Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- An unusually wet autumn to date across the core of the pheasant range means that late-season pheasant hunting in November and December will be “Prime Time” for hunters.

And after a day afield, hunters that make it “Miller Time” with Miller High Life will help Pheasants Forever raise funds for local wildlife habitat projects.

Miller High Life, the Official Beer of Pheasants Forever, is being sold in special camouflage cans for the hunting season, available through December 31st. Participating establishments that are purveyors of Miller High Life will be helping Pheasants Forever chapters raise funds through the Miller High Life Rooster Promotion.

Miller High Life Camo Cans

Hunters, conservationists and patrons will be able to purchase “roosters” at participating establishments for $1 and $5. Then, sign your name on the paper rooster, and it will be displayed at the business. A large covey of roosters will not only demonstrate patrons’ support of Pheasants Forever, the net funds raised through this promotion will be used by local Pheasants Forever chapters to fund their wildlife habitat projects!

“A great day pheasant hunting followed up by a Miller High Life just goes together,” said Chris Gotziaman, Field Marketing Manager with MillerCoors, “That perfect combination, however, is dependent on having wild places and spaces to enjoy the great outdoors. Nobody understands that better than ‘The Habitat Organization,’ and we’re proud to call Pheasants Forever a partner in conservation.”

“Miller High Life has always recognized the effectiveness of Pheasants Forever’s unique fundraising model, and this fall’s Rooster Promotion is yet another example of their commitment to conservation,” said Joe Duggan, Vice President of Corporate Relations & Marketing with Pheasants Forever.

Miller High Life, the Official Beer of Pheasants Forever, has been the long-time sponsor of Pheasants Forever’s annual wildlife Print-of-the-Year, which has resulted in well over $1 million in revenue for Pheasants Forever’s conservation efforts. Pheasants Forever was also the first conservation partner in Miller’s “Friends of the Field” program, which was established to support wildlife habitat conservation and promote responsible outdoor recreation.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever has 125,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

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Miller High Life & Pheasants Forever Partner For Wildlife

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have expanded its Farm Bill Biologist program into the state of Iowa with the hiring of four new positions. The new Farm Bill Biologist positions cover nine counties and will improve how conservation programs are delivered to landowners and producers.

The positions come at an especially critical juncture for Iowa, where over 450,000 acres have expired from the wildlife-friendly Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in the past five years.

Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist program is designed to educate farmers and landowners – through one-on-one consulting – about the benefits of conservation programs (such as CRP), as well as assist those farmers and landowners after programs have been implemented. Pheasants Forever first began employing Farm Bill Biologists in 2003 and now has over 40 Farm Bill Biologists working in seven states – Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and consulted over 28,000 landowners, resulting in the improvement of over 1.3 million acres of land for wildlife.

Iowa’s first Farm Bill Biologist positions are the initial results of Pheasants Forever’s “Reload Iowa” campaign, a three-year statewide effort to improve 1 million acres of wildlife habitat on private and public land in the state. Pheasants Forever plans to establish 50 such positions across Iowa in the coming years.

“Many times, landowners don’t even know what conservation options are available to them,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator, “These four new biologists – all Iowa State grads – care about the state’s natural resources and will work for what’s in the best interest of landowners and wildlife.”

Tyler Bass – Adair and Madison Counties. Bass joins Pheasants Forever after a year as a private lands wildlife habitat specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. A native of Madison County, Iowa, Bass earned his B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. Contact Bass at tbass@pheasantsforever.org.

Matthew Allen – Pottawattamie and Harrison Counties. Allen joins Pheasants Forever after working previously as a private lands wildlife specialist and a natural resource aide with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Allen earned his B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. Contact Allen at mallen@pheasantsforever.org.

Josh Divan - Winnebago and Hancock Counties. Divan joins Pheasants Forever after working previously with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Iowa’s Boone and Green Counties. Divan grew up on a family farm in Winnebago County, and holds a B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. Contact Divan at jdivan@pheasantsforever.org.

Robert Patterson - Lyon, Osceola and Dickinson Counties. Patterson has been a habitat specialist with Pheasants Forever and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources since 2007. He earned his B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. Contact Patterson at RPatterson@pheasantsforever.org.

For more information on Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist program, contact Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator, at (419) 569-1096 or via email at jinglis@pheasantsforever.org

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever has 125,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

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Pheasants Forever Adds Four Farm Bill Experts to Staff

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Tech Mix, Inc., makers of energy recovery and performance products for sporting dogs, have joined Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s wildlife habitat conservation efforts as a new sponsor.

For each Tech Mix product sold bearing the PF/QF logos, including K9 Restart™ Energy Bars, K9 Restart™ Chewables, K9 Restart™ Natu-Joint and K9 Performance Tabs™,Tech Mix will make a donation to support Pheasants Forever’s conservation work.

“Sporting dogs need instant energy and the proper hydration to be their best,” said Mike Nelson, President of Tech Mix, Inc., “But they also need wild spaces to do what they do. It’s exciting to develop this relationship with Pheasants Forever and all its loyal supporters who value their dogs not only as companions but working partners in the field.”

“Sporting dogs help create and keep conservationists, as evidenced by the 70 percent of Pheasants Forever members that are dog owners,” said Joe Duggan, Pheasants Forever Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Relations, “Keeping that companion happy and healthy is a must, and we’re proud to call Tech Mix, Inc. partners in conservation.”

Tech Mix Pheasants Forever – Quail Forever Licensed Products

• K9 Restart™ Energy Bars – Designed specifically for sporting dogs and canine athletes. With its unique blend of carbohydrates, it will provide your best friend with sustained energy throughout the day.
• K9 Restart™ Chewables – Provide an ideal blend of energy sources and in-the-field performance enhancers to keep your hardworking dogs on top of their game throughout the day.
• K9 Restart™ Natu-Joint – Natural support for joint function and lubrication.
• K9 Performance Tabs™ – A fast-dissolving hydration supplement used to help support the health of active dogs.

To purchase Tech Mix sporting dog products with the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever logos, shop Pheasants Forever’s online store at www.PFstore.org or call toll free at 1-877-209-5353.

For more information on Tech Mix sporting dog products, visit www.techmixinc.com.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org and www.QuailForever.org

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Tech Mix Joins Pheasants Forever Conservation Efforts

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. --(AmmoLand.com)- Recently, high ranking officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture spoke at public forums in support of the Conservation Reserve Program’s (CRP) wildlife benefits and the need to protect the program’s legacy.

While the verbal support for CRP may signal that hunter’s messages are being heard within the halls of USDA, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever says now is not the time to rest easy.

Just last month, USDA announced that one of their policy options under consideration is to drop CRP enrollment to 24 million acres nationwide.

On Monday, October 5th, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack joined South Dakota Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in Bath, South Dakota for a Rural Issues Forum. At that event, the Secretary commented on the need for CRP to be at the program’s 32 million acre cap. He also suggested it was time for a reallocation of available acres to meet the demands of CRP practices like the very popular new State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (Conservation Practice 38), which reached its 50,000-acreage allotment in South Dakota many months ago.

On Wednesday, October 7th, Farm Service Agency Administrator Jonathan Coppess testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Sub-Committee during a hearing on conservation programs. Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Nomsen was in attendance for that hearing.

“Administrator Coppess reiterated Secretary Vilsack’s comments from South Dakota that USDA intends to keep CRP at, or nearly fully-subscribed at, 32 million acres. He also noted that SAFE and CREP sign-ups may be valuable tools toward that goal,” reported Nomsen. “I was also pleased to hear that a general CRP sign-up may be available next year. With 3 million acres expiring on September 30th of this year and another 5 million acres expiring next year, it was welcome news in support of conservationist’s favorite program.”

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency has asked the public for comments on CRP. That comment period is quickly coming to a close next Monday, October 19th. If you haven’t participated in this important process as yet, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have some simple suggestions for what to communicate by sending an email to CRPcomments@tecinc.com.

• Request USDA implement CRP at its maximum acreage of 32 million acres, and that USDA request additional authority for an expanded CRP of at least 40 million acres from Congress
• Call for a new CRP General Signup
• Call for new authority for Continuous CRP programs such as CRP SAFE and CRP Upland Bird Habitat Buffers
• Ask that all Continuous CRP including CRP SAFE and CRP Upland Bird Habitat Buffers, be made available to all expiring contract holders

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Pheasants Forever Guardedly Optimistic about Recent USDA Comments Concerning CRP

Pheasants Forever

Bottineau, N.D. --(AmmoLand.com)- Residents from Bottineau County, North Dakota have formed the newest chapter of Pheasants Forever (PF). The group’s first fundraising banquet will be held on Thursday, October 29th at the Bottineau Armory with the chapter’s leaders focused on using those dollars to improve local habitat for pheasants.

“Being only 10 miles south of the Canadian border, our birds face tough winters. Through Pheasants Forever’s model, our banquet dollars stay under our control for habitat projects to create winter cover for the birds here in Bottineau County,” explained Ryan Getzlaff, the chapter’s president and Bottineau resident.

PF is the only national conservation organization that empowers local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. This local control allows members to see the fruits of their chapter efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a voice on federal conservation policy in Washington D.C.

“I hunted last week’s opener near Crosby, which is roughly the same distance south of Canada as Bottineau, and there were birds everywhere,” reported Getzlaff. “The recipe is simple; plant the habitat and establish the winter cover, and the pheasants here in our county will respond too.”

North Dakota’s 27 chapters account for nearly 3,000 PF members statewide. Those chapters have completed 4,000 habitat projects benefitting over 43,000 acres in the state since the first PF chapter formed in North Dakota in 1986.

“I am very excited to finally have a chapter based in Bottineau County,” said Jesse Beckers, PF’s regional wildlife biologist for North Dakota. “There is tremendous potential for increasing the bird numbers in the area with some strategic thermal cover habitat projects. I hope all the bird hunters and pheasant fans across the county will come out for the chapter’s banquet on the 29th of October to support this group of volunteers working hard to improve wildlife habitat for the entire community.”

To purchase tickets for Bottineau County’s first-ever Pheasants Forever banquet, please contact Ryan Getzlaff at (701)228-4959, Kenny Fix at (701)228-2220, or Stuart Coleman at (701)263-7375. You can also email Getzlaff at ryangetzlaff@yahoo.com for more information about the chapter.

If your are interested in joining a chapter or starting a chapter in North Dakota, please contact PF’s Jesse Beckers at (701) 202-8120 or email jbeckers@pheasantsforever.org.

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Bottineau Boasts New North Dakota Chapter of Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minnesota --(AmmoLand.com Firearms News)- Pheasants Forever and Northland Ford are teaming up to conserve wildlife habitat. The Northland Ford Dealer group, made up of 245 Ford Dealers in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, has donated a 2010 Ford F-150 XLT to be raffled off by Pheasants Forever.

Tickets for the raffle are available through local Pheasants Forever chapters in the Northland Ford region, and all proceeds raised will be kept by each chapter for use in their local wildlife habitat efforts.

Raffle tickets for the 2010 Ford F-150 XLT and other prizes – including firearms – will be sold at Pheasants Forever chapter events in the Northland Ford region, including 2009-2010 Pheasants Forever banquets. To find the chapter and event nearest you, visit www.PheasantsForever.org or call toll free at 1-877-773-2070. The grand prize drawing for the truck will occur in June of 2010.

“The Northland Ford dealers are pleased to again be a partner with Pheasants Forever and help preserve and enhance wildlife habitat,” said Steve Johnson, Chairman of the Northland Ford Dealers Advertising Board of Directors, “It’s an outstanding grassroots group that Ford and its dealers are proud to support.”

