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Influential Speakers Share Their “Path to the Uplands” at the 2023 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic

by Colby Kerber, Hunting Heritage Program Manager

As the calendar flipped to 2023 on a windswept cold day on the western prairie of Nebraska, I took a moment by the fireplace to reflect and inventory the year. I couldn’t help but to reminisce about my outdoor experiences, the memories made, and the fun I had. Early mornings in hunt camp, exhilarating flushes over a point, fresh meals at the tailgate, and late nights around the campfire. Those little things add up and are images that stay with me long after the moment.

My conviction about the importance of defining moments in nature is why I’m so passionate about connecting others to our hunting heritage. And it’s these types of exciting memories that will be shared with the conservation, hunting, and sporting dog community through our Path to the Uplands stage at the 2023 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic. Whether you are just exploring the idea of upland hunting for the first time, or you’ve been following bird dogs for decades, this stage will offer something for you.

In its third installment, the Path to the Uplands stage presented by ALPS OutdoorZ brings together a variety of well-respected influential story tellers from across the country to encourage individuals to find their own unique pathway into the outdoors.

The energy will be high as names like Ben Brettingten (onX) Dave Miller (CZ-USA), Eric Thompson (Hard Wired Outdoors), Sam Soholt (Public Land Tees), Tina Dokken (Franchi USA), and Travis Frank (The Flush), all take turns inspiring a diverse audience of men, women, and children of all ages. Various topics include planning a DIY hunting trip, improving your shooting technique, western upland bird hunting, raising a family in the outdoors, women’s hunting gear, and bird dog training.

As part of the PF and QF national Women on the Wing initiative, the stage will also showcase seminars that focus on building confidence and providing authentic opportunities for women to join other likeminded sportswomen in the field.

With a new year ahead of us and fresh goals to accomplish, I highly encourage everyone to invest in somebody and personally introduce someone to the outdoors or provide social support to a beginner. Whether that's with a bird dog, a training session, wingshooting, or actually physically hunting in the fall, devote some time and energy to empower someone else. When you do so, make sure to share your story with us and take the Mentor Pledge.

The National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic is for everyone and offers many opportunities for you to welcome someone into the hunting and conservation community. You shouldn’t limit your invites to just family or friends either. Ask a work colleague or a neighbor. Pay it forward by engaging a non-traditional outdoorsman or woman. The camaraderie of being around people who love and appreciate the same things you do is infectious and will make them feel a part of our culture.

Weeks, months, even years of preparation are pressed into this amazing singular event. It’s a weekend filled with excitement and colored by passion. Now, we are counting down the final days until we're celebrating together in Minneapolis, MN. As part of your journey, I hope you will join us at the Path to the Uplands stage… you won’t regret it!

Seminar Schedule

2023 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic:
Path to the Uplands Seminar Stage Lineup

Click here for more information on 2023 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic highlights and events

The 2023 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis on February 17-19. Tickets and more information can be found at: PheasantFest.org.