Volunteer helps secure habitat for the next generation
This year, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever will once again recognize a national “Volunteer of the Year.”
The award celebrates the very best the organization has to offer — the members and volunteers who optimize the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever mission, who seek to protect and grow our wildlife habitat, and who help ensure our heritage continues for generations to come.
We have chosen six finalists (three Pheasants Forever and three Quail Forever) for the award. The winner will be announced at the upcoming National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, which runs March 7-9 in Kansas City, Missouri.
“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are dynamic conservation organizations, fueled by the dedication of volunteers,” said Tom Fuller, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s vice president of chapter and volunteer services. “The Volunteer of the Year award seeks to honor individuals who have made a profound impact on our mission. Our volunteer network is a vibrant community of passion and talent. This annual award is a celebration of the remarkable accomplishments of these volunteers, and is intended to inspire others to join the movement for upland conservation.”
Over the course of the next three weeks we’ll get to know each finalist, and celebrate their accomplishments in the world of habitat conservation. The next volunteer we’ll highlight this year is Todd Freeman.
Let's start by just telling us a little more about yourself. Your history with bird hunting and conservation, how long you’ve been a member of Pheasants Forever, etc.
I’m 48 years old. I have two daughters, Eryn 22 and Ana 19, and two grandsons Waylen 2, Tylden 1, with another grandson on the way. With my spouse Jamie, I have three stepchildren Alex 21, Morgan 19, and Abby 15.
I started hunting at 8-years-old. Upland birds mostly, because my mother’s family hunted and I had uncles with birddogs. My Uncle Ken and Aunt Mary got me into firearms, my Uncle Dan took me hunting with my cousins and other uncles. I always looked forward to opening weekend in western Kansas hunting with family, and it hasn’t stopped yet. I’ve raised my two daughters and son Alex to love hunting, raising bird dogs and to love the outdoors as I have. I’m beyond excited to show my grandchildren this love and passion. I’ve also run my own guiding business “Freeman Outdoor Adventures” since 2002.
In addition to being the chapter president of Johnson County PF & QF, I’ve been an active DU board member with my son Alex and I also sit on the Kansas State Rifle Association board. I mentor hunts and help how I can with the Outdoor Mentors organization in Kansas. I’ve been a member of PF since 2000, after attending the banquet in Colby Kansas, where I was living at the time.
What initially spurred you to get involved with your local chapter?
I was an active board member with the Colby Pioneer chapter starting in 2004. After a few years of guiding hunts and witnessing conservation work firsthand, I realized I needed to be helping out. When I moved back to Kansas City in 2014, a friend asked if I’d like to meet up with him at the Johnson County chapter meeting. They asked if I could help them since I had been active in Colby.The board was absolutely inviting and welcoming.
Talk about the work you and your chapter have been doing over the course of the last year.
As a metro chapter it’s hard to find conservation projects. I’ve managed to get in with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to help local lakes put food plots out on public access, along with some habitat management. In the past I have been able to assist DU with their marsh projects across the state as well.
We also support local 4H and high school shooting sports, and organize a youth hunt opportunity for the local community.
There are currently over 150,000 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members, and just six finalists for Volunteer of the Year. What does it mean to be nominated for this award?
To be nominated is a complete honor to me. I am beyond blessed to be recognized! I don’t feel that I do any more than the other nominees or 130,000 volunteers that are passionate about conservation and the uplands. My goal for the chapter is to put our funds and efforts into any conservation, habitat, youth outreach and legislation that needs help. I want to leave it better than I found it and for generations to come!