Minnesota Pheasants Forever (PF) recognized chapters and individuals from across the state for their wildlife habitat conservation efforts at its recent state convention. The Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Chapter was named the Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter of the Year, Dennis Malmgren of Watonwan was named Minnesota Pheasants Forever Volunteer of the Year, the Minnesota Pheasants Forever Professional of the Year Award was given to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Region 3 (Midwest Region), and the USDA’s NRCS and Minnesota Board of Water and Resources were recognized for the Bill Sandy (Making a Difference) Award.

Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter Awards

The Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Chapter was recognized as the Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter of the Year. The chapter supports Minnesota Pheasants Forever’s effort to build the state’s habitat capacity, has grown in membership, and had several committee members participate in the Minnesota Pheasants Forever State Convention, district meetings and an advisory Task Force. Further, the Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Chapter is a strong proponent of state and federal conservation policy and is active in acquiring and improving habitat management on public lands. In addition, the chapter has worked closely with Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, USDA – NRCS, Minnesota DNR, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Otter Tail Soil Water Conservation District to bring a Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist to Otter Tail County to assist landowners in designing, developing and funding habitat improvements on private lands.

Two of the chapter’s committee members were also recognized at the awards banquet.  Aaron Larsen was the recipient of Pheasants Forever’s Dedication Award, and Ilga Polleitis was inducted to Pheasants Forever’s Long Spur Society for being instrumental in the creation or continuation of the chapter and playing an essential role in the development of chapter programs.

Other Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter Awards: “Youth Chapter of the Year” – Tri-County PF Chapter • “No Child Left Indoors Youth Programming Award” – Metro Area PF & Lyon County PF • “Most Improved Banquet” – Mower County PF Chapter • “Best Banquet” – NW Suburban PF Chapter • “Conservation Excellence – $250K Spending on Habitat” – Buffalo Ridge PF, Murray County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $500K Spending on Habitat” – Watonwan County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $750K Spending on Habitat” – Kanabec County PF, Pelican River PF, Renville County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $1 Million Spending on Habitat” – Brown County PF Chapter, Mower County PF Chapter • “Conservation Excellence – $2 Million Spending on Habitat” – Goodhue County PF, Kandiyohi County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $3 Million Spending on Habitat” – Nobles County PF

Minnesota Pheasants Forever Overall Awards

Dennis Malmgren, President of  Watonwan County Pheasants Forever Chapter, was voted Minnesota Pheasants Forever’s Volunteer of the Year. Malmgren has worked diligently for the past 10 years with partners and volunteers to ensure his community has sustainable wildlife habitat and youth initiatives. Last year, Malmgren led his chapter in completing 48 habitat projects ranging from food plots to land acquisition. Equally important is Malmgren’s leadership in introducing Minnesota’s youth to the outdoors. In 2011, 58 children, along with their parent or guardian, experienced a mentored hunt hosted by Watonwan County Pheasants Forever. An additional 100 children participated in trap shooting.

Other Minnesota Pheasants Forever Awards: “Wildlife Professional of the Year” – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Region 3 (Midwest Region) • “Bill Sandy (Making a Difference) Award” – USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Minnesota’s Board of Water & Soil Resources – RIM/WRP Partnership • “Brood Booster Award” – Don Baloun, Natural Resources Conservation Service • “Private Donor of the Year” – Dennis & Lauren Leaf

Minnesota is home to 79 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters, and over 25,800 combined Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members. For inquiries, please contact Rehan Nana, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Public Relations Specialist, at (651) 209-4973 / Email Rehan.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Pheasants Forever Honors Partners and Volunteers at Minnesota Convention

The wolf continues to bounce back after it was hunted nearly to extinction by the early 20th century. This week, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service removed the wolf from the federal endangered list and put wolf-management control back in the hands of three Great Lakes states, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Now, it is up to the individual states to decide how to manage the population including hunting laws, lethal control in regards to livestock, personal property and other laws. USFWS reminds Great Lakes residents that each state has its own laws concerning wolves and those living on the border of two states, especially those in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan and north Wisconsin, should seek proper information regarding their state.

