outdoors

“It was inevitable that marshes would be drained we say to ourselves.

It was inevitable that ditches would be burned.

It was inevitable that fields would be plowed each fall leaving no winter cover for upland birds.

And because it was inevitable

It was now tolerable.”

Those were the words of Dennis Anderson written in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press & Dispatch on March 7, 1982.  From that article, Pheasants Forever began to coalesce.

A year later, on April 15, 1983, Pheasants Forever held its first banquet.  The event was organized to celebrate the passage of the bill creating Minnesota’s Pheasant Habitat Stamp and to help the fledgling conservation group raise operating funds.  Famed outdoor writer Jimmy Robinson and local businessman Robert Naegele, Sr. cut $1,000 checks, becoming the organization's first Life Members.

According to our records, the event drew 800 supporters.  In my decade of employment at Pheasants Forever, I’ve talked to thousands who claim being part of the historic event.  That first Pheasants Forever banquet parallels Woodstock in that an entire generation claims to have been in attendance.  In spirit, I have no doubt every Minnesota pheasant hunter was there.

Later this month, on April 20^th, a new group of volunteers will hold a Ramsey County Pheasants Forever Chapter banquet at the Dellwood Hills Golf Club east of White Bear Lake.  Anderson, who served as editor of the Pheasants Forever magazine as well as a longtime national board member for the organization, will be the guest speaker at this event.

As I examine Mr. Anderson’s words above, I recognize there will be cynics who complain “Pheasants Forever hasn’t stopped the habitat loss that began decades ago; just look at all the acres lost last autumn.”  I also know there are others who recognize the “good old days” of 2007, 2008 and 2009 when pheasant harvests were reaching marks not experienced since the 1960s were partly the result of Pheasants Forever working with USDA, farmers and other partners to put nearly 40 million acres of CRP habitat on the ground.

But mostly, I believe Mr. Anderson understood a simple principle before most others – conservation will never be a game in which you win or lose.  For eternity, it will be a constant battle. Pheasants Forever’s duty is to evolve and make a difference no matter what the conditions.

And the battle rages on the landscape these days.  CRP acres are leaving the program to be burned and plowed by the millions.  Habitat is hemorrhaging everywhere.  The success of Pheasants Forever is dependent on volunteers.  Now more than ever, we need you.

So on April 20^th, a new group of volunteers will take up the flag of conservation in Ramsey County.   Please join the cause and be a part of history, tickets are available for purchase by following THIS LINK.  For readers outside the Twin Cities, please consider getting involved with your own local chapter of Pheasants Forever through THIS LINK.

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Vice President of Marketing.  Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre and listen to Bob and Billy Hildebrand every Saturday morning on FAN Outdoors radio on KFAN FM100.3.

It’s that time of year . . . no, obviously not spring, but puppy season.   Last spring, I brought home my second bird dog pup and found the experience much easier the second go-round.  Consequently, let me offer seven simple tips I’ve found valuable between dogs one and two.

1.       The “Go Potty” Command.  I whole-heartedly believe obedience training is the foundation to a good bird dog.  Heel, stay, and come are as invaluable in the field as they are in the house.  However, one of the most often-overlooked commands is “Go Potty.”   On sub-zero winter days, at the end of long drives, or in the middle of the night, my dogs will do their business on command and I can get out of the cold or back to sleep much quicker than my hunting partners who have to wait for their pups to sniff out and circle the perfect spot. 

2.       Take Photos.  Your puppy will grow faster than you can possibly imagine and will never ever be as cute as he/she was yesterday.  Carry a camera and use it.

3.       A Puppy Partner.  Owning and training a bird dog is a ton of work.  Work much easier to accomplish with the help of a spouse, sibling, or friend.  Whether its morning potty duty, the work conference call you just can’t get away from or the vacation from responsibility we all need from time to time, a partner lightens the load.  While I blog and take public credit for my two pup’s proficiency in the field, I owe a lot of their success to my wife, Meredith’s, consistency in training commands and overall assistance in the process. 

4.       The “Yard” Command.  Given the choice, I’d live on a hundred acres in the country with no neighbors within earshot.  However, like most folks these days, I’m trapped in the concrete jungle of suburbia on a one-acre lot with neighbors that would prefer my dogs not visit their manicured lawns.  Consequently, my bird dog pups also learned the boundaries of our residence and the command to stay within our property-taxed borders through the single word “Yard.” 

