ShopPosts Tagged ‘Pheasant Fest’
The NEW Franchi Instinct Over/Under Shotgun
Friday, January 27th, 2012
I spent most of last week at the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor, Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas where retailers in the hunting industry typically announce new product launches. New gear for the bird hunter in 2012 included offerings from Muck Boots, Under Armor and Irish Setter. However, the most eye-popping products for me were Franchi’s new Instinct L and Instinct SL over/under shotguns.
Part of the Benelli family, all Franchi shotguns are Italian made and will be on display in Kansas City at National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic coming up next month.
Check out this fantastic video of the new Instinct L:
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.
What to Expect at Pheasant Fest
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
Check out this short video for an idea of what you can expect this weekend at Pheasants Forever’s 2011 National Pheasant Fest at the Qwest Center in Omaha, NE. Hope to see you there!
Nebraska Pheasant Hunting and Pheasant Fest
Thursday, January 13th, 2011
National Pheasant Fest is the nation's biggest event for pheasant hunters.
It ain’t over ’till it’s over, and pheasant hunting in Nebraska definitely is not over. For those of you thinking about mixing in some pheasant hunting during your trip to “The Good Life” in Nebraska for National Pheasant Fest 2011, or mixing in some Pheasant Fest with your late season Nebraska pheasant hunting trip, here are a few good-to-knows.
- Nebraska’s 2011 licenses are now available. Nebraska’s annual hunt permit is valid for the entire calendar year, which means once purchased, it’s good this January, and then next pheasant hunting season for October, November and December.
- Nebraska’s pheasant hunting season runs through Monday, January 31st, 2011, meaning you could extend your Pheasant Fest weekend (Jan. 28-30) to wrap up with a day of hunting.
- At Pheasant Fest, youth age 15 and under can enter in a drawing for Nebraska Game and Parks half price lifetime permits. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will draw for 20 half price youth lifetime permits at National Pheasant Fest. If drawn, youth can get a lifetime permit at half the cost, with the other half courtesy of the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation. Drawing options include lifetime hunting, fishing and combination hunt/fish permits, as well as lifetime habitat and Nebraska migratory waterfowl stamps. Each winner may choose one permit or stamp. Drawing forms can only be filled out in person at the event. Anyone may enter a youth in the drawing.
- Scott Linden from Wingshooting USA will bring back his popular “Bird Hunting Boot Camp” seminar to the Cabela’s Hunter Help stage for all three days of National Pheasant Fest.
- And of course, from A (Ammunition) to Z (well, at least “Y” for Yellow Lab), if it relates to pheasant hunting, it’ll be at Pheasant Fest.
The Pheasant Fest Blog is written by Brad Heidel, Pheasants Forever’s Director of Special Event Sales
Bird Dog Writes Book, “Pawing” Autographs at Pheasant Fest
Monday, January 10th, 2011
Savvy the Golden Retriever - hunter, author, renaissance dog - is coming to National Pheasant Fest 2011. Photo © 2010 Photography By Karess
Who hasn’t wondered what a bird dog would say if it could talk. You’ll find out at National Pheasant Fest 2011 thanks to a new tell-all book written by a bird dog.
John Adams is a founding board member of the Dickinson County (Iowa) Pheasants Forever chapter. Now, he’s the publicist for his Golden Retriever, Savvy, who has “written” a book, Savvy, A Golden Dog’s View of This Human World.
Adams owned The Lakes News Shopper, a free circulation newspaper in Dickinson County from 1973-2007, and in 2007 his Golden, Savvy, started penning a bi-monthly column for the paper (with a little help from her owner). Over the past four years, her columns dealt with hunting, humor, human and animal friends and enemies, and family. The best of them have been compiled into the new book.
Savvy will have her first book signing at Pheasant Fest, as the book debuts there. Stop by booth 433, Jan. 28-30 to meet the author, get her paw print on your copy of the book, and view some great pictures of Savvy in action. We’re assuming that means hunting, not writing!
Anthony’s Antics Afield is written by Anthony Hauck, Pheasants Forever’s Public Relations Specialist
Free Tees, Dr. Death and Other Pheasant Fest Happenings
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Pheasants Forever’s Bob St.Pierre has a hard to top must-see list for this weekend’s National Pheasant Fest. So do I. While I likely won’t get to do them all (I am working, ya know), here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish at the show.
"Storm Reports" - videos from Pheasant Fest - coming to the Pheasant Blog this weekend.
- Storm Reports – We’ll be posting video “Storm Reports” all weekend long from National Pheasant Fest, brought to you by Federal Premium Ammunition, the Official Ammunition of Pheasants Forever and makers of the all-new Prairie Storm pheasant loads (available summer 2010). “Storm Reports” will be posted here at the Pheasant Blog and also at Pheasants Forever’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pheasantsforever).
- Predators Rx – Don’t bring your pet coyote in for a checkup. The Coyote Doctors (think Kevorkian, not House) will be giving presentations on calling these wily predators. A pastime I’m just getting into; and I need a professional diagnosis.
