"I was so driven to attend the adult Learn to Hunt program organized by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR). They partnered with Quail Forever and the Minority Outdoor Alliance (MOA) to organize a weekend full of learning, shooting, hunting, and wild game cooking. This unique partnership brought together passionate professionals inspired to share the special tradition that is quail hunting. Ashley and Durrell Smith founded MOA to bring unity and opportunity to the outdoors, and their successful journey led Durrell to a classroom with 8 adults who have never quail hunted. Durrell walked us through the North American conservation model, highlighted upland hunting etiquette and firearm safety, reviewed rules and regulations, and then focused on what it means to be an ethical hunter. What I remember most is the joy shared between the local game warden and Durrell as they re-lived moments in the field. I started to get the sense that hunting is more than taking an animal." Read the full story "Empty Shells and Full Hearts: A South Carolina Quail Adventure" by Maggie O'Neil, at the 🔗 link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Empty-Shells-Full-Hearts.aspx

Back by popular demand, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to announce the second annual Hands-On Habitat initiative, but this time we're taking over a whole MONTH. If you ever wanted to get your hands dirty while helping with a local habitat project, here’s your chance. Local chapters and employees across the country are hosting workdays during the month of June that feature critical upland habitat projects that will make a positive impact in their communities – and they need your help! No experience is necessary, simply find a project near you, register for the event, and show up with a willingness to learn and have fun with other passionate upland conservationists, hunters, and bird dog lovers. Find a local project, share this opportunity with your friends and family, and register to help today at the 🔗 link below! https://pheasantsforever.org/handsonhabitat

Here we GROW again! Career opportunities in wildlife habitat conservation: * AZ Strip Partner Wildlife Ecologist - St. George, UT *OH Farm Bill Biologist I or II - 2 positions *Membership Services Specialist - Chapter & Event Support *IL Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist II or III - Taylorville *TN Grasslands and Grazing Coordinator - middle Tennessee *SC Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist II - Columbia *IL Seasonal Technician - Vegetation Assessments *TX CRP Coordinating Wildlife Biologist - Lamesa *TN Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist II - Manchester *SD Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist - Faulkton or Miller *WI Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist - Menomonie *NE Habitat Partnership Specialist II - location negotiable *Corporate Partnerships Account Executive - Remote * Vice President of Government Affairs Location: Washington, DC area preferred Learn more & apply at https://pheasantsforever.org/Careers.aspx

Pollinator plants and insects are crucial to our environment on many levels. Not only do pollinators support the global food production chain, but they provide food sources for our favorite birds and insects while capturing carbon, purifying water and holding soil in place. Planting pollinator habitat at all scales help support this crucial ecological cycle. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever recognizes that good pollinator habitat is good upland bird habitat, which drives our support of pollinator conservation. Head to the 🔗 link below to learn more on why good pollinator habitat is good upland bird habitat, and also how to purchase your own pollinator plant kits and state seed mixes through our Habitat Store.

On The Wing Podcast Ep. 214: A Mother's Day Takeover of the Uplands is live! 🔗link below to listen now! In this episode, PF & QF’s Marissa Jensen and Rachel Bush are taking over the podcast for a special Mother’s Day edition. Joined by Susan Felege, PF & QF Board of Directors member and Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of North Dakota, and Kata Miller, North Carolina Women on the Wing Quail Forever Chapter president, they celebrate the ups, downs, and in-betweens of raising a family with a love and appreciation for the outdoors, hunting, and conservation. Episode Highlights: - Kata and Susan share the ways they get their families outdoors. - We all know that getting kids outside can be challenging at times, but the rewards are worth it. Our guests share some of the challenges they’ve faced as well as those “ah-ha” moments. - Even when you think kids aren’t listening or learning, they surprise you with astute observations of nature when you’re least expecting it… And sometimes kids say the funniest things! - Secrets and snacks, our guests share what works best for them through the good times and the bad.

Sensations of Spring
More snow covered the open prairies of Nebraska this winter than I can recall from the past decade. In turn, the anticipation for turkey season seemed to build much deeper than usual.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to announce the hiring of Shelly Wiggam as Kansas state coordinator. In her new role, Wiggam will drive Kansas habitat programs, lead a talented team of field staff, and work closely with partners to ensure habitat conservation continues to be recognized as a critically important driver of abundant wildlife populations, sustainable agriculture, healthy soil, and clean water. “The Kansas state coordinator position is not a dream job for me – it is who I am and what I have been working toward since the age of eleven when I started volunteering for conservation organizations,” Wiggam said. “My upbringing, education, working relationships, research, and outreach endeavors all focus on supporting ranchers and farmers for implementing conservation-based management that works for them and the wildlife on lands they steward – I’m exceptionally humbled and excited to be given the trust and support to lead our Kansas Team, as well as help drive conservation in the Central Great Plains for The Habitat Organization.” Learn more about Shelly and her new role at the 🔗 link below. https://bit.ly/41d0yFj

As spring moves forward, land managers will begin to turn their attention to food and cover plots that will support wildlife during the upcoming winter’s inclement weather conditions. For many of us, sorghum is the cover of choice for a variety of reasons – food, thermal cover, loafing cover, etc. But keep in mind that not all sorghum varieties are created equal. Aside from color variations in the seeds such as red, orange, bronze, tan, white, and black, there are different applications that can affect the outcome of your hard work. Read more at the 🔗 link below. United Sorghum Checkoff Program