More information on your state’s laws on wolves can be found on your state’s Natural Resources or Fish and Game Department. Click for Michigan DNR Wolves, Wisconsin DNR Wolves, and Minnesota DNR Wolves.

Original press release issued by Michigan DNR on January 27th, 2012.

Management authority over wolves in Michigan has been officially returned to the Department of Natural Resources, putting the state’s Wolf Management Plan into effect, the DNR announced today.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to remove wolves in the western Great Lakes region from the federal endangered species list became official today. The Great Lakes region includes Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Wolves remain a protected, nongame species in Michigan, but state management will afford more options when dealing with wolves preying on livestock or dogs.

“Delisting is a victory for the state and for Michigan citizens who have been affected by this issue,” said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. “The state’s healthy wolf population is a reminder that Michigan still has places where wild animals such as wolves can live and thrive. Fully implementing the state’s Wolf Management Plan will allow us to more effectively respond to problem wolves, while maintaining a self-sustaining wolf population and increasing social acceptance of the species as a whole.”

The DNR will continue to recommend nonlethal methods of control as the first option for residents. However, in cases where nonlethal methods are not working or are not feasible, state officials will now have greater flexibility to use lethal means to remove problem wolves when appropriate. In addition, Michigan residents will be able to legally protect their livestock and dogs if an animal is being attacked by a wolf.

The Michigan Legislature passed laws in 2008 to allow livestock or dog owners, or their designated agents, to remove, capture, or, if deemed necessary, use lethal means to destroy a wolf that is “in the act of preying upon” (attempting to kill or injure) the owner’s livestock or dog(s). These state laws took effect Jan. 27, 2012.

Livestock or dog owners who use lethal means to destroy a wolf must observe the following guidelines:

1. Report the lethal take of a wolf by calling the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at 800-292-7800 no later than 12 hours after the lethal take.
2. Retain possession of the wolf until a DNR official is available to take possession. A DNR official will respond to the scene within 12 hours of notification.
3. Do not move or disturb the dead wolf. The only exception to this rule is if a wolf has been killed in the act of preying upon livestock and leaving the wolf in place would impede normal farming practices. In that case the wolf may be moved to a secure location once photographs are taken of the wolf and the area where lethal means were used.

“Although lethal control methods are now legal in certain circumstances, wolves remain a protected species in Michigan and no hunting or trapping season is in place,” said DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler. “The DNR will investigate and continue prosecution of any wolf poaching cases.”

Illegally killing a wolf is punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, and the cost of prosecution. Suspected poaching violations may be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the DNR’s RAP hotline at 800-292-7800.

There are an estimated 687 wolves in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. For more information on Michigan’s wolf population, greater detail about the two laws governing wolf depredation, and to see the state’s Wolf Management Plan, visit www.michigan.gov/wolves.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.  For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Wolf Removed From Endangered Species List in Western Great Lakes

Sunday, January 29, is Ducks Unlimited Day in Minnesota. Gov. Mark Dayton recently signed a proclamation honoring the conservation organization for its 75th anniversary.

“Ducks Unlimited has forged solid partnerships with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, federal and county agencies, corporate partners and private landowners to foster collaborative and efficient conservation programs,” Gov. Dayton said.

DU’s founders established the group in 1937 with a mission to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. Since DU began its work in Minnesota in 1984, it has conserved nearly 184,000 acres of habitat. Through its Living Lakes initiative, launched in 2004, DU has worked with many partners to improve more than 200 shallow lakes in Minnesota, including more than 130 wild rice lakes.

“On behalf of Minnesota’s 38,000 passionate DU members, I’m proud to accept Governor Dayton’s proclamation celebrating DU’s 75th anniversary,” said David Flink, Minnesota state chairman for Ducks Unlimited. “All our members are especially excited by the proclamation, knowing the governor has historic ties to Heron Lake. Once one of Minnesota’s waterfowling gems, today Heron Lake is an example of why DU’s Living Lakes initiative is so important to the future of our sport.”

