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Meet a National Board Member: Bruce Hertzke
Saturday, February 12th, 2011
Bruce Hertzke, Chairman of Pheasants Forever's National Board of Directors
As a non-profit, Pheasants Forever operates under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors. That guidance takes many forms, but boiled down, the board is responsible for ensuring Pheasants Forever operates in the best interest of our members and also helps shape our vision for the future. There are currently 18 individuals on the national board and they meet three times a year.
Through this new series of blog posts, I’ll introduce each of our national board members and share some of their personality and passion for our organization.
Up this week is Bruce Hertzke, who is also the current Chairman of the National Board.
Bruce Hertzke
Born in what town: Buffalo Center, Iowa
Current Town of Residence: Forest City, Iowa
Family: Wife – Janice; 2 children – Heather and Michael; 4 grand daughters – Emma, Gracen, Allie, and Avery
Occupation: Retired Chairman and CEO of Winnebago Industries. Retired in May 2008 after 36 1/2 years with Winnebago
Dogs: Libby Lou, a German shorthair hunting machine
Favorite place to pheasant hunt: My farm in Iowa with my son and friends
Favorite pheasant hunting shotgun: Benelli Super Black Eagle
Best pheasant hunt of your life was: I have had many hunts that could be classified as great, but I must say that it’s always fun to shoot a few birds for some of my fellow Board members; Bob Brengman, Kim Price and Howard Vincent definitely believe in the practice of “Shoot and Release,” so I help make sure they have some meat to put on their dinner plates.
How did you first get involved with Pheasants Forever? I have been a member of the Winnebago/Hancock Chapter of Pheasants Forever for over 24 years and have held several officer positions with the chapter during that time. I’ve been a part of many chapter events and banquets, along with many habitat and tree planting projects. I applied for the National Board of Directors of Pheasants Forever in the fall of 1997 and was accepted in 1998.
What is your favorite aspect about serving on the National Board? I enjoy seeing the organization grow; both in dollars and in habitat projects accomplished. I’m also proud of the voice we’ve developed in Washington, D.C. to make sure that we as conservationists and hunters have a say in our lands and water.
What is the single biggest challenge facing Pheasants Forever in the future? I wish that there was just a single challenge. We must work in many areas to continue to be successful. Bringing more kids to the outdoors, hunter retention, more habitat so wildlife can thrive, more accessible acres so hunters have places to hunt, Farm Bill in Washington that address habitat benefits along with water quality, and supporting our 700 plus chapters so they can continue their success. We have a lot of work ahead.
Previous Blog Profiles of National Board Members
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.
What’s Your Shotgun’s Serial #?
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Before this hunting season, make sure your shotgun's digits are known and secured.
Do you know your shotgun’s serial number by heart? Unlikely.
But you DO have it written down and saved somewhere, right? Be honest…
I’ll admit I have as good a chance picking the next Powerball lotto correctly as I do guessing the numbers that comprise my shotgun’s personal identification.
Most of us will never need to know this number until we need to know it, i.e. when your firearm is stolen or goes missing. Consider the case of well-known waterfowl hunter Jeff Foiles. Among the items taken by thieves from a recent heist of Foiles’ truck included two Benelli Super Black Eagle 12-gauge shotguns. To read Saint Paul Pioneer Press Outdoor Editor Chris Niskanen’s account of the crime, click here.
I ran into Niskanen at Game Fair (the event Foiles was in town for) the week after the break in and asked him how the investigation was going. “No serial numbers for the guns, so there’s really nothing they [police] can do,” he said. For the record, Foiles’ calls – used to win big calling competitions and lure countless ‘fowl into gun range – are the real irreplaceable items from the caper. But finding the firearms at a pawn shop or elsewhere could be the lead needed to get them. Without the serial numbers, it’s a virtual cold case.
