Belding and the Fowl Life Team Up with the Military for a Hunt in Colorado
OutdoorHub 10.20.11
October 20, 2011 – Award-winning national television series The Fowl Life with Chad Belding concludes its final two episodes of the third season on the Sportsman Channel and WILD TV beginning Thursday, Oct. 27, at 2 a.m. (EST). Hosted by renowned hunting guru and outdoorsman Chad Belding, the show takes viewers into the lives of Team Fowl Life as they chase waterfowl throughout the United States and Canada.
This week and next week’s episodes of TFL will be dedicated to soldier sportsmen. Belding and his team treat soldiers from the Minnesota Army National Guard and Marines at Camp Ripley to an all-expense paid goose hunt in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Joining TFL from Camp Ripley over the next two episodes are: Colonel Scott St. Sauver; Major Jeff Nelson; Staff Sergeant Jim Otto; Sergeant Chris Eisminger; and Sergeant Chris Maag who are no strangers to handling weapons like the Escort shotguns used for the hunt.
“Words cannot describe the feeling I had as I sat in the pit with these American heroes,” Belding said. “They kept telling me that they were honored to be hunting with me, but it was quite the contrary. Our team was truly blessed to have them in the field with us and it is something we will never ever forget.”
Team Fowl Life and the soldiers then gather at a local Colorado eatery after the hunt, where Chad is taken by surprise. He received a Freedom Flag and various commemorative coins from his new military friends in an emotional presentation.
A wager made during the hunt puts Chad and the team in military fatigues afterward, and into Camp Ripley’s boot camp — a tough way to spend the day! To get a taste of what Camp Ripley’s men do on a daily basis, Team Fowl Life takes part in marching, driving tanks, shooting M-4 rifles and Howitzer artillery rounds.
As the day winds down, Belding and the team are brought to a landing pad where two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters sit. As a final gesture of gratitude, the soldiers take them on a scenic yet death-defying helicopter ride – at some points flying only 20 feet from the ground.
Following the helicopter ride, Belding is brought to the head of a formation where a young officer is being promoted. Belding is then asked to participate in the presentation of the new rank.
“Everything we experienced at Camp Ripley was bigger than any expectations that we had,” Belding continued. “Whether we were riding in the Black Hawk, shooting the M-4 rifles with the Marines, pinning a National Guard soldier, or just visiting with them, we were in awe the entire time.”
“The Fowl Life would like to thank our men and women of the Armed Forces, and also send a big thank you to all of our sponsors including Legacy Sports, Otis Technology, HEVI-Shot, MOJO, HiViz, Banded Nation, Smith Optics, HQB and Escort Shotguns for making season three a great experience.” Belding concluded.
Sportsman Channel Air Times (EST):
- Tuesday, October 27 – 2 a.m.
- Saturday, October 29 – 10:30 a.m.
- Sunday, October 30 – 9:30 p.m.
Channel Guide: The show can be found on DIRECTV channel 605, Dish Network channel 285 or 395 and AT&T U-Verse TV channel 642. Check your local provider for local cable channel number.
Banded Hunts teams up with Stillwater Outfitters to bring the best Canada goose hunting that Colorado has to offer for 2011-2012.
About Chad Belding: Chad Belding’s success started with his reality hunting show called ‘The Fowl Life with Chad Belding’ which launched on Sportsman Channel and WILD TV in 2008, and airs in more than 40 million homes in North America. Fans across the nation have watched as Belding and his crew hunt in more than 15 states across the U.S., incorporating a local guest in each location who offers advice on their local hunting ground and participates in the hunt. Now approaching season three, ‘The Fowl Life with Chad Belding’ is becoming the must-see reality series for hunters across the nation. Belding also launched a new show focused on predator hunts and wildlife conservation called ‘Dead Dog Walkin’ which began airing on Sportsman Channel and WILD TV on March 28 of this year.
About Banded Nation: Launched in January 2011, Banded Nation is comprised of hunters, editors, graphic designers, producers, videographers and on-camera personalities dedicated to bringing a new approach to outdoor television and outdoor style. Banded Nation was founded by renowned outdoor hunting show host Chad Belding and acts as the parent company to a wide variety of properties including Sportsman Channel and WILD TV’s award-winning national television series ‘The Fowl Life with Chad Belding,’ the new predator hunting television series ‘Dead Dog Walkin’ and Banded Gear. Visit www.bandednation.com for more information.
