2010 Conservation Reserve Program General Sign Up Starts Today

Pheasants Forever

Aurora, Colo. --(Ammoland.com)- CRP sign-up 39 is the first general signup opportunity since 2006. Consider offering acres for enrollment today, as the sign-up period closes on Friday, August 27th.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up 39. CRP acres provide the top nationwide habitat component in producing quail, while providing a host of soil, water quality and environmental benefits.
What:

During the sign-up period, farmers and ranchers may offer eligible land for CRP’s competitive general sign-up at their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. It is recommended that you contact your local FSA Service Center to schedule an appointment.

When:
Monday, August 2nd through Friday, August 27th.
Where:

• To find your local USDA/FSA service center CLICK HERE
• Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Farm Bill Biologists are prepared to work with landowners through the entire sign-up period. To find the Farm Bill Biologist in your area, CLICK HERE

Helpful Links

• FSA’s General Sign-Up 39 Important Things to Know
• CRP Nationwide & State by State Statistics
• PF/QF Pollinator Habitat Guide

Your Thoughts
Share your CRP general sign-up experience or opinion by emailing Quail Forever at press@quailforever.org.

Media

• For CRP sign-up Public Service Announcements, CLICK HERE
• For inquiries, contact:
  Anthony Hauck
  Public Relations Specialist
  (651) 209-4972 ♦ ahauck@quailforever.org

Quail Forever

San Antonio, Tex. – -(Ammoland.com)- Dedicated quail hunters and conservationists have formed the fifth Quail Forever chapter in Texas.

Known as the San Antonio Area Quail Forever Chapter, the Bexar County group launched to improve area quail habitat and engage youngsters in conservation education.

“As an avid outdoorsman and quail hunter, I feel the need to continue the efforts to keep quail habitat thriving in our county,” explained Richard Kattman, a Boerne, Texas resident, and the San Antonio Area Quail Forever chapter’s first president.

“A critical step in doing this is bringing the next generation into the picture. Conservation success is dependent on youth finding interest in our environment.”

Like only its Pheasants Forever counterpart, Quail Forever provides its local chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent. This local control gives chapters and members the ability to make things happen for wildlife in their communities, while belonging to a national organization advocating for wildlife and conservation in policy discussions in Washington, D.C.

“We have a lot of folks happy with what the Quail Forever approach to conservation,” said Kattman, “Knowing that all the proceeds will remain under the direction of this chapter has people pleased that their contributions will directly affect their area.”

“San Antonio Area Quail Forever is made up of a group of friends that is dedicated to quail, conservation and educating the next era of hunters,” explained Jordan Martincich, Quail Forever’s Regional Representative in Texas. “These are the required ingredients for a recipe of quail conservation success.”

San Antonio Area Quail Forever

• The San Antonio Area Quail Forever Chapter has also elected Brian McBrearty of San Antonio as treasurer; Wyatt Stevenson of San Antonio as banquet chair; Dean Jessop of San Antonio as habitat chair and Mike Fry of San Antonio as youth/education chair.
• The chapter plans to hold its first banquet in March 2011.
• For more information about meetings and banquets, contact Richard Kattman at (210) 865-0634 or via email rkattmann@hces.net.

For information about Quail Forever in Texas, please contact regional representative Jordan Martincich at (785) 242-3175 or jmartincich@quailforever.org.

Quail Forever is dedicated to the conservation of quail, pheasants and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.

Quail Forever

Nashville, Tenn. –-(Ammoland.com)- Volunteer quail conservationists are alive and well in Tennessee, as evidenced by the formation of two new Quail Forever chapters. The Nashville area is home to the Music City Quail Forever Chapter, while Shelby County calls the Mid-South Quail Forever Chapter its own.

A nationally recognized name in wildlife habitat conservation, Quail Forever builds a connection in local areas because of its grassroots approach. Like only its Pheasants Forever counterpart, Quail Forever provides local Quail Forever chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent. This local control gives chapters, including the new Tennessee chapters, the ability to make things happen for wildlife in their communities, while belonging to a national organization advocating for wildlife and conservation in policy discussions in Washington, D.C.

Music City Quail Forever
Nearly 40 Nashville area conservationists, many with 20+ years of involvement with quail restoration and wildlife habitat improvement projects and hunter education, banded together to form Music City Quail Forever. The chapter figures to soon have more than 100 members, and has committed to holding five events in its first year of operation, including a youth hunt, sporting clay shoot, bird dog field trial, fish fry and a dove hunt – all in addition to the chapter’s annual fundraising banquet, for which the date has yet to be determined.

• Music City Quail Forever chapter leaders include Don Purdy, president, from Nashville; Bob Qualman, treasurer, from Nashville; Butch Bice, banquet chair, from Nashville; and Herbert Sanderlin, youth/education chair, from Gallatin.
• The chapter’s next meeting will take place on Thursday, June 10, at 6:30 PM at the Ellington Agriculture Center’s Regions II building in Nashville.
• For more information on Music City Quail Forever, contact Don Purdy at (615) 415-2035 or via email at don.purdy@belmont.edu.

Mid-South Quail Forever
Shelby County’s Quail Forever chapter is led by chapter president Walker Morris, Jr. His dedication to quail conservation is evidenced by his 250-acre farm on which he works to improve bobwhite quail habitat. ” I’ve been chasing the little birds for 56 years, ever since I shot my first at age 11 with a single barrel .410 shotgun.” Morris said, “All my forefathers were avid about quail, and it’s a tradition I’ve always strived to carry on.”
Mid-South Quail Forever chapter leaders include John “Jurey” Howard, treasurer, from Memphis; John Campbell, co-banquet chair, from Germantown; and Terry Baskin, co-banquet chair, from Millington.

The chapter will meet the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Collierville Animal Clinic, with the next meeting on Tuesday, June 15th.

• Mid-South Quail Forever will host a sporting clays event on Saturday, September 25th beginning at 9AM at “The Willows” in Tunica, Mississippi (Harrah’s Casino).
• For more information about Mid-South Quail Forever, contact Walker Morris at (901) 218-3542 and morrishome2@bellsouth.net.
• For more information about Quail Forever in Tennessee, contact Tim Caughran, Quail Forever Regional Wildlife Biologist, at 618-791-3909 and TCaughran@quailforever.org.

About:
Quail Forever is the quail division of Pheasants Forever. Quail Forever is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of quail, pheasant and other upland wildlife through habitat improvement, public awareness, education and advocacy for sound land management policy. For additional information please visit www.QuailForever.org

Quail Forever

Bowling Green, Ky. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Hunters and conservationists in and around Bowling Green have formed the Bluegrass State’s newest Quail Forever chapter. Known as the Southern Kentucky Quail Forever chapter, the Barren County group is the 10th Quail Forever chapter dedicated to quail conservation in Kentucky.

