This past weekend, 21,939 upland hunters, sport dog owners and conservationist gathered in Omaha, Nebraska for the three-day National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic. This family friendly national consumer show included hourly seminars on four stages, activities for children, and over 400 vendor booths filled with educational habitat information, products for upland hunters and bird dog owners, and a whole lot more.
An hour before the doors opened, attendees gather along the plastic lined runway to get the best view of the bird dog parade.
Inside the show floor a first stop for many was the Pheasant Forever and Quail Forever store to purchase logoed apparel. What better way to show your support?
Well behaved English Springer Spaniels, Gable and Hemi, welcomed visitors into the Pine Shadows booth.
Heather Francis (a farm bill wildlife biologist) and I took advantage of a photo booth in Pollinator Plaza where props were available for both youth and adults.
Sara and Emma created their own butterflies, filled with wildflower seeds, to plant when they get home.
Chuck Martin, author of Bird Hunting Tales & Tips, was a pleasure to visit in his booth. He gives away a firearm after every 500 books he sells.
Speaking of books … brothers James and Luke Jubran had their Smile Outside children’s board books on display. A perfect gift for new parents with 2% of each sale going to conservation groups.
Attendees at the Wild Game Cooking stage watched on as author and chef Hank Shaw created an aromatic dish of Spanish Chilindron from his book, Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail. The they had a chance to sample a bowl. These ladies raved about how delicious it tasted.
On another stage, Dave Miller of CZ-USA explained shot performance using different chokes, loads and gauges to a very engaged group of upland hunters.
After seeing so many kids walking around carrying these super cute stuffed dogs, I couldn’t pass by the American Brittany Rescue booth without purchasing one for myself.
If you’ve ever walked through fields or in the woods, you’ve most certainly been covered with burrs at one time or another. After watching a few demonstrations and trying it myself, I’m pretty sure I can save my clothing (and sanity) using a Burr Paw.
Inside the Youth Village kids had the opportunity to shoot bows and nerf guns, practice casting, color and more. Plenty to keep them occupied and entertained.
The Platte River Chapter of SCI and the Pierson Wildlife Museum Learning Center brought along their trailer. Its educational display featured big game animals from Africa and other countries. These children giggled and smiled as the “petted” all the animals.
What’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys? How about a wagon full of fox red Labrador puppies?
Sure, this was a super fun event, but a lot was also accomplished for conservation:
$108,000 was donated to the Call of the Uplands campaign
1,176 people purchased Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever memberships
The Landowner Habitat Help Room serviced 115 landowners to provide conservation guidance on over 10,000 acres of property across 21 states
Next year, National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic returns to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event will be held February 17-19, 2023, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. See you there … ROOSTER!
