The Fowl Life

Chad's got some thoughts. That's what this series is — Safari Club International's Fowl Thoughts!
He starts where it all began. The toilet business. Portable units, job sites, construction managers, bid meetings. Learning customer service and communication and resilience and when to pump the brakes. And then a duck hunt with some buddies changed everything.
A duck mount on the wall of his toilet office called Strike Up the Band. Nine banded greenheads through flooded timber. A phone call with a production company that fell through. A blessing to go do it himself. And just like that — Bandit was born.
18 seasons of Benelli's The Fowl Life on the Outdoor Channel. Year 15 with Benelli. Year 15 with Federal. Year 20 with Realtree. Year 20 with Mojo. All of it happened because of hard work, resilience, tenacity and the people who showed up along the way.
Chad talks about what this life has given him — the blinds, the musicians, the athletes, the military, the sick kids who got to hold a mallard for the first time. The moments that don't make the highlight reel but mean everything.
Season 18 is getting ready to air. Season 19 starts filming in September. Banded Drake Ranch is growing. Seth Van Dover is playing the Silent Valor Project event at Caspians in Vegas on June 24th. There's a lot in motion.
But at the end of the day it's still all because of a mallard duck, and Chad wouldn't have it any other way.
This episode of Safari Club International's Fowl Thoughts is proudly presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions, and brought to you by Benelli, Federal Premium Ammunition, Banded Brands, Gatr coolers, Corning Ford, Hi Viz sights, Jack Link's Protein snacks, Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels, and Avery Outdoors!

The perfect early waterfowl scouting activity might just set you up with a gourmet meal in the process.
In this Fowl Life Eat Wild series, Midwest host Joel Kleefisch and acclaimed chef Ellie Lawton team up with Banded pro staffer James Cooper to catch and cook frog legs, from the field to table. From the water to the pan, Chef Ellie makes it look easy and tastes even better.
You're going to want to jump at the chance to check this out.
This episode is brought to you by Travel Wisconsin, Banded Brands, Camospace, and Realtree Camo!

Chad's got two big stops coming up, and he's fired up about both of them.
First up is Texas for an Axis deer hunt during the rut with Jason Vanderbrink, CEO of the Kinetic Group. Benelli Lupo, Federal Premium Ammunition. Hayes Carl at Green Hall in New Braunfels. Dinner with Ted Nugent and Shemaine at the Nugent compound in Waco. And something personal he's keeping close to the heart.
Then it's Nashville for the Freedom Hunters Nashville Classic, June 21st and 22nd. Sunday night at the Nashville Palace with Barrett Hobbs and Hobbs Hospitality! From the food and drinks, to the live auctions, silent auctions, speakers, four-star generals and admirals in the room, and live music headlined by Leith Lofton. Monday morning at the Hermitage Golf Club. Sunbelt Rentals is the title sponsor. Jack Daniel's is the official whiskey, and he wants YOU there!
Chad's been involved with Freedom Hunters for over a decade. He's seen firsthand what getting veterans and active duty military back outdoors does for them. This event raises the money to keep those trips going. Tables of 10, VIP seating, and single tickets available. Go to freedomhunters.org.
Season 18 of Benelli's The Fowl Life premieres on the Outdoor Channel in July. Season 19 starts filming in September. A lot of good things are coming, and we're glad you're here!
This episode is presented by Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels and brought to you by Bodyguard Bumpers, Leer Toppers, and Nutrien Ag Solutions, Realtree Camo, Banded Brands, Mojo Outdoors, and Almost Heaven saunas.

Chad promised a Wisconsin turkey hunt recap, and here it is.
Jeff Tarsi from Nutrien Ag Solutions came to camp, not just as a sponsor but as a hunter. Joel Kleefisch had boots on the ground, Chef Ellie was throwing down in camp (hear all about that in our Eat Wild Series), Jay Wando from Wando's Bar in Madison joined the crew, and the Dodgers-Brewers game at American Family Field was in the mix, too.
But this episode is about the hunt. Running and gunning, finding birds, getting permission, calling them in close. Chad's favorite. No blinds, no ambushing, just calling, patience, and reading the bird. A tom in full strut at close range, tail fanned out, looking right at them. Jeff Tarsi squeezed the trigger. Federal TSS out of a Benelli, Rob Roberts R2 Raptor choke, HiViz sights dropped the birds instantly.
It was the first Wisconsin turkey for Jeff Tarsi, and Chad couldn't be prouder of it.
Farming, conservation, camaraderie, wild birds, great food. That's the Fowl Life.
This episode is presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions, and brought to you by Travel Wisconsin, Mickey Thompson Tires, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Benelli Shotguns, Federal Premium Ammunition, HiViz Sights, Rob Roberts Custom Gunworks, ESP Hearing Protection, Corning Ford, Bodyguard Bumpers, and LEER Camper Shells

Chad just got back from Wisconsin, and he's not slowing down.
Next stop is Texas for an axis deer hunt during the rut with Jason Vanderbrink, CEO of the Kinetic Group. When you think Federal, Remington, Speer, CCI, Heavy Shot, Black Cloud — this is the man behind all of it, and he's invited Chad down to the San Antonio hill country for a spot and stalk during one of the most exciting times of the year to be in the field. Chad's shooting a Benelli Lupo with Federal Premium Ammunition, and he is ready.
The trip also includes Hayes Carl at Green Hall in New Braunfels, one of Chad's favorite venues and one of his favorite songwriters. Compadre's Tacos in Bertram. Jason's game room, and something personal Chad's keeping close to the heart.
It's all happening! Season 18 of Benelli's The Fowl Life premieres on the Outdoor Channel in July before moving to MoTV, and Chad hasn't shot a big game animal in a while. He's an all-ducks, all-geese guy at heart, but axis deer during the rut in the Texas hill country? That'll do it!
This episode is brought to you by Corning Ford, The Nashville Palace, Banded Brands, Avery Outdoors, Benelli, and Realtree camo.