The proclamation signed by Gov. Dayton cites the value of Minnesota’s shallow lakes and wetlands as prime migratory habitat for waterfowl, as well as waterfowl hunting areas that preserve the state’s strong outdoor heritage. Minnesota wetlands are also valued for their role in water-quality protection, flood control and the state’s overall environmental health.

Minnesota’s support for the outdoors was evident in 2008 when 1.6 million voters overwhelmingly approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, providing critical funding for wetlands conservation.

Ducks Unlimited’s 75th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the year with special events, merchandise, projects and promotions across the continent. DU recently released its 75th anniversary book, The Ducks Unlimited Story by Michael Furtman. This 208-page coffee-table book chronicles DU’s first 75 years with never-before-seen photos and documents from the DU archives. Log on to http://www.ducks.org/75 for more updates and information on DU’s 75th anniversary.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Sunday is Ducks Unlimited Day in Minnesota

After a successful recovery of the gray wolf population in the Great Lakes area, wolves have been removed from the Endangered Species List by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  With delisting, management of the wolf population becomes the responsibility of each state’s fish and wildlife department.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is considering opening a wolf hunt to reduce the wolf population, but hunting success for the species is questionable.  A recent article in the Star Tribune highlights statistics from the recent wolf hunts in Idaho and Montana, which show that hunters have had difficulty harvesting wolves.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Minnesota Ponders Wolf Hunting and Trapping Seasons

The North American Tournament Hunting Association (NATHA) is holding its 2012 Minnesota State Pheasant Championship this week-end, January 7th and 8th at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, MN. There are classes for all breeds of dogs of all ages. NATHA is dedicated to promoting and staging tournament hunts. With over 25 years in existence it is the longest running competition circuit in the game. Over $100,000 is paid in prizes to NATHA competitors throughout the year. Please go to http://www.horseandhunt.com/natha/schedule.html for a complete list of dates and places for this season’s tournaments. For any questions please contact Terry Correll at 952.447.2272 (terry.correll@horseandhunt.com) or Bill Urseth at 952.491.1266 (bill@horseandhunt.com).

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - North American Tournament Hunting Association to Hold its 2012 Minnesota State Pheasant Championship this Weekend

Saint Paul, MN – Pheasants Forever announced Lincoln Financial Network has put forth a $25,000 grant to the nonprofit Bird Dogs for Habitat campaign. Lincoln Financial Network (LFN) will match, dollar for dollar up to a total of $25,000, individual contributions to Pheasants Forever’s year-end fundraising effort, all of which will directly support the conservation mission.

The $25,000 matching grant donation from Lincoln Financial is intended to inspire individuals to make a year-end, tax-deductible gift to Pheasants Forever. Through the Bird Dogs for Habitat campaign, Pheasants Forever accepts contributions placed in support of 45 different breeds of bird dogs. Each $1 donated is equal to one vote for that bird dog breed so a $100 donation is equal to 100 votes for a particular bird dog breed. LFN, a new partner, will distribute its contribution evenly amongst all breeds.

“Lincoln Financial has a 100-year-old heritage of helping people find solutions for their financial challenges. We are extremely excited about our new partnership with the nation’s most highly respected upland conservation organization and the impact it will have on Pheasants Forever’s mission” said Tom Eusebio, Vice President of ABGA Operations – Lincoln Financial Network. “There’s no better way to kick off our partnership with Pheasants Forever than to support a habitat initiative designed around man’s best friend.”

With support from LFN, Pheasants Forever is well on its way to exceeding the $48,000 raised during the first Bird Dogs for Habitat campaign last year. “Lincoln Financial has given members and supporters a reason to be proud, as well as a challenge to exceed,” said David Bue, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Development. “They are committed to helping our members and landowners with their estate planning needs. That’s serious business, second only to what hunters are most serious about: their dogs.”

