This past hunting season was maybe the best of my life. On several trips to northern Minnesota, ruffed grouse were thriving. Near my current home in southern Minnesota, I found pheasants on nearly every piece of public ground I hunted. A trip to South Dakota yielded a bounty of sharp-tailed grouse and a jaw-dropping number of pheasants. Best of all, where I grew up in southeastern Nebraska, bobwhite quail numbers were as good as they have been in my lifetime. Because of the abundance of quail, I tried to spend as much time as possible in Nebraska this season. Half the time I hunted by myself, following my pointer, Tippet, across a landscape interwoven with fencelines and brushy creeks. The other half I hunted with my dad as he rotated through his three pointers KC, Dolly, and Gus. Read the full blog "A Good Year" by Quail Forever Journal Editor Ryan Sparks at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/A-Good-Year.aspx

Bird Dog Field Care class returns to 2024 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic. Learn more about the course and register at the link below. https://pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Pheasants-Forever/Bird-Dog-Field-Care-Class-Returns-to-Pheasant-Fest-2024.aspx The Bird Dog Field Care class will take place once again in Sioux Falls. At the helm this year is Dr. Joe Spoo, a South Dakota based veterinarian who specializes in working dogs. This year’s course will be broken down into two basic parts. During the lecture portion, Dr. Spoo will cover what gun dog owners should carry in their first aid kits in the field. He will also cover numerous health issues, injuries and conditions encountered by working dogs — including how to recognize, treat and prevent conditions ranging from heat stroke to migrating foreign bodies and everything in between. In addition he’ll cover post-hunt issues like stress diarrhea, anorexia and soreness. The next portion of the class will be hands-on, as Dr. Spoo will demonstrate how to properly conduct a tailgate exam at the end of a hunt, showcasing tips and tricks to identify sources of a lameness in a worn out dog. Next, he’ll run participants through bandaging and splinting a limb, bandaging an ear wound, how to properly examine, flush and apply medication to the eye — with each participant getting a chance to practice these methods. Participants will also learn how to safely remove their dogs from leg hold and conibear traps, as well as snares. The Bird Dog Field Care class is presented by Purina Pro Plan

Start your career with The Habitat Organization today! We are currently hiring for roles across the nation. Find these roles at the link below and apply today! https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=e9cf9c51-b70e-4607-b723-b8bf76c3161b&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US

Quail Fact Friday!💡 Did you know there are wild bobwhite quail in Cuba? In 1850, ornithologist John Gould described the “Cuban bobwhite” as a distinct species, Colinus cubanensis. He considered their smaller bills and unique plumage as sufficiently different from other bobwhite populations to consider them a separate species. This taxonomic decision also implied that Cuban bobwhites colonized the island thousands if not millions of years ago. However, recent genetic studies suggest bobwhites were brought to Cuba during the Spanish colonization of Cuba and Mexico in the early 16th century. Their genetic makeup gets even blurrier considering Florida bobwhites were introduced to Cuba at the end of the 19th century. Either way, if you ever find yourself in Cuba, don’t be surprised if you hear the distinctive calls of bobwhite quail echoing across the countryside. #quailforever #quail #bobwhitequail #quailfactfriday

Find the gear you need, to support the landscapes you love at our Quail Forever Store. Link below. https://bit.ly/3Sd7wYr

Members of the Quail Forever team recently attended an event in southern Alabama that sparked interest in our beloved gamebird, the bobwhite quail. The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival is a relatively new, but quickly expanding event that celebrates wildlife art and the great outdoors. Art appreciators and outdoor enthusiasts recently gathered for this annual festival, which featured a series of educational presentations, art exhibits and classes, outdoor vendors, children’s activities, and delicious food. Quail Forever was fortunate to be included in this year’s event due to the thoughtful consideration of Quail Forever national board member, Thomas Harris. Harris, along with Pam Swanner of the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association, and Tim Gothard of the Alabama Wildlife Federation worked to ensure that attendees were well informed concerning what Quail Forever could do to assist them on their properties. Learn more about bobwhite quail in Alabama at the link below.

Apply now for action trackchair grants. Do you know of someone with mobility challenges who loves bird dogs, field training, and upland hunting? Track2wing applications are open for submissions on a rolling basis through March 31st. More info at the link below. Since 2020, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have been a proud partner of the Anisfield-Wilson Track2wing Project, a grant program for recruiting, retaining, and reactivating individuals with mobility challenges into the world of bird dog training and upland hunting. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Track2wing-Expanding-the-World-for-Individuals-with-Mobility-Impairments.aspx