Are you looking for a good idea on making a positive difference in the world without having to give up beer or cookies for the next three months? Yep, I'm talking about New Year's resolutions.

"What's your New Year's resolution?" will be the topic of conversation at every ball-dropping shindig this evening and every buffalo wing bloated pigskin party tomorrow afternoon. My suggestion - join a Pheasants Forever chapter.

Joining a chapter is a fun way to meet other bird hunters and dog lovers, and an easy way to have an impact in habitat and youth education projects that truly make a difference for the future of our hunting heritage. Your participation is needed whether you attend a Pheasants Forever banquet this spring, volunteer to be a chapter officer, donate to a land acquisition, or help out at a youth mentor hunt. We truly do WANT YOU!

Below is a list of Minnesota's upcoming Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever events around the state. We'd love for you to join us:

January 15-17
Minnesota Pheasants Forever State Convention—Sugar Lake Lodge, Grand Rapids
January 19
Quail Management Seminar in Caledonia, (Thurman Tucker at 612.588.2007)
January 23
Carver County PF Banquet, 5PM, Community Building in Hamburg (Greg at 952.466-5259)
February 5
Minnesota Financial Advisors PF Banquet, at Ramada-MOA-Airport, 5:30PM
February 6
-Winona-Root River PF Banquet (Greg Zaborowski at 507.454.7587)
-Lac qui Parle County PF Banquet, VFW in Madison, 5:30PM
-Northwest Suburban PF Banquet, Medina Golf&Country Club, 5:30PM
-Wadena County PF Banquet, Eagles Club in Wadena, 5:30PM, (Jeff Miller 218.894.2262)
February 11
Metro Quail Forever Banquet, Jax Café, Minneapolis, 5:30PM (Rick at 612-824-2079)
February 13
Sibley County PF Banquet (Mark 'Dinger' Standinger at 507.964.5308)
February 20
-Aitkin County PF Banquet, The Forty Club-Aitkin (Tom Lindelien at 218.251.8405)
-South Central PF Banquet, Albert Lea American Legion, (Mark at 507.402.2901)
-Traverse County PF Banquet, American Legion in Wheaton, 5:30PM (Dave Bauer at 320.748.7102)
February 25
Scott County PF Banquet (Stacy Dvorak at 612.202.6119)
February 26 - 28
National Pheasant Fest at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa www.PheasantFest.org
February 27
-Mower County PF Banquet (Sue Olson at 507.438.9365)
-Waseca County PF Banquet, VFW in Waseca (Bill at wgdonahue@msn.com)
-Stearns County PF Banquet, (Joe Klein at 320.597.2944)
-Sherburne County PF Banquet, Friendly Buffalo in Big Lake, 5:30PM
March 5
Swift County PF Banquet, McKinney's in Benson, 5PM (Scott Lageson at 320.444.1525)
March 6
-Anoka County PF Banquet, Courtyards of Andover, 4PM (John Newpower at 651.407.5245)
-Chisago County PF Banquet, Lent Town Hall, 5PM (Tim Kane at 651.674.6209)
-Mille Lacs/Benton County PF Banquet, Henry's in Foley, 5:30PM, (Dennis Sowada at 320.393.4214)
-Lyon County PF Banquet, SMSU Conf. Ctr., 5:30PM (David at 507.530.3444)
-Martin County PF Banquet, Fairmont VFW (Brian at 507.236.4477)
-Hendricks PF Banquet, Hendricks Golf Club (Jason at 612.309.2513)
March 8
Ramsey/Washington County PF Banquet (Dave Foster at 651.778.9321)
March 13
Chippewa County PF Banquet, TAAC in Montevideo, 5:30PM (Tom Brusven at 320-269-5241)
March 20
-Dakota County Ringnecks PF Banquet, Crystal Lake Golf Club in Lakeville (Reggie Rasner at 952.432.9350)
-Brown County PF Banquet, Orchid Inn in Sleepy Eye
-Tri-County PF Banquet
March 25
Renville County PF Banquet (Kelly Weinzetl at 507.276.1859)
March 26
Nobles County PF Banquet., Long Branch in Worthington, 5:30PM (Scott at 507.360.6027)
March 27
-Redwood County PF Banquet, Redwood Community Center (Dale at 507.336.2456)
-SE MN Quail Forever Banquet, Good Times in Caledonia (Andy at 608.769.3443)
-Kandiyohi County PF Banquet, Holiday Inn in Willmar, 5:30PM (Brad Hanson at 320.222.3708)
-Kanabec County PF Banquet, Grand Events Center in Mora, 4PM (Dean Randt at 320.679.5891)
-Big Stone County PF Banquet, Sioux Hist. Pavillion in Ortonville, 5:30PM (Greg Peterson at 320.839.2080)
-LeSueur County PF Banquet, Park Ballroom in New Prague 5PM, (Gary at 507.744.5126)
March 29
Wright County PF Banquet, Buffalo Civic Center, 5:30PM
March 30
Pipestone County PF Banquet, Pipestone Nat'l Guard Armory, 5PM (Marty 507.825.4338)
April 9
-Rock County PF Banquet (Tuna at 507.227.1002)
-Meeker County PF Banquet, Eagles Club in Litchfield, 5:30PM, (Gary Duncomb at 320.453.7465)
April 17
Nicollet/Blue Earth County PF Banquet (Tom Benson at 507.345.1015)
April 22
Carpenter's Union PF Banquet, 5:30 pm, NCSRCC Union Hall (Candy Lund at 715.529.1785
April 24
-Otter Tail County PF Banquet, Eagles Club in Fergus Falls, 5:30PM (Tony Rondeau at 218.739.2034)
-MN Ladyslippers PF Banquet, Stillwater Country Club, 4PM