Founding Chapter Member Virgil Voigt Honored with Land Dedication in McLeod County, Minn.

Pheasants Forever (PF) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently dedicated a 112-acre addition to Rich Valley Wildlife Management Area near Hutchinson, Minn., in honor of Pheasants Forever volunteer legend Dr. Virgil Voigt. Named as one of Pheasants Forever’s “25 Pioneering Volunteers” in 2008, Voigt has led a life dedicated to improving Minnesota’s natural resources.

A founding member of the McLeod County Pheasants Forever chapter, Dr. Virgil Voigt, DVM, still serves the chapter as a committee member working to protect and enhance McLeod County’s upland habitat. Founded in 1983, the McLeod County Pheasants Forever chapter was the seventh Pheasants Forever chapter formed in the country and has since been recognized within the organization for several achievements including habitat expenditures, land acquisitions and overall funds spent for habitat conservation. The local chapter has restored over 3,000 acres of wildlife habitat in McLeod County for the public to enjoy.

“The dedication of this property is in honor of Dr. Virgil Voigt and his family’s outstanding commitment to conservation,” said Chad Bloom, southern Minnesota regional representative for Pheasants Forever. “Dr. Voigt has helped his local chapter and Pheasants Forever accomplish some amazing feats in McLeod County and we are happy to see this land acquisition dedicated in his name, he truly deserves the recognition.”

Known as the Virgil C. Voigt Tract, this addition to the Rich Valley Wildlife Management Area increases the total acreage of the property to 192 acres open for public hunting. Partners involved in the purchase of the new land acquisition include Pheasants Forever, Inc., McLeod County Pheasants Forever chapter, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Habitat Society of McLeod County Inc., and the Sand Creek Gray Beards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The Virgil C. Voigt Tract is currently not open for public hunting due to transfer of ownership, but will be in the near future. The newly established wildlife area is located east of Hutchinson, Minn. From Hutchinson, follow Hwy 22 south out of town and turn east on 155th street for 4 miles. Turn south on Koala Road.

Contact

Emy Marier (651) 209-4973

Pheasants Forever

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.