“Dove season will sharpen the hunting skills of all hunters … ones new to the magic, and even old-timers like me.” Read “The Great American Dove Hunt” by Rich Massey, at the link below. 📸: Matt Massey https://quailforever.org/getdoc/b5e00515-66fb-4b75-adbc-61820cc3432b/The-Great-American-Dove-Hunt.aspx

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to announce the hiring of Ariel Wiegard as the organization’s incoming vice president of government affairs. Wiegard, a 15-year veteran of Washington D.C., will now lead policy/advocacy efforts to advance the mission of The Habitat Organization among lawmakers, industry partners, private lands stakeholders, and other conservation advocates. "Stepping into this role leading public policy at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever feels like a natural fit,” says Wiegard. “As someone passionate about hunting and the outdoors, I am eager to deliver policy wins that incentivize thoughtful, on-the-ground conservation. Collaborating with dedicated colleagues and valued partners, who share the same ambitious vision to conserve and cultivate habitat in our favorite landscapes, fuels my excitement for the impactful work that lies ahead.” To learn more about Ariel and her new role, head to the link below. https://pheasantsforever.org/Newsroom/2023-August/Pheasants-Forever-and-Quail-Forever-Appoint-Ariel-Wiegard-to-VP-of-Government-Affairs.aspx

This is one of those photos you can hear just by looking at it, but if you do actually hear the call of a bobwhite while you are in the field, make sure you record it in the Bobscapes Mobile App. By recording your bobwhite occurrences in the app, you’ll be taking part in some crucial citizen science that will help researchers understand population dynamics and help manage direct resources for habitat work. Download the Bobscapes Mobile App at the link below. https://tinyurl.com/3h45yv24

On The Wing Podcast Ep. 227: Introducing South Dakota's New Public Access to Habitat Program, is live! Link below to listen now, or listen wherever you get your podcasts. https://tinyurl.com/2bawzkb7 Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by PF’s Director of Communications Jared Wiklund and Development Officer Jake Hanson to announce the organization’s new Public Access To Habitat (PATH) program. PATH opens to South Dakota landowners for enrollment on September 1st and to hunters for public hunting access later this autumn. Ben Brettingen, onXHunt’s Regional Manager, also jumps into the conversation to deliver the program’s first $250,000 contribution, in partnership with South Dakota Tourism, which will result in the PATH program’s first 10,000 acres of open access. Episode Highlights: - The group has gathered in northern Wisconsin to run their bird dogs together before setting up the podcasting gear and camp chairs for a conversation about bird dogs, upland hunting, and public access. - Wiklund explains how the creation of the Aberdeen Pheasant Coalition in 2013 was the precursor for this new statewide PATH program launching in South Dakota this autumn. - Hanson reminisces about predicting the future during episode 143 of On The Wing podcast while on the 2021 Rooster Road Trip, then directs landowners interested in learning more about PATH to connect with a PF Farm Bill Biologist in South Dakota. Special thanks to onXHunt and South Dakota Tourism for kicking off our new PATH program with the effort’s first contribution. Use the code PFQF at onxhunt.com for 20% off. onX Hunt, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, Travel South Dakota

Last Friday, the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2023 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) The new bill, touted by conservation groups as a critical investment for the future of hunting and fishing in America, would strengthen the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) – a popular component within the federal Farm Bill that helps create public access for outdoor endeavors on private lands. “Since 2008, the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program has provided one of the most vital funding sources to increase public access to private lands for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation,” said Marilyn Vetter, President and CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “The economic returns from investments in VPA-HIP have been shown many times over across America for rural communities. Access is at the core of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission, and we thank Representatives Dingell and Johnson for their bipartisan support of this very successful program.” Read more at the link below.