New Pheasants Forever Chapter Formed in Colorado
Pheasants Forever 01.24.14
Hunters and conservationists in and around Strasburg recently formed Colorado’s newest Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter. Known as the Colorado High Plains Pheasants Forever chapter, the group, located east of Denver, looks to improve wildlife habitat and host educational events about hunting, conservation and the outdoors.
Leading the chapter is Troy Bowman, a Strasburg resident and newly elected president of the group. With more than five years of previous experience as a Pheasants Forever chapter president and volunteer, Bowman is excited to be part of Pheasants Forever’s local footprint and getting his community involved with creating upland habitat and opportunities for youth, women and other groups to experience the outdoors.
“This area was really crying out for an organization like Pheasants Forever,” Bowman said. “Locally, there are nearly a half-dozen shooting ranges and as many pheasant hunting facilities, so we are anxious showcase what Pheasants Forever can bring to the community.”
Pheasants Forever empowers county and local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent – the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.
Bob Hix, Pheasants Forever’s regional representative for Colorado, noted there is significant potential for this chapter to help fund upland conservation projects in Eastern Colorado. “The High Plains chapter is well-versed in conservation efforts in Colorado,” Hix said, “And the chapter sees a bevy of resources and a pool of area youth and women who should have the opportunity to learn about the importance of surrounding wild lands. I am also excited for this new chapter to join the team of dedicated chapters working as a team by supporting our three Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists and seven ‘Outreach Trailers.’”
Colorado High Plains Pheasants Forever
- The Colorado High Plains Pheasants Forever chapter also elected Rick Cranston as treasurer, Greg Finn as secretary, Tony Martinez as membership chair, Mike Shur as banquet chair, and Bill Vance as activities chair.
- For more information about the chapter, including upcoming meetings and events, contact Troy Bowman at (303) 748-7118 / email Troy.
Colorado is home to 17 Pheasants Forever chapters and 3,900 Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever members. For more information on Pheasants Forever in Colorado, please contact Bob Hix at (303) 743-8957 or email Bob.
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.
