2023 National Pheasant Fest
National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2023, presented by Federal Ammunition, is back in Minneapolis and promises to be an event you won’t want to miss! The nation’s largest upland tradeshow and convention has something for everyone including hunters, landowners, and bird dog enthusiasts. Coming attractions for 2023 include a Upland Film Festival, Public Lands Pavilion, Path to the Uplands Stage, Habitat Stage, Bird Dog Stage, and more than 400 unique vendors featuring outfitters, gear, food, and so much more!.See the 2023 Schedule of...
read more2022 Field of Fame
In 2021, the Classic started the Field of fame to honor those who have been instrumental in our success through their contributions and service. This year two inductees were honored. The first recipient was Federal Premium Ammunition. Federal has been our ammunition sponsor since 2012. The Classic proudly provides Federal Premium Ammunition to our hunters. The second inductee has also been involved since the first event. Rick Dykstra volunteered to be our roaming photographer, and he offered again in year two, by year three, he was dubbed the Classic’s official photographer. Rick put our event on his schedule, and he never missed. Due to health issues, 2021 was Rick’s last in his “official” capacity, but he will continue to be an honored guest every year at our...
read moreThe Classic Welcomes Amy Ray
We’re excited to have Amy Ray join the 2022 Classic. Amy is the President and CEO of The Sisterhood of The Outdoors, a company dedicated to creating opportunities for women to hunt, fish and learn to shoot. Their mission is to take women outdoors and provide meaningful opportunities for women in all outdoor and shooting sports. The staff are licensed guides, outfitters, weekend warriors, certified instructors and mentors to those willing to learn. For information about Amy and The Sisterhood of the Outdoors, visit https://www.sisterhoodoutdoors.com/. Read Amy’s Bio...
read moreTNC Hires a Grassland Specialist
The Nature Conservancy has hired Oakley, Kansas native, Mason Scheetz, as their new Southern High Plains Grassland Specialist. Mason will be leading the conservancy’s work in the new Generational Grasslands Outreach Program in the area around Smoky Valley Ranch. He will be working with partners to focus outreach and technical assistance for voluntary conservation programs, administer test incentive payments to producers, and work with social scientists to understand and address barriers to priority conservation practices for both effective management and long-term conservation. Read More about the Generational Grasslands...
read moreClassic Conservation Foundation Grants Awarded
Since 2016, 100% of the proceeds from our Classic weekend events have gone into our Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation. Over $325,000 has been raised and, through May of this year, over $268,000 of grants have been distributed supporting our mission to support wildlife and habitat conservation and the development of public upland access, as well as programs that support outdoor youth opportunities and the recruitment new hunters and shooters. Grants awarded have included $34,250 towards youth programs, $11,000 in college scholarships, and $220,000 in support of habitat, land and conservation in Northwest Kansas. For detailed awards, visit our conservation foundation...
read moreEd Arnett to Speak at the 2022 Event
Ed Arnett, Chief Executive Officer, The Wildlife Society will be the keynote speaker at the Classic Dinner, Saturday November 19th. Ed is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University and host of the public television conservation series This American Land. Read Ed Arnett’s...
read moreConservation Foundation Awards 100K
March 1, 2022. The Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation is pleased to announce grant funding support for the following programs. The Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) was awarded $25,000 towards the 157.5-acre land purchase in Sherman County that will annex the current wildlife area that is managed for upland birds and public hunting. Additionally, Pheasants Forever (PF) was awarded $75,000 in support of the Corners Program and the new B.I.R.D.S program. The Foundation has already pledged and contributed $100,000 to the Corners Program. “Thank you for your commitment to support BIRDS and Corners for Wildlife. We are honored you are our partner in conservation”. Jordan Martincich, Director of Development, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever. Corners for Wildlife...
read moreThe Classic Welcomes the new 2021 Classic Club Members
Welcome to the 2021 new Classic Club MembersHolly Heyser, Orangeville, CACurtis Krizek, Shawnee Mission, KSBig All Ceynar, Wichita, KSDustin Lindler, Weed, CAMike Malone, Wichita, KSAll Classic Alums are welcome to Join the Club! Membership is $400 and goes directly to the Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation. See the complete list of our Classic Club...
read moreThe Classic Field of Fame
December 2021 On Friday, November 19th, 2021, The Classic honored four outstanding people who have supported the event and our mission. Jim Millensifer, board of directors President, presided over the induction of the first members of The Classic “Field of Fame”. Governor Sam Brownback was acknowledged for his 2011 initiative that brought the Classic to Northwest Kansas and his participation in the event throughout his governorship. Raelene Keller, a founding member of the Classic was honored for her passionate dedication and her service on the board of directors through 2020. Two of our sponsors who have supported the event every year were also acknowledged. Gus Bader of Tristar Arms, our firearm sponsor and Tom Willis of Conestoga Energy Partners. Conestoga has been a Classic Team sponsor every year and a great supporter of the event throughout the years. Well-deserved congratulations to the 2021 Field of Fame recipients. from left to right: former Governor Sam Brownback, Tom Willis, Gus Bader, Raelene Keller and Jim...
