Franchi Presents: Old Dog New Dog. Julia and Wren have navigated the world of hunting together, guiding each other through hunts and through life. Each mistake becoming a lesson, each flush a small victory, and each hunt a cherished memory. With time beginning to take its toll on Wren, Julia made the decision to get another hunting dog, renewing her vows to the life that hunting and her dogs have led her to. This film honors the inevitable closing of one chapter while celebrating the beginning of another. Watch in 4k: youtu.be/mnwTzt4pHgQ?si=FESnkTq9ElqQS3ri

On The Wing Podcast Ep. 273: Books Every Upland Bird Hunter Should Read, is live. Listen now at the link below, or wherever you get your podcasts. https://pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Pheasants-Forever/Podcast-Ep-273-Books-Every-Upland-Bird-Hunter-Should-Read.aspx Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Pheasants Forever Journal Editor Tom Carpenter and Quail Forever Journal Editor Ryan Sparks for the first-ever meeting of the Upland Bird Hunters’ Book Club. The conversation starts with a discussion about Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It and how that book, and subsequent movie, changed the general public’s perception of fly fishing. St.Pierre poses the question, “has the upland bird hunting version of that classic narrative been written yet?” Episode Highlights: - The “national treasure” Tom Carpenter dives deep into his bookcase of classics with personal tales, including a story of his cherished friendship with renowned bird hunting writer Ben O. Williams. - Sparks covers a wide array of genres with his selections as his top five picks include a cookbook, a collection of essays, a couple of classics, and even a wacky fiction where a wealthy English hunter is reincarnated as a pheasant on his own hunting estate.

Pheasants Forever (PF) is proud to introduce a new volunteer chapter in central Minnesota. The Aitkin County Chapter of Pheasants Forever will utilize their collective knowledge and love of wildlife habitat conservation and upland birds to impact the greater region. Volunteers hope to share their passion for pheasant hunting with others, especially as summer transitions into fall, bringing in new members just in time for hunting season. The idea of forming a volunteer committee started with a few friends who share a love for upland bird hunting. They wanted to take their passion for the outdoors a step further by advocating for wildlife habitat conservation on a larger scale. Plans are in the works for youth and novice-focused events to help newcomers foster a love for habitat conservation and Minnesota’s uplands. Learn more about this exciting new chapter at the link below.

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. As the Stewardship Program continues forward in Wisconsin, it is important to stay engaged and informed on how Knowles-Nelson helps enhance the quality of life across the state. A few recent highlights of Pheasant Forever-led projects via the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program include: - Pheasants Forever acquired 714 acres of Wildlife Management Area in Rock County, the second largest land acquisition project completed by Pheasants Forever in Wisconsin. Officially dedicated as the H&L Farms Wildlife Management Area. The area is managed by Pheasants Forever and open to public hunting and outdoor recreation. - Pheasants Forever, led by the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, acquired 182 acres of the McCann Creek Conservation Area to designate as a Build a Wildlife Area project that now provides public access and upland habitat immediately adjacent to the McCann Creek Fishery Area. Learn more about the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and what the future holds at the link below.

On The Wing Podcast Ep. 272: Bird Dog Training and Falling in Love with Susanna & Ronnie Smith, is live. Listen now at the link below, or wherever you get your podcasts. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Podcast-Ep-272-Bird-Dog-Training-and-a-Love-Story-with-Susanna-Ronnie-Smith.aspx 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. Episode Highlights: - Susanna shares her story of growing up as a ranching kid in Texas, moving to Washington, D.C. to work for the House Committee on Agriculture, then coming back home to her roots to work livestock, horses, and dogs. - Ronnie shares a few fun stories about guiding President George H. Bush, President George W. Bush, NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, and astronaut Eugene Cernan on Texas quail hunts. - The couple also share how the COVID pandemic changed the way they approached training a bird dog.