“Pheasants Forever operates under a unique organizational model, and it’s because of great partnerships like Northland Ford that we are able to be successful at improving local habitat,” said Joe Duggan, PF’s Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Relations, “In these times, people want to see that their donations are put to the best possible use. This raffle with Northland Ford works because it stands behind Pheasants Forever’s mission and local fundraising model. This Northland Ford raffle will raise thousands of dollars for local habitat efforts – efforts that will be seen by local hunters and outdoor enthusiasts for years to come.”

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

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Pheasants Forever and Northland Ford Buckle Up to Create Cash for Conservation

Pheasants Forever

Austin, Texas –-(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has presented Pheasants Forever’s Dave Nomsen with a National Great Blue Heron Award in recognition of his wetland and waterfowl conservation work. Nomsen, who is Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Vice President of Government Affairs, received the award yesterday at the Waterfowl Working Group meeting of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies gathering in Austin, Texas.

The National Great Blue Heron Award recognizes participants whose activities with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan Committee results in substantial benefits to waterfowl and other wetland-associated migratory bird populations of North America over a long period of time. Nomsen has been a conservation leader on a national scale for nearly two decades, with his work extending beyond pheasants, quail and other upland birds to a wide array of wildlife.

Nomsen’s influence helped shape the last three federal Farm Bills – 1996, 2002, & 2008 – and he became one of the nation’s loudest voices in support of the Conservation Reserve Program’s (CRP) wildlife legacy. CRP land in the Prairie Pothole Region of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana and North and South Dakota is some of the most productive waterfowl habitat in the world, contributing more than 2 million ducks annually. Most recently, Nomsen helped the creation of a new CRP practice called Conservation Practice 38, better known as the State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) practice, which has allowed many states to create new wildlife and wetland conservation initiatives. And through his leadership, local Pheasants Forever chapters have restored 60,000 acres of wetlands across America.

Nomsen has also served on North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Council since 1999. His first appointment by the Secretary of the Interior under President Clinton and then subsequent re-appointments by President Bush’s administration showcased Nomsen’s ability to bridge parties in the name of conservation.

“Wetlands and waterfowl conservation have always been as near and dear to my heart as upland conservation – both are equally important, and equally connected,” said Nomsen, who points to his early work with the with South Dakota’s Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit as the source of his most important knowledge about wetlands. “While this award is quite an honor, it is ultimately reflective of the passion of the 125,000 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members across the country. It’s an honor to represent a group of such dedicated conservationists.”

Past recipients of the National Great Blue Heron recognition have included former Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Chairmen Jim Range, U.S. Senator Patrick J. Leahy, the Delta Waterfowl Foundation and The Nature Conservancy.

Nomsen is a Clear Lake, Iowa native, where his father, Richard Nomsen, was the chief pheasant biologist for the Iowa Conservation Commission (now the Iowa Department of Natural Resources). Nomsen received a master’s in wildlife management from South Dakota State University. He has been with Pheasants Forever since 1992, where he began as Pheasants Forever’s wildlife biologist for Minnesota. He makes his home in Garfield, Minnesota, with his wife, Melanie, and his Labrador retriever, Nellie, and Springer Spaniel, Little TR.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org and www.QuailForever.org

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Pheasant Guy’s Waterfowl Work Earns Him a Heron

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. --(AmmoLand.com)- Last week, Pheasants Forever (PF) closed on a 233-acre parcel in Pipestone County using funds from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund.

The new 233-acre Dubbledee addition connects to the existing 310-acre Winter Wildlife Management Area (WMA) creating a 543-acre tract. This is the first land acquisition using funds from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment approved by Minnesota voters last November.

The new 543-acre Winter WMA provides critical habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and is in one of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) highest priority areas in the state. PF plans to turn the land over to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with the possibility of it being open yet this year to public hunting.

The acquisition was led by the Pipestone County Chapter of PF, with funding partners in addition to the Outdoors Amendment funds including: The Nature Conservancy, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, PF’s Minnesota Habitat Fund, and the Minnesota DNR. The seller, Al Dubbledee, also donated a portion of the sale. In total, the acquisition was $583,300.

The original 310-acre Winter WMA was acquired by the 2005 Build a Wildlife Area campaign. Developed by PF, the Anoka County Chapter of PF, Game Fair, Outdoor News and Gander Mountain in 2003, the Build a Wildlife Area campaign raises funds for the acquisition of public wildlife areas. Through the unique partnership, every dollar raised is tripled through matching grants from the DNR and the USFWS. All acquisitions are then transferred to DNR or USFWS and are open to the public.

“This is the perfect example of the great projects we’ll be able to accomplish thanks to Minnesota voters supporting the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. This acquisition is in a very important area for Minnesota wildlife and it connects to another parcel of critical habitat at a time a willing seller was ready,” explained Ron Leather’s, PF’s Government Grants Administrator.

PF has 77 chapters and over 22,000 members in Minnesota. Join Pheasants Forever online at www.PheasantsForever.org or attend a local Pheasants Forever Chapter Banquet in Minnesota this autumn.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasants Forever Leads First Land Acquisition Using Outdoors Amendment Funds

Pheasants Forever

Newton, Iowa –-(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever will be racing into the Iowa Speedway on Friday, September 18th and Saturday, September 19th with “Pheasants Forever Fan Fest.” Throughout the weekend, Pheasants Forever will be highlighting its National Pheasant Fest 2010 – coming to Des Moines in February – and other wildlife habitat initiatives during the season finale at the track in Newton, Iowa.

On Friday from 6 PM to 8:30 PM, Pheasants Forever will be hosting free interactive fan activities, wildlife habitat awareness, and garage tours. On Saturday, the finale at the track includes the USAR Pro Cup Series and the ASA Late Model Series.

To add to the excitement, a post-race concert featuring country music recording artist Billy Currington will take place on the Grinnell Mutual concert stage. During the day, Pheasants Forever and the Iowa Speedway will be raising funds for Pheasants Forever’s Build a Wildlife Campaign. Since 2006, Iowa’s Build a Wildlife Area campaign has helped create over 400 new acres open to the public for public hunting and outdoor recreational activities.

“Iowa Speedway is excited about the opportunity to partner with Pheasants Forever in 2009. Our joint efforts will not only promote the benefits offered by both organizations, it will also move us in the direction of promoting the rebuilding of wildlife habitats in Iowa,” said Chuck Spicer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Iowa Speedway. “Iowa Speedway prides itself in finding partners that are motivated to make a difference, and Pheasants Forever is that type of a partner.”

“Pheasants have a need for speed and so do pheasant hunters and conservationists. We hope to see many of them at the Iowa Speedway!” said Brad Heidel, Pheasants Forever’s Director of Special Event Sales, “Iowa is a state where wildlife habitat has suffered in recent years, and Pheasants Forever is trying to draw as much attention to that fact as possible. We’re doing great things, but the birds need your help!”

Tickets for the weekend at the Iowa Speedway can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or at the Speedway Box office. The Iowa Speedway is located at I-80 Exit 168 Newton, IA. A special 2 for 1 ticket offer will be offered to Pheasants Forever members.

National Pheasant Fest – the nation’s largest event for upland hunters, landowners, sport dog owners and wildlife habitat conservationists – will take place February 26, 27 & 28, 2009 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. For more about National Pheasant Fest 2010, log onto www.PheasantFest.org.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasants Forever Races Into Iowa Speedway

Conservation Reserve Program

Washington, DC --(AmmoLand.com)-We have reached the most critical juncture in the history of the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), undoubtedly the most successful conservation program in modern times. Since 2005, over 4.2 million acres have expired, and over the next five years, another 21 million more acres are slated to expire. That makes participating in the public comment period and public meetings about CRP in September and October the most significant action you can take as a Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever supporter this autumn.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has asked the public for comments on the Conservation Reserve Program and scheduled nine public meetings from September 15 through October 8 to solicit comments on the program. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have identified a platform of three action items to communicate during the public comment period and at the public meetings.

Immediate Need for a New CRP General Signup
Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has no plans for a new CRP general signup to re-enroll or replace expiring acres.

“The stated intent of this public comment period is to find ways to make the Conservation Reserve Program more effective for producers, and increase the environmental and wildlife benefits of the program,” said Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Vice President of Government Affairs, “Those goals are unachievable without a new CRP general signup.”

1 Million SAFE Acres
Conservation Practice 38, better known as the State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program, allows states to cater CRP to specifically address key wildlife and habitat needs within a state. Currently, there are over 200,000 acres enrolled in SAFE nationally, and the USDA has established a goal of 500,000 acres for the program. But demand for SAFE acres in states such as South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska has been so strong that they are at or near their initial SAFE acreage guideline. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are pushing for an additional 500,000 acres nationwide for the program based upon strong interest and demand for SAFE in multiple states.

“A 1-million-acre SAFE program is the progressive step needed to maintain the strength of CRP and create critical habitat for wildlife,” Nomsen said.

Double Bobwhite Quail Buffers Program
Conservation Practice 33, or “Bobwhite Buffers,” establishes the edge habitat along fields, streams and woods that bobwhite quail need. Currently, there are over 200,000 acres enrolled nationally, and USDA has established a goal of 250,000 acres for the program.

“This program has been a resounding success and has proven to increase bobwhite quail populations where acres exist. But to realistically push the bobwhite beyond its current near-threatened status, the USDA needs to allocate additional acres for this important quail program,” added Nomsen.

Public Comments on CRP Due by October 19, 2009

• Email comments to CRPcomments@tecinc.com
• Submit comments online at the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov
• Mail comments to: CRP SEIS, c/o TEC Inc., 8 San Jose Dr., Suite 3-B, Newport News, VA 23606
• Fax comments to: (757) 594-1469

DON’T LET THE sun set on the Conservation Reserve Program! Make your voice heard at public meetings or submit comments online!

CRP Public Meeting Schedule
Sept. 15, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Spokane, Wash.
Hilton Garden Inn

Sept. 17, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Great Falls, Mont.
Hampton Inn

Sept. 21, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Moorhead, Minn.
AmericInn Lodge and Suites

Sept. 23, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Manhattan, Kan.
Clarion Hotel

Sept. 25, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Springfield, Ill.
Hilton Garden Inn

Sept. 29, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Marriott Hotel

Oct. 1, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Clovis, NM
La Quinta Inn and Suites

Oct. 6, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Albany, Ga.
Hilton Garden Inn

Oct. 8, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Harrisburg, Pa.
Courtyard by Marriott

About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Help Save the Conservation Reserve Program

Pheasants Forever

Pierre, SD –-(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasant hunters and conservationists in the nation’s “Pheasant Capital” will have another way to scratch that pheasant itch this fall with the new Pheasants Forever $2 scratch game from the South Dakota Lottery.

On sale now wherever scratch games are sold, the Pheasants Forever scratch game offers players 18 and older the chance to win up to $12,000! Keep an eye out for the “Rooster” symbol when you play, and you’ll be sighting him in with a double barrel – double the prize!

“Hunting and outdoor activities in South Dakota are a big deal, but pheasant hunting is tops,” said South Dakota Lottery director Norm Lingle, “We felt it was natural to offer the thousands of pheasant hunters that make the ‘Pheasant Capital’ their destination every autumn a fun scratch game that highlights that.”

