PHEASANTS FOREVER STATE HABITAT CONVENTION MARCH 7-8

Fruits of the hunt! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fourth annual event celebrates Kansas’ tradition of upland hunting and conservation

WICHITA – Kansas Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever will host its fourth annual state habitat convention March 7-8at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita. The two-day event is designed for landowners, conservationists and hunters interested in improving wildlife habitat, and will also celebrate and discuss avenues to enhance the upland hunting tradition in the Sunflower State.

Open to the public, the state meeting is an opportunity for local sportsmen/women and chapters to meet and discuss concerns and opportunities regarding upland wildlife in their area. The habitat-heavy event will also focus on youth, women, and dog enthusiasts within the state.

“We have an outstanding event this year thanks to our volunteers and our partners,” said Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Western Kansas regional representative, Chris Blackledge. “I am greatly looking forward to meeting with individuals from across the state who are ready and willing to help ensure Kansas’ upland hunting heritage.”

Saturday’s keynote speakers include:

Dave Nomsen, vice-president of governmental affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, will discuss issues in Washington D.C. that affect conservation. Additionally, he will update attendees with news about the Federal Farm Bill.

Jake George, private lands coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism,will be on hand to discuss Walk-In Hunting Access programs that are opening up more great locations to the public each year around the state.

Jim Pitman, small game coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, will be discussing bag limits and population dynamics for hunting regulations.­

Nadia Marji, associate editor forKansas Wildlife & Parksmagazine, will share her journey of transitioning from a “city girl” to an “accidental huntress” in an effort to engage more women and youth in the outdoors. 

Speakers will also be on hand to discuss the importance of pollinators and insects in increasing upland bird populations, new ways to engage youth through chapter outreach, issues with stocked birds, landowner success stories, managing deer and upland birds at the same time, taxidermy, and management implementation.

All sessions at the Great Plains Nature Center and the Wichita Marriott are open to the public for a price of $65. Ticket price includes Friday’s Pheasants Forever Kansas Hall of Fame Reception, State Habitat Convention Saturday and the Partners in Conservation Banquet Saturday evening.

For more information, contact Chris Blackledge at (620) 767-2121, cblackledge@pheasantsforever.org or visitwww.kansaspfqf.org to register.

PHEASANTS FOREVER NAMES NEW REPRESENTATIVE FOR WESTERN KANSAS

Image via Wikipedia Jacobs sees Kansas as national model for upland habitat and conservation
ELLIS — Pheasants Forever has named Tony Jacobs of Wichita as the organization’s new regional representative for western Kansas. Jacobs will raise funds for wildlife habitat and conservation education working with local, state, and federal natural resources agencies on behalf of Kansas Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters.
Jacobs looks to grow Pheasants Forever’s presence in Kansas, which is currently home to more than 50 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters and nearly 7,000 Pheasants Forever and/or Quail Forever members. Due in part to strides made by Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, and their partners, Kansas is recognized as a national leader in upland hunting opportunities. Jacobs, a lifelong pheasant hunter, wants to continue this trend by working with regional and national partners to improve and increase the amount of quality habitat for both upland birds and upland hunters.
"This state has such a great hunting heritage, so it’s important that we get out on the ground and provide more high-quality habitat for pheasants and quail populations," Jacobs says. "It’s an uphill battle in a lot of the country, but here in Kansas we have the opportunity to showcase what is possible when time, talent, and resources are dedicated to wildlife and habitat conservation. I am very proud to be a part of the nation's leading upland conservation organization, and I look forward to fostering, promoting, and growing the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever mission.”
Pheasants Forever empowers county and local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally-raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice in federal and state conservation policy.
Jacobs earned a B.S. in hospitality management from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Friends University. He will work out of his office in Ellis and can be reached at 785-764-6240.

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