Habitat & Conservation  |  02/03/2020

The Big 11


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Top things to see and do at 2020 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic in Minneapolis

By Luc Ramthun, image features Sam Soholt's Public Land Bus

National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic 2020 is right around the corner! 
 
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever could not be more excited to have Minneapolis host our signature event once again. We look at this event as a reunion of people passionate for upland habitat conservation. It is an incredible celebration of upland habitat and wildlife, hunting, hunting heritage, public lands and access, pollinators, precision agriculture, wild game cooking, and of course … bird dogs!

Hopefully you took the opportunity to get out and walk fields and fencelines for upland birds this season. If you are on the fence about joining us for this event, here are 10 top reasons … no make that 11 … you need to be at the 2020 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic in the Minneapolis Convention Center. 

Of course, there is a LOT more than all this to do and see. But this should get you started. Come help us RALLY for the uplands February 14-16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center!
 

11
WILD GAME COOKING INSIGHTS

Back by popular demand is wild foods contributing editor for MeatEater, Danielle Prewett.  Danielle, also founder of Wild + Whole, has a truly inspiring way of helping people learn to cook and enjoy the connection to their food for everyday meals. Don’t miss Danielle on the Wild Game Cooking Stage!

Photo Credit: Wild + Whole
 

10
WILD GAME PROCESSING GEAR

If you have ever thought about getting into processing your own wild game beyond just cleaning it and freezing it, visit NEW exhibitor and proud National Sponsor Walton’s (Booth #550) near the Wild Game Cooking Stage.  They can help you with equipment, seasonings, casings and more to make sausage and brats and jerky, grind meat, smoke meat, you name it … Walton’s provides “everything but the meat!”
 

9
NEW PATH TO THE UPLANDS STAGE

The NEW Path to the Uplands Stage is the perfect Place  to visit if you want to start upland hunting, are just getting going in upland hunting, would like to help with our R3 initiative (recruit, retain, reactivate), or if you would like listen to the compelling stories that brought individuals from all walks of life to the uplands.
 

8
PACK IT UP

Duluth Pack (Booth #1107) has been handcrafting the original canoe pack in Minnesota since 1882. Did you know they have an extensive line of lifelong, heirloom quality hunting items as well? Stop in and check out the Minnesota quality!
 

7
SUPPORT WILDLIFE AREAS AT SIGHT LINE

 Our friends at Sight Line Provisions (Booth #422), an outdoor lifestyle brand known for their handcrafted leather goods, will have an exclusive leather cuff design with 50% of proceeds going to Pheasants Forever’s Build a Wildlife Area Program.
 

6
CONSIDER A QUAIL ADVENTURE

If a cast and blast quail hunt in beautiful Texas hill country sounds like a good time (and let us assure you, it is), make sure to stop by and see Spoke Hollow Outfitters (Booth #420). Hint: This would be a great “wintertime getaway hunt” when our bird seasons are long closed out.

Photo Credit: Spoke Hollow Outfitters
 

5
BIRD DOGS RULE

Bird dogs continue to be one of the most popular parts of our show. Visit over 60 different bird dog clubs, kennels and dog-specific products in our Bird Dog Stage Area, known lovingly as “Bird Dog Row.” Puppies will be there! Plus, catch some great bird dig seminars at the Bird Dog Stage. Sessions are mostly running but a half-hour each this year, so we can fit it all in!


4
UPLAND SUPER ROW

PF and QF members eagerly anticipate our annual Upland Bird Hunting Super Issue, the upland world’s biggest, most information-packed and most inspiring publication, bar none. This year on the show floor we have created an Upland Super Row (starting at Booth #318) including “Upland Lowlife” Jay Dowd, Ruffed Grouse Society, Project Upland, and many more partner and friend organizations that love the upland lifestyle as much as you and I.


3
HUNTING DOG VILLAGE

Visit Ron Boehme’s Hunting Dog Podcast (Booth #419) Village. Share hunting tales and talk bird dogs with a well-known voice in the upland podcast space. Ron’s sponsoring brands will be there as well including Backridge Ammunition, Gumleaf Boots, Gunner Kennels, PYKE Gear, and Soggy Dog Gear.
 

2
PUBLIC LANDS BUS

Sam Soholt converted a school bus into the ultimate hunting rig to advocate and create awareness around our public lands. Walk through the Public Lands Bus near the Public Lands Pavilion and purchase a new Public Land Tee design in support of conservation.
 

1
PUBLIC LANDS PAVILION

All of us can walk away from Pheasant Fest knowing that we helped put a new publicly accessible wildlife area on the ground through our Build A Wildlife Area program and the new Public Lands Pavilion. Visit Land Tawney, Randy Newberg and Sam Soholt and make sure to support the exhibitors giving 10% back to the cause.

Luc Ramthun is corporate partnership representative for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. He’s a serious all-around outdoorsman, sells the booth space for the show, and knows National Pheasant Fest Quail Classic as well as anybody!