South Dakota “Pheasant Coffee Talks” Being Hosted by Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever 10.16.13
Pheasants Forever (PF) biologists Ben Lardy and Mike Blaalid will be in Wessington Springs, Mobridge and Eureka next week (10/21-10/23), hosting “Pheasant Coffee Talks.” The discussions, sponsored by local Pheasants Forever chapters, will focus on habitat options for landowners who want help putting critical acres into the ground for South Dakota’s prized resource – pheasants!
Hunters, local business people, and the general public are also invited to attend this event and learn about habitat options as well.
South Dakota’s pheasant population has fallen from a modern historic high in just a few years as a result of unfavorable weather and habitat loss. Weather played a role in the state’s pheasant decline, but habitat is the variable which concerned South Dakotans can focus on to reverse pheasant population declines. Given the prolific nature of these birds, a rebound in equal short order is possible, provided new and improved habitat is returned to the landscape.
“Ben and Mike are experts in helping landowners navigate and understand the complexities of getting the right habitat in the right places,” says Mike Stephenson, Pheasants Forever regional representative. “This is a great opportunity for people to learn how they can support their communities by increasing habitat for wildlife. I also recommend interested people attend the chapter banquets the night prior to learn what your community is doing to help support wildlife and get involved in the solution.”
Pheasants are big business in South Dakota. In fact, the South Dakota Department of Tourism estimates pheasant hunting generates $223 million in retail economic impact annually and an additional $111 million in salaries annually. Additionally, the state estimates there are 4,500 jobs linked directly to the pheasant hunting industry and related tourism.
Pheasant Coffee Talks Locations and Dates
•Monday, October 21 – 8:00 to 9:00am, Springs Inn Café, Wessington Springs, SD 57382
•Tuesday, October 22 – 8:30 to 10:30 am, Prime Time Café, PO Box 241, Eureka, SD 57437
•Wednesday, October 23 – 8:00 to 10:00am, The Wheel Family Restaurant, 714 8th Ave W, Mobridge, SD 57601
South Dakota is home to 34 Pheasants Forever chapters and over 5,700 members. For more information on the “Coffee Talks,” please contact Ben Lardy at (605) 461-8249 / email Ben, or Mike Blaalid at (605) 770-6859 / email Mike.
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.
