Off The Beaten Path: Norwegian Cowboys | Video

Cliff Naylor | 7/1/2012

Norway is a long way from the wild west, still, many Scandinavians are fascinated by the history of rugged American frontier. Some travel half way around the world to live out their dream of roping and riding just like John Wayne. Six Norwegians recently fulfilled their fantasy of being a cowboy for a day to a cattle ranch in North Dakota.

The Norwegian businessmen got a chance to cowboy-up at the Black Leg Ranch. The day`s docket included moving cattle from pasture to pasture, clay pigeon target practice and an ATV ride around the 10,000 acre ranch.

"We`re all going to saddle up, go on a horseback ride and then drive some cattle, we rotate our cattle quite often so we`re just driving them to greener grass," said Jay Doan.

Jay Doan and his brothers Jerry and Jeremy are fifth generation ranchers. Their family has owned and operated this farm since 1882. They run 4,000 head of cattle and work that massive herd with the help of green horns who stay at their working guest ranch.

"I have been on a horse before...twice," said Anders Peinerd.

The horses sense that this is Peinerd`s first rodeo and he and his foreign friends will need to be eased into the saddle no matter how eagar they are to ride like the wind.

"Loosen up these reins a little bit because if you tighten them he`ll want to go back," Jay said.

Once these beginner buckaroos learn the basics of horsemanship, they head off into the sunset.

"Oye, get on horse," said Lars Rorem.

After the cattle are fenced into a new pasture, it`s time for these rough riders to try their hands at a little target practice.

The Norwegian cowboys prove to be sharp shooters on the rifle range,

A spin around the ranch on all terrain vehicles wraps up a full day on the range

"They may walk a little bull legged after a day experience but it`s all in good fun and they enjoy the time here," said Jeremy Doan.

"I will feel the pain tomorrow but it was great to do it," Rorem said.

The Rolling Plains Adventure ranch has hosted hundreds wrangler wannabes from all over the world, and has managed to keep all of them in the saddle.

For more information on The Rolling Plains Adventure Ranch, visit www.rollingplainsadv.com.

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Building the bar at Rolling Plains Adventures

How we built the bar in the Grand Lodge at Rolling Plains Adventures.

Step one:  We used 2 x 4 's to construct the main frame that the bar will sit on.  Generally you would use 2 x 6 or 2 x 8, but it will be attached to the wall and have additional support, so we went for added space with the 2 x 4's.

Step 2:  We added 1/2 inch board to support the frame.  This will aid in anchoring the wood slabs down if they are warped at all. 

Step 3:  We then used 2 inch thick pine log siding to the fronts of both sides of the bar.  This also will give the bar added durability. 

Step 4:  Make sure everything is level and sound before you add the wood slabs on top.  Be sure to use plenty of hardware to anchor the walls down to the floor.  In our layout, we had a few obstacles to overcome in the bar.  We had to tie the bar into the log supporting the beam.  We also had to construct around the drain line. 

Step 5:  Carefully lay down the 3" thick bar slabs onto the frame.  The slabs are joined at the 45 degree angle by liquid nails.  We also applied this to the frame.  The slab was then anchored from the bottom up with 4 inch lag screws. 

Step 6:  Be sure to sand the slabs flat and use all grades of sanding paper to get the blemishes out or sand lines.  Use a very durable coating over the slabs for heavy prolonged use.  We went with a 2 part epoxy finish.  Each coat is like 50 coats of urethane.  We coated it twice after the initial brushing.  Shown above is also a custom opening at the bottom for a sub woofer to sound through.

Once the job is done, we will have many memories for all the pheasant, duck, and deer hunters to tell their stories at.  Also the fisherman, ranch vacationers, and all other quests stopping by the watering hole at Rolling Plains Adventures.

Food Plots for Wildlife

It is food plot planting season again at Rolling Plains Adventures.  Our goal is to provide added food and nutrition for pheasants, grouse, white tailed deer, ducks, geese, and more.  We will explain a few points on how to plan and plant a food plot.

Site Preparation
Careful thought should be given to food plots prior to planting them. Things to consider before planting include potential weed problems, drainage, erosion potential and soil type/fertility. Before planting any food plot, it is recommended that you contact your local cooperative Extension agent for information on obtaining a soil test to determine the appropriate soil amendments* needed for the site.
Weeds are very beneficial as food and cover for wildlife. However, if weeds threaten production of the food plot some weed control may have to be dealt with before or after planting. This can be accomplished through herbicide treatments, prescribed burning* or plowing and disking.
Other factors also need to be considered. Avoid excessively wet or dry sites unless the selected planting is specifically adapted to those conditions. Consider the slope before doing any planting to eliminate erosion problems. If no-till seeding is not an option, you should not plant on areas with greater than a six-percent slope. Old fields or pastures may need to be mowed and sprayed with a herbicide prior to planting.

Planting
Planting can be accomplished through several methods depending on the type of vegetation and the site chosen. Seed can be drilled into the soil using no-till methods with a corn planter or grain drill. Alternatively, broadcast seeders that are attached to a tractor, pick-up truck bed, four-wheeler, or cranked by hand can be used to sow seed onto a prepared seedbed. If broadcast seeding is the planting method used, you will need to plow and disk (or till) the area to prepare a seedbed and use a disk or culti-packer to lightly cover the seed after planting.