“The 35 Pheasants Forever chapters in South Dakota have completed over 16,000 wildlife habitat projects in the last 20 years, and Pheasants Forever is working harder than ever in South Dakota to make sure the habitat that produces the pheasants that greet hunters every autumn remains,” said Joe Duggan, Vice President of Corporate Relations for Pheasants Forever, “The new Pheasants Forever scratch game is another way to spread our conservation message. Have a blast when you come to South Dakota, but don’t forget the wildlife habitat that makes it all possible.”

South Dakota’s statewide pheasant hunting season runs from October 17, 2009 – January 3, 2010. Don’t forget to attend a Pheasants Forever banquet or event during your trip to South Dakota this year. To find an event, log on to www.PheasantsForever.org or contact Ben Bigalke, Pheasants Forever Regional Wildlife Biologist in South Dakota, at (605) 350-2409 or via email at bbigalke@pheasantsforever.org.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasants Forever Scratch Game From SD Lotto Targets Pheasant Hunters

Pheasants Forever

Hendricks, Minn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasant hunters and conservationists have formed a new Pheasants Forever chapter in Hendricks, Minnesota. Known as the Hendricks Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the new group has identified supporting Minnesota’s Build a Wildlife Area campaign as its top priority, and looks to create new public hunting and outdoor recreation areas in Lincoln County.

“We formed as a group of friends and fellow sportsmen and women to improve wildlife habitat,” said Jason Markkula, the chapter’s president, “With the current decline of Conservation Reserve Program acres, we felt the need to take action to support the wildlife habitat around Hendricks.”

As a Pheasants Forever chapter, the Hendricks group will decide how 100 percent of their fundraising dollars are spent. Pheasants Forever is unique among national conservation organizations in that its chapters operate through this truly grassroots structure. This financial model puts local chapters in complete control of how to allocate their funds, allowing them to see the benefits of their conservation leadership in their own communities while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.

“This chapter is located in the heart of pheasant country and there is a ton of good work that can be done,” explained Scott Roemhildt, Regional Representative for Pheasants Forever in southern Minnesota, “The chapter leaders and volunteers of the Hendricks group have a great passion for the conservation cause and they really believe in the mission of Pheasants Forever. Their enthusiasm to increase public awareness and to expand the access to quality public hunting lands means these individuals will truly make a positive impact for this community that will last for generations to come.”

The Hendricks Chapter of Pheasants Forever will hold its first event, an open house and gun raffle, on Saturday, August 29th from 5 PM – 8 PM at the Bank Inn Hunting Lodge. The Hendricks Chapter of Pheasants Forever has also elected Alden Olsen of Hendricks as habitat chair; Aaron Morseth of Hendricks as youth/education chair; Travis Olsen of Hendricks as treasurer; and Keith Johnson as banquet chairman. The chapter meets the first Tuesday of every month at the Bank Inn Hunting Lodge in Hendricks. For more information about the chapter, contact Jason Markkula at (612) 309-2513 or via email at jasonmarkkula@yahoo.com.

For more information on Pheasants Forever in southern Minnesota, to start a chapter or join one of the state’s existing chapters, contact Scott Roemhildt, Pheasants Forever Regional Representative, at (507) 327-9785 or via email at SRoemhildt@pheasantsforever.org. Find more information online at www.MinnesotaPF.org.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasants Forever Brings More Conservation Commitment to Minnesota

Pheasants Forever

Mitchell, SD – -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever announces Greg Wolbrink as the organization’s new Farm Bill Biologist in Mitchell, South Dakota. Wolbrink joins PF after two years as a wildlife technician with South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks (SDGF&P). The new position was created in partnership with the Mitchell-based Pheasant Country Chapter of Pheasants Forever and SDGF&P. Wolbrink will be based out of the USDA Mitchell Service Center’s Natural Resources Conservation Service office.

Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist program is designed to educate farmers and landowners about the benefits of conservation programs, as well as assist those farmers and landowners after programs have been implemented. The program originated in South Dakota, and Pheasants Forever now has 36 biologists working in six states – Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In just over six years, Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and consulted 28,065 landowners, resulting in the improvement of nearly 1.3 million acres! In South Dakota, seven Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and consulted 8,316 landowners, resulting in 434,362 acres that have benefitted from habitat recommendations.

“This is a dream-come-true for local landowners and those who believe in the mission of Pheasants Forever,” said Mike Kuchera, a board member with the Pheasant Country Chapter of Pheasants Forever, “This chapter annually works with 300 landowners a year to create pheasant habitat, and now, with the addition of a local Farm Bill Biologist, we will have the ability to do it even better. Landowners are lining up to have their acreage evaluated by Greg for habitat management.” Pheasant Country chapter president David Allen added that though South Dakota remains the country’s premiere pheasant destination, work is required to keep it that way. “If you’re not working to create habitat, you’re losing habitat,” he said, “The loss of expiring Conservation Reserve Program acres is one of just many serious concerns. A Farm Bill Biologist in this area will help meet these challenges head on.”

“Greg Wolbrink has a diverse background in the wildlife field, from research to working with landowners to solve wildlife-related issues. This experience will come in handy as he assists landowners in finding the right program and funding to meet their personal habitat and land-use goals,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator.

A native of Aberdeen, Wolbrink earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from South Dakota State University. He can be contacted at (605) 201-3217 or via email at GWolbrink@pheasantsforever.org. To contact a Farm Bill Biologist in your area, click here. For more information on the Farm Bill Biologist program, contact Jim Inglis, Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator, at (419) 569-1096 or via email at jinglis@pheasantsforever.org.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasants Forever Expanding Farm Bill Biologist Program in South Dakota

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. – -(AmmoLand.com)-

WHAT:
For the fifth year out of the last six, Minnesota pheasant hunters in 2008 harvested more than a half million roosters.

Prior to 2003, Minnesota hunters had bagged more than 500,000 birds during just two seasons since 1964 (1981 & 1991).

While the 2008 harvest fell well below the 40-year record set in 2007 with a 655,000 bird harvest, hunter participation and success during the 2008 season remained high.

Season Length (Days) 65

Year /  Pheasant Harvest / Number of Hunters

• 2003 511,000  105,000
• 2004 420,000 77 104,000
• 2005 586,000 79 111,000
• 2006 588,000 80 119,000
• 2007 655,000 81 118,000
• 2008 522,000 86 107,000

WHY:
Pheasants in Minnesota have enjoyed milder winters and spring conditions advantageous to reproduction in recent years. Those favorable weather conditions, coupled with good habitat on the landscape, including nearly 1.7 million acres of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands in Minnesota, have created the successful pheasant seasons we’ve enjoyed in the state since 2003. Unfortunately, danger is on the horizon with massive CRP acres set to expire over the next few years. Last year, 107,000 acres of CRP contracts expired in Minnesota, and 65,000 more acres will expire this year. In fact, 621,000 acres of CRP are set to expire in Minnesota between 2010 and 2013. Pheasants Forever is diligently working to re-enroll, replace, and improve those acres of habitat. The new State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) practice of CRP is one successful example.

WHO:
Consider an interview with the following Pheasants Forever officials in response to today’s Minnesota DNR announcement:

• Matt Holland, Pheasants Forever Senior Field Coordinator, (320)354-4377
• Eran Sandquist, Pheasants Forever Regional Wildlife Biologist for western & central Minnesota, (763)242-1273
• Scott Roemhildt, Pheasants Forever Regional Field Representative for southern Minnesota, (507)327-9785

About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Minnesota DNR Reports a 522,000 Rooster Harvest during 2008 Pheasant Hunting Season

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. – -(AmmoLand.com)- The best outdoor stories are often found in unexpected places. From a wild west pheasant opener, to pheasant habitat helping trout, and a one-of-a-kind craftsman, this week’s episode of Pheasants Forever Television seeks out those hidden outdoor treasures! The episode airs on Outdoor Channel this Thursday at 1AM CDT / 2AM EDT, Friday at 7:30AM CDT / 8:30AM EDT and on Saturday at 2AM CDT / 3AM EDT and again at 3:30PM CDT / 4:30PM EDT.

First, Pheasants Forever Television and The Man Afield, Bill Sherck, visit Winneshiek County and the sportsman’s paradise that is northeast Iowa. The Conservation Reserve Program has helped restore pheasant populations, and also provided a boost to area streams.

Next, Pheasants Forever Television travels to Ohio and the workshop of leather artist James Acord. Custom, handcrafted art for the fly fisherman, upland hunter and waterfowler has given Acord a reputation as one of the most unique artists around.

Finally, Pheasants Forever Television is there for the pheasant opener with South Dakota’s Black Hills Chapter of Pheasants Forever. South Dakota is the nation’s number one pheasant destination, but the Black Hills lie on the western edge of the state’s pheasant range, which makes creating prime ringneck habitat much more difficult. Chapter members Karl Castor, Terry Hulm and others made it their mission to create habitat despite the arid plains…now see the results!

Each episode of Pheasants Forever Television’s also features informative tips, including Shotgun Savvy with shooting pro Ed Prechel, Habitat Habit brought to you by Carlson’s Choke Tubes and Gun Dog Savvy sponsored by Purina. Find more information about Pheasants Forever Television at www.pftelevision.org.

Pheasants Forever Television’s sponsoring partners include: Outdoor Channel, the South Dakota Department of Tourism, Native performance dog food, Polaris, Purina Pro Plan, Carlson’s Choke Tubes, SportDOG and HEVI-Shot. Thanks to these sponsors for bringing Pheasants Forever Television to viewers across the nation.

About Ron Schara Productions
Based in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, Ron Schara Productions is the leader in outdoor-variety programming. Ron Schara and his award-winning team of writers, producers and photojournalists cover the natural world and entertain outdoor enthusiasts on major networks including The Outdoor Channel, Versus Network, ESPN2 and NBC. To learn more please visit www.ronscharaproductions.com.

About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Hidden Outdoor Treasures This Week on Pheasants Forever Television

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Farm Bill Biologists recently took a short break from meeting with private landowners to meet with legislators and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The meetings focused on the success of the Farm Bill Biologist program and the need for more Farm Bill Biologist positions in additional states to maximize wildlife habitat impact.

Farm Bill Biologists touting the program included Jason Selvog of Waite Park, Minnesota; Kelsi Niederklein of North Platte, Nebraska; Matt Morlock of Brookings, South Dakota; and J.D. Armstrong of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The foursome represent Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s improved model of conservation program delivery. Designed to educate farmers and landowners about the benefits of conservation programs, as well as assist those farmers and landowners after programs have been implemented, Pheasants Forever first began employing Farm Bill Biologists in 2003 and now has 36 Farm Bill Biologists working in six states – Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In just over six years, Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and consulted 28,065 landowners, resulting in the improvement of nearly 1.3 million acres!

Primarily, Farm Bill Biologists work to accelerate enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and other Farm Bill conservation provisions that work with farm operations. Funding comes through diverse sources, including USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), so Farm Bill Biologists add wildlife technical assistance in USDA offices. Biologists met with NRCS officials, including Acting Associate Chief Ginger Murphy, Acting Associate Deputy Chief for Management Terrell Erickson and Chief of Staff Jason Weller. They discussed conservation issues with Jonathan Coppess, Administrator for the Farm Service Agency and Lynn Tjeerdsma, USDA’s Farm Service Agency’s Acting Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs. The Farm Bill Biologists also met with legislators, including Senator Al Franken (D-MN), Senator John Thune (R-SD), Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) and staff reps from the offices of Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Herb Kohl (D-WI).

