Pheasant Fact Friday!💡 Annually hen pheasant mortality is effected by: 1) the season of the year, 2) when the hen herself was hatched last spring, 3) last winter, and 4) her egg production. Let’s talk about the season of year. It is obvious that spring and summer place hens under tremendous stress. The better the physical condition of the hens, the longer they can survive without food. In early spring (April) when hens are in peak physical condition, they can survive 40 days without feed. In mid-winter (January) hens can survive 29 days. In late summer (August) hens can survive only 13 days without food. Of course food will not be lacking in either spring or summer, but note that survival for summer in less than half that of winter survival. In other words, she was in better physical condition last winter than she is now in August. Hens will die after losing 40% of their weight. #pheasantsforever #pheasants #pheasantfactfriday

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today announced the future expansion of recreational opportunities, including hunting, at a number of National Wildlife Refuges across the country. The announcement provides consumptive users across the nation with thousands of acres of new access, including opportunities for upland hunting. The announcement proposes 53 new distinct hunting and sport fishing opportunities on 12 refuges — totaling approximately 211,000 acres. The refuges are located in Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Get the full details at the link below. https://pheasantsforever.org/Newsroom/2024-August/U-S-Fish-and-Wildlife-Service-Expands-Hunting-Opportunities-on-National-Wildlife-Refuges.aspx

Last call for the Birds and Bucks on-line auction, time is of the essence if you’re hoping to claim the prize of your dreams. Auction end tonight at 8PM CST, go place your bids! Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have secured some amazing hunts and experiences and they could be yours. Chances to win a nonresident Iowa deer tag or a new Polaris Sportsman 570 don’t come around very often and your time to act is limited! Head to the link below to place your bid now and win big for conservation! https://pheasantsforeverquailforever.uplandfundraising.org/birdsandbucks24/Campaign/Details

On The Wing Podcast Ep. 275: Marilyn Vetter Recaps First Year as President & CEO and Unveils New Strategic Plan, is live. Listen now at the link below, or wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/3WqDQJG Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever President & Chief Executive Officer Marilyn Vetter for a conversation in which she reflects on her first year in the organization’s top leadership role. The pair also detail the vision, mission, values, and four strategic priorities comprising the organization’s new strategic plan themed “Building Forever.” Episode Highlights: St.Pierre asks Vetter to share stories from her first year as “The Habitat Organization’s” leader; including the significant moments, times of frustration, best advice received, and favorite hunt. Despite the organization already having a strategic plan in place, Vetter explains her philosophy behind initiating a revitalized strategic plan with a larger collection of PF & QF employee executives focused on the following quote from business leader and inspirational speaker Simon Sinek, “If a movement is to have an impact, it must belong to those who join it not just those who lead it.” Vetter goes on to explain why the organization’s wildlife habitat mission isn’t changing, but how increasing a reliance on science-based decision-making and improving accountability sharpened the organization’s focus on four strategic priorities, which include: a. Increase & improve wildlife HABITAT on public and private lands b. Advance conservation POLICIES and program funding c. Expand public ACCESS to upland wildlife habitat d. Expand, educate and engage the upland conservation COMMUNITY

Conflicting views have long fueled a debate over the effectiveness of stocking pen-reared pheasants to increase wild ring-necked pheasant populations. This frustrates professional wildlife managers because stocking pen-raised birds is not an efficient means to increase wild bird populations. On the other hand, creating and restoring upland habitat is the only way to increase ring-necked pheasant numbers. Let’s be clear on definitions. “Stocking” is the release of pen-reared pheasants into habitat where wild birds are already present, or are desired. “Introductions” or “transplants” are different. Those terms refer to the release of wild birds into areas where birds are not generally present, using management that has been studied very thoroughly. 🔗 Link below for a rundown of commonly asked questions about stocking, with answers that are the product of research conducted by many states and agencies, as well as the conclusions of many folks who have tried stocking without success. This link will also bring you to our full comprehensive Pheasant Habitat Essentials Guide. https://pheasantsforever.org/Habitat/Pheasant-Habitat-Essentials-Guide.aspx#Chapter-5

Entering a new fiscal year, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s National Board of Directors officially voted to instate new officers at the beginning of July including passionate conservationists and avid upland hunters Jerrod Burke (chairman), Dan Forster (vice chair), Brett Reber (treasurer), and Keith Schopp (secretary). The foursome brings a combined 23 years of PF & QF National Board experience to their new roles, helping guide a 16-member council which meets quarterly and oversees the operations of The Habitat Organization. “We are thrilled to have a new slate of dedicated officers helping guide the operations of the nation’s largest and most trusted upland conservation group,” said Marilyn Vetter, president and CEO of Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever. “Jerrod, Dan, Brett, and Keith embody the strengths of PF & QF and our volunteers throughout the pheasant and quail ranges. Their backgrounds as landowners, farmers, biologists, and most of all, downright advocates for our habitat conservation mission, ensure the success of The Habitat Organization.” Learn more at the link below https://pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Pheasants-Forever/New-Officers-Instated-for-Pheasants-Forever-and-Quail-Forever’s-National-Board-of-Directors.aspx