Management
In general, food plots should be managed just like any other crop. Grain crops will need broadleaf weed control through application of a selective herbicide and/or cultivation. However, as previously mentioned, perfectly clean rows are not necessary because the "weeds" also have value for wildlife. Smartweed, ragweed, foxtail, partridge pea and other native broadleaf plants considered weeds by most landowners provide food for wildlife and add diversity to your food plot. As a general rule you can allow 10-30 percent of your food plot to be taken over by weeds without concern. Management of legume plantings, such as clover, may require clipping early in spring and/or late summer to promote lush new growth as well as periodic reseeding every 3-5 years. You can also manage food plots with practices such as strip disking*, strip mowing* or brush piles* within and/or adjacent to the plot to provide added benefits to wildlife.

The best management technique for annual grain food plots and one that should be considered as part of regular food plot management rather than an option, is plot rotation. This simply means not planting the same sites in successive years, but instead allowing sections to sit fallow for several years in between plantings. For example, take the area you have set aside as a food plot and divide it into thirds. Initially you may plant the entire area in the plant(s) of your choice. In successive years you would plant a different third of the area while allowing the rest to remain idle. The idle sections will quickly grow up in native vegetation that will provide abundant seed and attract numerous insects that supply valuable protein to young pheasants, songbirds, grouse and turkey. If desired, a legume such as clover can be over seeded onto the idle sections early the following spring. The idle fields also provide protective cover. By using this method, you have three different levels of succession in close proximity, which is very beneficial to wildlife. Food plots can also be used as a smother crop to eliminate fescue before planting to a more permanent wildlife planting. Plant a field or section of a field to a food plot for a year or two. The food plot will smother out fescue allowing native grasses or other more permanent cover to be established. The following year do another field or section of the same field. You eliminate competition, while providing food, cover, and different levels of growth in close proximity.
Remember, with careful planning, hard work and attention to detail food plots can be a helpful piece of the habitat puzzle. But they cannot be expected to provide everything wildlife need and are the last piece you should think of in the overall management of your property.

Logging at Rolling Plains Adventures!

 

Building log beds for the new private suites in the Grand Lodge.  Shown in the photo above is the logs that have been cut into the right lengths and getting ready to shape them in place. 

 

We have tennoned some of the logs in this photo using logging machines. 

 

The logs are finally taking shape and starting to look like a bed.  Shown here is the footboard for two queen beds.  The pheasant, duck, deer, and coyote hunters are really going to love these new bed styles.  I shouldn't forget about the ranch vacation guests and international travelers as well!  Photos of the private suites will be coming soon!

Grand Lodge Update

Rolling Plains Adventures Grand Lodge construction progress is moving right along with this nice North Dakota weather we have been having recently.  The landscaping is underway and all the top soil is hauled in to start the project.  Only a matter of time now before it will look green and clean around the lodge once again.  Stay tuned for new interior photos coming soon.

Database Recognizes Centennial Farms

Database Recognizes Centennial Farms | Video

Alexander Gorney | 4/26/2012

Some of North Dakota`s historic farms are getting some digital recognition. A new interactive tool is available to honor centennial farms.

It`s just another day on the ranch for Jeremy and Jay Doan.

"Me and my brother are fifth generation on the Black Leg Ranch. We run black cattle, thus Black Leg Ranch. We were one of the first to have black cattle in the area," Jeremy said.

The Black Leg Ranch was established in 1882. The Doan`s are working to keep its history alive.

"We`re trying to upkeep all the original buildings and preserve a lot of our fences are hundred years old as well. So our cows get out quite a bit," Jay said.

Black Leg Ranch is one of hundreds of century old family farms and ranches in the state that are still around today. These farms will be a part of a new interactive display at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

"The Doan family is just one more example of all these hundreds of family farms who came to Dakota territory before it was even a state. Here they are today in 2012, a very successful family farm operation," said Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation President David Borlaug.

Each farm will have its own page detailing its history attached with some photos.

"Folks can come search for a farm, county by county, name by name, and up will pop the great story, great tradition of agriculture in North Dakota," Borlaug said.

People can even find some of North Dakota`s more famously named farms.

"We have featured farms and we start out with the Dalrymple farms. One of the very oldest farms in the state and he happens to be our governor, we think that`s pretty cool," Borlaug said.

While they`re remembering their past, these farmers are also looking forward to the future.

"Being fifth generation out here. We`d love to keep it continuing for future generations, sixth, seventh, eighth and so on," Jeremy said.

This display is the first part of a project dedicated to agrarian heritage at the center.

Centennial Farms and ranches can apply to be a part of the interactive kiosk. Just visit the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation website for more information. Or Call 701-462-8535 or 877-462-8535 for more information

Grand Lodge Update

  The Grand Lodge is scheduled to be finished in June of 2012.  The private suites on the second level are almost complete right now, and the main level is getting closer everyday.  We are in the plans of designing the bar, finishing all the interior wood, and building the log railing on the deck.  Photos of the progress are coming soon.