“The way to create wildlife habitat on the landscape is by meeting with landowners one-on-one, listening to their desires and concerns, and then finding programs that best fit their situations,” Jason Selvog said, “Those same principles apply when we’re talking about expanding the Farm Bill Biologist program nationally – meeting one-one-one with policy makers and telling them how successful this model has been and where it can go with the right support.” Contacting over 5,000 landowners since 2004 has allowed Selvog, based out of Stearns County, Minnesota, to help landowners improve nearly 19,000 acres through over 850 conservation program contracts.

“There is no question that we have a very successful track record in delivering what we set out to do,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator, “This program will grow in the states where it already exists, and will launch in new states. Getting our message to the nation’s capital will hopefully accelerate that process, which in turn accelerates the wildlife habitat mission of Pheasants Forever.”

To contact a Farm Bill Biologist in your area, click here: Farm Bill Biologists. For more information on the Farm Bill Biologist program, contact Jim Inglis, Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator, at (419) 569-1096 or via email at jinglis@pheasantsforever.org.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org and www.QuailForever.org

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Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologists Take One-on-One Approach to Washington

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. – -(AmmoLand.com)- With over 30,000 acres enrolled in the program in the past three months, more than 125,000 acres have already been enrolled in federal Conservation Practice 38 this year to date. The wildlife-oriented practice, better known as the State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program, currently has 203,874 acres enrolled nationally.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established a goal of 500,000 acres for SAFE, which is part of the larger federal Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP). Announced in 2007, SAFE is a wildlife-specific conservation practice that has allowed states to cater policies specific to their wildlife and habitat. For example, SAFE projects in Midwestern states such as Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota benefit pheasants and other upland birds, while the SAFE project in Washington targets Roosevelt elk.

Demand for SAFE in some sates, including South Dakota (50,004 acres), Minnesota (22,476 acres), and Nebraska (20,947 acres) has been so strong that those states are at or near their initial SAFE acreage allotment. “For SAFE to continue to be the stepping stone for the next generation of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), we need to give serious consideration to reallocating acres to continue to meet the demand that exists in certain states,” said Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s vice president of government affairs.

Last year, as part of a contract signing ceremony in South Dakota for the first SAFE contract in the nation, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever requested an additional 500,000 acres nationwide for the program based on strong interest and demand for SAFE in multiple states.

“The immediate success has not waned, as SAFE has eclipsed 200,000 acres nationwide in less than two years of existence. We’re more adamant than ever that an additional 500,000-acre allotment to the SAFE program is necessary going forward,” Nomsen said, “A 1-million-acre SAFE program is the progressive step needed to maintain the strength of CRP and create critical habitat for wildlife.”

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have been instrumental in both the development and delivery of the SAFE program. The initial SAFE projects were announced at the organization’s National Pheasant Fest 2008, and through its Farm Bill Biologist program, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have worked to educate farmers and landowners about the benefits of conservation programs, including SAFE, and then assist those farmers and landowners after programs have been implemented.

More About SAFE
The SAFE program has added flexibility, specialization and a state specific focus to the already existing CRP practices. This is done by concentrating on acres located on the most environmentally sensitive land and then establishing the highest priority conservation practices on these generally smaller tracts. SAFE has also been highly effective in targeting the restoration of habitat critical for wildlife species that are threatened, endangered, have suffered significant population declines and/or are considered to be socially or economically valuable. These species include, but are not limited to, pheasants, bobwhite quail, American black bears, Roosevelt elk, bald eagles, salmon, song birds and pollinators.

How to Enroll in SAFE
SAFE projects are available through USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) service centers as part of the ongoing continuous sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program. For additional information and application assistance regarding SAFE, visit your county FSA office or http://www.fsa.usda.gov; or contact the Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever Farm Bill Biologist in your area.

About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org and www.QuailForever.org

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SAFE Acres Tops 200,000 Acres Nationally

Pheasants Forever

Rosemount, Minn – -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever (PF) and Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) announce the completion of an 18-acre prairie wildflower restoration project at the DCTC campus in Rosemount. The project, developed by the college and the Mississippi Longtails Chapter of PF, was underwritten by Xcel Energy and Great River Energy.

DCTC initiated the idea of the prairie wildflower restoration project as part of the college’s “Green Campus Commitment.” With the help of PF, two areas – one at each end of the DCTC campus – were planted with native forbs, including Black-eyed Susan, Canada milk vetch, Common Ox-eye, Golden Alexander, New England Aster and Yellow Coneflower. Not only is the prairie wildflower restoration project adding to the aesthetic beauty of the campus, according to Paul DeMuth, DCTC Director of Operations, the two areas are saving the college over 20 hours a month of mowing, cutting down on maintenance costs, and gas emissions.

“There are so many positives with this project, and it demonstrates what’s possible when good ideas and good partnerships are created,” said Dan Richmond, President of the Mississippi Longtails Chapter of PF, “This project is not only great for the college, but it will benefit the local area and serve as a building block for future projects.”

“It was a pleasure bringing together the coalition of Pheasants Forever, Great River Energy and Xcel Energy for this project and working with all those involved,” said Janet Lekson, DCTC Foundation Assistant Director. “This partnership provided the college with the opportunity to complete 18 acres of prairie grass restoration at very little cost to the college. We look forward to partnering with Pheasants Forever in the future as plans are considered for restoring more acreage on campus.”

“Great River Energy recognizes that everyone has a responsibility to be a good steward of the environment,” said Mary Jo Roth, Manager, Environmental Services with Great River Energy, “We support native plantings and recognize their role in improving water quality, reducing soil erosion, and providing habitat for wildlife. We have demonstrated our support not only through collaborations with organizations like DCTC and Pheasants Forever, but also through native plantings at five of our own facilities.”

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasants Forever, Great River Energy and Xcel Energy Partner

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever (PF) announces Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health as the organization’s newest national sponsor. A world-renowned leader in the research, development, manufacturing and sale of veterinary medicines, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is the official sponsor of the “Ask The Vet” column in each issue of the Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland Conservation.

“For many Pheasants Forever members and hunters, bird dogs are the fibers that bind them to the world of conservation. Maintain healthy, active animals and you maintain healthy, active conservationists,” said Howard Vincent, PF National President and CEO, “We’re extremely excited to be partnering with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, as this keeps our organization and all its members on the leading edge of the sporting dog health world.”

“Partnering with Pheasants Forever allows Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health to share information concerning the health of the sporting dog,” said Brett Whitehead, Vice President of Equine and Ag. Retail Business with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, “We view the sporting dog as a growing segment of the canine health market and look forward to sharing exciting new information on our products and services with the Pheasants Forever audience.”

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is also a Gold sponsor of PF’s National Pheasant Fest 2010 , which will be held February 26-28 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Bird dogs are the most popular attraction at National Pheasant Fest, and an entire portion of the show is devoted to them as the “Bird Dog Bonanza.” Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health will be providing veterinarian guidance at the Bird Dog Bonanza. Offering more than 25 years of specialized experience, Intervet’s Dr. Donald Bramlage D.V.M. will be on hand fielding attendee questions as well as giving presentations on topics such as kennel cough, managing parasites and how to raise a litter.

“Intervet will bring an unparalleled expertise to National Pheasant Fest 2010, as anyone in attendance will have an opportunity to gain insightful and instructive health-related information about their favorite hunting dogs,” explained Brad Heidel, PF’s Director of Special Events Sales.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Joins Pheasants Forever as National Sponsor

Pheasants Forever

Iowa – -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever has always billed its largest event, National Pheasant Fest , as more than an outdoor trade show. While the event offers more than one can expect to do in a three-day weekend, the show is really about your favorite hunting field or a nearby wildlife area. It’s about Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission. It’s about wildlife habitat.

Far more goes into deciding which city/state will host National Pheasant Fest than whether or not it has a sizable venue. The goal of the event is to leave a legacy in the state long after the event is gone. For example, one of Pheasants Forever’s goals in bringing its signature event to Madison, Wisconsin for the first time in 2009 was to use event fundraising to help create the first Build a Wildlife Area project in Wisconsin. With the help of Pheasants Forever and other partners, the Wisconsin Build a Wildlife Area campaign made its first land acquisition, a 204-acre parcel of restored wetlands and adjacent upland grasslands in St. Croix County. The area may be open for public hunting and outdoor recreational activities as early as this autumn!

Pheasants Forever is looking to leave the same such legacy in Iowa , a state that needs the organization’s wildlife habitat mission more than ever. Iowa is coming off one of its worst recorded pheasant hunting seasons, with 383,000 roosters harvested last year. While Iowa has unfortunately received lousy nesting weather and severe flooding in recent years, the low harvest total is also an indicator that the state is feeling the ill effects of the conversion of thousands of acres of habitat to cropland.

Ultimately, National Pheasant Fest is returning to the Iowa Events Center in February to rejuvenate interest in restoring and creating upland habitat in Iowa and beyond; to galvanize hunters to be strong stewards of the land; to give youth the sense that the outdoors and conservation can be fun and rewarding. It all comes back to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission.

We look forward to seeing you in Des Moines next February! Bring the family, especially the kids. Come admire and inquire about the bird dogs. Seek out advice from wildlife habitat professionals. And of course check out the great outdoor gear that will be available from all our sponsors and exhibitors. But most importantly, come ready to leave a legacy.

Countdown Until The Fest Only 212 Days until Pheasant Fest 2010!

A Special “Thank You” to Pheasant Fest Sponsors

• Diamond Sponsors
• Gold Sponsors
• Silver Sponsors

Pheasant Fest Phast Facts
The five previous *National Pheasant Fests* have attracted 111,000 hunters, landowners, sport dog owners and wildlife habitat conservationists! At the most recent *National Pheasant Fest*, over 1,100 in attendance joined PF as members over the course of the three-day event. Over 1,000 landowners have taken advantage of the Landowner Habitat Help Room at *National Pheasant Fest*, leading to over 65,000 habitat acres that have been evaluated for management recommendations by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever wildlife biologists.

Fest Freeze Frame
MOCK TRIAL. Rudy’s Youth Village is home to one of the more popular youth attractions at National Pheasant Fest, the mock pheasant hunt. Youngsters get the chance to sharpen their firearm handing skills, using wooden replicas, and learn the basics of safe, ethical hunting.

Bird Dog Bonanza Update
Bird Dogs Own National Pheasant Fest It should come as no surprise that sporting dogs have and continue to be the most popular attraction at National Pheasant Fest. Expect bird dogs to play their largest role yet when National Pheasant Fest 2010 hits Des Moines next February.

The Bird Dog Bonanza, an entire section of the National Pheasant Fest show floor, will again be dedicated to our four-legged outdoor companions and will be presented by Native performance dog food and SportDOG Brand electronic dog training systems. The Bird Dog Bonanza is where you can find exhibitors and information on everything bird dog related, including training, nutrition and breeds. In fact, look for upwards of 40 bird dog breeds to be a part of National Pheasant Fest 2010!

For more information contact: Brad Heidel (651) 209-4956 or bheidel@pheasantfest.org

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

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More Than an Event, It’s Forever, National Pheasant Fest

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Ramsey, Minn. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever (PF) and Native® performance dog food have teamed to give Game Fair 2009 attendees more opportunities than ever to learn from the professionals. Pheasants Forever Hill, PF’s annual locale at the show, offers seminars from 10 AM to 5 PM daily at the PF/Native® stage featuring Native® dog food’s pro staff and PF hunting experts. Game Fair 2009 will be held August 7, 8 & 9 and August 14, 15 & 16 at Armstrong Kennels Ranch in Ramsey, Minnesota.

