Fall and winter heralds a season of promise not just for hunters but also for a distinctive and environmentally impactful practice: dormant seeding habitat. This approach to habitat restoration, particularly in the northern states, has the potential to transform designated lands into thriving ecosystems. While spring seeding remains a preferred method among habitat managers, dormant seeding presents unique advantages when executed thoughtfully. Dormant seeding habitat involves sowing seeds during the late fall or winter when the ground is cold, typically seeking soil temperatures below 40°F. This technique capitalizes on the natural processes of freezing and thawing, ensuring that seeds lie dormant until optimal conditions for germination arise in the spring. Learn more about the benefits of dormant seeding at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Revitalizing-Landscapes-with-Dormant-Seeding.aspx

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to announce Jake Hanson has been promoted to the role of director of development. In his new role, Hanson will be responsible for advancing the organization’s mission by leading a comprehensive major gifts program, designed to grow philanthropic support in collaboration with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s employee team, donors, members, volunteers and partners. “I’m honored to continue serving Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in this new role,” Hanson said. “Within each milestone of this organization’s history, there are two common threads — collaboration and generosity. These threads will guide us into the future as we build strong relationships, involve our supporters in new ways and work together to create more habitat.” Learn more about Jake and his new role at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Jake-Hanson-promoted-to-Director-of-Development.aspx

And as the calendar flips to 2024, we’re proud to be kicking off the new year with a strong advocacy push as a participating member of Kansans for Conservation (KFC), working diligently on a new legislative initiative to establish sustainable funding for conservation in The Sunflower State! The Habitat Organization recognizes the tremendous long-term benefits of stateside sustainable funding for Kansas’ rich history of upland hunting and quality grassland habitat benefitting farmers and ranchers, water quality, wildlife, hunters, and the state’s associated outdoor recreation and agricultural economies. In partnership with KFC, PF & QF is advising lawmakers on a draft bill for the 2024 Kansas Legislative Session supporting the creation of a state conservation fund which pools existing financial resources from lottery prize revenue, sports gambling revenue, and sporting goods tax revenue to the following divisions: (1) Kansas Department of Ag, division of conservation (50%); (2) KDWP wildlife division (25%); and (3) KDWP parks division (25%). In its current form, the draft bill does not create any new financial obligation for Kansas taxpayers and would generate estimated funding of ~$63.4 million. These funds would provide matching resources for agricultural, conservation, and wildlife investments on private and public lands throughout the state. Learn more about the work being done in Kansas at the link below.

Happy holidays, from all of us here at "The Habitat Organization!" May your time be spent enjoying friend, family, and wild birds.

Wingshooter Rig Walkthrough presented by onX Hunt, Pheasants Forever, and Quail Forever. This Wingshooter Rig Walkthrough features PF & QF Life Member Katie Willis, giving us the rundown on her upland rig and its features that assist the traveling wingshooter. Stay tuned for more wingshooter rigs, to find ways you can build out an upland rig that best suits you and your dogs. Don’t forget to check out OnX’s in-dash capabilities at onxhunt.com

Winter is here, so it’s time for a new cover photo. Check out this image of a couple of male valley quail perched on a snowy branch, taken by QF’s very own Video Production Coordinator Aaron Black-Schmidt. Speaking of snow, check out Quail Forever’s latest film “Snowbirds” at the link below. Quailforever.org/snowbirds