Rooster Road Trip XVI

Kansas Quail

All wild birds. All publicly accessible acres. All month long.

Championing the necessity of increased wildlife habitat, the advancement of conservation policies and programs, the expansion of public access, and the need of a larger, more informed upland community is at the heart of every Rooster Road Trip. As is the beauty and simplicity of packing your gear, loading up the dog, finding some spots on the map, and seeing what happens next.

The ethos of this year's trip is no different, but it did take a late season twist as we worked our way north through Kansas…

Buckle up and ride shotgun as we release new episodes, podcasts, and photo galleries every week for the entire month of January.

On the Road: Weekly Episodes

Episode 1 Episode 2

Episode 1 — Podcast

Episode 1 — Photos from the Field

The first day of the 16th annual Rooster Road Trip found us getting back to our roots, our grassroots (if you will). That's because we linked up with Ryan Bass, Trish Miller, and Mark Miller from the local Ninnescah Pheasants Forever Chapter.

Unique among national conservation organizations, chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever retain 100 percent decision-making control over their locally-raised funds. This allows chapter volunteers to develop wildlife habitat projects and conduct conservation events in their communities, while belonging to a national organization with a voice regarding state and federal conservation policy. And making a positive difference in their local community is exactly what the Ninnescah Chapter has been doing.

Recipients of the 2024 Polaris Habitat Stewardship Award, these chapter members have been instrumental in helping local landowners improve habitat while also spending time improving local Wildlife Management Areas. So, who better to show us around than a few folks with a ton or passion for, and knowledge of, the area?

Episode 2 — Podcast

Episode 2 — Photos from the Field

Accessible acres is the starting point for any public land adventure, but combine that with quality cover and abundant birds and you have the holy trinity of an out-of-state wild bird hunt. Luckily, Kansas' Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) program provides ample opportunity to put this puzzle together.

Beginning in 1995, WIHA quickly became one of the most successful access programs in the country, with more than 1 million acres being enrolled annually since 2004. Read "The Unsung Hero Behind State Access Programs" to learn more about how WIHA and other state access programs work via the federal Farm Bill's funding of the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP).

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Browning A5 Hunter Shotgun
Browning Citori 725 Shotgun
Federal Ammunition
Garmin Dog Tracking & Training
Irish Setter Hunting Boots
Orvis Gear
Orvis Apparel
Purina Pro Plan
Ruff Land Kennels
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YETI Coolers, Cases & Bags

Join, Renew or Upgrade

Help us create more habitat, bolster bird populations, and create additional access to the upland landscapes we know and love. Join, renew or upgrade your today with one of the limited-time Pheasants Forever membership offers below. Interested in specifically helping Quail Country? Click HERE.

$45 Associate Membership

PF Associate Membership + Bone Handle Knife

$1,000 Life Membership

PF Life Membership + YETI GoBox 30 Gear Case

Rooster Road Trip Raffle

The Rooster Road Trip Raffle celebrates what we love most about upland hunting; watching the sunrise over the prairie, spending time with good bird dogs, and appreciating gear that works as hard as you do. The products featured in this raffle are inspired by, and built for, chasing roosters and coveys of quail across the uplands.

Purchase your entry tickets today and support our mission of upland habitat conservation and public access as you follow along with Rooster Road Trip's exciting, gritty, and real adventure across Kansas's publicly accessible upland landscapes.