Native® performance dog food pro staffers appearing at Game Fair 2009 will include Chad & Jodi Hines, Jason Givens, Rick McConico, Sue Barnes, Todd Sterrett and Matt Rossi. This unmatched lineup provides expertise ranging from flushers to pointers. If you have a question about your sporting dog ” from increasing endurance to e-collars ” Game Fair 2009 is the place!

Hunting experts at the PF/Native stage include Bob St.Pierre, PF Director of Marketing and Public Relations and FAN Outdoors radio host, who will be talking public land roosters; and PF’s Mark Herwig, Editor of the Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland Conservation. A certifiable wing-nut, Herwig will offer dove hunting tips and tactics, just in time for autumn’s earliest opener!

Pheasants Forever also kicks off the 7th Minnesota Build a Wildlife Area campaign at Game Fair 2009. Developed by Pheasants Forever, the Anoka County PF Chapter , Game Fair, and Outdoor News in 2003, the unique campaign raises funds for the acquisition of public wildlife areas. Through the unique Build a Wildlife Area partnership, every dollar raised is tripled through matching grants from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Minnesota’s Build a Wildlife Area campaigns have generated over $914,000 and acquired seven new Wildlife Management Areas in Minnesota totaling 2,592 acres, all of which have been transferred to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and are open to the public.

Game Fair 2009 will also be a great opportunity to become a Pheasants Forever member with special membership premiums being offered each day of the show. Annual Pheasants Forever membership includes a year’s subscription to the PF Journal, a vehicle decal, membership card and invitation to your local PF chapter event.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

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Tips from the Pheasants Forever and Native Pros at Game Fair 2009

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Pizza Ranch is stepping up its support of Pheasants Forever’s (PF) youth programs. In addition to sponsoring PF’s successful “First Bird” program for the 2009-2010 hunting season, Pizza Ranch will assist local Pheasants Forever chapters across the Midwest in promoting chapter youth events, including youth mentor hunts.

PF’s “First Bird” program sponsored by Pizza Ranch was developed in 2008 to recognize the accomplishments of youth hunters who successfully bagged their first upland bird. Pizza Ranch is looking to add to the initial success of the “First Bird” program by stepping forward to support youth mentor hunts in local communities.

PF chapters based in the same town or area as a Pizza Ranch have the opportunity to partner with their neighboring franchise to create a local youth mentor hunt. All participating chapters will receive 24 blaze orange hunting caps and a banner to publicize the event. Chapters can become involved by simply contacting their nearby Pizza Ranch.

“We are excited to partner with Pheasants Forever on another great project for our area youth. Pheasants Forever youth mentor hunts are a great way to get local youth involved in our communities and the outdoors,” stated Gwen Lahrs, Senior Advertising and Marketing Manager for Pizza Ranch.

“The first year of the First Bird program generated phenomenal response, and with the help of Pizza Ranch, we’re excited to publish even more youngster photos on the pages of our magazines and at www.PheasantsForever.org ,” said Greg Emerick, PF Director of Corporate Sales, “Pizza Ranch also prides itself on being active in local communities, and boosting Pheasants Forever chapter youth events this fall will definitely help strengthen our youth outreach efforts.”

TO ENTER the Pheasants Forever “First Bird” program sponsored by Pizza Ranch

The Pheasants Forever “First Bird” program sponsored by Pizza Ranch is aimed at getting todayâ?Ts youth actively involved in outdoor activities such as hunting.

Young hunters who send in a photo of their first bird will receive:

• A “First Bird” Commemorative Pin
• Coupon for a free pizza at a Pizza Ranch restaurant
• A chance to get their photo published in the Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland
• Conservation and Upland Tales youth magazine.

Please send your photo (prints will not be returned) along with your first and last name, birth date, mailing address, phone number, and any other information you would like to share to: Pizza Ranch Inc., Attn: First Bird, PO Box 465, Orange City, IA 51041-0465.

About Pizza Ranch
Pizza Ranch has 144 franchises in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan and Illinois. The chain was founded in 1981 in Hull, Iowa and since has grown to its current size while focusing its brand around “providing a business ministry opportunity where guests receive a legendary experience through quality food and service.” More information about Pizza Ranch can be found at www.pizzaranch.com .

About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasants Forever and Pizza Ranch Expand Successful ‘First Bird’ Program

Pheasants Forever

Owatonna, Minn. – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Steele County Chapter of Pheasants Forever(PF) already has designs for funds they plan to generate at their first-ever banquet coming up this Friday, July 31st. In fact, the funds will be used to enhance nesting cover for pheasants and other grassland nesting birds on five Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Steele County.

“We know that the quantity and quality of nesting cover is the primary limiting factor for pheasant populations, and we are proud to be able to assist the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in making a positive impact on local habitat,” said Kevin Seavey, President of Steele County Chapter of PF. “We hope that local conservationists and sportsmen will support our efforts by coming to our fundraising banquet this Friday.”

Seavey said that each of the five planned enhancement projects have been designed by local DNR officials to improve conditions for ground-nesting birds and by preparing sites for conversion to native grasses and wildflowers. The five projects encompass 157 acres and will be completed over an 18-month period. All five of the Steele County WMAs are open to public hunting and recreation.

They include:

• Marsh Wren WMA 17 acres of restoration
• Pogones WMA 20 acres of restoration
• Swan WMA 20 acres of restoration
• Somerset WMA 40 acres of restoration
• Aurora WMA 60 acres of restoration

“We are fortunate to have Pheasants Forever field staff that develops partnerships and finds grants to assist with local habitat projects,” Seavey said. “Their work enables us to turn a five dollar raffle ticket purchased at our banquet into twenty or thirty dollars for local habitat.”

The Steele County PF banquet will be held at the Eagles Club in Owatonna. Doors open at 5:30 PM with dinner at 7 PM. Advance tickets are required. They are $50 each and include a one-year membership to Pheasants Forever, complete with a year’s subscription to the “PF Journal” and a PF vehicle decal. Contact Brad Erickson at 507-446-0581.

“Our chapter’s focus is on improving habitat and developing youth programs in Steele County,” Seavey said. “We look forward to being part of many other projects in the months and years ahead.”

For more information on PF in southern Minnesota, to start a chapter or join one of the state’s already existing chapters, contact Scott Roemhildt, PF Regional Representative for southern Minnesota, at (507) 327-9785 or via email at sroehmhildt@pheasantsforever.org . You can also log on at www.MinnesotaPF.org .

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasants Forever Banquet Funds to Enhance Habitat in Steele County

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. - -(AmmoLand.com)- The 9th Annual Family Fun Shoot sponsored by the Mississippi Longtails and Dakota Ringnecks Chapters of Pheasants Forever (PF) will be held on Saturday, August 22nd from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Dakota County Gun Club in Rosemount. Over 300 youth and 300 adults and volunteers took part in last year’s event, making it PF’s largest youth event in Minnesota.

Youth activities at this year’s event include trap shooting and laser shot, archery and bow fishing, dog training, ATV safety, wildlife painting and photography, waterfowl calling, angling, fly tying and casting, woodcarving, wall climbing, geocaching and more. Attendees will also be able to build and bring home their own bluebird houses and will be eligible to win hundreds of raffle prizes.

Youth tickets are $5, which includes a one-year PF youth Ringnecks membership ($15 value) and a one-year National Wild Turkey Federation youth Jakes membership ($7 value), as well as use of equipment and personalized instruction for all Family Fun Shoot activities.

“It’s time to leave the Game Boys and gadgets for a breath of fresh air,” said Dan Richmond, president of the Mississippi Longtails Chapter of PF and Family Fun Shoot chairperson, “Pheasants Forever has made a commitment to youth through its No Child Left Indoors® initiative . We look forward to getting kids outside and teaching them about wildlife conservation and habitat.”

In addition to the Dakota Ringnecks and Mississippi Longtails Chapters of PF, co-sponsors of the Family Fun Shoot include the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, National Wild Turkey Federation and the Dakota County Gun Club www.dakotacountygunclub.org . Cabela’s, Gander Mountain, Waste Management and the Hanifl Foundation are supporting PF Ringnecks. Additional donations will be accepted at the main entrance.

To obtain tickets or for more information about the Family Fun Shoot, contact Dan Richmond at (651) 730-4434 / d_richmond@comcast.net , or Mark Schlemmer at (651) 341-5436 / atvx3@msn.com . The Family Fun Shoot will be held rain or shine. No personal firearms are allowed.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasants Forever’s Family Fun Shoot Fires into Rosemount, Minn

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. – -(AmmoLand.com)- This week’s episode of Pheasants Forever Television is definitely one-of-a-kind. The episode profiles a one-of-a-kind quail conservationist, a one-of-a-kind wildlife campaign and a one-of-a-kind guitar that’s helping habitat. The episode will air on Outdoor Channel this Thursday at 1AM CDT / 2AM EDT, Friday at 7:30AM CDT / 8:30AM EDT and on Saturday at 2AM CDT / 3AM EDT and again at 3:30PM CDT / 4:30PM EDT.

First, Pheasants Forever Television travels to the Lone Star State for a hunt with David Harrison. As an 18-year-old high school senior in Midland, Texas, Harrison formed the West Texas Chapter of Quail Forever – the only teenager who has started a Quail Forever chapter. Not only that, Harrison is the owner and trainer of national champion bird dogs.

Next, Pheasants Forever Television looks at the beginning of Pheasants Forever’s Build a Wildlife Area campaign. The Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area in Minnesota’s Morrison County is home to pheasants, waterfowl, grouse, turkeys and deer and resulted from a unique fundraising campaign called Build a Wildlife Area. Today, campaigns in six states â?” Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin have helped create eight new wildlife areas totaling over 3,000 acres all open to public hunting and recreation.

Finally, Pheasants Forever Television goes unplugged with Ren Ferguson, a master luthier for Gibson Guitar’s acoustic division in Bozeman, Montana. A member of the Gallatin County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Ferguson crafted an exquisite acoustic guitar featuring gold-leafing, a variety of woods, and beautiful pheasant images. The chapter then used the guitar to raise funds, which helped the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service complete a 600-acre land acquisition near the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge.

Pheasants Forever Television’s informative tip segments are included in every episode, including Shotgun Savvy with shooting pro Ed Prechel, Habitat Habit brought to you by Carlson’s Choke Tubes and Gun Dog Savvy sponsored by Purina. Find more information about Pheasants Forever Television at www.pftelevision.org .

Pheasants Forever Television’s sponsoring partners include: Outdoor Channel, the South Dakota Department of Tourism, Native performance dog food, Polaris, Purina Pro Plan, Carlson’s Choke Tubes and SportDOG. Thanks to these sponsors for bringing Pheasants Forever Television to viewers across the nation.

About Ron Schara Productions
Based in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, Ron Schara Productions is the leader in outdoor-variety programming. Ron Schara and his award-winning team of writers, producers and photojournalists cover the natural world and entertain outdoor enthusiasts on major networks including The Outdoor Channel, Versus Network, ESPN2 and NBC. To learn more please visit www.ronscharaproductions.com .

About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

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One-of-a-Kinds This Week on Pheasants Forever Television

Saint Paul, Minn. --(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever, Inc. announces the completion of seven projects, all additions to existing wildlife areas, that are now open to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping and bird watching. Funds for these projects were provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), PF Chapters, and several partners. Trust Fund dollars originate through the Minnesota State Lottery.

