Hunting & Heritage  |  12/26/2022

Public Lands Pavilion


944607fa-81c2-4ca7-8b20-29d7ded61333

An exciting lineup of dynamic speakers and an exhibitor area celebrating the country’s 800 million acres open to all

The Public Lands Pavilion features an exciting lineup of dynamic speakers and an exhibitor area celebrating the country’s 800 million acres of prairies, forests, mountains, and public lands open to all Americans for hunting, hiking, and exploring.

The 2023 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center on February 17-19, 2023.


Public Lands Stage Highlights

Here’s a preview of the impressive roster of speakers we’ve got slated to be speaking this year:
 

» Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment Panel
In 2008, Minnesota voters overwhelmingly passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. Since that time, more than 27,000 projects have been funded across the state, leading to better habitat and public access. During this panel moderated by Outdoor News’ Rob Drieslein and including Minnesota DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, our group will talk about the Legacy Amendment’s successes and threats to its future. Panelists also include PF’s Eran Sandquist, LSOHC’s Mark Johnson, LSOHC’s Jamie Swenson, public land hunter Keng Yang, and Minnesota Representative Rick Hansen.MNLegacyPanel-(1).jpg Occurs on Saturday at 2PM

» Corner Crossing: What’s the Big Deal?
Across the nation ambiguities around the legality of accessing public lands at adjoining corners (popularly known as “corner crossing”) prevent sportsmen and women from setting foot on significant portions of our public estate. Access to quality habitat on public lands is critical to sustaining our hunting heritage. As such, it's imperative that hunters fight for access and defend our public trust when necessary. This timely panel will discuss current events unfolding in Wyoming – and potential ramifications for public land hunters. Our panel features MeatEater’s Ryan Callaghan, onX's Zach Sandau, former Minnesota DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, attorney Eric Hanson, and will be moderated by BHA’s Katie McKalip. CornerCrossing-(1).jpgOccurring Each Day

» Public Land Quail from Coast-to-Coast
Quail Forever is the fastest growing segment of our organization with members representing the Southeastern United States, Great Plains, Desert Southwest, and Pacific Northwest. Our panel will cover quail hunting tips and tactics for the variety of quail species across all of these geographies featuring Mark McConnell, Dr. Jessica McGuire, Chad Love, Nate Akey, Dallas Ingram, and moderated by Andy Edwards. Coast-Coast.jpgOccurring Each Day

» South Dakota Public Lands Panel
DYK that South Dakota, the undisputed Pheasant Capital, has a tremendous amount of public access for the traveling bird hunter? MeatEater’s Ryan Callaghan, a South Dakota pheasant hunting fan, will moderate this panel talking about the state’s robust walk-in program, new CREP acres, and innovative Community Habitat & Access Initiative. Panelists include South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Department Secretary Kevin Robling, Pheasants Forever’s South Dakota State Coordinator Matt Morlock, and Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Casey Weismantel. Occurs on Saturday at NOON

» My Journey to Join the Upland Community
Join Hmong hunter and conservationist, Keng Yang, on his personal journey to become a bird hunter and ambassador for the uplands. Keng.jpgOccurring Each Day

» Grouse Trail
NEW this year will be a special area of booth spaces dedicated to our partners in grouse conservation. The 2023 Grouse Trail partners include:
» Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse Society
» Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Society
» North American Grouse Partnership
» Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society
» Ruffed Grouse Society grouse-(4).jpg

» Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock Hunting with Ruffed Grouse Society
These charismatic forest birds are a thrill to pursue and the RGS staff invite you to explore the woods, learn about habitat, and make your own adventure. Presentation by Scott Johnson, RGS Minnesota state coordinator for forest conservation, and Sam Tillman, RGS regional engagement coordinator.RGS.jpg Occurring Each Day

» Sharp-tailed Grouse in the Midwest
North American Grouse Partnership’s Jodie Provost and Wisconsin DNR’s Cody Strong will talk about habitat efforts to improve sharp-tailed grouse populations; including how evaluating the beef you purchase can help sharpies. Occurring Each Day