5.       For Crying out loud, Go Hunting!  So many new puppy owners are reluctant to take their new pup hunting because of fear their dog will screw up a hunt for others.  Any hunter worth their salt knows there is no better recipe to their long-term success than the addition of a good new bird dog to the mix.  A busted bird here or there in year one is a small price to pay for a decade of improved hunts as a result of a pup getting a snout full of feathers early on in the development process.  Get your new puppy in the field.  THERE IS NOTHING BETTER FOR YOU, YOUR HUNTING PARTNERS & YOUR PUP!

6.       A Name is Important.  I harp on this seemingly every six months.  Choose a name that represents who you are, is easy to command and doesn’t add to confusion in the field because the other three dogs are also named after your buddies’ favorite brand of shotgun. 

7.       Be Patient.  You’ll hear this from every person giving advice about dogs, every video you watch on the subject or every book ever penned by a professional dog trainer.  Like people, every puppy learns at a different pace and will struggle with different things compared to other people’s dogs or other dogs you’ve owned in the past.  Know this as FACT going in and embrace that there will be times that INFURIATE you in the moment.  Know also that those moments of furry will also make you laugh down the road . . . maybe a year or more . . . but, eventually you’ll smile about the furry.  

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Vice President of Marketing.  Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.  You can also catch Bob on FAN Outdoors radio every Saturday morning on KFAN at FM100.3.

 In my previous life in professional baseball, I worked with ballplayers who exhibited incredibly strong affinities to particular brands and models of gloves, bats or cleats.  Some of those affiliations had to do with sponsorship (some with superstitions), but mostly those loyalties derived from success on the field.  As I’ve written before, I continue to be amazed by the correlations between bird hunters and ballplayers.  Another one of these parallels exists in pheasant hunters’ brand loyalty and that’s what my focus is today.

In my estimation, pheasant hunters are largely gear junkies and that gear, in priority of importance, revolves around: their favorite breed of bird dog, shotguns, boots, ammunition and hunting vests.

So today’s blog post surveys the nation’s most well-renowned bird hunters to poll their favorites in each of these five categories.  My assumption as I send out this survey is that like baseball players, expert pheasant hunters have a wide array of affiliations and there likely won’t be too many common answers.  Let’s find out.

To start, here are my favorites:

Bob St.Pierre, Vice President of Marketing at Pheasants Forever and Co-host of FAN Outdoors radio on KFAN

1)      Bird Dog Breed: German shorthaired pointer

2)      Shotgun: Beretta 686 Onyx 12 gauge over/under with skeet chokes in both barrels

3)      Boots: Danner Santiam

4)      Ammo: Federal Premium Ammo’s Upland Steel 12 gauge 3” 5 shot

5)      Vest: Wing Works Upland Vest

***

Ron Schara, Host of The Flush presented by Pheasants Forever on Outdoor Channel

1)      Bird Dog: Raven, the black Lab, whistle trained

2)      Shotgun: Benelli Super Black Eagle or Benelli Vinci with Carlson choke tubes

3)      Boots: Irish Setter

4)      Ammo: Federal Ammo’s Prairie Storm 2-3/4” lead 5 shot

5)      Vest: Still looking for a good one; need deep pockets for ammo; easy reach for bird carrying pouch

Bill Sherck, Co-Host of The Flush presented by Pheasants Forever on Outdoor Channel

1)      Bird Dog: My love of hunting dogs is pretty basic.  I want a dog that can find downed birds, always.  That’s A-1 in my book.

2)      Shotgun: I have a 1929 LeFever Nitro Special 20 gauge that became a best friend of sorts.  It is, by far, my ugliest, most beat up shotgun, but I shoot it well and I love the history. Serious patina.

3)      Boots:  Irish Setter 894s, Irish Setter 894s, Irish Setter 894s….

4)      Ammo: Federal Prairie Storm is over the top!  I absolutely love the stuff.  No wounded birds, only kills (when I don’t miss!).

5)      Vest: I’ve become a fan of mountain tech vests.  I have an old Mother’s lightweight I still use a lot.  A Buck’s is my next big investment.

Scott Linden, Host of Wingshooting USA Television

1)      Bird Dog: German wirehaired pointer . . . is there any other breed?

