Pheasants Forever Taking “National Pheasant Fest” Event to Milwaukee in 2014
Pheasants Forever 08.08.13
Wisconsin Center to host nation’s largest upland event
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever will take its National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic event to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the first time, to run February 14-16, 2014 at the Wisconsin Center. The largest show in the country for upland hunters, bird dog owners and wildlife habitat conservationists, the event drew 28,855 people last February in Minneapolis.
National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic returns to Wisconsin for the first time since 2009, when hunters and conservationists visited the 3-day show at Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
“Pheasants Forever has a strong presence in Wisconsin and the state has a rich conservation tradition, which is why we’re excited to bring our signature event to Milwaukee,” said Howard Vincent, president & CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Vincent adds that Milwaukee is conveniently located near other strong Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever states – Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan – which will allow members from across the region to enjoy the large annual celebration.
Wisconsin is home to 33 Pheasants Forever chapters. In addition to the 790,000 licensed hunters in Wisconsin, the state is second only to Minnesota in sending nonresident upland hunters to the Dakotas – the top two pheasant hunting states – and both South Dakota and North Dakota will be well-represented with exhibitors at the show.
“Milwaukee and Wisconsin are thrilled to host the 2014 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic. As the largest city in a state with a history of upland hunting and wildlife habitat conservation, Milwaukee is the ideal setting for this prestigious family-friendly national event. Among the city’s major attractions, the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum is sure to be another draw for visiting attendees,” noted Paul Upchurch, president & CEO of VISIT Milwaukee.
National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic is also the country’s largest event for upland hunters, sport dog owners and wildlife habitat conservationists, combining a national outdoor tradeshow, wildlife habitat seminar series, and family event complete with puppies, tractors, shotguns, and art. The event is open to the public.
If you’re interested in exhibiting at Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2014, contact Brad Heidel, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever director of corporate sales, at (651) 209-4956 and/or email Brad. For media inquiries, please contact Rehan Nana, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever public relations specialist, at (651) 209-4973 and/or email Rehan.
Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. Bobwhite population losses over the last 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl.
