Why isn’t every pheasant hunter a member of PF?
Pheasants Forever works to make sure this is NOT the landscape of the future for those who care about wildlife and hunting.
I worked the Pheasants Forever booth at the Minnesota State Fair this week. I really enjoyed meeting and visiting with people and we signed up a fair number of new members. It was especially rewarding to have someone come by and say “I’m a life member!” It was also fun to have someone say, “I don’t know about your organization” and then give us a chance to tell him or her about our mission, our chapters and the work our volunteers do for habitat and youth. Many signed up after hearing our spiel.
What bothered me are the few who walked by the booth, made a point of saying, “I love pheasant hunting!” but had no interest in learning more about Pheasants Forever and our habitat efforts benefiting their very passion. I couldn’t help it, but when one guy was so uninterested, I called after him, “We have pheasants because of Pheasants Forever!”
Is it too much to think that people should be willing to pay $35 for a membership in an organization that makes sure they can enjoy what they love to do? I know they pay a lot more for their ammunition, hunting gear, licenses and travel to hunt pheasants. I know I’m prejudiced about the job we do to make sure the Farm Bill includes funding for conservation practices, the grants we seek for habitat projects and the work we do to bring along the next generation of conservationists. I just don’t understand why so many pheasant hunters, 2 million of them in fact, are so short sighted. I hope their vision is better when they are shooting the birds!
Are you reading this and aren’t a member yet? Here’s a hint and a special offer: http://www.pfstore.org/?main_page=product_info&products_id=1224
13 Responses to “Why isn’t every pheasant hunter a member of PF?”
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Apathy may have something to do with the state of hunting where you live. Pheasant hunting for wild birds in Central California is a thing of my childhood. Lack of birds, lack of cover, lack of interest. And after paying $41.50 for a general hunting license and an additional $8.40 for an Upland Game Bird stamp I can’t help but see the futility of it all. As far as PF’s impact in the midwest, thats great. Not so visible here. I appreciate your passion but keep in mind that not all pheasant hunters have the same opportunity that you have there. We’re not short sighted, just we’ve had our eyes opened to the state of hunting in our area. Its not pretty.
Craig — I appreciate your perspective and it’s truly sad that hunting opportunities have declined in some areas the way they have. We do have PF chapters in California if you want to click on your state on our web site. I hope others reading this who live in places where there are still pheasants will appreciate how fortunate they are. PF does work very hard with landowners and others to provide habitat where land is available. For others out there, if you have chances to pheasant hunt, be thankful and think about joining the habitat organization!
I hunt pheasants as often as I can every fall/winter. I was a member of pheasants forever and quail forever for well over ten years, before discontinuing my memberships. I believe the organization is becoming too political. I believe the organization does not represent me and my beliefs. Pheasants Forever is a conservation group, that is what it is great at, they should leave the politics at home. I truely do not miss anything about Pheasants Forever.
John — I’m truly sorry you feel the way you do. We work very hard to NOT be political. All of our efforts in DC are directed to the Farm Bill and getting conservation in the ground, no matter the party or the politics. If you ever change your mind, we would be delighted to have you back as a member. Happy hunting!
As a lifelong KS resident and PF member for the past few years, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your efforts. The state of public hunting in KS is unprecedented, we have over a million acres of public walk in hunting, much of which is improved by the efforts of PF. If you think that politics are too prevalent in PF, then stay off our CRP land. The CRP program is politically driven, like it or not, and without CRP funds, farmers will plow pristine cover under in favor of cropland and grazing pasture. CRP loss means habitat loss and that means loss of nesting and roosting cover and of course fewer birds to hunt.
Trent — I’m just back in the office from being gone a week and want to thank you for your support. Watch soon for an announcement on the most recent CRP sign up results. PF fought hard for the sign up and everyone should benefit. Happy hunting out there in Kansas — it should be a good year!
Cheryl
You give great anwsers but i believe PF is political and it needs to be. It is where the biggest return for the dollar is. PF can plant 10 acres for a landowner but CRP conserves millions. Like it or not PF must be political.
I am a member of PF and will probably soon become a life member. I believe the main reason many hunters are not members is due to greed from many of the landowners in the Pheasant Capital of South Dakota. If you want to go to SD to hunt it costs the same whether you are a PF member or not and many landowners and guides are not members because if PF were to purchase land and turn it into public hunting land, it would cut into the landowners profits by allowing more hunting for free.
I to am a member and I live in the northern panhandle of West Virginia with PA on one side and OH on the other. I would like to see PF do something close to where I live so I can enjoy hunting season. If I want to hunt birds I need to go to a bird farm so I can find birds to hunt. Why cant PF work with the game commission or dnr to educate them so we to can find wild birds?
I think part of the promblem is that some chapters only want people who have a big check book. Being a 30 something guy with 2 kids and a wife the extra money runs alittle tite. By the way I am a board member of a local chapter. I see it time and time again we try to make a motion to do something to recrute new young members and it goes down in flames becuase it something different than what is done in the past. If we do get a new member they are welcomed and maid to feel welcome until people figure out the size of there check book. SO my piont is make sure you welcome people no matter how blue colar they are becuase they really are the future of this organization.
It’s great reading the comments from everyone. This topic has stirred some interest and your thoughts are all appreciated. As we say in the office, money puts habitat in the ground and helps get kids outdoors, but we have always recognized that it’s not all about money — it’s also about dedication, time, effort and just showing up! Your letters and contacts with legislators have helped in DC on Farm Bill issues. Your hard work on habitat projects have helped bring pheasants back. Your passion to get kids outdoors has resulted in some of the best youth programs ever with kids having wonderful experiences. We so need to bring in the 20 and 30 something families — they can bring fresh ideas and young kids. I hope you will welcome them to your chapters and find something they will love to do. I hope younger members will bring along their families. Thanks to everyone for whatever contribution you make — it does make a difference for Pheasants Forever!
For me it’s a where does it end thing. Pheasants Forever, NRA, Ducks Unlimited, Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mt Elk, NAHC, Pope & Young, etc, etc. Now add in the magazine subscriptions: Outdoor life, Field & Stream, ND outdoors, Wyoming Wildlife… You can see where a simple $35 has now become several hundred. Now lets talk equipment, licenses, preference points, etc, etc. Lets just say I don’t fully disclose all this to the better half. I do keep most of my memberships up but for someone on a tight budget, I can see why they do not.
Bryan — If you truly love to hunt many species, I can see how the costs add up. And you didn’t even mention attending banquets and bidding on items! All of the conservation organizations depend on member dollars to do their mission so as one of those you support, thank you! Your secret is safe with me. Happy hunting this fall!