To vote/donate, visit Bird Dogs for Habitat. On the webpage, visitors can make their own tax-deductible gift in honor of their favorite breed of bird dog.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Lincoln Financial Network Gives Pheasants Forever’s Bird Dogs for Habitat Campaign $25K

Saint Paul, Minn. November 3, 2011 – Pheasants Forever’s Rooster Road Trip is back! This November 14th through 18th, you’re riding shotgun online for a hardcore pheasant hunting trip. A trio of Pheasants Forever hunters and two bird dogs will hunt five states – Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota – in five days, posting stories and video along the way. The catch? This group will be hunting ONLY public land.

Rooster Road Trip 2011 will visit lands that Pheasants Forever has played a significant role in opening up to public access; either through land purchase, restoration or legislation. The effort focuses on how important pheasant hunters that are Pheasants Forever members are to creating and improving publicly accessible habitat. In fact, any follower who joins Pheasants Forever as a member online through the Rooster Road Trip webpage during the dates of the trip will receive an exclusive Browning Pheasants Forever cap and be entered to win a Browning Citori 12 gauge shotgun in addition to standard benefits of PF membership.

“The Rooster Road Trip is about public habitat and access. We are three guys of ordinary means. We are not celebrity hunters, Olympic shooters or professional dog trainers. We are ‘Joe Pheasant Hunters’ that may get skunked, literally and figuratively, from time to time, but the goal is to demonstrate there are acres available across pheasant country for moms, dads, kids and bird dogs to chase a rooster into the sunset,” says Anthony Hauck, Pheasants Forever’s Online Editor.

One of the exciting new features of Rooster Road Trip 2011 is the unique “Dog’s Eye View Video” sponsored by Hunter’s Point Kennel. A high-definition video camera will be mounted to Beau, Andrew Vavra’s Labrador retriever, during hunts on the trip. These videos will provide pheasant hunters and bird dog enthusiasts a fresh take on upland habitat and wingshooting from the dog’s perspective.

In addition to Hauck, Vavra and Beau, Bob St.Pierre and his German shorthaired pointer, Trammell, round out the trip’s hunters. All three are employees of Pheasants Forever and responsible for the organization’s website content, Facebook pages, blog sites, Twitter feeds and other online communications.

Follow Pheasants Forever’s Rooster Road Trip 2011 online at:

• The Rooster Road Trip 2011 webpage
• Pheasants Forever’s Facebook page
• Pheasants Forever’s YouTube channel
• and Pheasants Forever’s Twitter (hashtag #rrt11)

Rooster Road Trip 2011 sponsors include Browning, Garmin, Tri-Tronics, South Dakota Tourism, Nebraska Game and Parks, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, Federal Premium Ammunition, Purina, U.S. Bank and Hunter’s Point Kennel.

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 130,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Rooster Road Trip 2011 to Illustrate PF’s Ability to Create Land for Public Hunting

Come see Minnesota’s most talked about buck…the world record 8 pointer.

When we say “Big Bucks” we mean “Big Bucks”.  This rack will have you left in awe and itching for opening morning!

This buck along with the Turn in Poacher’s “Wall of Shame” will be on display during the 9th Annual Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener “Big Buck” Luncheon on Friday, November 4, 2011 at the Lodge at Giants Ridge. Doors open at 11:00 a.m.

Tickets to the luncheon are $25 and include presentations by Minnesota dignitaries, a commemorative event cap, door prizes and the chance to mix and mingle with fellow hunting enthusiasts. Tickets can be purchased at the Iron Range Tourism Office, by contacting the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association at 218.327.1103 ext. 12 or by visiting the MDHA online marketplace at www.mndeerhunters.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Big Buck on Display at the 9th Annual Minnesota Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener Luncheon

Anoka, Minnesota — The number 13 doesn’t have to be as ominous as it has always been labeled to be. In fact, the Anoka County chapter of Pheasants Forever is inviting kids of all ages to participate in a fun event by attending the 13th Annual Youth Education and Fun Day. The event, held at the Beaverbrook Tri-County Sportsman’s Club in Cedar MN, just north of Ham Lake, will run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday September 10. Doors open at 10:00 but since the activities are set up on a station to station format, kids can drop into activities anytime during those five hours with no formal starting time.

