Pheasant Fact Friday! Should landowners try incubating the eggs they find while harvesting fields? If harvesting killed the hen, then try incubating the eggs. If the hen survived, the eggs are better left in the nest. Once the protective cover is harvested, predators have a good chance of finding the hen and the nest. But it is better to chance predation and maybe allow the hen to raise her family than to create an incubator/brooder mother. Without a hen to teach survival techniques and feeding habits, the chances chicks will survive are small. Of 50 chicks released in July or August, less than 15 will survive into winter, less than four into spring. Of 50 chicks raised by wild hens, 33 will survive into winter, and 22 into spring. #pheasantsforever #pheasantfactfriday

The budget reconciliation bill being considered in the U.S. Senate contains provisions mandating the sell-off of America’s public lands – up to 3 million acres across 11 western states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming). The sale of this land could be devastating for hunters, access and wildlife across the West, while setting a dangerous precedent for public lands throughout the country — your most cherished wild places could be next on the chopping block. Please take a moment today to send a letter to your elected officials at the link below. It’s a very easy process, requiring mere seconds of your time. Please help PF & QF tell the U.S. Senate that selling OUR public lands is not a budget solution! The Senate has an opportunity to follow the will of America’s hunters and public land users and remove this language from the budget reconciliation bill. Public lands should not be a bargaining chip for balancing the nation’s budget – too much is at stake. - Ariel Wiegard, VP of Government Affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Take action today: pheasantsforever.quorum.us/campaign/126909

Summer temps may be rising but prices are dropping in the PF Store. Shop the Summer Savings Sale now at the link below through June 21 and know that your purchase supports our mission for upland habitat conservation. Sizes and quantities may be limited, so grab these deals before they're gone! Shop the sale: https://bit.ly/3HCR2Hn #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization

In the coming days and weeks pheasant chicks will be hitting the ground across the pheasant range. The hen provides overhead cover and heat to help dry wet chicks. This close brooding continues for 2 to 3 weeks as chicks gradually develop capacity to thermoregulate. Pheasant chicks begin feeding once cover dries for the day, loaf afterwards in nearby shade, then forage again in the afternoon before roosting. We would love to hear what you all are seeing on the ground in your area. Tag us in your photos and videos from the field! 📸 : Steve Oehlenschlager #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization

Learn more about Levi’s work with Journey to Conservation Careers here: https://www.pheasantsforever.org/Participate/Conservation-Leadership/Journey-to-Conservation-Careers.aspx

Saturdays are for the dogs! Whether you've got serious training planned or you are cutting the dogs loose to burn off some energy, have a good time out there this weekend. Keep em cool, keep em watered, and get after it! #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization

Pheasant Fact Friday! Alfalfa mowing usually occurs during the hen’s last week on the nest. Landowners should delay cutting between seven and ten days, so the hen can hatch her chicks. The alfalfa’s nutritional value will be lower, but there will be more chicks, greater chick summer survival and more hens and chicks who make it through the next winter. Consider mowing seven to ten days before peak nutritional value. The hen will probably flush before the mower strikes. Also, do not mow around the nest, leaving an island of cover. Fox, skunks, coons and sea gulls quickly learn that islands hide delicious pheasant eggs – and a hen. #pheasantsforever #pheasantfactfriday

LAST CALL! Landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup have until the end of business on Friday, June 6th (TOMORROW!) to apply. CRP is America’s crown jewel of voluntary conservation programs for creating wildlife habitat, improving soil health, protecting water resources, safeguarding rural economies, and delivering financial certainty to producers. While time is running out, starting the process is literally one click away. Check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s CRP resource center at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/conservation-reserve-program Or Contact a PF & QF biologist at https://pheasantsforever.org/Habitat/findBiologist.aspx to talk through your options. #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization

South Dakota Pheasant Harvest Highest in 13 Years! South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) today announced the 2024 pheasant season harvest numbers. Over 1.3 million roosters were harvested across the 2024 season, which is the highest harvest in 13 years. An additional 380,000 pheasants were also harvested by hunters within a defined private shooting preserve. “Habitat and access have been a top priority for the department, and that has played a key role in both abundant bird numbers and ample locations for hunters to target them," said Kevin Robling, GFP Secretary. "We are extremely pleased with the success of the 2024 season and plan to build on this success for 2025." Click the link below for the full story. https://bit.ly/4kPkVCD #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization

Our public lands are under attack. A looming proposal in the U.S. Senate could open the door to selling off lands that belong to all Americans. Read “Our Land: The Soul of America” to understand what’s at stake – and then take action. Click the link below to contact your two U.S. senators. It’s the most important thing you’ll do today. Take Action: https://pheasantsforever.quorum.us/campaign/126909/ Read the article: https://pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Pheasants-Forever/Our-Land-The-Soul-of-America.aspx #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization

NEW ON THE WING PODCAST // “Ballad of the Bird Dog” Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Quail Forever Journal Editor Ryan Sparks for a conversation about bird dogs with musician, hunter, and Pheasants Forever member Reese Glover Music. After the unexpected death of St.Pierre’s German shorthaired pointer, “Esky,” he wrote the blog, “The Story of a Bird Dog Going Out on Top.” Upon reading that blog, Glover sent St.Pierre his song, “Ballad of the Bird Dog,” which tells the story of a bird dog’s final hunt at eleven years old. This episode brings laughter, tears, and a lifetime of memories. Listen to this special episode at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/43qfFzD #pheasantsforever #onthewingpodcast

Last Call: Pheasants Forever Outdoor Edge Pocket Knife Join Pheasants Forever today and get a special member gift. The PF Outdoor Edge 2.5 Razor Pocket Knife. This custom knife features a lockback design, replaceable blades, and a stainless-steel pocket clip to meet the demands of your daily adventures! Become a Pheasants Forever member today at the link below! https://www.pheasantsforever.org/spring #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization