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Making a positive impact on the local habitat and community

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapter volunteers are the backbone of our organizations. They represent our boots on the ground, the pointy end of the spear, and provide the energy and passion that make our grassroots model and overall mission of upland habitat conservation thrive. That’s why we’re humbled and proud to share “The Next Generation of Forever.”

Leading up to National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Minneapolis Feb. 17th-19th, we’ll be celebrating select up-and-coming young volunteers from throughout the country who truly represent the future of our organizations. They have not only taken the ceremonial torch, but reignited the flame and are sprinting forward with it. So please join us in honoring and acknowledging…

The Next Generation of Forever
. . .

Emily Schroeder

North Dakota: Lady Birds Chapter of Pheasants Forever

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Residing in central North Dakota with her husband, Jon, their daughter, Ainsley, and golden retriever, Asher, Emily Schroeder is the current president of the Lady Birds. She is best known by chapter volunteers as someone who empowers committee members to contribute new and innovative ideas to achieve a thriving chapter of all females.

Schroeder is an adult-onset hunter who is generous enough to share her stories and learning curves unabashedly, no doubt relating to new and seasoned hunters alike. She sets a great example for others with her open-minded approach to learning new things, while showcasing that there are smiles and laughs to be had along the way. A true ambassador of Pheasants Forever’s mission, Schroeder is credited with helping create a chapter that is inviting of women and young families - striking a great balance with events that are not only for the volunteers but welcoming of spouses and kids. This means family time isn’t always sacrificed for the sake of our mission, which is appreciated by many.

As a new hunter, Schroeder brings a vital perspective to the chapter in hosting outreach events and making standard meetings more inclusive and fun. The Lady Birds are in good hands with Schroeder 's guidance; rest assured each committee member has a valuable role to play within the chapter under her watchful presence.

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Kirk Eno

Iowa: Northern Polk Chapter of Pheasants Forever

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Kirk Eno didn't grow up hunting or know much about land conservation until he moved to Des Moines in 2014. He always had an interest in the outdoors, but aside from a few hunting trips with his dad and uncle during his youth, he had little experience. It’s one thing to know how to shoot a shotgun, but learning how to hunt was a daunting endeavor to a beginner like himself. When he joined Pheasants Forever, his hope was to find a community of outdoorsmen and women to share experiences afield. Little did he know, the conservation passion of volunteers would ignite his own. Now, eight years later, Eno is an avid hunter, conservation educator, and president of his local chapter, Northern Polk.

It's hard to believe in such a short time he and his fellow chapter members have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for public land acquisitions, youth and adult outdoor educational events, and wildlife habitat work. His favorite way to spend proceeds from chapter events is on outreach for both youth and adult hunters, helping first-time conservationists find their place in the outdoors. Nothing brings a bigger smile to his face than seeing someone harvest their first wild Iowa rooster. There’s no greater reward for the countless hours he has poured into Pheasants Forever’s mission, and he anxiously awaits the day he’ll share similar experiences with his two young sons.

In the offseason, Eno enjoys spending time with his wife and kids attempting to keep his chocolate lab, Hank, in shape for the coming fall season. Eno’s path to the uplands is credited towards chapter volunteers and the passion of his first bird dog – something plenty of uplanders can relate to.

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Kristopher Oja

Minnesota: East Central Spurs Chapter of Pheasants Forever

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Kristopher Oja is the current Farm Bill wildlife biologist for Pheasants Forever in Pine County, Minn. Prior to his employment with Pheasants Forever, he held seasonal positions with USDA-NRCS, USFWS, USFS and MN DNR. Through these experiences Oja gained knowledge of working on private lands, working on the refuge system, evaluating riparian habitat in the mountains of the west, and so much more – Pheasants Forever was a perfect fit for his career.

In his new position with The Habitat Organization, Oja wanted to be involved on a high level with his local chapter, the East Central Spurs. Whether that’s simply making the time to attend meetings, assisting at the youth hunt, or helping at the spring fling banquet, it didn’t take long for Oja to take the next step as a committed volunteer – he’s now president for his local committee.

Moving forward, Oja hopes the chapter can recruit a new generation of volunteers and diversify their annual agenda by adding more hands-on habitat days for community interaction. Additionally, he wants to strengthen chapter connections by building relationships and memories with committee volunteers who give their time, treasure, and talent to Pheasants Forever throughout the year.

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Austin Roby

Ohio: Hardin County Chapter of Pheasants Forever

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Austin Roby grew up on the traditions of hunting and fishing. In fact, his lifelong passion in his younger years led him to pursue a career in natural resources. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2016 with a degree in Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife Management and is currently the natural resources manager at Johnny Appleseed Metroparks in Allen County, Ohio. Roby lives on his family’s farm in Hardin County with his wife, Carlie, and their two boys, Luke (3) and Carson (1). In what little free time Roby has, he enjoys camping, beekeeping, and hunting with his Labradors, Belle and Sadie, and his English setter pup Maggie.

Roby joined Pheasants Forever five years ago when he purchased his first hunting dog. At the time, his only experience with upland hunting was the local chapter’s Learn to Hunt event, but he soon fell in love with the uplands after volunteering with his local committee. After two years of volunteerism, Roby was elected president of the Hardin County Pheasants Forever Chapter. In 2020, he also took on the role of habitat chair, allowing him to work closely with landowners to help deliver mission on both public and private lands through seed sales, drill rentals, technical advice and prescribed fire. Roby hopes to increase the chapter’s impact on the community through new outreach and educational events such as adult Learn to Hunt seminars, as well as habitat projects and hands-on habitat days.

Hardin County Pheasants Forever is a perfect example of what a chapter can do with the right people leading the way. Through the chapter and his personal life, Roby supports Pheasants Forever at the highest possible level - his enthusiasm for our mission of conservation is contagious.

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Tyler Heine

Montana: Flathead Chapter of Pheasants Forever

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Northwest Montana is home to one of our longest standing Pheasants Forever chapters in the nation. Celebrating its 35th year, the Flathead Valley Pheasants Forever Chapter #0138 has deep roots in hunting heritage, community involvement, and mission delivery. At the helm since 2017 has been chapter president Tyler Heine.

A native Montanan of several generations, Heine grew up in a conservation-minded family that loved to enjoy the outdoors. Both sides of his family came from farming, fishing and hunting roots. After college, Heine returned home to the Flathead Valley to start a business and raise a family. In 2008, he married his wife Jeanne and involvement with Pheasants Forever soon became a family affair. In 2015, Heine and Jeanne began volunteering with the Flathead Valley Pheasants Forever chapter and helped resurrect their most important annual fundraiser. In fact, many of the Heine clan can be found lending a hand at chapter events throughout the year which include learn-to-hunt, seminars, Women on the Wing events, and hands-on habitat days. Graciously donating their time and resources, the long-time Heine family farm is host to almost every outdoor chapter hunting, shooting or dog training field day.

In 2017, Heine ceremoniously accepted the role of chapter president from long time charter member Dick Poeppel. Under his guidance, the chapter continues to be a leader in education and outreach across youth and adult audiences throughout the year. Heine’s role as secretary and banquet chair have led the chapter to new heights, hosting one of the most anticipated events each summer in the Flathead Valley and allowing the chapter to deliver mission on the local, state and national stages through member support.

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Clay Denny

Missouri: Heartland Chapter of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

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Clay Denny has been an outstanding chapter leader with the Heartland PF & QF chapter in the greater region of Kansas City, Missouri. He’s worked tirelessly to make sure the chapter is reaching new audiences of future hunters and conservationists every year by leading multiple youth and women’s Learn to Hunt events. Additionally, Denny and the dedicated Heartland chapter leaders also host multiple learn-to-shoot events each summer in a fun and safe environment for participants.

None of this would have been possible without Denny’s beloved German shorthaired pointer, Bullitt, who led the way for dozens of Learn to Hunt seminars with multiple chapters throughout the state of Missouri. Denny and Bullitt have introduced over 250 youth and adults to bird hunting and the nation’s upland hunting heritage. Most recently, Denny has led a new partnership between the Heartland Chapter and the Police Athletic League in Kansas City. This collaboration will allow youth to complete their hunter’s safety training, followed by an inaugural upland bird hunt for all participants.

Clay Denny is the epitome of the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever mission and we are truly blessed to have him as part of the Missouri team. As The Habitat Organization looks to the future in the greater Kansas City region, you can bet Denny and Bullitt will be leading efforts for the future of hunting and wildlife habitat conservation.

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Are you interested in making a positive impact on your local habitat and community? Want to connect with likeminded individuals? Find a chapter today and discover how easy and fulfilling it is to get involved. No chapters in your area? Reach out to the Regional Representative in your area and we’ll work with you to find an opportunity to start your own chapter or find an alternative way to make a difference for upland habitat, wildlife, and public access.

This is part two in a continuing series. You can read the other parts here:

Next Generation of Forever: Part One