The Youth Education and Fun Day gives kids the opportunity to get outdoors and participate in activities that they may not normally get a chance to do. This includes trap shooting, firearm safety, archery, casting, pellet gun, game tracking, and dog training demos. Also partnering with Anoka County Pheasants Forever is the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service whose assortment of fur pelts and “Ducks on a Stick” exhibit gives kids a hands-on experience in wildlife identification.

Another hugely popular attraction is presented by the Minnesota Raptor Center. This demonstration will introduce kids to 3-4 raptors, including at least one eagle and one owl.

John Newpower, Anoka County PF chapter president states, “We are going into our 13th year with just as much excitement and enthusiasm as we did our first year. We see so many returning faces every year, and it is also exciting to see such a large group of new attendees each year. At the end of the day, we walk away from this feeling good about our contribution and the opportunity to educate kids about the outdoors in a safe and different environment than the one they live in day to day indoors. The kids thank us and their parents thank us.”

This event is free and also offers a free lunch to kids and adults. Adults are also admitted free when accompanying a child. All hands-on firearm courses are conducted by FAS certified instructors. Kids of all ages will be given the opportunity to shoot and a FAS certificate is not required. Eye and ear protection is provided, but kids may also bring their own if they choose. All firearms will be provided and kids are asked not to bring their own.

From the Twin Cities, take Hwy. 65 north to Klondike Dr. (first right after Viking Blvd.). Turn right on Klondike Drive and go approximately 1 mile to Palisade. Turn left (north) on Palisade. Beaverbrook’s main gate is approximately 3/10 a mile.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact John Newpower at 651-983-5904 or jwnewps@gmail.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Anoka County Pheasants Forever Chapter Announces 13th Annual Youth Education and Fun Day

SIDNEY, Neb. – Cabela’s will be hosting a series of Waterfowl Classic events across the United States beginning August 13-14 in Kansas City, Kansas. The first event kicks off with the Cabela’s Waterfowl Calling Contest with more than $25,000 in cash and prizes in duck- and goose-calling categories. There also will be amateur and youth duck-calling contests.

Waterfowl hunting enthusiasts and those wanting to learn more about the sport can attend seminars and meet legends of waterfowl hunting. Scheduled to appear Aug. 13-14 in Kansas City are: world-champion duck callers Buck Gardner, John Stephens and Jim Ronquest; world-champion goose callers Sean Mann, John Vaca and Field Hudnall; Chad Belding, host of The Fowl Life; and Fred Zink, owner of Zink Calls and Avian-X.

Following the Kansas City Waterfowl Classic, Cabela’s will host four additional Waterfowl Classics Aug. 20-21 in Richfield, Wis., Dundee, Mich., Hammond, Ind., and Hamburg, Pa. The third series of Waterfowl Classics will be Sept. 17-18 in Reno, Nev., Lacey, Wash., Owatonna, Minn., Rogers, Minn., Lehi, Utah, La Vista, Neb., Boise, Idaho and Hazelwood, Mo. The final event will be held in Gonzales, La., Oct. 1-2. All events will feature seminars, demonstrations and the top waterfowl hunters in the world. Visit www.cabelas.com for complete event details.

About Cabela’s Incorporated

Cabela’s Incorporated, headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, is a leading specialty retailer, and the world’s largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Since the Company’s founding in 1961, Cabela’s® has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World’s Foremost Outfitter®. Through Cabela’s growing number of retail stores and its well-established direct business, it offers a wide and distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices while providing superior customer service. Cabela’s also issues the Cabela’s CLUB® Visa credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program. Cabela’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CAB”.

Contact:

Joe Arterburn

308-255-1204

Joe.Arterburn@cabelas.com

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Cabela’s Hosting Waterfowl Classics Across the United States