Washington County Pheasants Forever Chapter has a small group of active members that meet monthly with the goal of advancing the legacy of Pheasants Forever. We do this by supporting our communities, our county, our state, and of course pheasant habitat through volunteerism and financial support. Our financial support is only possible because of the generous donations we receive through fundraising events held throughout the year, one of which is our annual banquet.
Since our chapter's inception in 2012, we have accomplished the following achievements within our local communities:
-Total Wildlife Habitat Expenditures of $248,000 for grass plantings, food plots, and winter cover.
-Public Land Acquisition Expenditures of $44,600.
-Youth Education Expenditures of $145,700.
-Annual Sponsorship of 11 High School and 4H Trap Teams within Washington County.
-Prescribed Burn / Tree Removal Project at Hardwood Creek WMA in Washington County.
-Enhanced Public Lands Grant for 3 Public Hunting Areas.
-Annual Sponsorship of a Disabled and Disabled Veteran's Pheasant Hunt.
-Annual Sponsorship of a Washington County Youth/Women's Hunt.
Pheasants Forever is the only national organization with a model of chapters keeping 100% of the funds they raise. While belonging to a larger national organization that has a voice on federal and state conservation policies, chapters are tasked with finding projects for their funds. Minnesota takes full advantage of this model using funds raised for projects locally as well as other areas in the state of Minnesota. Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education, and land management policies and programs.
Our Chapter Mission
Protect, restore, and enhance wildlife habitat by establishing and maintaining local projects.
Pheasants Forever is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education.
About Washington County Pheasants Forever
Our local chapter in Washington was founded amongst those upland hunters and sportsmen and women in your community. Our goal is to provide those avid outdoormen and women an opportunity to assist in the protection and enhancement of pheasants and other upland bird populations around the local area.
Pheasants Forever was co-founded in 1982 by co-workers at the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch, outdoor editor Dennis Anderson and national advertising director Jeff Finden. Both recognized a need for habitat restoration and preservation to ensure the future of pheasants and other wildlife.
PF's first publication entitled "Rooster Tales," published in February 1983. This became the forerunner of today's Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland Conservation. The fledgling PF held its first banquet on April 15, 1983, drawing 800 people at the inaugural banquet. In January 2007, PF's third-ever National Pheasant Fest in Des Moines, Iowa, became the largest event in PF history, drawing over 24,500 attendees over a three-day span.
Twenty-five years after its inception, Pheasants Forever has become a grassroots, nationwide upland conservation movement - a national conservation powerhouse. The organization has grown to 110,000 members with over 600 chapters across the U.S. and Canada. Nationwide, Pheasants Forever has spent $260 million on program expenditures, which have helped fund 347,000 habitat projects affecting 4.4 million acres across North America. Along the way, PF has continued to employ the same unique organizational model of empowering local chapters to determine how 100 percent of their locally-raised conservation funds are spent. This local control allows chapters to see the fruits of their chapter efforts in their own communities.
Financial Support
Were you aware that trap shooting has become the fastest growing sport for high schools in the state of Minnesota? Partnering with Pheasants Forever on their initiative of No Child Left Indoors, our chapter has donated $4,000.00 in 2014 alone to area schools to support trap teams, and the requests keep coming. Our chapter also donates money each year to the Pheasants Forever Legislative Fund which supports lobbing efforts in Washington DC. This fund helped create legislation in the most recent farm bill that was approved in the spring paving the way to support additional CRP and grass lands which has drastically dwindled in recent years. Our chapter also donates money for land acquisitions within the state. In 2014 our donations helped Pheasants Forever purchase additional land adjacent to Carlos Avery in Columbus, MN. We also donate money toward the annual Minnesota DNR mentor hunt, and we are the primary sponsor for a disabled veterans hunt. More details on these hunts are listed below.
Our Local Habitat Projects
We actively partner with other chapters and Washington organization of natural resources on many habitat projects.
Our Fundraising
Who Is Pheasants Forever?
A national organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of habitat for upland game and wildlife throughout the nation.
What Can You Do To Help?
Please explore our website and discover more about the Washington County Pheasants Forever. You'll find detailed information on all our activities and upcoming events. Let us know what you think; we appreciate your feedback. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact us. We welcome people interested in the Pheasants Forever mission to attend our monthly meetings, listed on our events page.
As a chapter we are very active volunteering our time and talents to local events. Each fall, in partnership with the Minnesota DNR, we host a mentored hunt for youth and women who might not otherwise be exposed to pheasant hunting. This event takes place at Wings North in Pine City, MN. We always need volunteers to run pointing dogs for this event. If you are interested in volunteering please contact me at the number provided at the end of this newsletter.
Another rewarding volunteer opportunity is the Washington County Pheasants Forever Disabled Hunt. Each year we host a number of disabled hunters in collaboration with Whisper Emerald Ridge Game Farm in Menomonee, WI. Special off-road style electric wheelchairs allow these disabled and senior hunters an opportunity to take to the field and enjoy a day afield.
Last April we staffed a booth at the South St. Paul Rod and Gun Club for its Youth Fair. Over 400 kids visited this fair over the three day weekend to shoot competitively and socialize. Also at the South St. Paul Rod and Gun Club, in August, along with the Mississippi Longtails chapter out of Hastings we staffed a booth for a family fun day.
We are always looking for people who want to get involved and help support projects. If you are interested in becoming an active committee member, we would enjoy having you. Active members meet the second Tuesday of each month at Davonnies in Woodbury. We have several sub-committees where you can share your talents, come check us out. As an incentive, anyone who becomes an active member in Washington County Pheasants Forever, attends 6 consecutive meetings will receive a free personalized embroidered PF shirt. You can proudly wear this shirt at our banquet, when volunteering at one of our hunts, or showing it off when hunting with family and friends.
