BIRD DOG ISSUE BOUNDING IN Is there any heart purer than that of a bird dog? Where would we be without our bird dogs? And where would upland conservation be without our bird dogs’ eager eyes egging us on to accomplish more of Pheasants Forever’s habitat and public access missions? John Stewart Wright’s cover photo, which I dub simply “Joy,” captures the perfection and purity of our bird dogs’ hearts, and kicks off PF Journal’s annual Summer Bird Dog Issue. It’s coming fast though: Make sure you are joined up or renewed with PF by April 7 to get it. Let’s keep doin’ ‘em proud. And lovin’ ‘em up. - TOM “CARP” CARPENTER, EDITOR Join PF here: https://bit.ly/4bYQG9l

Prescribed burns use a controlled application of fire to regenerate and renew the landscape. Clearing invasive plants, dry brush, leaf litter, thatch, and monoculture grasses. They reduce wildfire risk, stimulate new growth, restore biodiversity, and create an inviting environment for wildlife. Planning is the key to a safe and successful prescribed burn. Preparation is time-consuming: pulling permits; contacting the local fire departments and any neighbors who might be affected; making sure that fire breaks are adequate and that the equipment is prepped; and gathering an adequate number of burn crew volunteers to match the requirements of the acreage to be burned. Read "The Gift of Fire" & "Blueprint for a Chapter Burn Program" here: https://bit.ly/3PHhLGT EDITOR'S NOTE: With ongoing wildfires impacting parts of Nebraska, we're thinking about everyone affected — residents, landowners, firefighters, livestock, and wildlife alike. While wildfire brings real loss, this story explores a different side of fire: how prescribed burns, when used carefully, can restore habitat and even reduce future wildfire risk. Words & Photos by Gary Krukar

PHEASANT FACT FRIDAY - Do you have to replant or start an alfalfa field this spring? Consider planting a variety that matures a week or two later than usual. Alfalfa reaches peak nutritional value just prior to most hens hatching their nests. Alfalfa is the first, lush, green growth each spring, and hens will concentrate their nests in the fields. Unfortunately, up to 70 percent of the nests and 50 percent of the hens will be destroyed by the swather. If that alfalfa field matured a week after the peak pheasant hatch, its chick production would triple. Pheasant Fact Friday is presented by Irish Setter Boots #pheasantsforever #pheasantfactfriday

Introducing Habitat University! Habitat University (HU) is a new educational initiative from Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever that features free, self-paced, how-to courses online. The goal of HU is simple: provide practical training that helps develop more and better-equipped habitat managers, putting quality upland habitat on the ground. These courses are designed for anyone looking to implement or improve habitat projects, with a focus on clear, skills-based instruction you can apply right away. Explore Habitat University and see all the available courses here: https://bit.ly/3NrdTt1

Learn what it really takes to guide upland hunts across the ruffed grouse woods and through the desert quail country. Behind the Instagram photos of bird dogs on point is a far grittier reality. Brian Vander Maazen of Amaazen Outdoors pulls back the curtain on life as a full-time bird hunting guide, from the aspen covers of Wisconsin to the desert edges of scaled quail country. This conversation gets into the daily grind of guiding upland hunters, reading habitat, training gun dogs, and building a lifestyle around wild birds. Listen now at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/4uRT3Ua “On the Wing Podcast” is proudly fueled by Pro Plan Sporting Dogs

The Pollinator Habitat Outreach Program provides tools, training and financial assistance for chapters to engage youth, families and local communities in establishing local pollinator habitat projects. The objective of this program is to educate youth and communities on the importance of habitat for all wildlife. By helping plant quality pollinator habitat projects, they learn firsthand the habitat needs of pheasants, quail, bees and butterflies, and a host of other upland wildlife. The native seed for this project is a mixture of wildflowers and native grasses specifically curated by the PF/QF's Habitat Store. The PF/QF Habitat Store provides state-specific mixes designed by professional wildlife biologists that meet and exceed local, state and federal standards, provide quality habitat for wildlife and do so at affordable prices. Wanting to get involved in the Pollinator Habitat Outreach Program? Connect with your local PF or QF chapter this spring to get started. Visit the PF/QF Habitat Store here: https://www.pfhabitatstore.com/

On National Agriculture Day, we want to thank and celebrate all of the farmers and ranchers who work hard to feed the world and to preserve wildlife habitat! Farmers like Tim Wilson and his family in Indiana have struck a great balance on their crop farm. Applying native grasses and flowers to marginal farmland has had multiple benefits, including conserving wildlife habitat while increasing biodiversity and average crop yield. To read more about this success story, visit the link below.

Shotgun Showcase - Weatherby Inc. 18i Limited The 18i Limited is the newest addition to the 18i line of inertia-operated semiautomatics from Weatherby. This version is a small-batch, premium rendition of the 18i Deluxe, imported from Italy and offering a high level of craftsmanship along with elevated styling that blends aesthetics with quality performance. If you're looking for a shotgun with elevated styling, but are leaning towards a semiautomatic rather than a break action (perhaps you enjoy having a third shot or are prioritizing reduced recoil?), this handsome, good-handling shotgun makes an excellent option. See the full break down here: https://bit.ly/41kdwDI The Shotgun Showcase is presented by Guns.com & SoundGear

Today is the final day of the 2026 Spring Shooting Sale. Take advantage of free shipping and gear up for all your spring adventures at the link below. https://bit.ly/4rpHUXM