25 Pioneering Volunteers (part 2 of 5)
Happy 25th Anniversary Pheasants Forever! This second part of a five-part series marks Pheasants Forever's 25th Anniversary celebration, which culminates at the National Pheasant Fest Jan. 18-20, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. During the next year, we will thank and honor the pioneers of Pheasants Forever who made it all possible. The past quarter century, you, our hard working volunteers, members and partners, have made this organization a recognized force in the conservation world on many levels. We owe our success to you!
Pheasants Forever was founded in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1982. Over 800 people, hunter-conservationists alarmed by the declining pheasant population and our threatened upland hunting heritage, attended PF's first banquet in 1983. What followed that first event was an explosion of new chapters around the country in support of a dream—a unique new conservation formula that allowed local chapters to keep the money they raised to complete local habitat projects for pheasants and other wildlife and to improve precious soil and water resources for all.
We continue our 25th Anniversary coverage this issue by honoring "25 Pioneering Volunteers" (in alphabetical order). These are but a few of the outstanding volunteers who started and helped continue PF's upland conservation movement. (We didn't have photos for everybody, so we thought it reasonable not to use any.) Thanks everybody for a job well done over the years!
Upcoming 25th Anniversary articles will include 25 Pioneering Habitat Projects, 25 Pioneering Partners and Sponsors and finally in our Summer 2008 issue 25 Pioneering Youth Leaders.
25 Pionnering Volunteers
Kent Bargfrede, Jackson Co. Chapter, Minnesota, is a charter member of one of the oldest PF chapters in the nation. He has served as treasurer for the chapter for many years and continues to be an integral part of the chapter leadership. Jackson Co. is one of the nation's leaders in public land acquisitions.
Before his recent passing, Bill Baxter Sr. of Tobias, Nebraska, made a commitment to enroll 310 acres of his land in PF's Forever Land Trust. Baxter, a longtime Nebraska Game & Parks Commission leader, was especially interested in mentoring young people into the world of the hunter conservationist. The property will be used for PF youth mentor hunts according to his wishes. A PF Life Member, Baxter is a role model for what it means to be a conservation leader.
Richard Boudrero, Cache Valley Chapter, Utah, has been a strong and active leader of this chapter for five years. His enthusiasm for conservation and ties to the agricultural community has allowed him to put together habitat projects in an area where it is difficult to find interested landowners. Brother Boudrero has also built partnerships with other area conservation and hunting groups in order to raise more funds for upland conservation in an area more known for its big game.
Marc Bowen has been president of Missouri's Heartland Chapter nearly 20 years. He is an avid sportsman and does a fantastic job of facilitating involvement with his chapter volunteers. Marc has been particularly effective in involving kids in hunting and conservation by supporting several high school trap teams and holding handicapped hunts. He has also led the way for habitat development in Missouri, supported a land acquisition in nearby Iowa and supported a PF habitat specialist in northeast Iowa as well. "Marc runs a great chapter. He is a great leader," according to a friend.
Doug "Mudd" Breinig, has been president of Republican Valley Chapter in Nebraska for 12 years. That alone should qualify him for sainthood! His chapter has spent over $201,000 on 1,384 projects over the years to improve over 24,000 acres total. Doug and his corps of volunteers have staged 10 youth mentor hunts for 195 youth. He's also on the committee of a Quail Forever chapter; is a district rep for the state PF council and served as council president from 1998-2000. The chapter supports various state conservation programs, including Corners for Wildlife, CRP-MAP walk-in program, the state Habitat Raffle and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. "It is people like Mudd that demonstrate why PF has the best volunteers in the business. His long time and continued dedication to PF and now QF make him an invaluable asset to the organization," one friend said.
Indiana's Bob Lyons, Iroquois River Chapter, has set the standard for a chapter habitat chairman. His longtime service coordinating the loaning of the chapter's three seed drills has enabled thousands of acres of habitat to be planted. Bob works closely with landowners in other ways, such as helping develop a process whereby sorghum is planted between corn rows to provide food and habitat for wildlife once the corn is harvested. He has rounded up many a banquet sponsor, manages the chapter's seed program and, according to a friend, keeps the chapter together by "being a fun loving guy that loves to get the chapter together for a late night of frivolity."