Kentucky also becomes the fourth state with 10 or more Quail Forever chapters, following Illinois and Missouri (18 each) and Kansas (11). As a Quail Forever chapter, the Southern Kentucky Quail Forever group will utilize Quail Forever’s local approach to wildlife habitat conservation.

Unlike other national conservation organizations, Quail Forever gives local Quail Forever chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent. This local control gives chapters and members the ability to make things happen for wildlife in their communities, while belonging to a national organization that gives wildlife and conservation a voice in Washington, D.C.

“We currently have around 40 members in the beginning stages of our chapter and hope to have about 100 by midsummer,” said Brain Melloan, president of Southern Kentucky Quail Forever.

“Residents have embraced our new chapter with much enthusiasm, and are looking forward to being a part of a very active group. We have high expectations for this chapter and a tremendous amount of drive, two crucial aspects for accomplishing our mission of wildlife habitat conservation.”

In their effort to restore habitat and bobwhite quail numbers to the state, the Southern Kentucky Quail Forever chapter also recognizes the importance of youth membership for achieving such unique goals.

“We plan on growing our youth base exponentially and doing things to keep them interested in our chapter,” added Melloan. “Youth membership is important to the future of conservation and we would like to do our part for the state of Kentucky by including youth members in our chapter.”

Kentucky Bob Whites

Southern Kentucky Quail Forever
Southern Kentucky Quail Forever chapter leaders include Mike Steenbergen, treasurer, from Scottsville; Donald Depp, youth/education chair, from Glasgow; John Sawyers, habitat chair, also from Scottsville and Joe McDonald, banquet chair, from Horse Cave.

The chapter meets the first Monday of every month at Split Tree Bar-B-Q just outside of Bowling Green. The public and media are invited to attend.

For more information about the Southern Kentucky chapter of Quail Forever, contact chapter president Brian Melloan at (270) 282-5102 or chapter treasurer Mike Steenbergen at (270) 535-9829.

For more information on Quail Forever in Kentucky, contact Tim Caughran, Quail Forever

Regional Wildlife Biologist, at (618) 467-2586 and/or tcaughran@quailforever.org.

Quail Forever is the quail division of Pheasants Forever. Quail Forever is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of quail, pheasant and other upland wildlife through habitat improvement, public awareness, education and advocacy for sound land management policy. For additional information please visit www.QuailForever.org

Quail Forever

Hiawatha, Kan. --(AmmoLand.com)- Brown County in northeast Kansas is home to the nation’s newest Quail Forever chapter and the 10th in the state. Bobwhite quail conservationists and hunters formed Brown County Quail Forever to lead a local charge to reestablish quail habitat in the region.

As a Quail Forever chapter, the Brown County group will utilize Quail Forever’s local approach to wildlife habitat conservation. Unlike other national conservation organizations, Quail Forever gives local Quail Forever chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent. This local control gives chapters and members the ability to make things happen for wildlife in their communities, while belonging to a national organization that gives wildlife and conservation a voice in Washington, D.C.

Quail conservation isn’t a new idea to members of Brown County Quail Forever. “Some of the members in our new chapter have over 28 years of experience with quail management projects,” said Bill Vonderschmidt, president of the Brown County group. “Our dedication to wildlife habitat will hopefully restore bobwhite quail populations to our region, as well as provide benefits for many other wildlife species.”

Not only is Brown County Quail Forever involved with habitat conservation, but they also strive to provide the community with ample chapter support and outdoor opportunities for the younger generation. “On the 21st of August, we’ll host a youth hunt for boys and girls between the ages of 11-16 to provide a great opportunity to introduce kids to the outdoors,” said Vonderschmidt, “We’ll also provide two scholarships for high school students as a way to support our hunting communities throughout the region.”

Brown County Quail Forever Chapter
· Larry Weast of Hiawatha has been named the chapter’s youth/education chair and Randy Fee of Hiawatha has been named the chapter’s treasurer.
· The chapter’s first annual banquet fundraiser is scheduled for November 12, 2010, at the Fisher Center in Hiawatha, Kansas, starting at 6 PM. Contact chapter for tickets and details.
· The next chapter meeting will be held April 6th at 7 PM at the Gas Service Center in Hiawatha.
· To join Brown County Quail Forever and for more information about the chapter, contact Bill Vonderschmidt at 785.224.0816 and wvonderschmidt@gmail.com.

Kansas is home to 10 Quail Forever chapters, 41 Pheasants Forever chapters and 6,000 members of “The Habitat Organization.” For more information about Quail Forever in Kansas, contact Jordan Martincich, Quail Forever Regional Field Representative, at 785.242.3175 and jmartincich@quailforever.org.

Quail Forever is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of quail, pheasant and other upland wildlife through habitat improvement, public awareness, education and advocacy for sound land management policy.
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For additional information please visit www.QuailForever.org

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have honored three local chapters for their efforts to introduce youth to the outdoors and create the next generation of hunters and conservationists.

Recipients of the third annual No Child Left Indoors® National Awards include the Mahaska County (Iowa) Pheasants Forever chapter, the Illinois Pioneer Pheasants Forever chapter and the Great River Area (Illinois/Iowa) Quail Forever chapter.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s No Child Left Indoors initiative is the organization’s national effort to engage youngsters in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and camping. The No Child Left Indoors® National Awards recognize chapters for their youth habitat projects, youth and family community events and youth outdoor education programs.

“These chapters have shown the ultimate commitment to promoting youth activities and getting kids involved in the outdoors,” said Cheryl Riley, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Vice President of Education and Outreach.

Great River Area Quail Forever Chapter
This chapter does youth work on both sides of the Mississippi River – in Illinois and Iowa. From presentations to high school kids, an FFA banquet, hunter safety programs and youth fishing tournaments, Great River Area Quail Forever chapter members engaged youth and talked about habitat and the needs of quail. The chapter also held its first mentored youth hunt last September.

Mahaska County Pheasants Forever Chapter
Each spring, the Mahaska County Pheasants Forever chapter sponsors an outdoor day that includes every 5th grade student in the county, 350-plus students. In the fall, the chapter hosts a field day which over 200 youth attend and everyone goes home with a Pheasants Forever Ringnecks (youth) membership. The chapter also sponsors an Iowa Youth Hunter Education Challenge Team as well as a scholastic shooting team that had 60 participants this past year. Last year, chapter expenditures on youth programs topped $16,000.