Niskanen told me the incident had inspired him to jot down and save the serial numbers for all his firearms. I’ll do the same, and you should, too. Chances are you’ll never need it, but better to be safe than sorry.
The Quest for a New Shotgun
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
Buying a new shotgun involves identifying need, setting a budget and then finding a gun that fits the bill. (photo illustration by Mark Herwig)
Until recently, I owned just two shotguns, a 1961 Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 ga. I purchased in 1972 and a Beretta 391 12 ga. I got maybe five years ago.
I do a lot of wing shooting, but I’m not the kind of hunter who collects shotguns or buys them on a whim. A shotgun must really fit my style of rough and tumble hunting and serve multiple purposes, as well as take a lot of punishment afield. The 870 is my turkey and deer slug gun. Reliable as they come. The 391 is my pheasant and waterfowl gun – it takes a beatin’ and keeps on shootin’. I didn’t need anything more.
But during last year’s dove season, I noticed some shooting fatigue and therefore lots of misses later in the day. I’m also doing more quail hunting as editor of the Quail Forever Journal the past five years. A 12 really is too much gun for doves and quail. I also hope a 20, with less recoil and weight, would cure some of the dove gunning fatigue and would be lighter going (both the gun and ammo) on those long walks for quail. A need was born, and I intended to meet it with a new shotgun.
First, I started asking around the office for a sturdy 20 that was light and had a good reputation. There are lots of gun-savvy shooters here at PF national. The consensus was a Benelli Ultra Light. Next, I looked up its stats and price on the Benelli website. I then went to the company booth at Pheasant Fest last February in Des Moines. I handled the gun and several others, compared prices and talked to the guys behind the desk. Then I brought over several PF buddies to look it over and discuss its merits and those of some other 20s.
The final analysis was mine: I liked its looks – no frills, just wood and steel. I liked the raised rib – I hit better with that raised plane for my eye to grab onto. And I loved the weight, just 5.2 pounds.
It will take some getting used to, shooting a 20. I’ve been a 12-banger all my shooting life – 40 years plus. I love the big ol’ wad of shot and power a 12 puts out for the kill. I’ve put a lot of game on the table with my trusty 12s. But, I’ve shot 20s before and know they have knock-down power. You have to shoot them better than a broad-brush 12, but I think I’m up to the task.
I’m looking forward to my 20s first field test on the dove opener Sept. 1 in North Dakota with my buddy Kevin. Will I bring my 12 along just in case? We’ll see.
Annual Pheasants Forever Shotgun Review Kicks Off Pheasant Fest in Nebraska!
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
The 12 Gauge Beretta Xplor was one of the new shotguns tested in Omaha last month.
On May 13, the Pheasant Fest crew headed to Omaha. We were joined by 30 other Pheasants Forever members for PF’s annual new shotgun test event. We shot 17 new guns on a beautiful sunny (and yes windy) day just outside of Omaha at Werner Valley Shooting Complex on the banks of the Platte River.
First off, I have never shot at a more beautiful facility in my life. The lodge, sporting clays, and 5-stand were state-of-the-art with a leather-appointed indoor range to top it off.
We shot several new models and some slightly older models with upgrades. We shot guns from Beretta, Benelli, Remington, Winchester, Browning, Connecticut Shotgun, CZ, Stoeger, Ithaca, Weatherby, Fausti USA, Verona, Franchi, Ugartechea, Parker, and an optic from Burris. We also took full advantage of the beautiful indoor range and shot a DPMS Panther 5.56 and Kimber .45.
All of the guns performed great; however, there were two that when all was said and done, people wanted to shoot more. The first was the Benelli Legacy 28 Gauge, while the second most popular was the gun with the mounted Burris Speed Bead.
After the shoot, we all adjourned to the lodge to discuss the guns and talk about National Pheasant Fest coming to Omaha next January 28, 29, and 30 in 2011.
To learn more about all these fine guns look for your Pheasants Forever Fall Magazine for my article giving you the specifics!
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