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

If it were up to you to name this Scaled Quail x Gambel's Quail hybrid, what would you call it? Katie Willis, in her own words details the story behind the quail in the photo: "The first thing I came to understand about Pepper is that he knew his way, with absolute perfection, around grilling up jalapeño chukar poppers. Over the course of an evening where a group of strangers invited me into their home for a meal, I came to know more. This group was introduced to me through quail and birddogs. We laughed, exchanged histories and offered pets to a pair of ever swirling labradors as they passed by the table. We talked about hunting the Arizona Borderlands, but the thirty plus year age gap left us walking different terrain. Days later, our paths would cross again. I had been offered the use of the washer/dryer in the casita Pepper and the rest of the group shared each winter. He saw me come in and excitedly shouted “Katie, Katie, you have to see this!” He brought forth a plastic grocery bag and pulled from it a small feathered body. At first glance a Gambels Quail, but the top knot of feather was not a comma. It was auburn tuft. The flank feathers possessed the characteristic white stripe dividing an elongated ruddy plume but across the breast, a dusty blue edges scalloped and split by a black arrow only found on a Scaled Quail. “It’s a mix, Katie, a mix!” Pepper shouted as I rolled in my hands a creation I didn’t know could exist. My word, I wanted him to tell me where he found it. I was overwhelmed with jealousy. Then I looked up to see the bright sparkle of eyes who witnessed the most pitched battles in the Vietnam War, the animation coursing through a body whose knees and hips had long since become a source of confinement instead of freedom. There was no better person to hold this magical quail than a man called Pepper. I drank in one last look, took a terrible cell phone photo and handed it back. “Thank you for showing me Pepper, that is really quite something.” #quailforever #quailhunting #scaledquail #gambelsquail #quail

Pheasants Forever Promotes Emily Spolyar to North Dakota State Coordinator
Managing ND team members, habitat programs, and advocacy efforts

Burn season is in full swing! Photo by N Missouri & S Iowa Regional Representative Trevor Day

It came down to the very end, but after receiving more than 3,000 votes, the German shorthaired pointers have come out on top of the upland’s favorite popularity contest for the third year in a row, and have been crowned the winner of the 2023 Bird Dogs for Habitat Campaign! Even if you didn’t vote for the GSP, you can take solace in knowing that the real winner is habitat. Thanks to all the voters and sponsor’s passion for bird dogs and our upland habitat mission, almost $80,000 has been raised towards our Build a Wildlife Area Program through this year’s Bird Dogs for Habitat Campaign. Habitat protection, enhancement and public access are at the core of our Build a Wildlife Area Program and we know this is what will make your four-legged best friend happy - because good bird habitat is good bird dog habitat! And a special thank you for our partners at Orvis, Purina Pro Plan, SportDOG Brand, Ruff Land Kennels, and NAVHDA International. View the full and final leaderboard here: birddogsforhabitat.org

"I hear it every day from frustrated dog owners that realize they greatly underestimated the commitment required to own and properly care for their well-bred bird dog. As a result, the more noble-minded owners realize that they and their beloved pet would be much happier if their dog lived in a home of experienced hunting dog owners. A home where they actually get to do what they were bred to do — hunt." Read the full blog "Gundogz Rescue" presented by NAVHDA International at the link below! https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Gundogz-Rescue.aspx ✍️: Pat Nordquist, President/Founder of Gundogrescue.org

Time is running out! Celebrate the all-stars of the uplands! Save 20% on select bird dog items now through April 30th at the QF store! 🔗 Link below! https://bit.ly/41GnFsv MAKE A PURCHASE WITH A PURPOSE. Every purchase made through our exclusive online Scheels Outdoors store generates funds for our wildlife habitat mission. Through this special partnership you're more than a customer, you're a conservationist.