In total, 412 acres of wetlands, grasslands and woodlands were added to enhance the state wildlife management area system or federal waterfowl production area system. Long-term management and stewardship of these lands will be provided by the Minnesota DNR and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Initial site and habitat development is being completed in partnership with the Minnesota DNR, Pheasants Forever and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

“Our state wildlife management area system is one of the best in the country,” explained Eran Sandquist, regional wildlife biologist for Pheasants Forever. “Minnesota’s Habitat Conservation Partnership provides a catalyst for partners to work together, make our dollars go farther, and ultimately provide a better place for the wildlife we all love to thrive and prosper.”

Projects completed under the 2007 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to Pheasants Forever include: Spring Creek WMA 201 acre addition (Becker County); Bench WMA 120 acre addition (Swift County); Henjum Lake WPA 35 acre addition (Kandiyohi County); Copeland WMA 32 acre addition (Otter Tail County); Alvstad WMA 10 acre addition (Grant County); Sangl WMA 80 acre addition (Jackson County); White Bear WMA 50 acre addition (Pope County).

“On the surface, the scope of individual projects may seem small, but when you consider their proximity to other investments in public and private land habitat, the benefits are greater than they appear.” explained Matt Holland, PF’s Senior Field Coordinator. â?oWe are striving to build upon existing habitats one project at a time, along with providing significant public recreation benefits.”

For more information on the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund go to www.lccmr.leg.mn <http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/> and for information on Minnesotaâ?Ts Habitat Conservation Partnership, go to www.mnhabitatcorridors.org <http://www.mnhabitatcorridors.org/> .

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

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Seven New Wildlife Area Additions Through Habitat Conservation Partnership

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Springfield, Ill. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Illinois Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) are looking for interested youth to participate in the first-ever Illinois PF/QF Youth Leadership Council. Twelve youth (ages 10-17) with an interest in hunting, fishing and the outdoors will be selected to serve as youth ambassadors on a variety of conservation issues.

The 12-member Illinois PF/QF Youth Leadership Council will be modeled after the PF/QF National Youth Leadership Council , a 20-member group of youth from around the country who are spokespersons for their age group on hunting and conservation issues and advise PF/QF on youth programs. Youth selected to the Illinois PF/QF Youth Leadership Council will receive leadership and communications training to help them serve as liaisons with not only other youth groups (4-H, National FFA Organization), but with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and elected officials.

“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have made a commitment to the next generation of conservationists through its No Child Left Indoors® initiative , and the creation of an all-Illinois youth leadership council will reinforce that commitment in this state,” said Aaron Kuehl, Illinois PF/QF Director of Conservation Programs, “The creation of this council also dovetails perfectly with the Department of Natural Resources’ identified focus of youth hunter/angler recruitment.”

Youth ages 10-17 are eligible to serve on the Illinois PF/QF Youth Leadership Council, and interested youth must complete an application to be considered. A downloadable application form is available here . Applications are due by September 1, 2009. Twelve youth will then be selected based on their applications (consideration also being given to representing the state geographically, as well as representing ages). Applicants will be notified of their selection to the council by October 1, 2009.

Illinois is home to 46 Pheasants Forever chapters, 13 Quail Forever chapters and 9,000 PF/QF members. For more information about PF/QF in Illinois, visit www.illinoispf.org or contact Aaron Kuehl, Illinois PF/QF Director of Conservation Programs at (217) 635-5207 or via email at akuehl@pheasantsforever.org .

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Seeking Youth Ambassadors

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Springfield, Ill. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Illinois Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) are looking for interested youth to participate in the first-ever Illinois PF/QF Youth Leadership Council. Twelve youth (ages 10-17) with an interest in hunting, fishing and the outdoors will be selected to serve as youth ambassadors on a variety of conservation issues.

The 12-member Illinois PF/QF Youth Leadership Council will be modeled after the PF/QF National Youth Leadership Council, a 20-member group of youth from around the country who are spokespersons for their age group on hunting and conservation issues and advise PF/QF on youth programs. Youth selected to the Illinois PF/QF Youth Leadership Council will receive leadership and communications training to help them serve as liaisons with not only other youth groups (4-H, National FFA Organization), but with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and elected officials.

“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have made a commitment to the next generation of conservationists through its No Child Left Indoors® initiative, and the creation of an all-Illinois youth leadership council will reinforce that commitment in this state,” said Aaron Kuehl, Illinois PF/QF Director of Conservation Programs, “The creation of this council also dovetails perfectly with the Department of Natural Resources’ identified focus of youth hunter/angler recruitment.”

Youth ages 10-17 are eligible to serve on the Illinois PF/QF Youth Leadership Council, and interested youth must complete an application to be considered. A downloadable application form is available here. Applications are due by September 1, 2009. Twelve youth will then be selected based on their applications (consideration also being given to representing the state geographically, as well as representing ages). Applicants will be notified of their selection to the council by October 1, 2009.

Illinois is home to 46 Pheasants Forever chapters, 13 Quail Forever chapters and 9,000 PF/QF members. For more information about PF/QF in Illinois, visit www.illinoispf.org or contact Aaron Kuehl, Illinois PF/QF Director of Conservation Programs at (217) 635-5207 or via email at akuehl@pheasantsforever.org.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org and www.QuailForever.org

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Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Seeking Youth Ambassadors

Pheasants Forever

Dundee, Mich. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Michigan Pheasants Forever (PF) is inviting your family to a fun-filled day at Cabela’s in Dundee, Michigan, on Saturday, August 8th, 2009 for PF’s Free Habitat Expo and 2009 State Convention. The Free Habitat Expo will take place from 10AM – 4PM and will include habitat and dog training seminars and great youth activities, to be followed by a banquet and awards ceremony to recognize volunteers from across the state for their contributions to PF.

The Free Habitat Expo portion of the event will allow individuals to learn about wildlife habitat management from leading wildlife professionals. Youth will also be able it get in on the habitat act by trying their hand at planting window box prairies. In fact, the great lineup of youth activities make the event one the entire family can enjoy!

In addition to archery, casting and the always-popular Laser Shot, youth will be able to take part in:

• Mock Pheasant Hunt -Youth will learn the FUNdamentals of gun handling safety!
• Tracks – Discover some of Michigan’s wonderful wildlife and make a plaster track mold to take home.
• Film Can Fishing -Youth will build and take home wilderness fishing kits that fit in the palms of their hands.
• PF Passport to Adventure – Complete this hunt and you’ll be entered in a raffle for a great gear giveaway!

The event will conclude Saturday evening with a banquet that includes a silent auction, live auction and an awards presentation to recognize volunteers from across the state for their contributions to PF. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Michigan PF’s wildlife habitat and youth conservation education efforts.

“The best times outdoors are with family, which is why we’ve created an event that will bring families closer together,” said Mike Parker, PF regional wildlife biologist in Michigan, “And a special thanks to Cabela’s and their store in Dundee. They’ve always jumped at the chance to partner with Pheasants Forever in the name of conservation, and we’re looking forward to a great event there this August.”

To obtain a registration form or for more information about the Michigan PF Free Habitat Expo and 2009 State Convention, please contact Mike Parker at (517) 333-1272 or via email at mparker@pheasantsforever.org .

Michigan is home to 38 PF chapters and over 8,300 PF members. Those chapters have spent over $6.2 million to improve Michigan wildlife habitat, completing over 57,000 habitat projects benefiting over 393,000 acres for pheasants, quail and other wildlife.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

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Michigan Pheasants Forever Hosting Free Habitat Expo and State Convention at Cabela’s

Pheasants Forever

Great Falls, Mont. – Pheasants Forever (PF) will hold its Montana State Habitat meeting in Great Falls, Montana on Friday, June 26 & Saturday, June 27, 2009. To be held at the Best Western Heritage Inn, the meeting is for PF members, landowners, natural resource professionals and anyone interested in Montana wildlife habitat and upland birds.

The Montana State Habitat Meeting will kick off on Friday at 4:30 PM at the Sun River Skeet Club within the Great Falls Shooting Sports Complex with a networking and social event hosted by the Great Falls Chapter of PF. Saturday includes a full agenda of seminars and speakers. Seminars include How to get more pheasants and upland game in Montana, Sage Grouse Issues & Habitat with Dr. Dave Naugle from the University of Montana, and MT Habitat Programs & Tools. Howard Vincent, PF National President and CEO, will attend the meeting and deliver the keynote speech on the need for PF, Now! More Than Ever!

The meeting will conclude Saturday evening with a banquet that includes a silent auction, live auction and an awards presentation to recognize volunteers from across the state for their contributions to PF. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Montana Habitat Fund.

“We’re looking to connect leaders from Montana’s eighteen Pheasants Forever chapters with landowners, experts and upland bird enthusiasts to share best practices in improving wildlife habitat in Big Sky Country,” said Jon Lee, Pheasants Forever National Board member and a meeting organizer, “We want to provide all meeting attendees with the resources and ideas they need to continue to accomplish Pheasants Forever’s wildlife habitat mission.”

To register for the Montana State Habitat meeting and for a complete event agenda, please visit http://www.montanapf.org/ . For questions or more information, please contact Jon Lee at (406) 721-9919 or via email jon@montanapf.org .

Since the first Montana chapter of PF formed in 1987, the state’s 18 chapters and 2,100 members have raised and spent over $2.3 million to complete over 950 habitat projects, conserving, restoring and enhancing over 32,500 Montana acres for pheasants and other wildlife.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

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Pheasants Forever Hosting Habitat Meeting in Great Falls Montana

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. - -(AmmoLand.com)- The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission recently awarded a $1 million grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) to Pheasants Forever (PF) and other partners in Minnesota. This NAWCA grant will fund Phase II of a multi-year initiative to restore and enhance breeding and migratory habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife in the Lower Minnesota River Valley.

The fifteen-county project area in the Lower Minnesota River basin includes Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Mower, Nicollet, Rice, Sibley, Steele, Waseca and Watonwan Counties.

The Lower Minnesota Valley Wetlands Conservation Initiative includes seven partners who have pledged to complete over $3.2 million in habitat restoration and enhancement, easement acquisition, and fee-title acquisition over the next two years. The federal, state and private partners propose to restore 405 acres of wetland and grassland habitats, enhance habitat on 2,067 acres, and acquire fee-title on 527 acres within the project area. Work will be completed on both public and private lands. This initiative focuses on accelerating the restoration and enhancement of grasslands and wetlands along with the associated wildlife populations which depend on those habitats.

This NAWCA partnership will assist in achieving goals laid out in North American Waterfowl Management Plan as well as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources pheasant and duck plans. It also addresses several habitat recommendations made in the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan.

“We are so pleased to receive this boost from NAWCA to accelerate habitat restoration, enhancement and protection efforts in the Lower Minnesota Valley,” said Scott Roemhildt, regional field representative for PF in southern Minnesota. “The work to be completed fits perfectly with what we are striving to accomplish through many of our habitat and species recovery plans, and the funding will assist greatly in putting additional permanent restorations in the Minnesota River Valley.”

Partners include: Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Gary Renner, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc., Shell Rock River Watershed District, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the Minnesota DNR long range pheasant plan, click here ; for the Minnesota DNR duck plan, click here .

For more information on PF in southern Minnesota, contact Scott Roemhildt at (507) 327-9785 or via email at sroehmhildt@pheasantsforever.org or visit www.minnesotapf.org.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

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Lower Minnesota Valley Gets $1 Million Wildlife Habitat Boost

Pheasants Forever

Washington, D.C. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) recently honored five U.S. Senators and seven U.S. Representatives with Conservation Leadership Awards for their efforts in furthering wildlife conservation initiatives on a national scale within the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, commonly referred to as the Farm Bill.

