Pheasants Forever

WATCH: HOW DO I KEEP MY BIRD DOG FIT YEAR-ROUND? By Seth Bynum, DVM Maintaining peak physical condition in our hunting dogs is a year-round pursuit, not an activity confined to the week before opening day. Hunting dogs are similar to human athletes in that their bodies require training and conditioning to constantly perform at the highest level. We’d never expect a professional human athlete to spend the off-season on the couch and return to the field or court in top shape six months later, and bird hunters should uphold these same expectations for their hunting dogs. While most hunters think of conditioning strictly in terms of endurance training, that’s only part of the regimen of a top-tier canine athlete. While it’s true that hunting dogs routinely put up marathon length outings multiple times throughout the season, it’s important that a conditioning program focuses on strength training in addition to endurance. Strong muscles strengthen joints and protect the body from injury, and they also increase speed on ground and in the water. While often overlooked, basic strength training for a canine athlete is fairly straightforward, and it doesn’t require a gym membership. This offseason, try adding in these three basic exercises to build and tone muscle in your canine athlete: Sit-to-stand, down-to-sit, and biscuit-to-hip. WATCH at https://lnkd.in/gbkAKpaP w/ Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets

PODCAST EP. 264: NICK HOFFMAN ON PET PIGS, TOURING WITH KENNY CHESNEY, AND BEING A HUNTING MENTOR Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Nick Hoffman, a singer-songwriter, fiddle player, and host of “Nick’s Wild Ride” on Outdoor Channel and Bally’s Sports. At the age of 17, Hoffman ran away from his Minnesota home to chase musical dreams in Branson, Missouri, and then later to Nashville where he landed as the fiddle player in Kenny Chesney’s band. From there, Hoffman takes us on his “wild ride” in the music industry, and growing up in a non-hunting family to hosting an award-winning outdoor television show. Listen at https://lnkd.in/dwp3gKwx

PHEASANTS FOREVER AND QUAIL FOREVER APPOINT DAVID ZELLMER TO NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. David B. Zellmer, to its National Board of Directors. Zellmer, Bishop Emeritus of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joins the 16-member board which meets quarterly and oversees the operations of Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever. “I look forward to working with David to continue advancing our habitat mission across the entire upland range,” said Matt Kucharski, the chair of the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever National Board of Directors. “David has tremendous professional and upland hunting experience, but he also truly understands the importance of community and stewardship. He will be a welcomed addition to our National Board of Directors.” A graduate of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, Zellmer was ordained in the American Lutheran Church in 1981 and began his ministry in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Wherever he has served, he has earned a reputation for community outreach, not just to Lutheran congregations, but for his presence in both civic and religious arenas. Zellmer became interested in bird hunting around the age of 14. While no one in his immediate family was a hunter, he was drawn to the outdoors and nature. His first outings were in the hill country of western North Dakota with neighbors, who supplied the shotgun, shells and a decent dog to hunt sharp-tailed grouse — he was hooked from that moment forward. Zellmer was 16 when his family moved to Oklahoma, and he discovered the world of quail hunting over pointing dogs.  Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/dbybYJ8A w/ David Zellmer

THE HUNTER’S TABLE: UPLAND RILLETE Recipes and Photos by Ryan Sparks, Quail Forever Journal Editor Every year before bird season, I make rillette with whatever upland birds I have left in my freezer. Rillette is a spreadable meat mixture from France, where it is traditionally made with pork. It is also perfect for any combination of upland birds. For this batch, I used sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, and pheasants, all taken on the same trip to South Dakota. In the past, I’ve used woodcock, ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail, and even doves. Again, any combination of upland birds will work. This upland rillette is delicious and decadent and should be thickly spread on toasted bread or crackers. The jars are small and durable enough to throw in your bird vest with some crackers for a quick field lunch. They are also perfect on a tailgate shared with friends and a beer at the end of the day. I always bring a jar or two on hunting trips and they always come back empty. They make great gifts for gracious landowners, are a fantastic addition to a charcuterie board, and will impress your hunting buddies. If you’re feeling generous, I bet your dog would love some too. Check out the recipe at https://lnkd.in/gMuK-VY2

RESTORING HABITAT WITH DRONE TECHNOLOGY By Alison Menefee, Virginia Senior Farm Bill Biologist Something new and exciting is taking off in the world of habitat management. It’s soaring among the sweetgums and hovering above the sericea lespedeza, ready to strike. However, its ability to target and eradicate invasive species is balanced by its capacity for reintroducing native habitat. Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have become a popular topic of research due to their ability to effectively suppress undesired herbaceous and woody vegetation. They offer a dynamic approach to conservation efforts and significantly boost application efficiency, making them a cost-effective solution. Chapter member and habitat chair, Jake Fletcher, has recently started using drones as a conservation tool for efforts across central and eastern Virginia. Due to the mobility and efficiency of the equipment, he has been able to impact more acres for northern bobwhites than using traditional equipment. Not only are they able to quickly herbicide an area, but they can also quickly plant a diverse blend of native grasses, forbs, and legumes utilized by quail for food, cover, and shelter. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/dVWSEye3

