Pheasants Forever and a multitude of partners have permanently conserved wildlife habitat and created more upland access with the protection of 625 acres in central Minnesota. The Kingston WMA, dedicated on September 7
th with a large gathering of partners and sportsmen, is now the largest wildlife management area within Meeker County and a major boon for wildlife, hunters and the local economy.
“Brothers Peter and Paul Heid were interested in selling their property to Pheasants Forever because they are dedicated supporters of our overarching mission for wildlife habitat conservation,” stated Jeff Miller, a board member and volunteer of Meeker County Pheasants Forever. “They wanted the land to remain protected and open for all to enjoy, and Pheasants Forever had the ability to deliver their vision.”
Featuring 1.6 miles of frontage on the Clearwater River, Kingston WMA is a massive public access area with endless outdoor opportunities. Home to ring-necked pheasants, wild turkey, deer, ducks, sandhill cranes and a large selection of non-game species commonly seen throughout the property, the new complex is a mosaic of grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, shrubby cover and croplands helping to support a highly diverse ecosystem. Select grassland acres throughout the property will be improved over the coming year to provide further nesting and brood-rearing habitat for grassland birds and other wildlife. The Kingston WMA is now open for hunting and other public recreation during the 2019-2020 season(s).
"The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association is proud to have its chapters and Habitat Committee contribute to this effort,” stated Craig Engwall, executive director for the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. “This project goes to show that tremendous conservation goals can be achieved when like-minded groups join together to protect and improve habitat and provide public access to those lands."
The Kingston WMA can be found on the west side of Highway 15, located three miles directly southwest of Kimball, Minn. Partners involved in the project include the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund, Meeker County Pheasants Forever, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Peter and Paul Heid, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (Crow River, Central MN, Sherburne County Swampbucks and Wright County West Metro chapters along with the State Habitat Committee), Darwin Rod and Gun Club, Kimball Rod and Gun Club, Watkins Sportsman’s Club, Eden Valley Sportsman’s Club, National Wild Turkey Federation and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
About Pheasants 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 130,000 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