The Habitat Organization has always been at the forefront of creating and defending sound wildlife and conservation policy. We’ve had many wins along the way, and are not afraid to jump into a fight to push back on policies that would harm wildlife and hunting heritage. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a number of new approaches in government lately that could limit the tools we have available to further our conservation mission. No where is that more true than on the state level, which has a major hand in shaping conservation policy. With the 2024 state legislative sessions mostly wrapped up for the year, in the article at the link below we’ll highlight state-level policies we’ve recently engaged in, and outline the defensive and offensive approaches we need to be prepared for each in years to come. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/State-Level-Advocacy-a-Key-Mission-for-Pheasants-Forever-and-Quail-Forever.aspx

You asked. We answered. Ask a Vet Series Ep. 10 "How Do I Keep My Bird Dog Hydrated?" is available now. Read the full blog and watch the full film featuring Purina Pro Plan veterinary experts Dr. RuthAnn Lobos and Dr. Seth Bynum at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Ask-A-Vet-Ep-10.aspx "I often field questions from hunting dog owners who express concerns about the volume of water their hunting dogs consume in the field. The good news is most dogs do a great job of regulating their own hydration without any intervention on our behalf. Thirst is a natural response to changes in hydration status. It’s a reflex that dogs involuntarily respond to when the sensation arises, even if that doesn’t coincide with what we think the timeline should be for drinking. Despite our tendency to overanalyze, most thirsty dogs will drink what they need when the urge arises and clean, fresh water is available. There are, however, a few reluctant or finicky drinkers out there. For the minority of dogs that would rather hunt than drink, you have to get creative in managing their hydration." The Ask a Vet Series is proudly presented in partnership with Purina Pro Plan

"It’s pollinator week, and I decided to use the pollinator habitat planting kit I got from Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever to create some native habitat in my own backyard. The list of good things pollinators and native habitat provides us with is endless! Get yours today!" Link below to get your Pollinator Planting Kit quailforever.org/pollinatorweek Shoutout to our friend over at onX Hunt Lake Pickle, for being an incredible habitat advocate!

On The Wing Podcast Ep. 269: PF & QF Biologists Select Their Top 10 Wildflowers During Pollinator Week, is live. Listen now at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Podcast-Ep-269-PF-QF-Biologists-Select-Their-Top-10-Wildflowers-During-Pollinator-Week.aspx Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever biologists Ciera Garner and Heather Francis to talk about the intersection between pollinator habitat for pollinating insects and brood habitat for upland birds. Garner is the organization’s pollinator coordinator in Tennessee and Francis is a farm bill biologist III and on-boarding coordinator in Nebraska. In fact, pollinators are so important to them both that Garner’s wedding earlier this spring included a variety of native wildflower components as did Francis’ youngest son’s wedding that happened on the very same day as Garner’s nuptials. Episode Highlights: - The group focuses their conversation on a Top 10 list of wildflowers as voted on by a sampling of PF & QF’s team of biologists. - The criteria for the Top 10 list of wildflowers included each plant’s a) value in creating habitat structure; b) value as a food resource – both in seed produced as food, as well as the plant’s ability to attract soft-bodied insects as chick food; and c) as the wildcard value of the flower’s blooming beauty. - Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are currently offering a special Pollinator Week package including a PF or QF membership, six wildflower plants, a “Habitat Creator” sticker, and a “Pollinator Habitat” sign. Check out the offer at: quailforever.org/pollinatorweek

Whether it’s 400, 40 or 4 acres… or 4 square feet… pollinator habitat makes this world a better place. Of course, on the big end of that scale, the pheasants and quail that we love use that wildflower habitat for nesting in late spring and early summer, rearing broods in summer, and evading predators in fall and even into winter. But I have preached that into your noggin many a time. It is one reason Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make such a big deal of Pollinator Week, June 17-23 this year. But there’s more. And, in the case of butterflies, bees and other pollinators, (bold-iridescent beetles, flashy flies, fluttering moths and sprightly songbirds anyone?) it doesn’t take much in terms of square footage to make a difference. A real difference. Read "Every Square Inch Matters: Pollinator Week 2024" by PF Journal Editor Tom Carpenter, at the link below. https://pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Pheasants-Forever/Every-Square-Inch-Matters-Pollinator-Week-2024.aspx A huge thanks to our pollinator week sponsors: Corteva Agriscience, Bayer U.S. Crop Science, Syngenta US, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Monarch Joint Venture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Be a Habitat Creator and create more habitat that supports our pollinators, pheasants, quail and other wildlife! Link below to get your Pollinator Habitat Planting Kit. quailforever.org/pollinatorweek Did you know the native habitat that supports pollinators also supports pheasants and quail? Their chicks grow up on a diet consisting almost completely of soft-bodied insects and the diversity of plant species found in pollinator plantings provides important habitat for nesting, brood-rearing, and cover throughout the seasons. Pollinators also impact 75% of the global food supply and populations are in decline. Do your part in helping provide quality habitat wherever you are by donating to put more habitat on the landscape and in your own yard! For a limited time, a $35 or $75 donation made through this link includes a pollinator habitat planting kit with 6 native wildflowers, an 8”x10” pollinator habitat sign, an exclusive HABITAT CREATOR sticker, and an annual membership to Pheasants Forever. Create a pocket plot for pollinators and be a supporting member of the Habitat Organization at the same time! A huge thanks to our pollinator week partners: Corteva Agriscience, Bayer U.S. Crop Science, Syngenta US, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Monarch Joint Venture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service