The Mahaska County Pheasants Forever chapter’s youth coordinator is Mahaska High School student Brooks VanDerBeek. Brooks’ dad, Jeff, is president of the chapter. Brooks serves on Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s National Youth Leadership Council and recently helped form the first-ever high school student Pheasants Forever chapter in the country, the Oskaloosa Pioneering Ringnecks. Brooks’ efforts have earned him the Izaak Walton Iowa Youth Conservationist of the Year award, and he was named a “Hero of Conservation” in the current issue of Field and Stream magazine.

Illinois Pioneer Pheasants Forever Chapter
The Illinois Pioneer Pheasants Forever chapter held 11 events in 2009 as part of its “Young Guns” program, involving members, women, FFA, scouts and families in trap and skeet shoots, a fishing derby, a hunter safety course, a rifle shoot and a youth mentor hunt. In 2009, the Illinois Pioneer chapter spent approximately $31,000 on youth programs. There are 290 youth members in “Young Guns” and this year they will be working on an 80-acre habitat restoration project. The chapter credits the “Young Guns” program in making its annual fundraising banquet last spring the largest in its 25-year history. Original “Young Guns” Ben Magers and Kirstin Blackford helped create and serve on the newly formed Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever State Youth Leadership Council, and each was recognized as a 2009 Environmental Hero by the Illinois Governor.

For more about Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s No Child Left Indoors® initiative, contact Cheryl Riley at criley@pheasantsforever.org and 651.209.4975.

Pheasants Forever and its quail division, Quail Forever, is a non-profit conservation organization is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. Pheasants Forever has more than 120,000 members in 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada.

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

Pheasants Forever

Des Moines, Iowa - -(AmmoLand.com)- Today at Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced plans for a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup.

Secretary Vilsack also announced increased acreage allotments for three CRP practices significant to wildlife, and then signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pheasants Forever.

The new general CRP signup slated for later this year will be the first general signup since 2006. It arrives in time to address the 4.4 million acres of CRP expiring on September 30, 2010. An additional 14.2 million acres of CRP are slated to expire between 2011 and 2013.

“Last week at a Pheasants Forever event is southern Minnesota, Secretary Vilsack indicated his intent to keep CRP at, or nearly fully enrolled at, the program’s authorized level of 32 million acres. Today the Secretary outlined just how he intends to accomplish that by utilizing both a general signup and increased allocations for continuous CRP practices targeted at benefitting pheasants, quail, and waterfowl,” reported Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s Vice President of Government Affairs. “Considering the severity of this winter and sizeable number of acres set to expire from CRP this year, the Secretary’s announcement is very welcome news for wildlife and hunters. USDA’s actions today will benefit birds tomorrow with newly allocated CP-33’s, 37’s, and 38’s (SAFE) being available on March 15, 2010.”

During his keynote address in front of 800 attendees, Secretary Vilsack outlined the new acreage caps for three critical CRP practices at or approaching current limits.

• Conservation Practice 33: Known as the “Upland Bird Habitat Buffers” or “Bobwhite Buffers” practice, more than 219,000 of the 250,000 acres allocated in the program have been enrolled nationwide. The newly announced 100,000 acres will be distributed among Midwest and Southern states
• Conservation Practice 37: This “Duck Nesting Habitat Initiative” practice has 87,000 acres currently enrolled in the Prairie Pothole Region states of Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Today’s newly announced 50,000 acres includes 25,000 acres for North Dakota, and an additional 15,000 acres for South Dakota.
• Conservation Practice 38: Also known as the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement program (SAFE), this conservation practice focuses on environmentally sensitive land, as well as species that have suffered significant population declines and/or are considered to be socially or economically valuable. This is the newest CRP practice, but states like Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota were already maxed out or were quickly approaching their acreage caps. An additional 150,000 SAFE acres have been allocated benefitting a wide array of species. States and target species include North Dakota pheasants, South Dakota grassland birds, Idaho Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, Minnesota pheasants, Mississippi bobwhite quail, Nebraska upland habitats, Iowa pheasants and upland birds, Illinois pheasants and upland habitat, and Georgia bobwhite quail. Currently, more than 253,000 acres are enrolled in 34 states.

“When President Obama took office, we asked his Administration for a new general CRP signup, new SAFE acres, and new CP 33 acres for quail,” explained Nomsen. “Today, Secretary Vilsack and President Obama delivered us these critical tools needed to put habitat back on the ground, birds in the air, and hunters in the field.”

Secretary Vilsack also signed a first ever MOU between the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Pheasants Forever. The MOU establishes the framework for the three groups to work together in partnership toward common goals; specifically the implementation of Farm Bill conservation programs. The MOU facilitates the free flow of information among the groups and provides a foundation for Pheasants Forever to deliver conservation technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and landowners.

The MOU will allow Pheasants Forever to facilitate expansion of its current Farm Bill Biologist program, which has proven an effective method for assisting landowners in implementing conservation practices on their property. Pheasants Forever, along with other state wildlife partners, currently employ 50 Farm Bill and Partner Biologists in eight states. To date, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and consulted 30,000 landowners, resulting in the improvement of 1.3 million acres of land for wildlife.

National Pheasant Fest 2010 wraps up on Sunday, February 28th with show hours of 10AM to 5PM. Tickets are available at the Iowa Events Center.

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

Quail Forever

Knoxville, Tenn. – Tennessee is home to a new pair of Quail Forever chapters. Quail enthusiasts in Knox County formed Smoky Mountain Quail Forever, while Maury County quail hunters and conservationists formed Duck River Quail Forever.

Both groups set out with the common goal of improving habitat for a Tennessee species in great need, the bobwhite quail.

As Quail Forever chapters, the Smoky Mountain and Duck River groups will utilize Quail Forever’s local approach to wildlife habitat conservation.

Unlike other national conservation organizations, Quail Forever gives local Quail Forever chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent. This local control gives chapters and members the ability to make things happen for wildlife in their communities, while belonging to a national organization that gives wildlife and conservation a voice in Washington, D.C.

“Bobwhite quail populations won’t rebound by themselves. It takes people who care about quail, care about rolling up their sleeves and doing the necessary habitat work, and care about showing younger generations there is excitement beyond a box and a plug-in,” said Tim Caughran, regional wildlife biologist for Quail Forever in Tennessee. “I’m proud to say such quail folk call Knox and Maury Counties home.”

Smoky Mountain Quail Forever
This Knox County group already calls some serious quail conservationists members, and according to the chapter’s president, Mike Cable of Knoxville, will be digging into its first wildlife habitat projects this March.

• Chapter leaders include Joseph Justice, treasurer, from Knoxville; Jim Horton, youth/education chair, from Maryville; and Greg McDaniel, habitat chair, also from Maryville.
• For more information or to become a member of the Smoky Mountain Quail Forever chapter, contact Mike Cable at 865-809-4588 or via email at 428scj@charter.net.

