Today, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are applauding action by Agriculture Committee leadership in both the U.S. Senate and the House to put forward their proposals for a 2024 Farm Bill, with Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) unveiling the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act and House Committee on Agriculture Chair Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA) releasing his committee’s Farm Bill overview. While there is still much work to do, these proposals appear to support farmers, sportsmen and women, and rural communities by strengthening popular, voluntary conservation programs, increasing access to the great outdoors, and preserving working lands and wildlife habitat for future generations. Both Chairwoman Stabenow and Chairman Thompson’s bills would bring funding from the Inflation Reduction Act into the Farm Bill and provide a historic, permanent investment in voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are thankful to see some of the organization’s top priorities being addressed in Senator Stabenow’s Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. These include strengthening the Conservation Reserve Program by incorporating the provisions of the bipartisan, bicameral CRP Improvement Act, reauthorizing and funding the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) and including provisions to support nationwide conservation of America’s grasslands. Learn more about the progress being made regarding the 2024 Farm Bill at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Pheasants-Forever-and-Quail-Forever-Thrilled-about-Congressional-Movement-Today-Around-New-Farm-Bill.aspx

Quail Fact Friday!💡 Scaled quail make ground nests, tucked beneath woody shrubs or yucca plants, which house clutches of 5-16 speckled eggs. Newly hatched chicks are precocious, mimicking their parents’ behavior and foraging skills from day one—their short lifespan means they must learn quickly. Scaled quail have been documented nesting from early April through as late as September. This long nesting season, especially during a wet cycle, allows females to have a second clutch, leading to booms in the population. Summer precipitation below six inches causes drastic declines. Of course, habitat is also crucial, as land management practices can fragment habitat and reduce populations. #quailforever #quail #scaledquail #quailfactfriday

Want to get your hands dirty while helping with a local habitat project? Here’s your chance! Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever chapters across the country are hosting Hands-On Habitat Workdays throughout the month of May! Volunteerism has driven our organization since its creation and now is the perfect opportunity to learn about your local chapter, engage your community, have fun, and move the needle for our mission of upland habitat conservation! Find an event near you at the link: https://pheasantsforever.org/Special-Events/Hands-on-Habitat.aspx

Spring has gone to the dogs! Now through the end of the month save big on select dog items at the Quail Forever Store. Link below. https://bit.ly/3xT5BBY

On The Wing Podcast Ep. 261: Women on the Wing Series Part 3: Working with Chapters to Accomplish Mission Delivery, is live. Listen now at the link below, or wherever you get your podcasts. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Podcast-Ep-261-Women-on-the-Wing-Series-Part-3-Working-with-Chapters-to-Accomplish-Mission-Delive.aspx Continuing Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s special Women on the Wing podcast series, host Ashley Chance is joined by co-host Britta Petersen for a conversation with North Dakota Senior Field Representative Renee Tomala. Renee talks to us about growing up in the outdoors, DIY dog training and how she works with Pheasants Forever Chapters to carry out our organization’s mission. SPOILER ALERT: There are now 13 Women on the Wing Chapters across the country with more on the way! Episode Highlights: - Being in the path of totality – Britta's eclipse experience. - The crew talks about getting comfortable eating unusual animal parts. - Renee talks about what a privilege it is to work with chapters to carry out our mission and all the ways she goes about that, leaving us to wonder what doesn't a regional representative do? - Renee gives us a brief history of Women on the Wing and Women on the Wing Chapters, which originated with an all-women staff years ago in North Dakota. Today there are Women on the Wing Chapters in ND, TX, MN, MI, NC, WA, GA, WI, AZ, SD and OH doing all kinds of neat things including hosting events like “Unstuck your truck.” - Renee chronicles the (mis)adventures of Quill, her German Wirehaired Pointer aka ‘Porcupine Lover.’

Quail Forever (QF) is excited to announce a new chapter start in Nevada. The Northern Nevada Red Legged Devils Chapter will be based near Reno but will include members from any county in the northern half of the state. Volunteers are thrilled to be contributing to the organization’s mission through habitat improvement projects and citizen science in collaboration with the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Local upland hunting and habitat enthusiasts pulled together to form the chapter after hearing Stamm speak on the Upchukar podcast, hosted by Travis Warren. Once members showed interest, Stamm helped them officially sign a charter agreement, and will now help the chapter develop and execute their lofty conservation goals. “This chapter is filled with young and highly motivated people,” said Stamm. “A lot of great habitat work in Nevada has been done by the southern chapter, but now this group has a chance to make a huge impact on northern Nevada’s wildlife habitat and populations.” The chapter will be hosting its first meeting and social evening on May 18 at the Peavine Tap House in Verdi, Nevada. To learn more about this exciting new chapter and how to get involved, head to the link below.