Habitat Homecoming: National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic Returns to Minnesota in 2020

Quail Forever’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, the nation’s largest upland-themed event, will be held February 14, 15 & 16, 2020, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in the Twin Cities. The three-day celebration of upland habitat, hunting and conservation annually draws more than 20,000 supporters and will be presented by Federal Premium Ammunition.

Minnesota is ground zero for Pheasants Forever, the nonprofit wildlife conservation organization having formed in Saint Paul in 1982. The Kandiyohi County Chapter of Pheasants Forever was the first local affiliate for the budding group in 1983. Today, there are 72 Pheasants Forever chapters, 2 Quail Forever chapters and more than 22,000 Pheasants Forever and/or Quail Forever members in Minnesota, making it the group’s largest membership footprint by state.
 
“Every team needs a ‘home game,’ and it always feels like one when we host National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Minnesota,” stated Howard Vincent, president and CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “And it’s a home game we want to win for the birds, so we look forward to making our 16th-ever Pheasant Fest the best to date, a success for the attendees, volunteers, corporate partners and the pheasants, quail, monarchs, pollinators and other wildlife we’re working for as part of our habitat mission.”
 
“It is only 24 miles from the Minneapolis Convention Center to our factory in Anoka, so we will be rolling out the maroon carpet to welcome America’s upland enthusiasts to our back yard,” said Ryan Bronson, Director of Conservation and Public Policy for Federal Premium Ammunition. “We will be celebrating the many conservation milestones we have reached in recent years with Pheasants Forever, and the many new goals we have for Quail Forever.”
 
With the onset of Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment in 2008, Pheasants Forever has partnered with the Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, other agencies and conservation groups to average 4,000 acres of new public land state Wildlife Management Areas and federal Waterfowl Production Areas each year, primarily in the southwest and western upland prairie reaches of the state. Since forming, Pheasants Forever has served as a conduit for more than 52,000 acres being permanently conserved as public land in Minnesota. On existing public lands, Pheasants Forever works in active habitat management - to the tune of 6,000-8,000 acres annually - ensuring prairie grasses and wildflowers remain productive for pheasants, pollinators and people.
 
“Our chapter volunteers and members across Minnesota are excited to host Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s signature event once again,” said Eran Sandquist, Minnesota State Coordinator for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, “We have many wildlife habitat successes in the state to showcase, from permanent & public land protection, to habitat-led water quality improvements, to the recruitment efforts of new hunters and conservationists through new programs and partnerships.”
 
National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic combines a national consumer show, wildlife habitat seminar series, and family event complete with puppies, tractors, shotguns, and art. It’s grown to be the country’s largest event for upland hunters, sporting dog owners, and wildlife habitat conservationists. In addition to providing significant economic impact for the host community and attending outdoor industry vendors, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever uses its National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic to discuss habitat with landowners and recruit members to its wildlife conservation mission.
 
More details for National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2020 in Minneapolis, including ticket information, will be posted to pheasantfest.org as they become available. For information about becoming an event sponsor or vendor, contact Gerry Cliff at (651) 209-4954 or GCliff@PheasantsForever.Org.
 
About Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 140,000 members and 740 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $867 million on 540,000 habitat projects benefiting 18 million acres nationwide.
 
Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
JWiklund@PheasantsForever.Org