Duck River Quail Forever
Working alongside one of the most biologically diverse river systems in North America, the Duck River Quail Forever chapter is optimistic about increasing quail populations and augmenting the work of state and federal wildlife agencies.

“We would like to work with wildlife professionals in the areas surrounding Duck River to improve upland habitat for quail and other wildlife,” said Bob Tarter, treasurer of the Duck River chapter. “We are fortunate to be located in such a naturally diverse area, and we think this will bode well for quail in the years to come.”

• For more information or to become a member of the Duck River Quail Forever chapter, contact Bob Tarter at 901-212-1453 or via email at Bob@nhecm.com.

Quail Forever is the quail division of Pheasants Forever. Tennessee is home seven Quail Forever chapters. For more information about Quail Forever in Tennessee, contact Tim Caughran at 618-467-2586 and tcaughran@quailforever.org.

Quail Forever

Roodhouse, Ill. – -(Ammoland.com)-  Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts in Greene County, Illinois, have formed the state’s newest Quail Forever chapter. Known as West Central Illinois Quail Forever, new chapter members are excited about conserving and creating bobwhite quail habitat in the region.

As a Quail Forever chapter, the West Central Illinois Quail Forever group will utilize Quail Forever’s local approach to wildlife habitat conservation. Unlike other national conservation organizations, Quail Forever gives local Quail Forever chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent.

This local control gives chapters and members the ability to make things happen for habitat in their communities, while belonging to a national organization that gives wildlife and conservation a voice in Washington, D.C.

As a new addition to the Quail Forever organization, chapter leaders are proud to bring years of conservation experience to the Greene County area. With this amount of expertise available to local landowners, chapter president Andy Carroll is hopeful to see habitat improvements within a short time.

“We have the knowledge and tools necessary to help area residents with their quail habitat projects,” said Carroll, “Our chapter would be happy to assist any landowner with his or her wildlife habitat management goals. If community members would like to establish quail food or cover plots on their property, our chapter would be more than willing to offer assistance through seed purchase orders and habitat maintenance crews,” Carroll continued. “We are dedicated conservationists who thoroughly enjoy working for the betterment of the environment, and this a great way to show that commitment.”

West Central Illinois Quail Forever
· Dixie Garner of Roodhouse has been named the chapter’s treasurer.
· The chapter’s first annual banquet fundraiser is scheduled for the last weekend of August at Garner’s Archery in Roodhouse. More details TBA.
· To join West Central Illinois Quail Forever, or for more information about the chapter, contact Andy Carroll at (217) 248-9863 or by email at bcarrollrn@hotmail.com.

Quail Forever is the quail division of Pheasants Forever. Illinois is home to 17 Quail Forever chapters, 43 Pheasants Forever chapters and 9,000 members of “The Habitat Organization.” For more information about Quail Forever in Illinois, contact Tim Caughran, Quail Forever regional wildlife biologist, at (618) 791-3909 / TCaughran@quailforever.org

For additional information please visit www.QuailForever.org

Pheasants Forever

Des Moines, Iowa –-(AmmoLand.com)- Ever wish your bird dog could be on the cover of the Pheasants Forever Journal? For the first time ever, Pheasants Forever is opening up the coveted space, to be auctioned off at the National Pheasant Fest 2010 Banquet on Saturday, February 27th in Des Moines.

National Pheasant Fest is February 26-28 at the Iowa Events Center.

Tickets still remain for the National Pheasant Fest Banquet, which will be the largest event in Pheasants Forever’s 28-year history, but they are going fast!

An unprecedented live auction features the opportunity to purchase the rights to have your hunting buddy professionally photographed for the cover of one issue of the Pheasants Forever Journal, the organization’s signature publication that’s received by more than 100,000 Pheasants Forever members five times annually.

Quail enthusiasts, take note, as the same goes for Pheasants Forever’s quail division, Quail Forever, and your bird dog on the cover of the Quail Forever Journal!

Staying on point with the bird dogs, Iowa’s own Top Gun Kennels has donated a German Shorthaired Pointer to the live auction for the banquet.

To come from an upcoming litter (male or female), the $5,000-valued pup will be completely trained for the hunting enthusiast:

• All commands of here, heal, sit, whoa, and kennel completed.
• E-collar conditioned to commands and beeper collar completed.
• Retrieve training to hand completed on land and water.
• Hold point and steady to wing and shot.
• Honor another pointing dog’s work.

Combined with a year’s supply of Native performance dog food and a 3-day, 4-night hunting trip for 4 to the Highland Hideaway near Riverside, Iowa, this dog/dog food/hunting package is unbeatable.

Other live-auction items include South Dakota guided pheasant hunts, an Argentine dove hunt, a Maine coast getaway, firearms, custom-built furniture by Iowa craftsmen/artists more.

To see the entire auction lineup, visit www.IowaPF.org. To reserve your space for Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest Banquet, CLICK HERE.

Attend National Pheasant Fest 2010
The Country’s Largest Event for Upland Hunters, Sport Dog Owners and Wildlife Habitat Conservationists, combining a national outdoor tradeshow, wildlife habitat seminar series, and family event complete with puppies, tractors, shotguns, and art.

Adults – $10 Daily * Ages 6-16 – $5 Daily * Ages 5 and Under – FREE
Weekend Special – $30 (Includes annual Pheasants Forever membership & hat, over $80 value) www.PheasantFest.org

Quail Forever

Morgan, Ala. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Bobwhite quail enthusiasts in Alabama have formed the nation’s newest Quail Forever chapter. Named North Alabama Quail Forever, more than 20 hunters and conservationists created the Morgan County-based group to become an active force in reestablishing quail habitat in the region.

As a Quail Forever chapter, the North Alabama group will utilize Quail Forever’s local approach to wildlife habitat conservation. Unlike other national conservation organizations, Quail Forever gives local Quail Forever chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent. This local control gives chapters and members the ability to make things happen for wildlife in their communities, while belonging to a national organization that gives wildlife and conservation a voice in Washington, D.C.

Already, the chapter has taken the initiative of contacting local wildlife management authorities to inquire about assisting with quail habitat projects. The Bankhead National Forest has 11,000 acres slated for quail restoration work as part of its Quail Initiative Program, and the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge has 1,200 acres in a quail habitat restoration program.

“With adequate support from our chapter, state programs and local wildlife officials, we can set the foundation needed to reestablish quail in Alabama,” said Kevin Terry, president of North Alabama Quail Forever.

Although the North Alabama Quail Forever chapter is primarily focused on establishing quail populations, the habitat projects stand to benefit many other species of wildlife. Those who are interested in the environment are encouraged to join the chapter.

“We have an ‘all inclusive’ focus in terms of our members,” said Terry. “Several of our members do not hunt, but know and understand that improved habitat is advantageous for many species. Our chapter is common ground to join together conservationists from all walks of life.”

