What will puppies, John Deere tractors, 20-guage shotguns and artwork have in common the weekend of Feb. 6-8? They will all be on display during Pheasant Fest 2009 at Madison's Alliant Energy Center.
In addition, visitors will take advantage of hundreds of today's leading manufacturers, product representatives and outdoor experts: guides and outfitters, archery and firearms dealers, wildlife and conservation organizations, dogs and dog products, award-winning wildlife artists, champion taxidermy displays, wood carvers, hunting apparel, all-terrain-vehicles, women's displays, hunting trailers, habitat equipment, boats, trucks, tractors and recreation vehicles.
One thing more - more than 30,000 people will attend the event, if participation at past such events is any indication. Billed as a family event, the crowd will include farmers, upland game bird hunters, sporting dog lovers and legions of conservationists eager to learn about wildlife habitat and the future of pheasant hunting and other outdoor pursuits.
Farmers might have a dual purpose for attending the event. In addition to lots of fun activities for the whole family, landowners can learn about ways to capture dollars from state and federal programs while improving habitat for pheasants and other wild creatures.
PF experts at the Landowner Habitat Help Desk will pull up maps of your specific property and offer advice on assistance programs for which you might qualify. They will research information on soil types, erosion characteristics and program criteria on the spot.
The Bird Dog Parade, led by PF youth mascot Rudy the Rooster (rivaling in size our own Bucky Badger), will draw approximately 25 different bird dog breeds. In addition, the Bird Dog Bonanza is a specific area of the show floor dedicated to bird dog clubs and breeders. These organizations will showcase their breed and answer questions - a one stop shop for anyone thinking about purchasing a dog or for owners who are looking for tips on training, care and feeding, and health care.
About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever was established in 1982. Its mission entails the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. The organization boasts just less than 130,000 members in the U.S. and Canada.
PF has taken on a significant leadership role in the effort to create sustainable wildlife populations and to safeguard water and air quality.
At the invitation of the Obama agriculture and interior transition team, PF Vice President of Governmental Affairs David Nomsen traveled to Washington D.C. recently to offer input on a wide variety of conservation issues.
"Establishing more and better habitat on the ground is a top priority, Nomsen said. "The Conservation Reserve Program remains the flagship program, but there is a whole suite of issues to be considered."
Nomsen pointed to immediate concerns like the one-year extension for CRP ground. He also emphasized the importance of engaging in discussions about how the rules are written through the Natural Resource Conservation Service. PF-employed field agents already work closely with NRCS staff.
Pheasants Forever has a unique model of operations that empowers local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally-raised conservation funds are spent. As a result, grassroots chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.
Wisconsin Pheasants Forever claims 7,300 members in 30 chapters. Locally, the Sugar River Valley chapter has approximately 100 active members, according to chapter President Dave Wisnefske.
The chapter actively pursues grant monies from the pheasant stamp program for prairie restoration and food plot activities, involving 250-300 acres in 2008. Another grant led to the purchase of an all-terrain vehicle used as a fire truck for controlled burns for which chapter members have been trained and certified.
Chapter members will be serving in various capacities at Pheasant Fest.
"We have a couple of carloads of people going up on Friday and Saturday," Wisnefske said. "We're really excited about the event."
Pheasant Fest is open to the public. Membership in Pheasants Forever is not required.
- Lee Fahrney can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
In addition, visitors will take advantage of hundreds of today's leading manufacturers, product representatives and outdoor experts: guides and outfitters, archery and firearms dealers, wildlife and conservation organizations, dogs and dog products, award-winning wildlife artists, champion taxidermy displays, wood carvers, hunting apparel, all-terrain-vehicles, women's displays, hunting trailers, habitat equipment, boats, trucks, tractors and recreation vehicles.
One thing more - more than 30,000 people will attend the event, if participation at past such events is any indication. Billed as a family event, the crowd will include farmers, upland game bird hunters, sporting dog lovers and legions of conservationists eager to learn about wildlife habitat and the future of pheasant hunting and other outdoor pursuits.
Farmers might have a dual purpose for attending the event. In addition to lots of fun activities for the whole family, landowners can learn about ways to capture dollars from state and federal programs while improving habitat for pheasants and other wild creatures.
PF experts at the Landowner Habitat Help Desk will pull up maps of your specific property and offer advice on assistance programs for which you might qualify. They will research information on soil types, erosion characteristics and program criteria on the spot.
The Bird Dog Parade, led by PF youth mascot Rudy the Rooster (rivaling in size our own Bucky Badger), will draw approximately 25 different bird dog breeds. In addition, the Bird Dog Bonanza is a specific area of the show floor dedicated to bird dog clubs and breeders. These organizations will showcase their breed and answer questions - a one stop shop for anyone thinking about purchasing a dog or for owners who are looking for tips on training, care and feeding, and health care.
About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever was established in 1982. Its mission entails the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. The organization boasts just less than 130,000 members in the U.S. and Canada.
PF has taken on a significant leadership role in the effort to create sustainable wildlife populations and to safeguard water and air quality.
At the invitation of the Obama agriculture and interior transition team, PF Vice President of Governmental Affairs David Nomsen traveled to Washington D.C. recently to offer input on a wide variety of conservation issues.
"Establishing more and better habitat on the ground is a top priority, Nomsen said. "The Conservation Reserve Program remains the flagship program, but there is a whole suite of issues to be considered."
Nomsen pointed to immediate concerns like the one-year extension for CRP ground. He also emphasized the importance of engaging in discussions about how the rules are written through the Natural Resource Conservation Service. PF-employed field agents already work closely with NRCS staff.
Pheasants Forever has a unique model of operations that empowers local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally-raised conservation funds are spent. As a result, grassroots chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.
Wisconsin Pheasants Forever claims 7,300 members in 30 chapters. Locally, the Sugar River Valley chapter has approximately 100 active members, according to chapter President Dave Wisnefske.
The chapter actively pursues grant monies from the pheasant stamp program for prairie restoration and food plot activities, involving 250-300 acres in 2008. Another grant led to the purchase of an all-terrain vehicle used as a fire truck for controlled burns for which chapter members have been trained and certified.
Chapter members will be serving in various capacities at Pheasant Fest.
"We have a couple of carloads of people going up on Friday and Saturday," Wisnefske said. "We're really excited about the event."
Pheasant Fest is open to the public. Membership in Pheasants Forever is not required.
- Lee Fahrney can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