» Upland Birds, Trout, and One Habitat Mission
Pheasants Forever editor Tom Carpenter and Trout Unlimited's Tom Reed celebrate the natural ties between upland bird hunting, trout fishing, and their organizations' shared mission of habitat conservation and public access to wild places.Trout.jpg Occurring Each Day

» Build a Wildlife Area Campaign
As part of the Public Lands Pavilion, we’ll be raising funds for our Build a Wildlife Area program. Through partnerships with the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, we’re able to match donations from individuals and corporations. In fact, the following have agreed to contribute 10% of their revenue from sales at the 2023 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic to Build a Wildlife Area:
» Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
» Ruffed Grouse Society
» TRCP
» Modern Carnivore
» Public Land Tees
» Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters
» North American Grouse Partnership
» Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Society
» Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society
» Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse SocietyBAWA-(1).jpg

Learn more about becoming a public land creator at pheasantsforever.org/BuildAWildlifeArea.


Seminar Schedule

2023 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic:
Public Lands Pavilion Seminar Lineup

Public-Lands-Pavilion-Sponsors.jpg
Time Topic Speaker(s)
Friday 1:30 Sharp-tailed Grouse In the Midwest Jodie Provost & Cody Strong
2:00 Upland Birds, Trout, and One Habitat Mission Tom Carpenter (PF) & Tom Reed (TU)
2:30 Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock Hunting Ruffed Grouse Society
3:00* USFWS Leadership Forum & Partnership Unveil PF & QF staff and leadership from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
4:00 Quail Coast-to-Coast Dallas Ingram, Chad Love, Nate Akey, Mark McConnell and Andy Edwards
5:00 Corner Crossing: What’s the Big Deal? MeatEater’s Ryan Callaghan, onX's Zach Sandau, former MnDNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, attorney Eric Hanson, and will be moderated by BHA’s Katie McKalip
6:00 My Journey to Join the Upland Community Keng Yang
Saturday 10:00 Corner Crossing: What’s the Big Deal? MeatEater’s Ryan Callaghan, onX's Zach Sandau, former MnDNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, attorney Eric Hanson, and will be moderated by BHA’s Katie McKalip
11:00* Farmer of the Year Awards Presented by John Deere PF & QF staff and John Deere
12:00 South Dakota Public Lands Panel Matt Morlock, Kevin Robling, Casey Weismantel, and Ryan Callaghan
1:00 Quail Coast-to-Coast Dallas Ingram, Chad Love, Nate Akey, Mark McConnell and Andy Edwards
2:00 Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment Panel Moderated by Outdoor News’ Rob Drieslein
3:00* 2023 Farm Bill Forum Congressional / USDA Leadership and PF & QF Govt. Affairs team
4:00 Upland Birds, Trout, and One Habitat Mission Tom Carpenter (PF) & Tom Reed (TU)
4:30 My Journey to Join the Upland Community Keng Yang
5:00 Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock Hunting Ruffed Grouse Society
5:30 Sharp-tailed Grouse In the Midwest Jodie Provost & Cody Strong
Sunday 10:00 Quail Coast-to-Coast Dallas Ingram, Chad Love, Nate Akey, Mark McConnell and Andy Edwards
11:00 Corner Crossing: What’s the Big Deal? MeatEater’s Ryan Callaghan, onX's Zach Sandau, former MnDNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, attorney Eric Hanson, and will be moderated by BHA’s Katie McKalip
12:00* State of Conservation Panel / Meet & Greet CEO’s from the nation’s most prolific conservation groups
1:00 Upland Birds, Trout, and One Habitat Mission Tom Carpenter (PF) & Tom Reed (TU)
1:30 My Journey to Join the Upland Community Keng Yang
2:00 Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock Hunting Ruffed Grouse Society
2:30 Sharp-tailed Grouse In the Midwest Jodie Provost & Cody Strong
*Taking Place on the Main Stage

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.