As it sustains quail habitat, North Alabama Quail Forever looks to sustain quail conservationists. “Regardless of the progress, it is only sustainable with future Quail Forever members. We have several active youth members and plan to engage them in our chapter projects; this is an integral part of our mission.”

North Alabama Quail Forever

• Chapter leaders are Kelly Meeks, treasurer, from Decatur; and Jeff Selby, habitat chair, also from Decatur.
• Chapter planning benefit clays shoot for disabled vets and physically challenged youth, as well as first annual fundraising banquet – both to be held this spring.
• The chapter’s next meeting will be Tuesday, March 2, more info TBA.
• For more information about North Alabama Quail Forever, upcoming events and to become a member, contact Kevin Terry at 256-303-2229 and kevin_terry@bellsouth.net.

Quail Forever is the quail division of Pheasants Forever. Alabama is home to six Quail Forever chapters. For more information on Quail Forever in the state, contact Elsa Gallagher, Quail Forever regional wildlife biologist, at 660-277-DOGS and egallagher@quailforever.org.

For additional information please visit www.QuailForever.org

Quail Forever

Hesperia, Calif. –-(AmmoLand.com)- The first-ever Quail Forever chapter in California has formed in San Bernardino County. Known as the High Desert Quail Forever chapter, the group is a compilation of hunters and conservationists who want to improve habitat for California quail and other arid desert wildlife.

As a Quail Forever chapter, the High Desert group will utilize Quail Forever’s local approach to wildlife habitat conservation. Unlike other national conservation organizations, Quail Forever gives local Quail Forever chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent.

This local control gives chapters and members the ability to make things happen for habitat in their communities, while belonging to a national organization that gives wildlife and conservation a voice in Washington, D.C.

“With support from area residents, we have a great chance to create wildlife oases in southern California,” said Cruz Garcia, a Hesperia resident and president of High Desert Quail Forever. “Our efforts will be focused on the building and repair of water guzzlers and natural springs which support wildlife in the arid regions of California. Not only does the water provide a valuable drinking source for wildlife, but it’s necessary to create vegetation needed by quail broods to survive.”

Many High Desert Quail Forever members have experience volunteering for conservation organizations, and have worked closely in the past with the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the California Department of Fish and Game to establish habitat improvements within the Mojave National Preserve, Victor Valley and numerous other public areas. “Quail Forever is extremely happy to have the High Desert chapter as part of our organization, and the first ever chapter in California,” said Ryan Storm, Quail Forever regional representative for the state. “The conservation-minded personalities of the new chapter leaders sets a great example, and we’re hoping other conservationists in the state will follow their lead.”

High Desert Quail Forever

• Chapter leaders include Phil Garro, treasurer/secretary, from Helendale; Dave Smith, vice president, from Hesperia; and John Shaver, habitat chair, also from Hesperia.
• The High Desert Chapter will be holding a Snake Avoidance Clinic near the end of February as a fundraising event to raise money for wildlife habitat projects. At the clinic, owners will experience a live demonstration on how sporting dogs learn to avoid being bitten by rattlesnakes, a far-too-common occurrence in the desert regions of California. After the demonstration, participants may use their own pets and teach them how to avoid potentially fatal snake bites.
• For more information about the Snake Avoidance Clinic, becoming a member of the High Desert Chapter or volunteering for habitat improvement projects, contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or Dave Smith at 760-947-6947. Visit the chapter website at www.HighDesertQuailForever.org.

Quail Forever is the quail division of Pheasants Forever. California is home to seven Pheasants Forever chapters. For more information about the organization in California, contact Ryan Storm at 618-351-1234 and RStorm@quailforever.org

For additional information please visit www.QuailForever.org

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

East Peoria, Ill. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever recognized chapters and individuals from across the state for their wildlife habitat conservation efforts at its recent state convention.

The Vermilion County Pheasants Forever chapter was named the Illinois Pheasants Forever Chapter of the Year, and Gary Laurent of Donnellson was named the organization’s Volunteer of the Year.

Illinois Pheasants Forever Chapter Awards

The Vermilion County Pheasants Forever chapter was recognized as the Illinois Pheasants Forever Chapter of the Year. The chapter worked with many local partners and donors to complete a 108-acre land acquisition in 2009, which is open to public hunting and outdoor recreation.

Other Illinois Pheasants Forever Chapter Awards include:

• “Banquet of the Year” – Pioneer County Pheasants Forever
• “Conservation Excellence – $100K Spending on Habitat” – Kendall County Pheasants Forever, Woodford County Pheasants Forever, Piatt County Pheasants Forever
• “Conservation Excellence – $250K Spending on Habitat” – DeKalb County Pheasants Forever

Illinois Pheasants Forever Overall Awards

Gary Laurent, who volunteers as the habitat chairperson with four local chapters (Montgomery County Pheasants Forever, Little Bluestem Quail Forever, Illinois Pioneer Quail Forever and Southern Illinois Claybird Quail Forever) and serves as the vice president of the Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever State Council, has been named the 2009 Illinois Pheasants Forever Volunteer of the Year.

• “Dedication Award” – Chuck Eiben, LaSalle County Pheasants Forever; and Scott Hopkins, Dewitt County Pheasants Forever.
• “Wildlife Professional of the Year” – Marc Miller, Director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
• “Brood Booster Award” – Bruce Stikkers- Champaign Soil and Water Conservation District Resource Conservationist
• Long Spur Society Inductees – Honored for decade or more of significant volunteer service were Bill Bryan and Larry Schaefer from McLean County Pheasants Forever; Scott Hopkins from Dewitt County Pheasants Forever; Steve Tondi from Rock Island / Henry Pheasants Forever; and Russ Lusador from the Edgar County Pheasants Forever chapter.

Find Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever online at www.IllinoisPF.org. For more information about Pheasants Forever, contact Matt Bradshaw, Pheasants Forever regional field representative, at 217.386.4324 and mbradshaw@pheasantsforever.org; and for Quail Forever, contact Tim Caughran, Quail Forever regional wildlife biologist, at 618.467.2586 or via email at tcaughran@quailforever.org.

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Salina, Kan - -(AmmoLand.com)- Kansas Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever will hold its 2010 State Habitat Meeting on Saturday, February 6th at the Ramada Inn in Salina, Kansas.

The event is filled with seminars covering land management, bird dogs and upland hunting.

The meeting will conclude with the Kansas Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever State Banquet at 6:30PM.

