PODCAST EP. 174: EXPANDING PF & QF’S UPLAND HABITAT MISSION IN THE WEST Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by the trio of QF & PF Western biologists Al Eiden, Kellie, Dobrescue, and Connor White to talk about the organization’s expanding habitat work focused on sagebrush habitat in the Western United States. Episode Highlights: Dobrescue talks about her role in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management to improve sagebrush habitat through tree removal. Those efforts are creating better habitat for a wide array of wildlife from sage grouse to elk, as well as helping protect water quantity. White also discusses his job working as the project coordinator for Idaho’s Bruneau Owhyee Sage Grouse Habitat Project. That work is focused on removing invasive juniper trees across a wide landscape of Southwest Idaho for the benefit of sage grouse, mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and water resources. Eiden wraps up the conversation with a powerful statement about the 20 different upland bird species in the West and how QF & PF is improving upland habitat in a wide array of settings, including grasslands, deserts, sage steppe, alpine forests, and agricultural lands. https://bit.ly/3z6blGt

As we wade into knee-deep summer and temperatures begin to routinely hit high marks, heat-related illness should be front of mind for all dog owners. Thankfully, Georgia-based veterinarian Dr. Jennell Appel visited with us recently to share her tips and tricks for beating the heat during your July/August training regiments: https://bit.ly/3O12N8h

SUPER ISSUE COVER REVEAL HERALDS A NEW SEASON IN THE UPLANDS! "Whether it’s over the bluestem, out of a plum thicket or from the base of a saguaro, the thrill of a rooster pheasant, bobwhite or Gambel’s quail on the wing squeezes the upland hunter’s throat with thrill. These three species, painted so finely by artist Joel Pilcher for our cover, are perhaps the “poster birds” for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. But this, our 6th annual Upland Bird Hunting Super Issue, celebrates all the uplands, and is soon going to the printer. That means it is time you make sure you are going to get it! Sign up or renew your QF membership by July 26th at the link below to be sure you get the upland hunting world's biggest and best annual publication! https://quailforever.org/join

BRUSH HOGS, BAD HABITS, AND BOBWHITES: WHY “NEAT AND TIDY” MOWING IS BAD FOR QUAIL Want to help out the quail in your area? Then leave your mowers and brushhogs in the barn and let those fields, edges, roadsides, and ditches grow into quail habitat: https://bit.ly/3Ro0ZZX

BOBWHITE BRAWL Quail Forever Journal Editor Chad Love was taking photos at a stock tank near his home when he noticed this pair of male bobwhites facing off near the water's edge. How are mid-summer bird numbers looking in your part of quail country? Seeing broods? If you've captured some cool quail pics or footage, send them to clove@quailforever.org for a chance to be featured on the QF social channels!

SPECIAL OFFER: Prairie-to-Plate Package Over 50 million acres of North America’s grasslands have vanished from the landscape since 2007, leading to catastrophic wildlife impacts. What can you do to help? Answer the Call of the Uplands® by making a supporting gift of $49 or more to Quail Forever's conservation efforts to receive this special offer cutting board and Hank Shaw cookbook! Claim yours today: https://bit.ly/3ACP0Bx

The American Kennel Club recently recognized its 200th dog breed, and it's one some of you may be familiar with, or even own: the Bracco Italiano! Although it sounds like something you'd order at a Starbucks, the Bracco is one of two gundogs native to Italy, and its history goes back centuries. Anyone out there either own or have hunted over a Bracco? For more information on the newest officially recognized bird dog out there, check out this story (read down to get to the info on Bracco Italianos) on the various flavors of Braques/Braccos out there. https://bit.ly/3ONuIcV

READY… SET… HUNT! We may be deep in the throes of summer doldrums, but hunting season is fast approaching, and for many of us the traditional kick-off to the season is dove hunting. Yuma, Arizona is world-famous for its dove hunting, and the annual Yuma dove hunt is something that many look forward to as the community rolls out the red carpet to welcome hunters from all over the country. Quail Forever is a partner in this annual extravaganza, and the season promises multiple events over opening weekend along with an unforgettable hunting experience. https://bit.ly/3OV7jWZ