Dan Dunham, of Sherrill, Iowa's Dubuqueland Chapter, has served this chapter as president, vice-president and currently banquet chair. Dan is a conservation camp youth mentor and shooting instructor as well as a mentor for chapter youth hunts. He volunteers for the PF burn crew and is a certified member of that crew. Dan sacrifices a tremendous amount of his time to volunteer at chapter fundraisers, meetings, banquets and manning booths at conventions. Dan is also a long-time hunter safety instructor and has literally taught this course to thousands of future hunters. "There is probably not a hunter under the age of 35 in Dubuque County that didn't have Dan as their instructor. He is a tremendous man who holds the respect of all that know him," said a friend.
North Dakota's Terry Dusek is the treasurer of the Sargent Co. Chapter as well as regular banquet emcee and chair. His efforts, and those of his fellow volunteers, draw an impressive 300 people from a small town community. The chapter hosts several youth activities, does lots of habitat development and has fun. "They have had fantastic results as far as bird numbers too," said a friend. "Terry has been a foundation of the chapter for over 10 years. He's integral to PF conservation in that part of the world."
Colorado's Jack Gentz, a Lamar farmer, is president of the Southeast Colorado Chapter. As one of the original founders, he has led the chapter in completing considerable habitat work on his land and elsewhere. Jack also volunteers at a state wildlife area to help with waterfowl season administration.
Betty Henderson, president of Montana's Upper Missouri River Chapter, is a hunter and all-around team mom who "keeps all of us guys in line and on schedule," according to chapter member Bob Johnson. But she does so much more: Henderson, from Great Falls, organizes local banquet support and donations, purchases shrubs for area landowners, acquires winter food bales, orders banquet merchandise, coordinates the menu, helps with chapter youth activities and even hosts chapter meetings. Henderson is also an accomplished artist who uses her talents to compliment the chapter's banquets. Her enthusiasm, talents and "go-to" abilities greatly contribute to the Upper Missouri River Chapter's success.
Minnesota's Jimmy Hilseth, South St. Paul, volunteered to help out at PF's founding event at the St. Paul Prom Center in April 1983, according to Jeff Finden, PF co-founder and former CEO. "Jimmy has since volunteered at nearly every PF national event. He's also a regular volunteer with Minnesota's Mississippi Longtails Chapter. That's a heck of a record," Finden said.
Brian Kirven, president of the Sheridan/Johnson County Chapter, has a banquet that nets $50,000/year in a scarcely populated area of Wyoming. He spearheads two youth and a lady's hunt each year. "Brian thinks outside the box too, helping local sage grouse populations as well," said a friend.
Iowa's Don Lamb, Dickinson County Chapter, was a chapter founder and has been an officer for over 20 years. He has had a huge impact on youth and habitat in the state as well as his home county. He was a founder of the Iowa State Council helping from day one to develop bylaws and policies for one of the largest state councils in the country. Don has also been an officer on the local chapter board almost since day one. He is currently the banquet chair of a 600+ person banquet in Spirit Lake every April. Don has taught countless youth about conservation and his on going love for the outdoors. He has also served on other community boards that impact conservation policies in Iowa. Don was also on the PF national board of directors. "Serving on the board is another example of his selfless commitment to conservation and his desire to pass on the legacy to the next generation of land stewards and sportsmen," a friend said.
Matt McQuillen, Iowa's Twin Rivers Chapter, has gained the reputation of taking a locally raised nickel and turning it into a dollar toward chapter land acquisitions. This year alone, the Twin Rivers Chapter will close on three land acquisitions totalling 1.1 million dollars that will be turned into public access/hunting areas. Matt's experience as an attorney in real estate law and developing partnerships at local, state and federal levels has allowed this chapter to continue to purchase critical wildlife areas. On more than one occasion, Matt has personally signed his name on purchase agreements until the chapter could raise and secure funding. Matt has served as president and habitat chair for Twin Rivers. He was awarded the 2003 Governors Environmental Excellence Award and is the president of the Anamosa Chapter of the Izaak Walton League. Matt McQuillen's contributions to his chapter, Pheasants Forever and residents of Jones County will be appreciated and respected for generations to come.
South Dakota's Ron Pesek, Yankton Area Chapter, has led the way for 10 land acquisitions. "He does just about everything, including most of the banquet work. Rolin is a very detailed, very organized volunteer. He has attended every Pheasant Fest and state council meeting," according to a friend.