Our Hands-On Habitat Online Auction is NOW LIVE Our dedicated chapters and volunteers are busy this month hosting and participating in Hands-On Habitat projects across the country – and we hope you can find an event to join near you at https://lnkd.in/gABMm_ys However, that’s not the only way to show you’re the pointy end of the conservation shovel. Whether you’re eyeing up the Kansas Commissioner's Big Game Permit, a new shotgun, or custom bird dog training package; there’s something for everyone and this is another great way for you to support our mission during Hands-On Habitat Month. Because We All Have a Part to Play and a Job to Do. Check out the auction at https://lnkd.in/gXDyXYhS

PHEASANTS FOREVER AND QUAIL FOREVER HIRE TYLER RAFTER AS KANSAS STATE COORDINATOR Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to introduce Tyler Rafter as the Kansas state coordinator. In his new role, Rafter will drive Kansas habitat programs, lead a talented team of field staff, and work closely with the Natural Resource Conservation Service and other partners to ensure habitat conservation continues to be recognized as a critically important driver of abundant wildlife populations, sustainable agriculture, healthy soil, and clean water. “Rafter’s experience speaks for itself,” said Eran Sandquist, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Midwest director of conservation delivery. “His extensive background in habitat work, education and outreach, water quality, and other fields makes him a wonderful asset for delivering working lands programs in Kansas that are a benefit to wildlife, farmers and ranchers, and local communities. We’re thrilled to have him on our team.” Rafter first started with Pheasants Forever as a farm bill biologist intern in 2020 and has been working as a farm bill biologist in South Dakota since 2021. Through these positions, he has learned about navigating relationships with partner organizations while using his knowledge to make habitat improvements. Rafter also previously worked as a land management specialist intern for the Glacier Creek Prairie Preserve in Nebraska, and he has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Nebraska. Rafter will now coordinate and lead state-level habitat efforts in Kansas, ensuring effective and lasting conservation delivery throughout the state’s pheasant and quail range on private and public lands. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/gYuQUfEC

PUBLIC ACCESS TO HABITAT PROGRAM SHATTERS 10,000-ACRE GOAL IN SOUTH DAKOTA Pheasants Forever and its partners are proud to announce the fulfillment of 11,686 new public access acres in South Dakota. The Public Access to Habitat (PATH) initiative, announced in August 2023 with the objective of accelerating statewide enrollment in conservation programs while bolstering participation in South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks’ (GFP) Walk-In Area (WIA) program, shattered the 10,000-acre enrollment goal in seven months.  “PATH had all the ingredients to be a major success right out of the gate, and our enrollment during the first seven months of the program solidified its value to landowners, wildlife, hunters and rural communities in the pheasant capital,” said Matt Gottlob, Pheasants Forever’s state coordinator in South Dakota. “Through our tremendous partnerships with onX Hunt and South Dakota GFP, we’ve already surpassed our goal for 2024. It’s time to now focus on the next 10,000 acres of quality habitat and access.” Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/g7S53mDm w/ onXmaps, Inc. & GAME, FISH AND PARKS, SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF & Matt Gottlob & Jacob Hanson

PHEASANTS FOREVER ACQUISITIONS EXPAND PUBLIC ACRES IN MINNESOTA Pheasants Forever is proud to announce two new land acquisitions enhancing upland habitat and public access throughout Minnesota’s primary pheasant range. Totaling 800 acres, the Lake Lillian Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) addition and the Thielke Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) addition are large, permanent protection projects contributing to diverse habitat for pheasants, waterfowl, and other wildlife. Adding 150 acres to the 312-acre Lake Lillian WPA in Kandiyohi County, the new addition will connect two major Department of Natural Resources public water bodies, Big Kandiyohi Lake and Lake Lillian. Located in a Grassland Bird Conservation Area, this land supports 11-20 nesting duck pairs per square mile. Once the wetlands in the new addition are restored, they will also provide quality upland cover for ring-necked pheasants. Big Stone County is also expanding public access within an existing WMA. The Thielke Lake project includes two parcels that span across 650 acres of native and remnant prairie, as well as large sections of lake and marsh shoreline. This area is well-known as a habitat haven for waterfowl, pheasants, and white-tailed deer. “Both of these projects represent the benefits our acquisition program brings,” said Sabin Adams, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Minnesota public lands manager. “These tracts will provide access for outdoor recreation, improve water quality, and expand habitat for upland and wetland species. Any time we can protect lakeshore, particularly on shallow wildlife lakes, it is a huge win for conservation.” These projects were made possible, in part, through partnerships with the Outdoor Heritage Fund, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Additional support was provided by PF & QF chapters, partners and members who contribute to the organization’s Build a Wildlife Area® program. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/g32xACnE

NEW PHEASANTS FOREVER AND QUAIL FOREVER ON THE WING PODCAST EP. 263: VOLUNTEERS GET DIRTY IMPROVING PUBLIC LANDS HABITAT Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Senior Regional Representative Will Clayton for a conversation with chapter volunteers Nina Hoekstra and Dave Scherf. All four participants in this episode recently contributed to projects as part of PF & QF’s Hands-On Habitat effort to improve upland acres across the country. Listen at https://lnkd.in/gKU27H36 w/ onXmaps, Inc.