National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic returned to its home turf in Minneapolis during the third weekend of February 2026. Before the festivities began, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever team member, Levi Day, spent a day at Triton High School, just outside Minneapolis, helping over 195 students learn about potential career pathways in the world of wildlife conservation. “We want to help students learn about the wide variety of job opportunities, beyond being a biologist or conservation officer, and promote the Journey to Conservation Careers Course as a wonderful resource to start students on the path of finding a career in conservation.” Day said. “Introducing students to our Journey to Conservation Careers program is a great way to get started in this field.”

Today, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are celebrating the accomplishments of our team members in Missouri who were honored with the Conservation Organization of the Year Award at the 90th Conservation Federation of Missouri state convention. In FY2025, PF & QF team members in the Show-Me State delivered conservation assistance on an impressive 129,228 acres statewide, including landowner consultations, prescribed burning, firebreak installation, invasive species treatment, forest management, and other habitat work, conducting 3,088 site visits and working with more than 9,000 Missourians statewide. Through strong partnerships, science-based conservation, and an unwavering commitment to private lands, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Missouri are making a lasting difference for Missouri’s natural resources and the people who care for them. “The real success of our work isn't measured in metrics or reports. It is measured on the landscape. This team's dedication, expertise, and relentless work ethic are turning strategic vision into real, meaningful habitat on the ground,” said Andrew White, PF & QF Missouri state coordinator. “I am incredibly proud of the work this team has done and is capable of and greatly appreciate the support and encouragement from our chapters, donors, and partners across the state.”

This episode reprises a panel conversation at this year’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic moderated by PF & QF’s Andrew Vavra and included veteran bird hunters Katie Willis, Tyler Webster, and Bob St.Pierre. Planning your next upland bird hunting adventure goes far beyond packing your gear—it’s about setting clear expectations, maintaining a flexible mindset, and preparing for all the variables that come with the journey. Before you hit the road, ask yourself why you’re making the trip and remember that a successful outing isn’t just measured by the number of birds on the tailgate but by the overall experience. Listen now at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/4bjpC4w “On the Wing Podcast” is proudly fueled by Pro Plan Sporting Dogs

Springfield Plateau Quail Forever 🤝 Missouri Dept. of Conservation = better habitat on the ground. Check out the link below to learn more about how this Show Me State QF chapter helped improve upland habitat on public land. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Springfield-Plateau-Quail-Forever-Chapter-Puts-Fire-on-the-Ground.aspx #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

LANDOWNERS: Do you want more wildlife on your property and a more stable income? The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary opportunity paying landowners to plant wildlife habitat on tough-to-farm acres. These acres provide tremendous benefits to quail, pheasants, waterfowl, deer, and pollinators, as well as benefiting soil health and water quality. Don’t delay – CRP closes again on April 17th Learn more by visiting with a QF biologist at the link in our bio or visit www.quailforever.org/crp