National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic Hosts Bird Dog Parade in Wisconsin this February
Pheasants Forever 01.29.14
A parade of nearly 40 sporting dog breeds will open Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2014 at Milwaukee’s Wisconsin Center on Friday, February 14th.
From Boykins to Brittanys, German Shorthairs to German Longhairs, Goldens to Gordons, Labs to Llewellins, Springers to Setters, Wirehairs to Weimeraners, if it hunts, you’ll find it in the Bird Dog Parade.
The parade will begin at 12:15PM (media should plan to arrive at 11:15AM for interviews) on the third floor lobby of the Wisconsin Center, leading to the ribbon cutting ceremony for National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2014 at 1:00PM. Bird dogs are annually the top attraction at Pheasants Forever’s largest event, which runs through the weekend.
During the parade, legendary dog trainer Bob West, Purina’s Director of Sporting Programs, will be on stage to explain the history and characteristics of each unique breed. Purina and the South Dakota Department of Tourism are the presenting sponsors for this year’s Bird Dog Parade.
Interview From 2013 Bird Dog Parade
“The last time Wisconsin hosted National Pheasant Fest was 2009, and the Bird Dog Parade was a crowd favorite,” said Bob St. Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing, “This is a unique opportunity to see some of the rarer sporting dog breeds that, while uncommon, have dedicated followings across the country, including Poodles, Braque Francais, Clumber Spaniels, Deutscher Wachtelhund, Italian Spinones and more.”
“I am also proud to note the American Stabyhoun, of which there are only approximately 3,500 Stabyhouns worldwide, will be making its inaugural appearance at the Bird Dog Parade,” continued St. Pierre.
Attend National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2014
National Pheasant Fest is 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 presented by MidwayUSA.
- Adults – $10 Daily
- Ages 6-16 – $5 Daily
- Ages 5 and Under – FREE
Weekend Special – $35 (Includes three-day admission, annual Pheasants Forever membership and hat – $80 value)
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.