read moreDavid Bellavia speaker at 2021 Classic
Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant David Bellavia joined the 2021 Classic as we honored the military. David was the featured speaker at the Saturday evening banquet. His motivational and moving message was inspirational to all in attendance. Afterward, Bellavia, presented each invited US Army retired vet with their Soldier For Life Pin.
read moreYouth Hunters Receive PF Memberships
Our youth hunters received their Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever Lifetime Memberships and a Kansas Lifetime Hunting License. We wish them safe hunting and support and encourage their continued conservation stewardship. Youth hunters from left to right: Knox Couch, Waylon Ricker, Genna Couch and Kierra McNellis. Presenting their memberships: Heather Francis, President, PF Southwest Chapter, NE, Brandon Wilmoth, Regional Director, National Wild Turkey Federation and Bert Maxfield (back row), Classic Board of Directors.
read more2021 Youth Hunters
The 2021 Classic welcomes Kiera McNellis of Burlingame High School and Waylon Ricker of Scott Community High School. Kiera and Waylon are the winners of the youth hunter essay contest. There were a record number of entries this year, from an even number of boys and girls, making the selection a difficult one. The Classic is proud to support these hunters and congratulates all who entered. It is exciting to see a group of kids with the passion to participate in the hunting sports.Read their essays: Kiera McNellis essayDownload Waylon Ricker...
read moreRue Mapp Joins the 2021 Classic
The Classic Welcomes Rue Mapp, the Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, a national not-for-profit organization with offices in Oakland, CA, and Washington, D.C. Rue oversees a carefully selected and trained national volunteer leadership team of nearly 90 men and women who represent 42 cities around the US, and shares opportunities to build a broader community and leadership in nature. Meet Rue at the Ladies Event on Friday. Leard more about Rue and her organization at...
read more7 Reasons to Become an Upland Bird Hunter
By Tom Carpenter … AND ONE “PATH TO THE UPLANDS” PROMISE TO HELP YOU MAKE THE JOURNEY Hunting isn’t Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s reason for being. But the grand majority of members are, in fact, hunters. Why? Because in North America, hunters have always been wildlife habitat’s strongest advocates, wildlife’s staunchest allies, and publicly accessible lands’ steadiest supporters. Read Pheasants Forever Blog: Your Path to Becoming an Upland Bird...
read moreAward Winning Pheasant Burger
Wander Woman’s Jessica White discovered that pheasant is “just as good, if not better, than chicken or turkey, These burgers have great flavor, are super simple to put together, and everyone enjoys them. ” Read Jessica’s blog about harvesting her first rooster and creating her recipe for her Award Wining Grilled Feta and Spinach Pheasant...
read moreHank Shaw has a new cookbook!
Hank is accepting pre-orders of his new cookbook, “Hook, Line and Supper” that will be released at the end of April. If you pre-order, he will send you a signed copy. Hank says the is the ” most comprehensive guide to preparing and cooking fish and seafood, Hook, Line and Supper will become an indispensable resource for anglers as well as home cooks looking for new ways to cook whatever fish or seafood that strikes their fancy at the market.” Order his new book, or any of his previous cookbooks at...
read moreCelebrating our lady youth hunters – 2020
Barbara Baird, founder of Women’s Outdoor News, WON, presented our lady youth hunters with custom made vests by Upland Bespoke – fashion for the field. Autumn Elwell, Wichita, KS Ka’nya WhiteWichita, KS Cappi HoetingStockton, KS Ryleigh AbramsAuburn,...
read moreFood For Hunters Share
Dove Poppers are traditional – but the marinade and glaze makes these extra yummy – Food for Hunters’, Jen and Rick share their recipe for Dove Poppers. Follow their blog page for all their wild game recipes – or check out their wild game cookbook book Hunting for...
read moreDinner for Two / Hank Shaw
At home and need some new menu ideas? Now is the time to start following Hank Shaw – Hunter Angler Gardener Cook. For our Classic Alumni who have me Hank (he has been to the Classsic twice), you know his food is great and his writing is interesting, funny and at times, quirky. He has four “wild” and diverse cookbooks with outstanding recipes and wonderful stories. They are also filled with beautiful pictures taken by his partner, Holly Heyser who will be joining our event this year. His latest post, Dinner for Two is a great way to meet them both and try your hand at some new recipes you can share with your...
read moreThe Classic Bids Fond Farewell to Raven III
Raven III was a VIP guest at the 2012 Classic in Oakley, and returned with Ron again in 2017 in Colby – RIP – Here’s a nice tribute By TORI J. MCCORMICK , SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE March 22, 2020 – 6:22 PM (of Raven) “She had one last hunt, and she gave me one last memory,” said Schara. “One last retrieve, too. What you learn about hunting dogs is the body goes, but the heart doesn’t.” Raven III passed away peacefully recently at age 13½. With equal parts gratitude and sorrow, Schara reflected on her life as the third Raven sidekick on his popular television show, “Minnesota Bound.” Read the full article in the Star...
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