Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever staff, chapters, and members are remembering the life and contributions of South Dakota native, Tim Kessler, who passed away this week at the age of 66. A lifetime conservationist, Kessler served on the National Board of Directors for PF & QF from 2010 to 2020, including a four-year term as chairman. Tim served on the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission for 17 years, consistently working to improve and maintain the state’s natural resources. A lifelong resident of Aberdeen, he was a third-generation family owner of the 1939 establishment, Kessler Food and Drug. He took over the family business in the late 1980’s after graduating from Northern State University. Before his passing, we were all lucky enough to witness the creation of Kessler Game Production Area, which will forever stand as a testament to his love of wildlife habitat conservation. Timothy "Tim" Kessler September 22, 1957 ~ October 10, 2023 https://pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Pheasants-Forever/Remembering-the-Life-of-Conservationist-Tim-Kessler.aspx

That's a BILLION with a "B." Yesterday the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies announced the final report on the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, released today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. below they reported some fascinating numbers regarding hunting and fishing in the US. Read the entire report at the link below. The survey show that hunting and fishing contributed $145 billion to the US economy while wildlife watching contributed another $250 billion, 39 million people (15% of the U.S. population 16 years and older) participated in recreational fishing, 14 million people (5.5% of the U.S. population 16 years and older) participated in hunting, 148+ million people participated in wildlife watching, 47+ million people participated in target shooting, and 19+ million people participated in archery. https://www.fishwildlife.org/landing/blog/2022-national-survey-fishing-hunting-and-wildlife-watching-shows-economic-contribution-395-billion-us-economy

Before hitting the field this season check out the 2023 Quail Hunting Forecast for state-by-state insight on the quail in your area. Link below! https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/2023-Quail-Hunting-Forecast.aspx

Gamebird Gourmet: Braised Quail with Hominy Grits. Recipe and photos By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley. Link below "In my readings on Native American food, “safki” or “sofkee” caught my attention. It’s a preparation of corn, wood ash and water, primarily associated with tribes of the southeastern United States. The Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole tribes of present-day Oklahoma and Florida fermented corn to impart a sour flavor to a looser mixture of safki for drinking, and as a meal, they made a thicker porridge to eat with meat. Alongside big and small game, wild fowl such as quail, wild turkey, pigeon and waterfowl also contributed to the subsistence diets of southeastern Native American peoples." https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Gamebird-Gourmet-Braised-Quail-with-Hominy-Grits.aspx

For years, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have made the case for the climate benefits of conserving grasslands and uplands. While our work to conserve pheasants, quail, and other wildlife over the last four decades may not have always carried the “climate-smart” moniker, the practices we use to create quality habitat also improve soil health, water quality, climate resilience and carbon sequestration. It is hard to get more climate-smart than that. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced which conservation activities are eligible for funding via the Inflation Reduction Act. This funding is dedicated to Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) programs that help promote climate mitigation and carbon sequestration. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever worked closely with our partners to provide input to the agency on eligible activities, emphasizing the climate benefits of habitat practices — and we are thrilled to see our input reflected in the FY24 list. Read more about this announcement at the link below.

WE NEED YOU… TODAY AND TOMORROW – “Wildlife habitat conservation is a philanthropic priority for our family because we realize that our support is going to provide future generations with the opportunity to enjoy wildlife and wild places. It is our hope that other passionate supporters will consider joining the Habitat Legacy Society." Kent Heyborne Learn more about Kent's story and how you can leave an upland habitat legacy at the link below. https://pheasantsforever.planmygift.org/donor-stories/kent-and-theresa-heyborne

Reminder: download the Bobscapes Mobile App today, and do your part for bobwhite quail conservation by recording your bobwhite sightings in the field. Whether you hear them or see them, by recording your bobwhite occurrences you'll be taking a part in some crucial citizen science that will help researchers understand population dynamics and help manage direct resources for habitat. Download the Bobscapes Mobile App today at https://www.bobscapes.org// 📸: Hunter Bridges