Today, the Department of the Interior released its much-anticipated Public Lands Rule, creating a conservation leasing mechanism for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acres. The new rule prioritizes healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clean water, and balanced decision-making at the forefront of public lands management decisions. Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) applaud agency leaders for creating a tool to carry out durable restoration and mitigation on America’s 245 million BLM acres, including landscape-level projects for upland birds and other wildlife. “While we haven’t yet had a chance to read the newly final Public Lands Rule in its entirety, we applaud BLM’s innovative approach to elevating conservation in its land management decisions, and we’re excited for the opportunities the rule may create to help PF & QF deliver our habitat mission on lands across the West,” stated Ariel Wiegard, PF & QF’s vice president of government affairs. “Our organization is also looking forward to partnering with other BLM land users, including in the livestock and energy sectors, to bring this rule to life and ensure the long term sustained yield of America’s natural resources.” The rule will help to ensure the BLM continues to protect land health while managing other uses of the public lands, such as clean energy development and outdoor recreation. The final rule: - Directs BLM to manage for landscape health - Provides a mechanism for restoring and protecting our public lands through restoration and mitigation leases, while maintaining existing authorized uses including recreational access - Clarifies the designation and management of ACECs Learn more at the link: https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Pheasants-Forever-and-Quail-Forever-Applaud-Revised-BLM-Public-Lands-Rule.aspx

This spring, local volunteers of the Treasure Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever in Boise, Idaho made a significant donation for the future of upland habitat management and hunting access. A $30K check was presented to the Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation to be used for conservation purposes on the recently acquired Mayfield Property, a 5,534-acre parcel of land which will be incorporated into the Boise River Wildlife Management Area as the Cornell Segment. The Mayfield Property consists of large tracts of upland shrub-steppe habitat ideal for sage grouse and other upland birds, while providing winter habitat for large herds of mule deer and elk. The property abuts and is now incorporated into the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Boise River Wildlife Management Area. Previously private property, the land had historically been used by a local dog training club but will now benefit from focused efforts to maximize wildlife and hunter values, including broadening public access. Read more at the link:

As the calendar hits mid-April, upland birds are starting to nest across a large swath of North America. To safeguard this critical timeframe, many states have applied quiet periods, commonly referred to as the “nesting season ban,” which restricts the training of dogs on public lands to protect breeding wildlife and offspring. Do you self-impose your own nesting season ban on PRIVATE LANDS to protect your bird population? As an example, Minnesota Statute 97B.005 states: “A person may not train hunting dogs afield on public lands administered by the [DNR] commissioner from April 16 to July 14 except as specifically authorized by permit or rule.” From an ethical standpoint, hunters and bird dog owners should be doing everything in our power to help wildlife thrive on the landscape, including leaving our favorite quarry undisturbed during the most critical time of the year. Pressuring upland gamebirds with bird dogs during the nesting and brood-rearing season is simply biting the hand that feeds you. So, does the nesting season ban require going cold turkey on dog training? Absolutely not. There are lots of alternatives from training clubs (NAVHDA for example) and game farms to open training grounds in your local community that are designed for year-round hunting dog use. The map in this post provided by USDA, indicates primary nesting periods for each state, and does not show dates for quiet periods in each state. Upland hunters should contact their local conservation officer for more information about quite periods and dog training on lands administered by your state DNR agency from early spring through midsummer. Link to see full blog: https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Help-Keep-Bird-Dog-Pressure-Away-from-Spring-Nesting-Season.aspx

Quail Fact Friday!💡 Let’s talk about turkeys and quail! As turkey season heats up, some folks blame these big birds for the decline in our beloved bobwhite quail. But here’s the truth: there’s no scientific evidence to back that up. While it’s easy to point fingers, the real culprit behind quail decline is habitat loss. Development and intensive agriculture have taken a toll on quail habitat, leaving them with fewer places to call home. The good news? Turkeys and quail can live side by side! With the right habitat management practices, both species can thrive in the same areas without negatively impacting each other. So instead of blaming turkeys, let’s focus on what we can control: creating and preserving quality habitat for quail and other wildlife. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for our feathered friends! #quailforever #quail #bobwhitequail #quailfactfriday

Today, a coalition of conservation organizations is celebrating the launch of MapforGrasslands.Org as illustration of the need for the North American Grasslands Conservation Act. The first-of-its-kind website documents the loss of grasslands in North America, the subsequent impact on iconic wildlife species, and the need for grasslands-specific legislation – the North American Grasslands Conservation Act (Grasslands Act) – to address upland habitat loss. The new website demonstrates the significant loss of America’s prairies, savannas, glades and sagebrush over a thirty-year period (1992-present). Fifteen individual species are also highlighted within the project, showcasing population declines in some of America’s iconic wildlife — including the northern bobwhite quail, monarch butterfly, and bobolink. Produced by Cornell Lab of Ornithology in collaboration with the coalition, the project is a valuable tool for legislators, hunters, and conservationists to better understand the habitat and species loss in their own backyards while empowering individuals to act. To see the full interactive map, learn more about the Grasslands Act, and how to get involved, head to the link mapforgrasslands.org Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Ruffed Grouse Society, National Wildlife Federation, World Wildlife Fund, North American Grouse Partnership

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever applaud Explore Act passed by U.S. House of Representatives. Yesterday, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experience (EXPLORE) Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. With bipartisan support, H.R. 6492 will improve access and infrastructure for outdoor recreation on federal public lands and waters. The act was first introduced on November 29, 2023 by U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman, Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, also Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, and Committee Ranking Member Raul Grijalva (AZ). Infrastructure and access to public lands will be improved by this legislation. The legislation would include boosting broadband connectivity, increasing parking availability and access points for people with disabilities, providing free passes to veterans and developing programming to encourage youth to participate in outdoor activities. Additionally, a digital version of the “America the Beautiful” pass will be created, making it easier for outdoor enthusiasts to obtain passes for federal land access and pay fees online. Learn more about the implications of the EXPLORE Act at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Quail-Forever-and-Pheasants-Forever-Applaud-EXPLORE-Act-Passed-by-U-S-House-of-Representatives.aspx

The perfect companion for all your offseason adventures. For a limited time when you join or renew your Quail Forever membership you will receive an exclusive QF Day Trip Cooler Bag. Join today at the link below. https://quailforever.org/SpecialPages/Special-Memberships/2024-Spring-Membership-Appeal.aspx