- Classic Guns Rock – Parker Gun Collectors Association, at booth #642 and also a pair of seminar presentations, will be profiling classic American double guns. And I like looking at guns.
- Remington, Benelli, Beretta, Browning/Winchester, DPMS, booths etc. – Did I mention I like looking at guns?
- Free T-Shirt – Word on the street is that you can check out the new Prairie Storm pheasant load at Federal Premium booth #625 and pick up a free t-shirt to boot (limit of 1,000). But you didn’t hear that from me…
- Makin’ Acres – Since my parents will be taking in the event this year, I’d like to go through the Landowner Habitat Help Room with my dad and see where we could add a few acres of habitat on the family farm.
- Snows & Toms – If you’re like me and the spring snow geese & tom turkey dates are coming up fast on the calendar, snooping around for some deals on the show floor might not be a bad idea. Maybe back to the Federal Premium booth for a look at the Black Could Snow Goose load. And maybe a visit with an outfitter or two.
- National Pheasant Fest 2010 Banquet – At Pheasants Forever’s 25th Anniversary in Saint Paul, I took in the evening banquet with my parents and Pheasants Forever colleagues Bob St.Pierre and Mike Traxinger. Now a law student at Drake, “Trax” will be back volunteering for “The Habitat Organization” this weekend. Could be déjà vu all over again. I wonder if Yogi will be in attendance????
Pheasant Festing
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
- When 30,000 people come together, there are bound to be some interesting tidbits.
National Pheasant Fest 2010 is just days away. As you may imagine, it’s occupying most of the gray matter in my mind. Here are a few Pheasant Fest tidbits to help you win the random radio trivia contest or office water cooler face off.
- 111,272 people have attended the first five National Pheasant Fest events beginning with Bloomington, Minnesota’s 2003 event.
- Brett Favre was the 100,000 Pheasant Fest attendee in Madison, Wisconsin last year . . . just kidding, we actually have no idea of the true identity of attendee #100,000. To the best of our knowledge, Brett Favre has yet to attend a National Pheasant Fest.
- The first day Pheasant Fest was ever held in 2003 was my fifth day of employment at Pheasants Forever.
- Until 2008, Pheasants Forever held Pheasant Fest every other year.
- The very first Pheasant Fest Bird Dog Parade was held in the Des Moines skyway system in 2007. That year’s grand marshall was Bryan Karrick of KCCI News Channel 8, Des Moines’ CBS affiliate. Bryan and his black Lab, Chase, will return to lead the 2010 parade.
- Iowa boasts 104 Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever chapters; the most of any state. To grab the top membership spot away from Minnesota, Pheasants Forever volunteers in Iowa are striving to enroll 4,953 new members at Pheasant Fest in 2010.
- www.PheasantsForever.org experiences the most web traffic of the year during the week of National Pheasant Fest.
- USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is scheduled to speak this Saturday of the Fest. Secretary Vilsack will become the third Ag Secretary to attend Pheasant Fest. Mike Johanns attended the Des Moines event in 2007 and Chuck Connor attended the Saint Paul event in 2008.
- Des Moines marks the first time Pheasant Fest returns to the exact same city and exact same venue (Iowa Events Center).
- Only one Pheasant Fest has been held during a state’s current pheasant season. Pheasant Fest 2005 in Omaha occurred during the final weeks of Nebraska’s pheasant season.
- Marian Gaborik (Former Minnesota Wild, current New York Ranger, and current Slovakian Olympian) checked out Pheasant Fest prior to the show’s opening in 2008 with a Slovakian television crew. No word on whether that footage ever made it to air.
- The daily temperatures of most of the previous five Pheasant Fests have not only been below freezing, they’ve mostly been below zero. BUNDLE UP!
- NFL Hall of Fame Coach Bud Grant attended the 2008 National Pheasant Fest.
- Tom Osborne, famed University of Nebraska football coach and former U.S. Congressman, attended National Pheasant Fest 2005 in Omaha.
- To our knowledge, no former American Idol contestant has ever attended National Pheasant Fest. We’re okay with that.
- Since 2005’s Fest in Nebraska, over 1,000 attendees have visited the Landowner Habitat Help Room. Pheasants Forever and partner biologists have evaluated 65,000 acres for habitat improvements during those visits.
- State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE or CP 38), CRP’s youngest practice, was officially announced for the first time at Pheasant Fest 2008 in Saint Paul.
What will be the interesting tidbits to arise during Pheasant Fest 2010 in Des Moines? Join us in Des Moines to find out. www.PheasantFest.org
My Pheasant Fest Top Ten
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Check out all the details at www.PheasantFest.org
Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest 2010 kicks off in Des Moines this Friday and runs through 5PM on Sunday evening. It’s the organization’s biggest stage, and attractions will range in scope from habitat to hunting and bird dogs to art. Here are the top 10 things I’m excited to check out this weekend at Pheasant Fest.
10. Miss Pheasant Fest. Miss Iowa will be joining the Iowa Trapper’s Association in their booth at Pheasant Fest on Saturday from 11AM to 5PM. No, seriously. Be there.
