Pheasants Forever Chapter to Auction Regional Wyoming GFD Commissioner’s Tag
Pheasants Forever 02.18.13
Money raised will support chapter’s habitat and youth education mission
Pheasants Forever (PF) announces the Sheridan/Johnson County Pheasants Forever 2013 banquet will be taking place on February 23rd at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds in Sheridan, Wyoming. At its 16th annual banquet, the chapter will conduct a live auction for a coveted Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) Commissioner’s Tag.
One of eight tags distributed by Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner Carrie Little, this tag allows for the hunting of an elk, deer or antelope in any hunt area outside of Yellowstone National park. The monies raised by the sale of this tag, which has historically sold for as much as $10,000 dollars, will be used by the chapter for habitat improvements, winter feed programs for wildlife, youth and women’s hunts, membership events, youth mentoring and educational programs, and wildlife education.
“The annual banquet is our chapter’s single largest fundraising event, and we applaud the community’s continued support and participation,” says Chapter President Bart Osthoff. “Early interest for this year’s banquet indicates that we can expect nearly 300 supporters, if not more. Our sincere thanks goes to each of them, as we look forward to another exciting and memorable event.”
“The Sheridan/Johnson County Chapter is a great partner with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The chapter uses part of the proceeds from the sale of this Commissioner’s Tag to donate funds to the ‘Access Yes’ program which opens private lands to hunting and fishing in Wyoming,” Bob Hix, Pheasants Forever regional representative. “Pheasants Forever chapters are the largest donor to this program from a single conservation group. The chapter is also a strong supporter of our Legislative Action Program, Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist program, and is a leader in youth and women’s outreach outdoor events.”
Bids will be accepted prior to the live-auction and both bidding in-person and phone bids will be accepted at the event. Tag owner must purchase a license for the species desired. Please visit the WGFD website for full details.
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.