2)      Shotgun: Webley & Scott Model 2000 in 20 gauge

3)      Boots: Meindl Perfekt from Cabela’s

4)      Ammo: Depends upon the situation: Kent Cartridge Fast Lead or Fiocchi Golden Pheasant

5)      Vest: Filson Mesh Vest

Hank Shaw, Author of Hunt, Gather, Cook and speaker at National Pheasant Fest

1)      Bird Dog: Pudelpointer

2)      Shotgun: Franchi Velochi 20 gauge

3)      Boots: Asolo

4)      Ammo: Federal Prairie Storm #5s

5)      Vest: Filson

Lee & Tiffany Lakosky, Hosts of The Crush on Outdoor Channel

1)      Bird Dog: Black Labrador retriever

2)      Shotgun: Tiffany shoots a 12 gauge Beretta Silver Pigeon and Lee shoots a 12 gauge Franchi Instinct

3)      Boots: Under Armour Ridge Reaper early season & Under Armour HAW’s late season

4)      Ammo: Federal Prairie Storm

5)      Vest: Badlands Pheasant Pack

Tom Dokken, Professional dog trainer and speaker at National Pheasant Fest

1)      Bird Dog: Labrador retriever . . . or any dog that loves to hunt.

2)      Shotgun: Browning Citori 20 Gauge

3)      Boots: Danner Fowlers

4)      Ammo: Federal Prairie Storm 20 gauge 3” 6 shot

5)      Vest: J.L. Powell, waxed cotton

Nancy Anisfield, Professional photographer, Pheasants Forever National Board member and PF blogger

1)      Bird Dog: German shorthaired pointer

2)      Shotgun: Caesar Guerini 28-gauge Magnus Light

3)      Boots: Danner Pronghorn

4)      Ammo: Polywad Gram Crak-R and Spred-R 28-gauge

5)      Vest: Browning Bird ‘n Lite Strap Vest

Billy Hildebrand, Host of FAN Outdoors Radio on KFAN

1)      Bird Dog: American Brittany

2)      Shotgun: Beretta 686 Onyx Over/Under 12 gauge

3)      Boots: Danner Pronghorns

4)      Ammo: Federal Upland Steel 3s or 5s

5)      Vest: Browning Bird ‘n Lite Jacket

Note 1: Billy also prefers SportDOG Upland 1850, Chevy Z71, Folgers Coffee and “special” sandwiches.

Note 2: Billy’s hunting partners do not like his “special” sandwiches!

Justin Larson, Outdoors Media Specialist for the nation’s pheasant capital, SOUTH DAKOTA

1)      Bird Dog: Prefers Labs, but doesn’t own his own at the moment

2)      Shotgun: Winchester SX3

3)      Boots: Muck Boots

4)      Ammo: Federal Prairie Storm

5)      Vest: Browning Bird ‘n Lite

Mark Herwig, Editor of Pheasants Forever’s Journal of Upland Conservation

1)      Bird Dog: Springer spaniel

2)      Shotgun: Beretta 391

3)      Boots: Danner Uplander

4)      Ammo: Federal 12 gauge 5 shot Pheasants Forever loads

5)      Vest: A Pheasants Forever strap vest

Anthony Hauck, Pheasants Forever’s Online Editor

1)      Bird Dog: English cocker spaniel . . . and I wouldn’t mind another

2)      Shotgun: Remington 870 Wingmaster, in the market for my first O/U

3)      Boots: Irish Setter Havoc when it’s dry, Muck Boots when it’s not

4)      Ammo: Federal Premium Upland Steel #4s . . . served “chilled”

5)      Vest: Browning Bird ‘n Lite Strap Vest

Steve Ries, Owner of Top Gun Kennels

6)      Bird Dog: German shorthaired pointers

7)      Shotgun: Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon over/under 20 gauge

8)      Boots: Irish Setter Upland DSS Gore-Tex hunting boots

9)      Ammo: Winchester

10)  Vest: Gander Mountain Guide Series Hunting Strap Vest

Chad Hines, Owner of Willow Creek Kennels

1)      Bird Dog: German shorthaired pointer

2)      Shotgun: Beretta 686 Onyx over/under 20 gauge

3)      Boots: Merrill Moab Hiking boots – I use these for almost all hunting.

4)      Ammo: Federal’s Black Cloud

5)      Vest: Bird ‘n Light Vest

Matt Kucharski, Pheasants Forever National Board Member

1)      Bird Dog: A tandem of German Shorthair Pointer and Labrador, trained to honor each other of course!