9. Jared Wiklund’s big break. I love seeing dreams come true and at 1PM on Friday, our department’s intern gets his big break as emcee of the Bird Dog Parade kicking off Pheasant Fest.
8. Cooking tips. I enjoy cooking wild game and am looking forward to gaining a few tips from Machine Shed Chef Roger Johnson (Friday at 2PM in Seminar Room 5) and Cheyenne Ridge Signature Lodge Chef Carl Hawkinson (1 hour seminars each of the show’s three days).
7. Missouri Quail & SoDak Roosters. Two seminars I’ve got my eyes on are Bill White’s (Missouri Department of Conservation) talk on quail habitat and Tommy Kirschenmann’s (South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks) talk about South Dakota pheasant mythology and truths.
6. Ask a Vet. Stop by the Intervet booth at any time during the show and you’ll be able to get any canine medical answers you need.
5. Speaking of Dogs. I love bird dogs; particularly my German shorthair pointer from Top Gun Kennels. I’m looking forward to checking in with Steve Ries of Top Gun Kennels and Native performance dog foods. I’m also anxious to take in seminars from world renowned trainers and SportDOG prostaffers Tom Dokken and Rick Smith.
4. Blue Dog Debut. Did I mention that I love bird dogs? Here’s one more. The Blue Picardy Spaniel will be making its Pheasant Fest debut during the Bird Dog Parade. Never heard of a Blue Picardy before? Me neither. Wonder if they are really blue?
3. Storm Reports. In the spirit of Federal’s launch of Prairie Storm, be sure to check out Pheasants Forever’s Facebook fan page throughout Pheasant Fest. Anthony Hauck and I will be posting “Storm Reports” (Pheasant Fest video reports) throughout the weekend.
2. Big News about CRP? USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack will be the keynote speaker at the Pheasant Fest noon luncheon on Saturday. He’s hinted about bringing us some big news about the future of CRP. Our pheasants, quail, and members are all ears.
1. Seeing good friends. Pheasants Forever accomplishes our habitat mission because of good people. I’m most looking forward to catching up with a bunch good people. Some folks I’ll be making a point of connecting with at Pheasant Fest are:
- Bill Mitchell of Dakota Hunting Farms
- Steve Ries of Top Gun Kennels & Native
- John Howard, Chad Hines and the rest of the Native performance dog food crew
- Casey Weismantel from the Aberdeen, South Dakota Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Mike Solberg of The Grand Lodge
- Krieg Jacque, artist from Visions of Wildlife
Baseball, Pheasants & Friday Night Fish Fry
Friday, February 19th, 2010
- Two guys with Saints connections, Jack Morris (left) and the author, also share a love for pheasant hunting.
Baseball, Hot Dogs, and Pheasants
On Wednesday, the Sioux Falls Canaries of the independent American Association baseball league changed their name to the Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants. Prior to joining Pheasants Forever’s national headquarters staff in January 2003, I’d spent seven seasons with the Saint Paul Saints Professional Baseball Club working my way up to Assistant General Manager. During my time with the Saints, we’d play the Sioux Falls Canaries regularly. The Canaries name never really made sense to me for a team in Sioux Falls. Of course I’m pretty jacked to hear of their new switch to a much more popular South Dakota bird and I can’t wait to get my hands on one of their new baseball lids. I hope to attend a game there this summer . . . maybe it’ll be “take your bird dog to the park night!”
Since this is a eulogy – so to speak – to the Canaries, I’d like to offer up a few of my memories about their franchise.
1) I’ll never forget watching ex-Major Leaguer Pedro Guerrero smoking cigarettes on the bench during the game. No lie.
2) I remember meeting a former Canaries intern one off-season. He’d taken a full-time job in the Twin Cities at an advertising agency. As his story goes . . . on the last game of the season, he had been assigned to wear the Canaries mascot costume. Well, a pitcher in the bullpen talked him into swapping uniforms for the last two innings of the game – player in the Canary costume and intern in the player’s uniform. During the last inning, a bench clearing brawl broke out on the field. Fearful that the intern with the player’s last name on the back of his jersey wouldn’t stand up for his teammates, the player in the Canary costume pushed the intern into the fight. Luckily, there was no blood spilled.
3) Also a bit of trivia, Pheasants Forever’s Bill Fisher (Warehouse Manager) was the Sioux Falls Canaries Assistant General Manager during the 1999 season. Fisher also spent 10 seasons working in the Saint Paul Saints front office.
Friday Night Fish Fry
Tonight, I’m looking forward to kicking off Lent with a Friday night fish fry. My wife, Meredith, and I are in search of a new favorite fish fry restaurant. Something that serves perch or bluegills would be preferred, but walleye would suffice. I’m for sure going to avoid cod. Cod is not a favorite for this guy when I’m looking for fish & chips. If you have any Twin Cities fish fry recommendations, drop me a comment below. Heck, drop a comment for great fish fry restaurants anywhere in the country . . . I’ll get there eventually I’m sure.
National Pheasant Fest is a Week Away
A final thought for the week . . . Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest 2010 in Des Moines kicks off one week from today! Yee Haw! Hope to see you there!
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