Sorghum for BIRDS: A Kansas Collaboration for Wildlife, Water, and Profitability
Sorghum is The Grain that Gives™. When paired with conservation practices across sprawling landscapes, this resource-conserving crop plays a critical role for the connection between wildlife populations, soil health, water quality & quantity, and farm-level profitability.

The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2023 was introduced by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) earlier this week. 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 helping create public access for outdoor endeavors on private lands. VPA-HIP offers competitive grants to states and tribal governments to be used as incentives for private landowners to voluntarily open their lands for public use, while upholding private property rights. The “Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act” would reauthorize VPA-HIP and increase funding from $50 million to $150 million over five years, a legislative priority supported by more than 30 hunting, fishing, and conservation organizations. 🔗 Learn more at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Voluntary-Public-Access-Improvement-Act-Introduced-in-U-S-Senate.aspx?

On The Wing Podcast EP. 209: Properly Starting a Puppy on the Path to Becoming a Bird Dog, is live! link below to listen now! Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Mike Wieben, head dog trainer at Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennel, for a conversation with PF & QF’s Logan Hinners, the proud new owner of a young Labrador retriever puppy named “Trek.” Over the course of the episode, Wieben coaches Logan on properly introducing Trek to birds, gunfire, water, and electronic dog training tools. Episode Highlights: - Logan describes his hopes for Trek to become a “5-tool” bird dog who will accompany him in the uplands, in the duck blind, and in search of shed antlers - Wieben explains the importance of separating obedience training from bird & gun introduction to build a puppy’s prey-drive and foster a pup’s connection to fun associated with birds - Wieben also discusses the various SportDOG BRAND® e-collars available for training and hunting REMINDER: Bird Dogs for Habitat is happening now! Bird Dogs for Habitat is an online popularity contest with a purpose. From April 1st through 30th we’re challenging people to cast a vote and make a donation on behalf of their favorite bird dog breed. Every dollar donated equals one vote and every donation will help create more permanently protected and publicly accessible places for our bird dogs to roam via our Build a Wildlife Area program. learn more at the link below. This episode of the On The Wing Podcast is brought to you by SportDOG Brand

How CRP Can Help Save a Prairie Icon
The performance begins at first light on a windswept expanse of northwestern Oklahoma prairie. First one, then two, then a half-dozen birds glide into the small clearing, each staking out its own small piece of territory. Then - as if on cue - they begin a ritual as old as the prairie itself.

‼️Giveaway Alert‼️ Each week during this years Bird Dogs for Habitat competition our generous sponsors will be giving away fantastic prizes to those who vote. During week one, everyone who votes for their favorite bird dog breed is entered to win a SportDOG Brand SportHunter 1275 E-Collar! To enter, go vote now through Sunday for the bird dog breed you think should be crowned champion! Winner will be announced Monday 4/10. 🔗Link Below! https://quailforever.org/bd4h Be sure to check back each week throughout the month of April for more chances to win! . . . and help us raise money for public lands through our Build a Wildlife Area program!

The upland conservation community's most provocative popularity contest, BIRD DOGS FOR HABITAT is back! If you’re not familiar, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Bird Dogs for Habitat campaign challenges you to cast a vote on behalf of your favorite bird dog breed. The breed sitting atop our leaderboard at the end of April will be crowned champion and have bragging rights for all of 2023 so vote early, and vote often! HEAD TO THE LINK BELOW TO VOTE NOW! https://quailforever.org/bd4h HOW IT WORKS: Every vote is a dollar, and every dollar will support our upland wildlife habitat mission. New for this year, we’ll be directing your Bird Dogs for Habitat donations to our Build a Wildlife Area program. Habitat protection, enhancement and public access are at the core of this program and we know this is what will make your four-legged best friend happy - because good bird habitat is good bird dog habitat! WHEN YOU DO VOTE YOU’LL EARN PRIZES, here’s a breakdown of what you’ll receive: 10 VOTES – Limited-Edition Bird Dogs for Habitat Decal 20 VOTES – Limited-Edition Bird Dogs for Habitat Decal + Exclusive Orvis Bird Dogs for Habitat Bandana 500 VOTES – Bird Dog Life Membership to PF or QF (with choice of SportDOG collar or Yeti Dog Bowl) Limited-Edition Bird Dogs for Habitat Decal + Exclusive Orvis Bird Dogs for Habitat Bandana BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE! Thanks to our generous sponsors Purina Pro Plan, SportDOG Brand, Ruff-Land Kennels, Orvis, and NAVHDA International we’ll be giving away weekly prizes – so make sure to check the Bird Dog Leaderboard and learn what you can win each week Each week there is a giveaway, and each vote you submit enters you into that giveaway! Today through Sunday, anyone who submits a vote will be automatically entered to win a SportDOG® Brand SportTrainer®1275. The winner of the giveaway will be announced every Monday! NOW GO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BIRD DOG BREED!

“When push comes to shove, all Invitational handlers rely totally on their gunners. Many (most) are not running dogs, often buy their own shells, walk their butts off, are under serious pressure, get little credit for great shots, and occasionally get grief for their rare misses. In my opinion, they are the under-acknowledged backbone of the test.” The above words, spoken by Tim Otto, president of NAVHDA and an Invitational judge, couldn’t be more true. To learn more about the unsung heroes of the invitation head to the link below. This article brought to you in partnership with NAVHDA International