2)      Shotgun: Ruger Red Label 20 gauge early season, 12 gauge late season.   Skeet and IC chokes early season, IC and modified chokes late.  Sadly, they're not making them anymore.

3)      Boots: Red Wing Irish Setter (short uppers) early season and Meindl Scotland GTX (or similar) late season

4)      Ammo: Federal Upland Steel 4 shot.  3 inch in the 20.  2 ¾ in the 12.

5)      Vest: Filson mesh strap vest for short walks, Bird ‘n Lite strap vest if I'm in the field all day or carrying Bob's birds.

Jeff Fuller, host of Sporting Dog Adventures

1)      Bird Dog: Labrador Retriever

2)      Shotgun: Benelli

3)      Boots: Danner Pronghorn

4)      Ammo: HEVI-Shot Upland

5)      Vest: Browning vest

Now it’s your turn.  What are your favorites?

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Vice President of Marketing.  Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre and listen to Bob and Billy Hildebrand every Saturday morning on FAN Outdoors radio on KFAN FM100.3.

Georgia Pellegrini

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, women’s participation in hunting has increased by 36.6 percent over the last decade.  That percentage represents 660,000 new female hunters busting cattails, climbing into tree stands and hiding in camouflaged pit blinds.  One of those women is Georgia Pellegrini, author of the new book Girl Hunter.

Theories abound as to why women are picking up firearms or bows in greater numbers these days.  As near as I can tell, women’s reasons for enjoying hunting are as diverse as their male counterparts.  In Georgia’s case, her love of food was the genesis for her interest in hunting.  She explains, “I’m an omnivore who has solved her dilemma; I’m a girl hunter.”

Like Steven Rinella’s The Scavenger’s Guide to Haute Cuisine and Hank Shaw’s Hunt, Gather, Cook, Pellegrini’s Girl Hunter leads the reader on a variety of hunting adventures through the eyes of a chef first and a woman second.   The end of each chapter also features a handful of recipes associated with the game she pursued during the chapter. 

In the book, Georgia pursues upland birds, waterfowl and big game.  She even slays a wild boar with only a knife in hand.  All the while, her hunts are shaped by the people who serve as mentors, guides, and friends.  There are also a few encounters with the kinds of unethical people who give all hunters and men bad reputations. 

Girl Hunter’s characters are well-rounded and the stories move at a rapid pace making for a very fun read; however, it’s Georgia’s own thoughts about hunting for food that resonated most for me.  In particular, the book’s last chapter about squirrel hunting stands out.  I have never been a fan of squirrel meat or squirrel hunting, but the juxtaposition of this beautiful and intelligent city girl waxing poetic about her love of the nutty flavor of squirrel meat has made me anxious for my next squirrel hunt.

Whether you’re a man or woman, long-time hunter or newbie, I highly recommend you find some time to read Girl Hunter. 

NOTE: Georgia will be a speaker on Saturday, February 16^th at Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest and she’ll also be a guest this Saturday morning on FAN Outdoors radio.  Listen to the interview live at KFAN 100.3FM tomorrow morning at 6:30AM. 

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

 As I contemplate my recreational options for the first weekend in January, my pheasant hunting choices are rapidly disappearing.  Pheasant hunting in my home state of Minnesota closed on New Year’s Day not to reopen till mid-October; ten long months away.  So now what do I do with my weekends? 

 The author’s German shorthair pup, “Izzy,” loves pheasant hunting and doesn’t want her first season to end. Photo by Anthony Hauck / Pheasants Forever

Although Kansas and Nebraska have provided excellent January destinations for me in the past, I don’t have the time available this year to make those trips from my Minnesota home.  

Both South Dakota and North Dakota’s seasons extend through Sunday, while Iowa’s continues through the 10^th of January, so this trio of states does indeed provide a more manageable option from Minnesota.

Local game farm hunt clubs also provide a closer, yet pricier, alternative to run my pair of shorthairs and shoulder the scattergun.  While the hunting isn’t near as challenging as a wild bird adventure, my dogs delight in January and February days filled with a nose full of pheasant at the local hunt club.

The reality of my situation is one we all confront this time of year, the winding down of pheasant season and the ten month wait for another opening day. 

What do you do when your state’s pheasant hunting closes for the year?  Do you travel to a different state, hit the game farm, find a friend with a beagle to chase rabbits or drill a hole in the ice and go fishing?

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