The Kansas Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever 2010 State Habitat Meeting will offer seminars throughout the day, including:

• Conservation Reserve Program Maintenance and Management
• Natural Resources Conservation Service Landowner Help Desk
• Hunting Dog Health and Care
• Estate Planning Help Desk
• Hunting Tips & Wild Game Cooking

“Upland hunting continues to grow in Kansas, and that can be attributed to the work Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever do,” said Jordan Martincich, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever regional representative in eastern Kansas.”We have an excellent arrangement of seminars at this year’s banquet and we encourage anyone interested to come and see what it means to be a part of this organization. It’s a great chance to meet fellow conservationists and to also become part of something which will preserve wildlife habitat in the state of Kansas for many years to come.”

“The Habitat Organization’s” 2009 Kansas Wildlife Habitat Work

The 42 Pheasants Forever chapters, 9 Quail Forever chapters and 5,300 members of “The Habitat Organization” totaled over 500 wildlife habitat projects in 2009, benefitting pheasants, quail and other wildlife on 31,700-plus acres.

For more information about Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Kansas, including the 2010 Kansas State Habitat Meeting, contact one the organization’s regional representatives: Devon Walter in western Kansas at (785) 524-4033 / dwalter@pheasantsforever.org and Jordan Martincich in eastern Kansas at (785) 242-3175 / jmartincich@pheasantsforever.org.

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

Central Illinois Bobwhites Chapter of Quail Forever holding inaugural banquet on Sat., March 6

Quail Forever

Sherman, Ill. – January 6, 2010 – Quail hunters and conservationists in central Illinois have formed the state’s newest Quail Forever chapter. Known as the Central Illinois Bobwhites Chapter of Quail Forever, the chapter will focus on quail habitat restoration efforts in Menard and Sangamon Counties.

According to Lee Scott, an avid hunter from Athens, Illinois, and the chapter’s president, the Central Illinois Bobwhites chapter is a necessary tool for quail conservation in the area. “Habitat is the key to quail conservation,” Scott said, “By working with area farmers to implement financially sound conservation practices on their land, we can make an immediate impact on quail in central Illinois. Not only do these conservation efforts benefit bird hunters, but the natural resource improvements help the entire community.”

Helping the Central Illinois Bobwhites Chapter of Quail Forever make its local impact will be Quail Forever’s unique local model. Founded by Pheasants Forever in 2005 to address the nation’s quail population decline, Quail Forever applies the successful Pheasants Forever model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, the organization’s 125,000 members and more than 700 chapters see the fruits of their conservation efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a broader voice on federal conservation policy in Washington, D.C.

“There is a long tradition of quail hunting in Illinois and these folks in the new Central Illinois Bobwhites chapter are dedicated to making sure that tradition continues,” reported Tim Caughran, Quail Forever Regional Wildlife Biologist in Illinois. “Habitat is the key to bringing back the area’s quail populations and this chapter is ready to get to work on habitat projects with local farmers and landowners.”

The Central Illinois Bobwhites Chapter of Quail Forever will hold its first fundraising banquet on Saturday, March 6th at St. John’s Vienne in Sherman, Illinois. The public and media are invited to attend. For more information and tickets to the banquet, contact Lee Scott at 217.636.7723.

About:
Quail Forever is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the conservation of quail, pheasants and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. Its unique model ensures that 100% of all the funds raised locally is spent by the local chapter.  Illinois is home to 16 Quail Forever chapters. For more information, contact Tim Caughran, Quail Forever Regional Wildlife Biologist, at 618.791.3909 and/or tcaughran@quailforever.org.

Quail Forever

Pana, Ill. – -(AmmoLand.com)- On Monday evening, three dozen quail enthusiasts formed the nation’s newest chapter of Quail Forever (QF).

The new Tri-County Chapter of QF plans to focus their efforts on the improvement of quail habitat in Montgomery, Shelby and Christian counties. Chapter leaders also discussed their goals for introducing area youngsters to the outdoors, conservation, and bird hunting.

“If I don’t volunteer my time on behalf of the next generation of quail hunters, who is going to do it for me?” questioned Brad Storm, the new chapter’s president and lifelong bird hunter. “As a chapter of Quail Forever, we have a financial model that puts control of our fundraising dollars in our hands. We also have Quail Forever’s staffing support in the form of grant writing, accounting, and insurance that allows us to focus our efforts on the habitat and youth education missions important to why we’re volunteering in the first place.”

Quail Forever was founded by Pheasants Forever in 2005 to address the nation’s quail population decline. QF applies the successful Pheasants Forever model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, the organization’s 125,000 members and more than 700 chapters see the fruits of their conservation efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a broader voice in Washington, D.C. on federal conservation policy.

Storm, a farmer from Lakewood, has already seen Quail Forever’s national efforts first hand.

“I have 300 acres of CRP enrolled on my farm. I pretty much have every CRP practice represented including the bobwhite buffers practice [CP 33], and I know Quail Forever is working hard every day in Washington, D.C. to make sure CRP is viable for me as a farmer and as a bird hunter.”

“I’m very excited about the lofty goals of this new Tri-County Quail Forever Chapter,” explained Tim Caughran, Quail Forever’s regional wildlife biologist for southern Illinois. “This year alone, the chapter plans to hold six hunter safety courses, two wing-shooting clinics and a youth hunt. They are also aggressive in their habitat goals and engaged in conservation policy. As a Shelbyville native, I’m thrilled to call this group of dedicated volunteers my ‘home’ chapter.”

In addition to Storm serving as the chapter’s president, Rick Wallace of Strasburg will serve as Treasurer and Alan Justice of Sherman will serve as the chapter’s Youth & Education Chair.

The Tri-County QF Chapter’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 25th at 7p.m. The meeting will be held at the Eagles Club in Pana, Illinois. The public and media are encouraged to attend. For more information about the meeting and the new chapter, please contact Brad Storm at (217)343-2136 or via email at bkstorm@pwr-net.coop.

To learn more about joining or starting a Quail Forever chapter in Illinois, contact Tim Caughran at (618)467-2586 or via email at tcaughran@quailforever.org.

About:
Pheasants Forever (PF) launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. QF chapters promote local, state, and federal conservation programs that help landowners protect environmentally sensitive acres for quail and other wildlife. They also employ the organization’s unique model of empowering local chapters with 100 percent control of the chapters’ locally-raised funds to complete habitat and youth education projects in the chapters’ own communities.

Since the organization’s inception, over 110 QF chapters have formed in 25 different states. The QF mission is accomplished through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, education, and conservation advocacy.

For additional information about Quail Forever, please visit www.QuailForever.org

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever announce Joseph M. Pavelko as the organization’s new Director of Conservation Programs for Minnesota. Pavelko joins “The Habitat Organization” from the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. and Friends of the Minnesota Valley where he served as Conservation Projects Manager since 2005.

As Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Director of Conservation Programs for Minnesota, Pavelko will work to obtain, administer and manage grants and programs that help achieve Pheasants Forever’s wildlife habitat mission in the state. This includes state Outdoor Heritage Fund grants, state Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund grants and federal North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants. Pavelko will also work with Minnesota’s 77 Pheasants Forever chapters and two Quail Forever chapters on statewide conservation initiatives, such as Pheasants Forever’s Build a Wildlife Area program.

“The addition of Joe’s talents builds Pheasants Forever’s capacity to deliver our wildlife habitat mission,” said Matt Holland, Senior Field Coordinator with Pheasants Forever, “With the advent of dedicated natural resource funding in Minnesota, the addition of a Director of Conservation to the Minnesota Pheasants Forever team is another step in furthering our organization’s position as a leader in habitat conservation.”

A native of Richfield, Minnesota, Pavelko spent a great deal of time in Jackson, Minnesota, at his grandparents.

“I was by no means a city kid,” he said, “I harvested my first pheasant on the grove where my grandma grew up. One time every year, Pavelko hunts the Pavelko Wildlife Management Area southwest of Jackson. The area is named in honor of Joe’s great grandfather who sold the property to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “I hunt it for nostalgia and tradition, and always seem to come away with a rooster,” Pavelko said.

An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Pavelko has been an active member of the Carver County Chapter of Pheasants Forever in recent years and has increasingly seen the value of the organization. “I enjoyed partnering with Pheasants Forever in my previous positions, and look to do even more in my new role,” he said, “What’s so important is that the work Pheasants Forever does not only benefits pheasants and our pheasant hunting tradition, but has many positive impacts on other game and non-game species and water quality. Through banquets, projects and youth events, Pheasants Forever also fosters community involvement.”

Prior to joining the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Pavelko worked for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. He earned degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Pavelko and his wife, Alicia, reside in Victoria, Minnesota.

Pavelko can be contacted at (612) 532-3800 or via email at jpavelko@pheasantsforever.org. For more information on Pheasants Forever in Minnesota, log on to 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. “The Habitat Organization” has 125,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

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

Quail Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. -–(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to announce that long-time partner Federal Premium® Ammunition is now the organization’s “Official Ammunition Sponsor.” Over the last decade, Federal Premium’s Pheasants Forever-labeled Wing-Shok® shotshell boxes have helped benefit “The Habitat Organization’s” conservation efforts, and Federal Premium has now produced more than 20 million rounds in support of Pheasants Forever.

“At Federal Premium, we don’t treat conservation as an afterthought; it’s a part of how we operate. Over the years, we’ve been proud to support Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. And Federal Premium wants to do more to support their vision to the future. Pheasants Forever members are some of the most passionate conservationists you’ll ever meet, and we’re proud to be a part of such a great effort,” said Ryan Bronson, Conservation Specialist with Federal Premium Ammunition/ ATK Commercial Products.

“Federal Premium has been a model supporter of conservation over the years,” said Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever’s National President and CEO, “Many pheasant hunters and Pheasants Forever members already load up with Federal Premium, and we’re proud to call them the Official Ammunition Sponsor of this organization.”

In addition to Pheasants Forever-labeled Wing-Shok® boxes, Federal Premium produces Quail Forever-labeled Wing-Shok® boxes. Federal makes a donation to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s conservation efforts work for each labeled box sold. Wing-Shok® loads are the fastest upland steel loads and copper-plated lead loads available for your favorite winged game in -20 and 12-gauge offerings.

And as the Official Ammunition Sponsor of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Federal Premium Ammunition will bring you the “In The Field” section in each edition of On The Wing, the monthly eNewsletter from Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Federal Premium will also be a Gold Sponsor of National Pheasant Fest 2010, the nation’s largest event for upland hunters and wildlife habitat conservationists. The event will be held February 26, 27 & 28, 2010, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

For more information on Federal Premium and their lineup of products, go to www.federalpremium.com.

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

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

STERLING, KS —-(AmmoLand.com)- On Nov. 7, the Heartland Pioneer Chapter of Quail Forever will sponsor a youth hunt at Dr. Jack Mull’s wildlife preserve, approximately 12 miles east of Sterling.

Experienced instructors and bird dogs will safely guide young hunters on a pheasant and quail hunt.

The event will reinforce hunter education concepts, and participants will learn how to hunt in a line and behind trained bird dogs.

This mentor/youth hunt will include a morning session and an afternoon session.

Each session will be limited to 10 students. Participation is limited to youngsters in grades 6 through 12.

Students must possess a hunter education certificate and a hunting license if they are 16 or older. (Because the hunt will be conducted on a controlled shooting area, youth older than 16 may participate.)

Food and fellowship at Dr. Mull’s cabin will cap off the day.

The registration deadline is Oct. 31. Contact Nolan Fisher at 620-242-3700 for more information.

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

Quail Forever

Boelus, Neb. --(AmmoLand.com)- A group of Howard County residents have formed the nation’s newest chapter of Quail Forever (QF). The group, called the Central Nebraska Chapter of QF, plans to improve area habitat as they help the local population of bobwhite quail continue its rapid growth.

“Considering the tough times bobwhite quail are having due to habitat losses across much of the U.S., all of us in central Nebraska are pretty fortunate to have the growing quail numbers we’ve seen in the last decade. This chapter wants to make sure those bird numbers continue to improve and this is our way of giving back,” said George Burgess, the new chapter’s president, a Boelus resident, and a lifelong hunter. “Our chapter is also focused on making sure opportunities continue to exist for young hunters interested in taking up our outdoor traditions.”

“Howard County is actually surrounded by Pheasants Forever chapters that have spent the last two decades doing tremendous projects for wildlife habitat,” explained Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s Regional Field Representative Scott Smathers. “There was a void in Howard County and these individuals saw the opportunity to join forces with fellow PF folks and help improve the land for quail at the same time.”

QF was formed in 2005 by Pheasants Forever to help reverse the rapid decline of quail populations across their U.S. range. QF applies the unique and successful Pheasants Forever model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. To date, four chapters of QF have joined the “cornhusker state’s” 60 PF chapters.

“There is no doubt the state’s 60 PF chapters have been creating the habitat necessary to help Nebraska’s quail,” explained Burgess. “Our new Central Nebraska QF Chapter’s mission is to accelerate those efforts.”

The new Central Nebraska Chapter of Quail Forever will hold Howard County’s first ever QF banquet on Friday, November 20th at the Boelus Civic Center beginning at 5:30PM. The chapter is planning a hog roast for the dinner. Tickets for the event are $40.00 and are available by calling Pete Berthelsen at (308)754-5339, Ryan Lodge at (308)750-1215, or George Burgess at (308)390-0583.

