheasantFest.org
Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest 2010 kicks off in Des Moines this Friday and runs through 5PM on Sunday evening. It’s the organization’s biggest stage, and attractions will range in scope from habitat to hunting and bird dogs to art. Here are the top 10 things I’m excited to check out this weekend at Pheasant Fest.
10. Miss Pheasant Fest. Miss Iowa will be joining the Iowa Trapper’s Association in their booth at Pheasant Fest on Saturday from 11AM to 5PM. No, seriously. Be there.
9. Jared Wiklund’s big break. I love seeing dreams come true and at 1PM on Friday, our department’s intern gets his big break as emcee of the Bird Dog Parade kicking off Pheasant Fest.
8. Cooking tips. I enjoy cooking wild game and am looking forward to gaining a few tips from Machine Shed Chef Roger Johnson (Friday at 2PM in Seminar Room 5) and Cheyenne Ridge Signature Lodge Chef Carl Hawkinson (1 hour seminars each of the show’s three days).
7. Missouri Quail & SoDak Roosters. Two seminars I’ve got my eyes on are Bill White’s (Missouri Department of Conservation) talk on quail habitat and Tommy Kirschenmann’s (South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks) talk about South Dakota pheasant mythology and truths.
6. Ask a Vet. Stop by the Intervet booth at any time during the show and you’ll be able to get any canine medical answers you need.
5. Speaking of Dogs. I love bird dogs; particularly my German shorthair pointer from Top Gun Kennels. I’m looking forward to checking in with Steve Ries of Top Gun Kennels and Native performance dog foods. I’m also anxious to take in seminars from world renowned trainers and SportDOG prostaffers Tom Dokken and Rick Smith.
4. Blue Dog Debut. Did I mention that I love bird dogs? Here’s one more. The Blue Picardy Spaniel will be making its Pheasant Fest debut during the Bird Dog Parade. Never heard of a Blue Picardy before? Me neither. Wonder if they are really blue?
3. Storm Reports. In the spirit of Federal’s launch of Prairie Storm, be sure to check out Pheasants Forever’s Facebook fan page throughout Pheasant Fest. Anthony Hauck and I will be posting “Storm Reports” (Pheasant Fest video reports) throughout the weekend.
2. Big News about CRP? USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack will be the keynote speaker at the Pheasant Fest noon luncheon on Saturday. He’s hinted about bringing us some big news about the future of CRP. Our pheasants, quail, and members are all ears.
1. Seeing good friends. Pheasants Forever accomplishes our habitat mission because of good people. I’m most looking forward to catching up with a bunch good people. Some folks I’ll be making a point of connecting with at Pheasant Fest are:
- Bill Mitchell of Dakota Hunting Farms
- Steve Ries of Top Gun Kennels & Native
- John Howard, Chad Hines and the rest of the Native performance dog food crew
- Casey Weismantel from the Aberdeen, South Dakota Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Mike Solberg of The Grand Lodge
- Krieg Jacque, artist from Visions of Wildlife
Get a Load of Federal’s “Prairie Storm”
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Ryan Bronson, Conservation Specialist with Federal Premium Ammunition, left, and Howard Vincent, President and CEO of Pheasants Forever, at the premiere of "Prairie Storm" Pheasants Forever loads.
The biggest news for pheasant hunters to come out of this week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas is the unveiling of Federal Premium Ammunition’s “Prairie Storm” Pheasants Forever shotshell loads.
What will make these loads so attractive to pheasant hunters is they utilize the same technology that makes Federal Premium Ammunition’s “Black Cloud” loads the number one choice for waterfowlers.
Even better, the Pheasants Forever-logoed “Prairie Storm” loads will function like the on-the-box-royalty program that Federal and “The Habitat Organization” have had in place in recent years. Every box of “Prairie Storm” sold will help Pheasants Forever’s wildlife habitat conservation efforts.
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