Pheasants Forever

KNOWLES-NELSON STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE FOR HABITAT AND PUBLIC ACCESS IN WISCONSIN A recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision has helped re-focus attention on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program which plays a critical role for habitat and public access through land acquisition and conservation throughout The Badger State. Since 1989, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has been leveraged by non-profit organizations and local units of government who care about Wisconsin’s bountiful natural resources by investing over $1.2 billion dollars in the state. Pheasants Forever has proudly partnered with the Stewardship Program and initiated many projects to restore and conserve habitat while increasing public access opportunities for citizens to enjoy the land and waters of Wisconsin. You can learn even more about the Program at https://knowlesnelson.org/. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/g3gPzS6N

JOHN MARK CURTIS PROMOTED TO MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA STATE COORDINATOR Quail Forever (QF) is thrilled to introduce Mississippi and Alabama’s first state coordinator, John Mark Curtis. In his new role, Curtis will drive habitat programs, lead a talented team of field staff and work closely with partners, local chapters and other stakeholders. This work will ensure upland habitat continues to be recognized as a critically important driver of abundant wildlife populations while supporting sustainable agriculture, healthy soil and clean water. “We’re excited to be able to elevate John Mark to the role of state coordinator for Mississippi and Alabama,” said Tim Caughran, Quail Forever’s director of conservation delivery for the southern region. “He’s formed great relationships with our valued partners in both states and will continue to strengthen those relationships, build new ones and grow our team’s impact in two key quail states.” Curtis first worked for QF as a Farm Bill biologist, and advanced to a senior Farm Bill biologist for the organization in 2021. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture from Mississippi State University. Curtis has a wide variety of past work experiences, including northern bobwhite quail research, studying the effects of prescribed fire on plant communities, managing habitat on public land and more. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/g8vhwz6x

ON THE WING PODCAST EP. 272: BIRD DOG TRAINING AND A LOVE STORY WITH SUSANNA & RONNIE SMITH Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by the husband-and-wife dog training duo Susanna and Ronnie Smith. Ronnie comes from a long line of famous bird dog trainers that includes his father, Ronnie Sr., his uncle Delmar, and his cousin Rick. The couple talk about falling in love when Susanna brought her young German shorthaired pointer pup to Ronnie for training. This is their touching love story filled with bird dog conversation and priceless bird dog training tips. Listen at https://lnkd.in/gJ8kvYmi

ICYMI: A New Era for Bobwhite Quail In order to make significant progress in restoring bobwhite quail populations, wild lands and working lands must work together for the benefit of the life they support and the livelihoods they sustain. That’s why one of Quail Forever’s strategic priorities includes restoring and enhancing 780,000 acres of upland habitat on private land in targeted quail states by 2026. That may seem like a daunting task, but luckily there are proven programs, solid partnerships, and a brand-new opportunity for landowners to utilize. Watch our original film, “A New Era for Bobwhite Quail,” to learn about some of these landmark initiatives while also hearing from landowners who are making – and seeing – a difference for quail populations on their own properties in Georgia and Missouri. Watch at https://lnkd.in/grdKBNn2

Are you looking for a new gig to start the second half of summer? We've got career opportunities across the country. Check out our open postings at https://lnkd.in/gVAb3hrB

Shop new Pheasants Forever lifestyle apparel, and show your support for upland habitat year-round. Link below! https://bit.ly/4eJUOef w/ Scheels

PODCAST EP. 271: A BOY’S FIRST PHEASANT AND PREVIEWING THE 2024 SEASON OF THE FLUSH Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Travis Frank, host of The Flush, to preview the television show’s new 2024 season on Outdoor Channel. The guys kick off the conversation with a fun debate about which characters they most resemble from 1990’s sitcoms, then talk about their philosophical differences in approaching podcast preparations. The highlight of the episode comes with Travis discussing his personal trepidation about filming his son’s first pheasant hunt and the joy he experiences raising two daughters and two sons as hunters and anglers. Travis also shares the horrific experience of getting a fishhook in his eye and his miraculous recovery. Listen at https://lnkd.in/gK3QG66a w/ Travis Frank & Ron Schara Productions

6 IDEAS FOR THE LAST PHEASANTS IN YOUR FREEZER Story and Photos By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley Pheasant season has long ended, but there are a few birds left in your freezer. Should you make pheasant nuggets ... again? Nah, you’ve eaten your fill. On the other hand, pheasant in cream of mushroom soup doesn’t sound so appetizing in the heat of summer. If you’ve still got some birds to eat up before fall, and are tired of the same old pheasant recipes, here are 6 solutions. Check out the full story at https://lnkd.in/gvZs_hkb

THE ART OF UPLAND BIRD HUNTING Over time, every hunter finds him or herself. Over time, every hunting magazine becomes itself. The Art of Upland Bird Hunting seems an apt name for your annual Upland Bird Hunting Super Issue, which is getting ready for the presses. It all starts with Colt McDermott’s charcoal sketches of dusky grouse hunting for our cover and our lead story, Blue Notes. Alexandra Lehner (Immigrants of Opportunity) and Phil Juliano (Sieger and the Crevasse) make their debuts with The Habitat Organization too, and Kickliy returns in Hands of Time. Inimitable styles, all. But words, when strung together properly, are art as well, as is photography. The magic comes in the meld. Sign up for your PF or QF membership, or make sure you are renewed, by July 2 to make sure you make the list for this year’s Super Issue ( Link Below). Then get looking, get reading, get dreaming, and get ready for another beautiful season in the uplands. – Tom “Carp” Carpenter, Editor Membership link https://lnkd.in/g5Hf7f54

VOLUNTEERS LAUNCH NEW PHEASANTS FOREVER AND QUAIL FOREVER CHAPTER IN SE IOWA Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) are proud to introduce a new dual chapter in Muscatine County, Iowa. The group will work together to generate more wildlife habitat and provide opportunities for youth and women-led upland bird hunting activities. Unique among national conservation organizations, chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever retain 100 percent decision-making control over fundraising dollars, allowing volunteers to support impactful wildlife habitat projects, public access initiatives, and conservation education programs throughout the upland bird range. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s regional representative for eastern Iowa, Lexi Ashbrook, will work closely with the new chapter to support the organization’s vision to sustain abundant populations of wild pheasants, quail and other wildlife. “This new chapter has fresh leadership who are excited to bring back habitat and conservation efforts to Muscatine County,” Ashbrook said. “The community will benefit greatly from their events.” Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/gnQZhYkU w/ Alexa Ashbrook