Joining Burgess as new chapter officers and committee members are Gale Larson of St. Paul, Pete and Laura Berthelsen of Elba, Pamela Johansen of St. Paul, Ryan Lodge of St. Paul, Virginia Burgess of Boelus, Kraig Beck of Coatsfield, Keith and Christy Brus of Wolbach, and Jerry Woodgate of St. Paul. To learn more about helping the chapter, please contact Burgess at (308)390-0583 or via email at gwizburgess@gmail.com.

“One additional thing that’s really neat about this chapter is the fact that four current and former Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever employees living in Howard County have volunteered their free time to be a part of this chapter,” reported Smathers. “I’m truly honored to be servicing this chapter of co-workers who are spending their free time to continue the cause of conservation during their personal time.”

To join a Quail Forever or Pheasants Forever chapter in Nebraska, learn more at www.NebraskaPF.com or call toll free 877.773.2070.

Quail Forever

Decaturville, Tenn. --(AmmoLand.com)- Two western Tennessee shooting preserve owners have joined forces to create the state’s newest chapter of Quail Forever (QF). Jerry Lynn Phillips, owner of Turnbo Creek Shooting Preserve and Barry Stinnett, owner of Lakeview Shooting Preserve, volunteered their free time to organize the new Tennessee River Quail & Dove Chapter of QF.

“People want to bring quail back, but they don’t know how. Through Quail Forever, we’re able to provide that missing habitat expertise that’s been lacking,” explained Tim Caughran, QF regional wildlife biologist. “The leaders in this new chapter have an interest in bringing quail back, as well as a desire to foster the passion for quail hunting that will grow the next generation of quail hunters.”

QF’s unique financial model also appealed to the new chapter’s volunteer leaders. QF applies the successful Pheasants Forever model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, grassroots 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. Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever are the only national conservation organizations that operate through this truly grassroots structure.

In addition to Phillips serving as the new chapter’s president, Stinnett has been elected treasurer, and Jeremy Vavouris has been elected youth & education chair. The new Tennessee River Quail & Dove QF Chapter plans to hold a quail hunt and banquet on Saturday, October 31st beginning at 1PM. The public is invited to attend. For more information about the event and the new Tennessee River Quail & Dove QF Chapter, please contact Phillips at (731)549-7568 or Stinnett at (731)206-0113.

Tennessee is home to four QF chapters. For more information on Quail Forever in Tennessee, to start a chapter or join one of the states existing chapters, contact QF at (866)457-8245 or via email at contact@quailforever.org.

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

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

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

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Collinsville, Ill. --(AmmoLand.com)- Residents from southeastern Illinois have formed the newest chapter of Quail Forever (QF), the Silver Creek QF Chapter. The group plans to focus their efforts on improving habitat for quail in Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison counties, while also introducing area youngsters to hunting and conservation.

“It’s no secret the state’s quail numbers have been on the rapid decline for a while. This group of passionate quail hunters have the dedication to help reverse that trend locally by using the unique Quail Forever model to have a positive influence on the area’s quail habitat,” explained David Mueller, the chapter’s chairman, a Collinsville resident, and longtime local conservation volunteer.

Mueller also just finished up a two year term on the state’s Habitat Stamp Committee.

Bobwhite population losses over the past 30 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple – massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl.

The new chapter plans to roll out a variety of habitat and conservation education initiatives in the coming year; including, tree and seed programs for area landowners, a grassland management project, a food plot program, and a clay shooting event for area youth.

Quail Forever was founded by Pheasants Forever in 2005 to address the nation’s quail population decline. QF applies the successful Pheasants Forever model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever are the only national non-profit conservation organizations that operate through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, members see the fruits of their conservation efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a broader voice in Washington D.C. on federal conservation policy.

In addition to Mueller being elected as the chapter’s chairman, Don Langenhorst of Germantown will be vice chairman and Gary Sauerhage of Mascoutah will serve as the chapter’s treasurer.

The Silver Creek QF Chapter’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th at 7PM. The meeting will be held at Fuhne’s Bar & Grill in Damiansville, Illinois. The public and media are encouraged to attend. For more information about the meeting and the new chapter, please contact David Mueller at (618) 667-2288 or via email at muelledw@hotmail.com. To learn more about starting a Quail Forever chapter in Illinois, contact Tim Caughran at (618) 467-2586 or via email at tcaughran@quailforever.org.

For additional information about Quail Forever, please visit www.QuailForever.org

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Parsons, Kan. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Quail hunters from the Parsons area have formed the tenth Quail Forever (QF) chapter in Kansas. The new chapter, to be called the Southeast Kansas Chapter of QF, will focus their efforts on restoring quail habitat to reverse the area’s declining bobwhite populations. The chapter’s leaders have already scheduled a youth clay shoot event for August and their first fundraising banquet for October 10th.

At the chapter’s first meeting in April, the group elected Richard Babcock as president. Babcock explains he already has a habitat success story on which the group can build.

“A group of us have been working to improve habitat on the 400 acres owned by my son Mike and me. We’ve seen the quail coveys on that property triple in just a couple years. We know first-hand it’s all about habitat, and we know the quail numbers can be turned around. This chapter cares about bringing those same habitat efforts to all of Labette County and wants every area quail hunter to join our cause.”

QF applies the successful Pheasants Forever model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, grassroots 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. Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever are the only national conservation organizations that operate through this truly grassroots structure.

“Quail Forever’s locally empowering model was important to this group of motivated volunteers,” reported Jordan Martincich, QF’s regional field representative for eastern Kansas. “Labette County is a heavily farmed region of the state, but there are certainly habitat opportunities for bobwhites through the addition of buffers, prescribed burning, and federal conservation programs. In fact, the chapter has already met with representatives from Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service.”

In addition to Babcock, the chapter elected Ray Jacquinot as Treasurer, Carl Hoskins and Doug Brinkman as Habitat Chairs, and Will O’Banion as Youth Chairman. All reside in Parsons.

The new Southeast Kansas Chapter of QF will hold their next meeting on Monday, August 3rd at the Commercial Bank in Parsons. The meeting starts at 6:30PM. Anyone interested in learning more about the chapter is invited to attend. For more information about the new Southeast Kansas Chapter of QF please contact Richard Babcock at (620)820-3733 or via email at sandy@thehomestore-parsons.com.

Kansas is home to ten QF chapters and 1,000 QF members. For more information on Quail Forever in Kansas, to start a chapter or join one of the state’s existing chapters, contact Jordan Martincich, QF Regional Representative in eastern Kansas, at (816) 560-1070 or via email at JMartincich@quailforever.org; or Devon Walter, QF Regional Representative in western Kansas, at (785) 524-4033 or via email at DWalter@quailforever.org.

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

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.

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.

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

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