Jeff Stalberger and "Ernie" have stopped by the PF booth the last couple of years to renew their membership with Pheasants Forever The Masters may have coined the slogan, "a tradition unlike any other," but for bird hunters like me, the slogan also rings true when I think about Game Fair. Born in 1982, just like Pheasants Forever, Game Fair kicks off this Friday morning on the 80-acre Armstrong Ranch Kennels in Ramsey, Minnesota. If you're a fan of bird hunting, bird dogs, scatterguns and conservation, then it's a "can't miss" event. Pheasants Forever will be there in force. Here are some of our featured efforts:

First 300 people to join Pheasants Forever at Game Fair will receive this limited edition blaze orange Minnesota Wild hat. ONLY 300 REMAIN AVAILABLE Pheasants Forever Membership Drive

Thanks to our partnership with Gander Mountain and the Minnesota Wild, we have 300 limited edition blaze orange hats remaining from last year's Penguins/Wild battle on October 18, 2011. The first 300 folks that sign up as members of Pheasants Forever at Game Fair will receive one of these special blaze orange Minnesota Wild hats and a Pheasants Forever dog collar. Stop by the Anoka County Chapter of Pheasants Forever booth (just inside the main gates) or the Pheasants Forever National booth (on Pheasants Forever Hill) to take advantage of this special offer LIMITED TO THE FIRST 300 ONLY.

The 2012 Build a Wildlife Area Campaign

Game Fair, Outdoor News and Pheasants Forever got together in 2003 to conceptualize the Build a Wildlife Area concept. Federal Premium Ammunition, Apple Auto Group, Gander Mountain and KFAN radio have also been supporters of the program from its beginnings. Through this unique campaign, all donations are matched at least three times by grants from the Minnesota DNR and/or U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. In other words, every $1 donation automatically turns into $3 and every $1,000 donation turns into $3,000 toward the purchase of a brand new Minnesota wildlife management area open to public hunting. In the campaign's nine years of existence, it's led to the creation of 11 new Minnesota WMAs covering 3,345 acres now open to public hunting. To participate in the 2012 campaign, please stop by the Anoka County Chapter of Pheasants Forever's booth to purchase raffle tickets on a new CZ Wingshooter Deluxe 12 gauge over/under shotgun. Proceeds from the Anoka PF Chapter's raffle go directly to the campaign. In fact, Anoka PF's raffle has been the largest single source of Build a Wildlife Area fundraising dollars during the campaign's run; an amount approaching $100,000 in total. Build a Wildlife Area donations are also accepted at the Pheasants Forever National booth and online.

Supporters of the very first Build a Wildlife Area dedication at the Mud Lake WMA in Morrison County, Minnesota Pheasants Forever's National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic

We'll also be distributing 1,500 complimentary daily admission passes to National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic (the coupon is a $10 value!) at the Pheasants Forever National booth during the course of Game Fair. This year's National Pheasant Fest is being held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on February 15, 16, & 17th in conjunction with the organization's 30th Anniversary Celebration.

SportDOG eCollar Giveaway

In addition to a great Pheasants Forever membership offer and exclusive Pheasants Forever gear for sale in the booth, we'll have a register-to-win contest that will award one lucky new member each weekend with a brand new eCollar from our partners at SportDOG.

Donna Schaver and "Rudy" joined Pheasants Forever at Game Fair in 2010 Tree Cookies for Kids

Pheasants Forever volunteers from across the Twin Cities will also be inviting youngsters into the PF National booth to participate in making pheasant necklaces out of tree cookies.

Young and old, male or female, if you're a bird hunter and/or lover of bird dogs, then Game Fair is a can't miss event for you the next two weekends:

Dates: August 10, 11, & 12 / 17, 18 & 19.

Hours: 9AM to 6PM on Fridays & Saturdays, 9AM to 5PM on Sundays.

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.