On this week's episode of “On the Wing Podcast” Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Quail Forever Journal Editor Ryan Sparks for a conversation with Jason Passalacqua, owner of Passalacqua Winery, and Jessica Boone, Passalacqua’s winemaker. This episode celebrates a new collaboration between Quail Forever and Passalacqua introducing a Quail Forever Pinot Noir and a Quail Forever Fiano. A portion of the sale from each of these wines will go to QF’s wildlife habitat conservation mission. Listen to this episode at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! https://bit.ly/3GVhkoq “On the Wing Podcast” is proudly fueled by Pro Plan Sporting Dogs #quailforever #onthewingpodcast

Sporting Dog Shorts Fueled by Pro Plan Sporting Dogs - How to Avoid Retrieving Pitfalls While Cultivating Drive and Success Who doesn't like a dog that loves to retrieve? Whether we are tossing bumpers in the backyard, launching dummies in the field, or sending our dogs for a downed bird, owning a dog that relentlessly retrieves is something I suspect all bird hunters desire. And, while owning an enthusiastic retriever is a lot of fun, I think it's also a practical necessity. A dog with a high retrieve drive allows us to teach the dog complex skills such as remote handling and steadiness; and that drive will also enable a dog to work out any retrieve of downed game that occurs in the field. Visit the link below to read Cato Outdoors approach to cultivating retrieving desire in your pup. https://bit.ly/46gpW3l #quailforever #proplansportingdogs

Sporting Dog Shorts Fueled by Pro Plan Sporting Dogs - How to Avoid Retrieving Pitfalls While Cultivating Drive and Success Who doesn't like a dog that loves to retrieve? Whether we are tossing bumpers in the backyard, launching dummies in the field, or sending our dogs for a downed bird, owning a dog that relentlessly retrieves is something I suspect all bird hunters desire. And, while owning an enthusiastic retriever is a lot of fun, I think it's also a practical necessity. A dog with a high retrieve drive allows us to teach the dog complex skills such as remote handling and steadiness; and that drive will also enable a dog to work out any retrieve of downed game that occurs in the field. Visit the link below to read Cato Outdoors approach to cultivating retrieving desire in your pup. https://bit.ly/4lZXQ0M #pheasantsforever #proplansportingdogs

Field of dreams. Mention a buddy in the comments you'd like to hunt this country with come hunting season. #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization

Quail Forever Dedicates New Public Land in Missouri Quail Forever is proud to announce the dedication of two new public land areas in Missouri. The properties were acquired by Quail Forever through the Build a Wildlife Area® program and handed over to the Missouri Dept. of Conservation for management. The two parcels total nearly 250 acres of new public access in northwest Missouri. The dedication took place on The Nature Conservancy's expansive Dunn Ranch Prairie, which is intensively managed for intact tallgrass prairie, bobwhite quail, bison, prairie chickens and more. “The partnership between Quail Forever, the MDC and The Nature Conservancy is far reaching and impactful,” said Eric Sytsma. “We cannot do this alone. Anybody who spends ten minutes out here will understand why this is important and why we need to protect it. Being a part of the team that protects these landscapes is truly a privilege.” Both parcels are in MDC’s Grand River Grasslands Priority Geography, an area of core focus for bobwhite quail conservation. It also lies within a core Working Lands for Wildlife priority area. Less than one percent of Missouri’s original prairie remains, according to MDC. This makes parcels such as these vital to not only protect, but enhance. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3TLLiy4 #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

Today is the last day to enter our 2025 Forever Forward Raffle and we are in the final hours! Get your entries in before it is to late. If you purchase 3 entries you'll receive the sticker pack of your choice. If you purchase 10 entries you'll receive the sticker pack and hat of your choice just for entering the raffle. Thanks for supporting our mission of upland habitat conservation. Enter now! https://bit.ly/3TXc7z9

Today is the last day to enter our 2025 Forever Forward Raffle and we are in the final hours! Get your entries in before it is to late. If you purchase 3 entries you'll receive a the sticker pack of your choice. If you purchase 10 entries you'll receive the sticker pack and hat of your choice just for entering the raffle. Thanks for supporting our mission of upland habitat conservation. Enter now! https://bit.ly/3TXc7z9

Pheasant Fact Friday! The cock pheasant never plays a large role in spring reproduction, and he is even less active in July and August. Roosters have generally lost weight each month since the previous February, but in July they can begin preparing for next winter. Hens, however, have to wait until September to begin their preparation. Hens are in poor physical condition after the energy demands of nesting and brood rearing, but summer does not allow her to rest. She must raise her chicks and begin molting her feathers during summer months. These tasks will cost her 15% of her body weight, or a 25% loss since egg laying began in April. Depending on the number of re-nesting attempts and the total number of eggs laid, the hen could easily lose 30% of her weight by late August. #pheasantsforever #pheasantfactfriday #thehabitatorganization

Quail Fact Friday! Elegant quail are a beautiful species mostly found along the Pacific slopes of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental, from Sonora to northern Jalisco, with rare sightings in southern Arizona. Breeding season for elegant quail usually occurs in the spring, triggered by the availability of food and changes in daylight. The male performs a captivating courtship display, showcasing his plumage and vocal abilities to attract a mate. Females typically lay a clutch of 8-12 eggs in a carefully concealed ground nest. Both parents play a role in nurturing the young. Elegant Quail play a crucial role in its ecosystem by foraging on the ground and aiding in seed dispersal and promoting plant diversity. #quailforever #quailfactfriday #thehabitatorganization

Pheasants Forever

Upland game bird chicks are on the ground and in their first few weeks of life. The importance of brood-rearing (brooding) cover cannot be emphasized enough. For landowners and land managers looking to enhance upland game bird populations, it is essential to recognize what constitutes quality brooding structure and how to manage and maintain it effectively. Key Features of Effective Brooding Cover: •Includes a mix of native wildflowers and legumes that bloom and produce seed at different times throughout the entire year. This provides year-round forage for upland birds, wildlife, and pollinators alike. •Vegetation structure and species diversity that attracts a multitude of insects which chicks and poults rely on for food during the first few weeks of life. •Plant species that provide overhead cover from aerial predators and weather, while also preserving an understory that allows for ample bare ground/open space. This enables chicks to roam freely without becoming ensnared in overly dense vegetation. •The value of brooding cover declines significantly as the stand ages. Regular disturbance, such as burning, is important to rejuvenate the cover. Looking to add or diversify brooding cover on your property? Check out the Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever Seed Program (PFHabitatstore.com) for pre-designed and custom seed mixes. 100% of proceeds from seed sales go directly to support our mission to conserve quail, pheasants, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy. Video: MSU Extension Gamebird Program #quailforever #thehabitatorganization