“It’s important for Pheasants Forever members, Quail Forever members, and hunters, anglers and outdoors people nationwide to know their concerns about conservation, land use, land access and wildlife habitat management are not only being heard, but are being met by some conservation-minded legislators,” said Dave Nomsen, PF/QF Vice President of Government Affairs. Nomsen presented the Conservation Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C. along with Howard Vincent, PF/QF President and CEO, and Kim Price from the PF/QF National Board of Directors.

“The five Senators and seven Representatives selected for recognition all supported strong conservation provisions in the Farm Bill’s Conservation Title even when it wasn’t the easiest thing to do,” Nomsen said, “That support helped to further the wildlife legacy of a wide array of programs; including CRP, WRP, CSP, GRP, and WHIP to name a few. Additionally, their leadership created new conservation tax incentives, as well as new acres open to hunters through the brand new ‘Open Fields’ access provision.”

Senate Conservation Leadership Award recipients:

• *Tom Harkin* (D-IA) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting a strong Conservation Title as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. In particular, his work to expand the wildlife benefits of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) was acknowledged.
• *Kent Conrad* (D-ND) – Recognized for his leadership in support of conservation throughout the Farm Bill, especially the Open Fields provisions and modifications to CRP provisions regarding farmable wetlands.
• *Debbie Stabenow* (D-MI) – Recognized for her support of conservation in the new Farm Bill, particularly for her efforts to create conservation tax incentives and easement provisions.
• *Pat Roberts* (R-KS) – Recognized for his support of the overall Conservation Title, particularly for Open Fields provisions.
• *Saxby Chambliss* (R-GA) – Recognized for his support of conservation throughout the Farm Bill, and particularly for language to promote burning and thinning incentives within CRP which greatly benefit bobwhite quail.

House of Representatives Conservation Leadership Award recipients:

• *Collin Peterson* (D-MN) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting a strong Conservation Title as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, for his overall work on the 2008 Farm Bill. In particular, for his work to support the wildlife legacy of CRP.
• *Bob Goodlatte* (R-VA) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting conservation as ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.
• *Tim Holden* (D-PA) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting a strong Conservation Title as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.
• *Leonard Boswell* (D-IA) – Recognized for his support of conservation in the Farm Bill, particularly for his support of CRP.
• *Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin* (D-SD) – Recognized for her support of conservation throughout the Farm Bill, especially for her leadership in “Sodsaver” provisions.
• *Jerry Moran* (R-KS) – Recognized for his support of conservation in the Farm Bill, particularly for his work on Open Fields provisions
• *Earl Pomeroy* (D-ND) – Recognized for his support of conservation in the Farm Bill, especially for his work on Open Fields provisions.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent

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Pheasants Forever Honors 12 U.S. Legislators with Conservation Leadership Awards

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Washington, D.C. --(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) recently honored five U.S. Senators and seven U.S. Representatives with Conservation Leadership Awards for their efforts in furthering wildlife conservation initiatives on a national scale within the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, commonly referred to as the Farm Bill.

“It’s important for Pheasants Forever members, Quail Forever members, and hunters, anglers and outdoors people nationwide to know their concerns about conservation, land use, land access and wildlife habitat management are not only being heard, but are being met by some conservation-minded legislators,” said Dave Nomsen, PF/QF Vice President of Government Affairs.

Nomsen presented the Conservation Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C. along with Howard Vincent, PF/QF President and CEO, and Kim Price from the PF/QF National Board of Directors.

“The five Senators and seven Representatives selected for recognition all supported strong conservation provisions in the Farm Bill’s Conservation Title even when it wasn’t the easiest thing to do,” Nomsen said, “That support helped to further the wildlife legacy of a wide array of programs; including CRP, WRP, CSP, GRP, and WHIP to name a few. Additionally, their leadership created new conservation tax incentives, as well as new acres open to hunters through the brand new ‘Open Fields’ access provision.”

Senate Conservation Leadership Award recipients

• · Tom Harkin (D-IA) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting a strong Conservation Title as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. In particular, his work to expand the wildlife benefits of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) was acknowledged.
• · Kent Conrad (D-ND) – Recognized for his leadership in support of conservation throughout the Farm Bill, especially the Open Fields provisions and modifications to CRP provisions regarding farmable wetlands.
• · Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) – Recognized for her support of conservation in the new Farm Bill, particularly for her efforts to create conservation tax incentives and easement provisions.
• · Pat Roberts (R-KS) – Recognized for his support of the overall Conservation Title, particularly for Open Fields provisions.
• · Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) – Recognized for his support of conservation throughout the Farm Bill, and particularly for language to promote burning and thinning incentives within CRP which greatly benefit bobwhite quail.

House of Representatives Conservation Leadership Award recipients

• · Collin Peterson (D-MN) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting a strong Conservation Title as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, for his overall work on the 2008 Farm Bill. In particular, for his work to support the wildlife legacy of CRP.
• · Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting conservation as ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.
• · Tim Holden (D-PA) – Recognized for his leadership in supporting a strong Conservation Title as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.
• · Leonard Boswell (D-IA) – Recognized for his support of conservation in the Farm Bill, particularly for his support of CRP.
• · Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD) – Recognized for her support of conservation throughout the Farm Bill, especially for her leadership in “Sodsaver” provisions.
• · Jerry Moran (R-KS) – Recognized for his support of conservation in the Farm Bill, particularly for his work on Open Fields provisions
• · Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) – Recognized for his support of conservation in the Farm Bill, especially for his work on Open Fields provisions.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent

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Quail Forever Honors 12 U.S. Legislators with Conservation Leadership Awards

Brownells.com

Brownells.com - -(AmmoLand.com)- Fifteen shooters from several Pheasants Forever chapters recently gathered at Brownells Big Springs Shooting Complex near Searsboro, Iowa to test 20 new shotguns.

The event took shape when Joe Duggan, Pheasants Forever VP of Corporate Relations and Marketing told company president, Pete Brownell they needed a location for the annual test. Pete quickly volunteered use of the company facility.

“Pheasants Forever was a big help to us when we were developing the pheasant and quail habitat at Big Springs. I was really excited to have a chance to do something for them in return,” said company president, Pete Brownell.

Shooters spent several hours firing, handling and evaluating the guns at Big Springs trap and five-stand fields. Afterwards there was time for some fun shooting. One group chose skeet shooting while others shot an informal, winner take all, Annie Oakley, trap tournament. At the end of the day one happy shooter had a few extra dollars in his pocket.

Mark Herwig, Editor of Pheasants Forever Magazine, www.pheasantsforever.org said, “This has been a first rate event. Pheasants Forever needs partners like Brownells to continue our habitat work and strengthen our hunting heritage. Brownells is an example to other outdoors companies of what leadership is all about. And that’s especially important at a time wildlife habitat funding and support is declining in both the public and private sectors.”

Following the day’s shooting the group convened at the Linden House B&B in Lynnville, Iowa, www.lindenhouse.com for drinks, dinner and conversation.

About:
Brownells is the world’s largest supplier of firearm parts, gunsmithing tools, reloading equipment and accessories. Stocking more than 30,000 items, the company supplies armorers, gunsmiths, and shooters worldwide. All of their products are backed by a 100% satisfaction, unconditional, lifetime guarantee. For more information, or to place an order, call 800-741-0015 or visit Brownells.com

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Brownells’ Big Springs Complex Hosts Pheasants Forever Gun Test

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON, DC – A coalition of hunting, fishing and conservation organizations urged the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to maintain mandatory spending levels for the many vital U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs as authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced today.

“USDA conservation programs represent the single-largest federal investment in conservation on private land,” said Dave Nomsen, vice president of government affairs at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “Farmers and ranchers are eager to share the cost of clean water, clean air, a stable climate and fish and wildlife habitat, and funding popular Farm Bill programs will provide these landowners the incentive and opportunity help safeguard these important natural resources.”

American Sportfishing Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Ducks Unlimited, Izaak Walton League of America, Land Trust Alliance, National Wildlife Federation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Quail Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited and The Wildlife Society joined in asking the Appropriations Committees to fully fund vital fish and wildlife habitat conservation programs. The groups expressed their wishes in letters that were sent to committee members on June 3, preceding today’s testimony by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Sec. Vilsack appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to detail President Obama’s proposed budget cuts to conservation programs.

“We are concerned that the levels of funding proposed in the president’s budget will not meet private landowner demand for addressing air, energy, soil, water, and important fish and wildlife habitat issues across the country,” said Jen Mock Schaeffer agriculture conservation policy analyst at AFWA. “The sportsmen’s and conservation community urges the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to maintain the mandatory conservation funding that was prescribed for these programs in the 2008 Farm Bill.”

President Obama’s 2010 budget proposal cut funding to many key USDA conservation programs. For example, the Wetlands Reserve Program, which is the only USDA program solely dedicated to wetlands conservation and has conserved nearly 2 million acres of wetlands since its inception, was cut by more than $26 million. This would eliminate nearly 139,000 acres of wetlands enrolled in the WRP. Learn more about how the president’s proposed budget affects sportsmen.

“A particularly frustrating aspect of cutting conservation spending is that demand from farmers and ranchers far exceeds authorized funding levels,” said Brad Redlin, agricultural program director for the Izaak Walton League of America. “The USDA regularly records backlogged applications at numbers that are double or more of what available funding can meet.”

“Sufficient funding for these programs is vital to conservation of our natural resources that are located on private lands,” said Geoff Mullins, TRCP policy initiatives manager. “Not only do Farm Bill programs benefit fish and wildlife and their habitat, they also provide quality recreational opportunities for hunters, anglers and all who enjoy our natural resources. Sportsmen look to our leaders in both the House and Senate for prompt and decisive action to restore conservation funding and avoid a severe impact on America’s sporting traditions.”

“Private landowners are constantly looking for ways to conserve fish and wildlife habitat on their lands,” added Dan Wrinn, director of public policy at DU. “These programs give these forward-thinking landowners the tools needed to help maintain the vitality of our nation’s ever-shrinking acres of wetlands, grasslands, forests and other fish and wildlife habitat. Hunters and anglers implore our congressional leaders to appropriate the funds needed for landowners to continue their conservation efforts.”

Read the coalition’s letter to Senate Appropriations Committee members urging the support of mandatory funding for USDA conservation programs.

Learn more about the TRCP’s efforts to ensure that the latest Farm Bill addressed conservation programs of great interest to sportsmen.

About:
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing.

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Coalition Urges Congress to Support USDA Conservation Programs

PF Supporter Duayne Madl, 59, of Lake Quivira, Kansas

Pheasants Forever

Lake Quivira, Kans. - Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) announce a $1 million pledge from Duayne Madl, 59, of Lake Quivira, Kansas to PF’s Grassroots Conservation Campaign . A Patron Member of PF and a QF member, Madl made the significant financial commitment because of his strong belief in the wildlife habitat conservation mission of PF/QF.

A lifelong Kansan, Madl grew up on a dairy farm outside of Lawrence. He still remembers shooting his first quail with a single barrel .410 shotgun, and his early adventures in the outdoors grew into a lifelong passion for upland and waterfowl hunting. “As the years have passed, the more I’ve realized bird hunting was my real love,” Madl said. Much of that is attributed to his love of bird dogs. Even his beloved lab Jess has a PF Life Membership as a memorial. “I love to hunt, but if you don’t have the habitat, you don’t have the hunting, and consequently you don’t have places for the dogs to work.”

Having grown up in an agricultural family and a farmer himself, Madl is acutely aware of finding a balance between conservation and agricultural production. “I’ve seen what happens when conservation is thrown out the window,” said Madl, now a Financial Advisor, who specializes in Estate and Succession Planning, “But I’ve also seen what happens when the two exist in harmony.” A few years back, one of Madl’s hunting buddies, David Schaffer, consulted with a PF Farm Bill Biologist about his South Dakota property where the pair hunt. Being there for the consultation, Madl says PF is on the right track with the Farm Bill Biologist program and delivering conservation programs on a one-on-one basis. Madl’s belief in the Farm Bill Biologist program has lead to his involvement in the Kansas Grassroots Conservation Campaign. In fact, Madl currently serves as the Eastern Kansas Co-Chairman of the Kansas Grassroots Conservation Leadership Team.

Madl sees a great deal of potential for the delivery of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s wildlife habitat mission in his home state, which currently boasts 41 PF chapters, eight QF chapters and over 6,100 PF/QF members. Madl is pledging $1 million to PF/QF through the organization’s first-ever national fundraising effort, the Grassroots Conservation Campaign. Madl is also the second Kansan in less than six months to make a significant contribution to PF/QF through the Campaign. At the end of last year, Wallace Weber, 65, of Russell County, Kansas, made the single largest donation in the organization’s history by donating 1,700 acres of land, along with a stewardship fund.

“I’m a lifelong and true Kansan, and I want to see land used the right way,” Madl said, “There are great opportunities for wildlife habitat improvement in this state for pheasants, quail and all other wildlife, and I’m convinced Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever can help capitalize on those opportunities.”

“Duayne Madl’s commitment to the mission of Pheasants Forever is truly remarkable,” said David Bue, PF/QF’s Vice President of Development, “As Duayne and I worked together through the donation process, it became clear

that leaving a legacy through Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever is extremely important to him. At the same time, he’s also serving as a conservation leader in the hope that others will follow.”

To learn more about making a charitable donation to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, please contact PF/QF’s Vice President of Development, David Bue at (218) 340-5519 or via email at dbue@pheasantsforever.org .

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

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Kansan Makes $1 Million Pledge to Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever

Olympia, Wash. – -(AmmoLand.com)-Pheasants Forever  (PF) is pleased with the State of Washington’s decision to increase authority for the dollar amount the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife can spend on pheasant habitat projects via the Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program.

The Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program was created over a decade ago as a dedicated funding source to improve pheasant hunting in eastern Washington and is maintained by a dedicated percentage of small game license fees. As previously stipulated, 80 percent of the funds have been used for releasing pheasants on lands that are open for public access, with the balance of the money available for pheasant enhancement grants to private organizations, individuals, and state or federal agencies. As part of HB 1778, that stipulation has been removed, meaning a higher percentage of the dollars from the account can be spent on habitat projects which hold larger benefits for pheasants and other wildlife, as well as hunters.

Last year, approximately $270,000 was spent in Washington on the release of pheasants from the Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Account, while approximately $32,000 went to habitat.

“That difference is staggering,” said Kraig Paulson, PF Field Representative in Washington, “While we understand the Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program will still release pheasants to provide opportunities for hunters, we’re pleased that going forward, there will be an increased emphasis on the habitat component of the program. Habitat restoration and enhancement should be the chief focus in improving pheasant populations and thus hunting opportunities over the long term.”

HB 1778 also increases spending authority for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife outside of the Pheasant Management Focus Area in southeast Washington (portions of Whitman, Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield counties), allowing for up to $100,000 to go to habitat enhancement in Grant, Franklin and Adams Counties.

“My thanks to the Pheasants Forever chapters in Washington and those who supported these measures,” Paulson added, “Part of creating habitat is giving our natural resources a voice in the halls of the legislature, and we did that this session.”

For more information on PF in Washington, to start a chapter or join one of the state’s existing chapters contact Kraig Paulson at (360)353-8200 or via email at kpaulson@pheasantsforever.org <mailto:kpaulson@pheasantsforever.org> .

Since 1989, Washington’s 12 PF chapters and 1,600 PF members have spent over $1.3 million to complete over 1,400 wildlife habitat projects benefiting over 71,000 Washington acres for pheasants, quail and other wildlife.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.
For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Pheasant Habitat in Washington State Dealt Legislative Win

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- While Pennsylvania’s junior pheasant hunt seems like a long way off, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe noted that now is the time for hunting clubs to make plans to host an organized junior pheasant hunt.

“The future of hunting is directly related to the continuing participation of young Pennsylvanians,” Roe noted. “The goal is to successfully compete with all the other activities and recreational opportunities that vie for a young person’s time. It’s truly a challenge for the Game Commission, as well as Pennsylvania’s one million hunters.

“To maximize this opportunity for younger hunters, and to ensure we pass along the importance of ethics and sound ideals that have shaped our hunting heritage, the Game Commission and Pheasants Forever urge local clubs to consider hosting a junior pheasant hunt in their community.”

Those clubs interested in hosting a junior pheasant hunt are encouraged to use the 26-page planning guide prepared by the Game Commission and the Pennsylvania State Chapter of Pheasants Forever. The booklet offers a step-by-step guide on how to develop an organized junior pheasant hunt. The guide-book includes: a sample timeline; suggested committees and assignments; general event planning considerations; and several sample forms and news releases. It also includes event evaluation guides so clubs and organizations may consider changes for future junior pheasant hunts.

The guide can be viewed on the Game Commission’s website, by clicking on “Hunting” in the left-hand column of the homepage, then selecting the pheasant photo and then choosing “Junior Pheasant Hunt Planning Guide.” Later this year, the agency will update this section to include a listing of locations that the Game Commission plans to release birds for the 2009 junior pheasant hunts, as well as a listing of all the junior pheasant hunts being hosted by local clubs.

To participate in the junior pheasant hunt, youngsters must be 12 to 16 years of age, and must have successfully completed a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course. As required by law, an adult must accompany the young hunters. Participating hunters do not need to purchase a junior hunting license to take part in the youth pheasant hunt, but all participants must wear the mandatory 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on their head, chest and back combined, visible from 360 degrees.

To bolster participation in the junior pheasant hunt, the Game Commission again plans to stock pheasants just prior to this special season. For the 2009 hunt, the agency will release 15,000 birds on lands open to public hunting. These areas will be identified in the 2009-2010 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, as well as in future Game Commission news releases and on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

Additionally, for those clubs who sign up before July 31, the Game Commission will provide, free of charge, a limited number of pheasants from its propagation program to those clubs that host a junior pheasant hunt. The only two stipulations to be eligible for clubs to receive Game Commission birds are that these hunts must have registration open to the public and must be held on lands open to public hunting.

Based on previous surveys, about half of the junior participants successfully bagged game; a male relative had accompanied most of them; the majority of participants were between the ages of 12 and 14; and many of them intend to hunt again. The agency also received many positive comments about the junior hunting opportunity.

The Game Commission has posted a link on its website to a video clip on YouTube promoting pheasant propagation and junior pheasant hunts.

About:
Pheasants Forever is a national non-profit habitat conservation organization with a system of hard-working local chapter volunteers dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasants and other wildlife populations. Pheasants Forever emphasizes habitat improvement, public awareness and education, and land management policies that benefit private landowners and wildlife alike. For more information, visit the organization’s website (www.pheasantsforever.org).

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Planning Guide For Junior Pheasant Hunts

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever announce Jon Lee of Missoula, Montana and Dick Bell of Omaha, Nebraska have been elected as new members to the organization’s National Board of Directors. The 18-member board meets quarterly and oversees the operations of Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF).

Lee served as the president of the Five Valleys Chapter of PF in Missoula from 2003 until earlier this year. He serves as chair of PF’s Montana Grassroots Conservation Campaign leadership team, and he helped develop a Montana PF license plate – coming this July – that will raise funds for PF initiatives in Montana. Before relocating to Montana, Lee was a member of the Anoka County Chapter of Pheasants Forever near the Twin Cities. Serving as banquet chair of the Anoka chapter for six years, he helped the chapter become one of the largest PF chapters in the country (in total members) and earned Minnesota PF’s Dedication Award in 2001. Lee is the president and owner of Lee & Company PC, CPA’s in Missoula and has been a certified public accountant for 19 years.

Bell currently resides in Omaha, but originally hails from Hecla, South Dakota. Pheasant hunting in his native state is a top activity each autumn for this lifelong outdoorsman. Bell is a member of the Heritage Services board in Omaha, which in the past four years raised over $400 million for extraordinary projects in Omaha, including the new College World Series stadium. Bell is the chairman, CEO and president of Henningson, Durham and Richardson (HDR), an international architectural and engineering firm headquartered in Omaha.

“Speaking on behalf of the entire National Board of Directors, we are excited about the passion for conservation and the volunteer spirit these two gentlemen bring to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever,” explained Charlie McLravy, PF/QF’s Chairman of the National Board. All members of the National Board are volunteers offering their expertise, time, and effort on behalf of PF & QF. “During these challenging times, we’ve added two incredibly passionate people who will help us add ideas, dollars, and people toward achieving our habitat mission.”

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org and www.QuailForever.org

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Missoula and Omaha Residents Named to PF’s National Board of Directors

Pheasants Forever

Gillette, Wyo. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Hunters and conservationists from Campbell County, Wyoming have formed the state’s newest Pheasants Forever  (PF) chapter, known as the Thunder Basin Chapter of PF. The chapter is dedicated to improving habitat for pheasants and other wildlife, as well as providing ways for youth to become involved in outdoor activities.

“One of our tops goals is bringing children to the outdoors through education and participation,” said Paul Connelly of Gillette, the Thunder Basin chapter’s newly-elected president, “By holding youth outdoor days, working with local schools and also partnering with other organizations in conservation efforts, we feel we can enhance Pheasants Forever’s No Child Left Indoors initiative Launched last year, No Child Left Indoors is part of a national movement aimed at getting youth unplugged from electronics and turned on to the outdoors, nature and wildlife.”

“With over 45 people at the chapter’s start meeting alone, it’s evident there’s a spirit for conservation in Campbell County,” said Bob Hix, PF Field Representative in Wyoming, “With Pheasants Forever’s local model, there’s a tremendous opportunity to better wildlife habitat for pheasants, but also sage grouse, chukars, antelope and mule deer.” Pheasants Forever and its quail division, Quail Forever (QF), are the only national conservation organizations that empower local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.”

Hix also sees the chapter continuing PF’s strong support of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s Access Yes program, which provides public hunting opportunities on private lands. On average, every dollar donated to the Access Yes program results in about 4.2 acres of hunting access. Wyoming’s PF chapters have donated a total of $39,100 to the program, which translates into over 164,000 acres that PF dollars have helped open up for public access in the state.

The Thunder Basin Chapter of PF has also elected Adam Mathes of Gillette as vice president, Michelle Smith of Gillette as secretary, Greg Smith of Gillette as habitat chair, James Smith of Gillette as youth/education chair and Jaci Mathes of Gillette as treasurer. The chapter will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, May 27th at 7 PM. For more information about the chapter and its upcoming meetings and events, contact Paul Connelly at (810) 614-1672 or via email at crazie4gsp@yahoo.com  .

Wyoming is home to six PF chapters and over 1,000 PF members. Those chapters have historically spent $675,000 to improve Wyoming wildlife habitat, completing 600 habitat projects benefiting over 13,000 acres for wildlife. For more information about Pheasants Forever in Wyoming, to start or join an existing chapter, contact Bob Hix, PF Field Representative in Wyoming at (303) 743-8957 or via email at BHix@pheasantsforever.org  .

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Campbell County WY Conservationists Form New Pheasants Forever Chapter