Pheasant Fest 2014 Brings Nation’s Pheasant Enthusiasts to Wisconsin
OutdoorHub 02.18.14
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s 2014 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, held at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, came to a close Sunday. The national event, held in Wisconsin for only the second time in its history, drew 21,063 people over the course of the weekend. Through the presence of great partnerships between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever, Wisconsin landowners, and hunters, a number of exciting projects were highlighted.
The Department was specifically recognized for its conservation efforts and was awarded Pheasants Forever’s 2014 Partner of the Year award. Accepting the award on behalf of the Department was Kurt Thiede, Land Division Administrator.
“We truly value our partnership with Pheasants Forever” said Thiede. “We’ve accomplished great things together from habitat management to land acquisition. We look forward to more great opportunities to partner on new initiatives like hunter recruitment and retention.”
Brian Buenzow, a DNR Wildlife Technician for Rock and Green Counties, was recognized as one of eight recipients of Pheasants Forever’s Faces of Wisconsin award . Buenzow, a longtime Department employee, has played a vital role in efforts to improve pheasant habitat in Wisconsin through land management and acquisition. Buenzow currently serves as the habitat and youth/education chairperson for the Rock River Valley Pheasants Forever chapter.
The Department also presented Pheasants Forever with a check for $25,000 – these funds will be used to enhance youth programs throughout the United States. In all, Pheasants Forever received $1 million in contributions and gained 1,500 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members at Pheasant Fest. With Department wildlife biologists in attendance, interested landowners at Pheasant Fest were able to discover which local, state, and federal programs they may utilize and learn more about what they can do to improve wildlife habitat throughout Wisconsin.
For more information regarding pheasant hunting and conservation in Wisconsin, search the DNR website dnr.wi.gov, for “pheasant.”