Duane Riley of Wisconsin's Indianhead Chapter help found the chapter, the first in the state. He has been a loyal PF volunteer for 20 years. Described as "a champion for PF," Duane has led the way for chapter land acquisitions and controlled burns to improve habitat. "He is really fighting to keep the chapter vibrant."
Craig Roberts, president of Central Montana Chapter in Lewistown, has been president for as long as the chapter has been in existence. He coordinates its banquets and has a great "board" to work with. Craig was instrumental and actually responsible for the purchase and ongoing development of 800 acres of land. One, the Coffee Creek project, has been and is a premier habitat development display in central Montana. Craig has been a representative on many boards and committees including the Public Land-Private Wildlife Committee, the Governors Upland Game Bird Advisory Committee and has represented Pheasants Forever on several occasions. Craigs' efforts for upland game have been recognized widely in Montana.
Gerry Rodeen, Illinois, started the Pioneer Chapter in 1984, the state's first. He led the way for the state's pheasant habitat stamp, raising millions for habitat. Gerry helped found the successful Habitat Wheel Initiative, wherein PF buys land, turns it over to the state for public hunting and then works with surrounding landowners to sign up for conservation. He has also volunteered for PF's national board of directors for many years.
Michigan's Steve Schneider, Washtenaw Chapter, has been president for over 15 years, state council chairman for five years and a Longspur Award recipient. Steve has helped organize the state meetings, seed distribution and helped on a variety of legislative activities. "Steve is the guy I can always count on to help me with anything - often with very little notice!" said an acquaintance.
Melody Smith, Carroll County Chapter, Maryland, may have gotten a backwards start with Pheasants Forever when she and her husband, Grant, first planted a chunk of their 43-acre farm in warm-season native grasses and then established the Carroll County Chapter. But backwards or not, Smith is one of the main reasons for the chapter's success. Habitat projects are a key part of chapter efforts, but Melody also plays a key role in education. She coordinates a local Pheasants Forever and National Wild Turkey Federation "Women in the Outdoors" event and is instrumental in the chapter's array of youth activities and banquet planning.
Ohio's Jim Ulrey, Hardin County Chapter president and chapter leader for 19 years, first became involved with PF hunting in Iowa in the 1980s. He saw the benefits and wanted to do more, so organized one of the first chapters in Ohio in 1988 and actually help put together Ohio's first banquet. Jim's wife, Barb, has also been there from the start and assists wherever help is needed, especially in getting the banquet put together and keeping everything running smoothly. The chapter was one of the first to help fund Ohio's first habitat team.
Minnesota's Virgil Voigt and his McLeod Co. Chapter have spent more dollars than any other chapter in the nation. They are a land acquisition machine. As a founding member, Virgil has been, and continues to be, an important factor in the chapter's success. He always attends the state PF convention.
Kansas' longest-running volunteer is Buddy VanHorn, Kansas Pioneer Chapter. He has shown up and done the work for over 23 years! "Buddy has always been the one that kept everything together with the chapter. Everybody goes to his lumberyard to talk pheasants. Buddy's place is 'pheasant central' in Colby, Kansas," according to a friend.
Minnesota's Chuck "Tuna" Van Whye, Rock Co. PF, is the chapter's habitat chair and "a driving force behind the acquisition of nine state Wildlife Management Areas." Prior to Chuck's arrival, Rock County had no public hunting areas. He has never missed a state convention or summer habitat meeting. Here's to you, Tuna!
Chris Yeager, a PF Life Member with Pennsylvania's North Central Chapter, "is so dedicated to PF, his chapter and habitat that I think he only sleeps about four hours a day, particularly during the planting season," said a buddy. Using chapter equipment, Chris plants an average of 750 acres of native grasses for landowners enrolled in the CREP program each year! Chris has also been helpful to new chapters that are getting started in habitat planting. You can always count on Chris attending every PF state meeting. Chris has built strong ties with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the NRCS. Chris and the North Central Chapter were successful at working with a local coal mining company to reclaim an exhausted coal strip mine to wildlife friendly grassland habitat. He was also successful helping the chapter persuade the mining company to open the property to public hunting. Currently, Chris and the chapter are working on some partnerships that will open more land to public hunting, particularly to youth.
