Jon Gafner would be more than happy to give away the $25,000 worth of merchandise his store sign promises if Brett Favre came back to the Packers.  The marquee sign on Gafner's Jackson Street business, Jon's Sport Shop, says, "Hey Brett, $25,000 shopping spree if you come back!"

Eleven years ago, Christopher Kurilla lost his battle with leukemia.  Now, a 220-acre paradise suited for all the outdoor activities he loved doing bears his name in Stearns County, Minnesota. The story of the Christopher Kurilla Wildlife Management Area is one that will truly touch your heart.

Pheasant hunter Kim Stephens may be a better shot with one arm than you are with two. See for yourself this week on Pheasants Forever Television, airing on Outdoor Channel on Thursday, July 10th at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT. The episode will also air on Friday, July 11th at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturday, July 12th at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT.

The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department is gearing up for its 14th Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. The workshop will be held Sept. 19-21 at Outlaw Ranch, near Custer.

Ron, Raven, and Pheasants ForeverTelevision are back for the fourth season of the popular outdoor variety show. The show is slotted to air on Outdoor Channel on Thursdays at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT, Fridays at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturdays at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT. Season four of Pheasants Forever Television will debut on Thursday, July 3rd at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT.

During a contract signing ceremony today at brothers Jeff, Steve, Mike, and Brad Hemmer's farm, Pheasants Forever (PF), USDA, South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Department and elected officials celebrated the immediate success of a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practice; State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE). As part of the event, PF requested an additional 500,000 acres nationwide for the program based on strong interest and demand for SAFE in multiple states.

Ruffed grouse spring drumming counts are slightly higher than last year despite the concern of some hunters that last fall’s harvest didn’t meet their expectations.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Local 46 strives to improve wildlife habitat

Kent, Wash. – June 19, 2008 – Outdoors enthusiasts from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Local 46 have formed Pheasants Forever’s
(PF) second-ever union based chapter. The new chapter, named the Union Tradesman Chapter of PF, is comprised of a group of electricians who want to conserve and enhance wildlife habitat in Washington state.

PIERRE, S.D.—On behalf of more than 50 partners from across the state, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department presented a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program proposal to the Governor’s Office last week. With the submission of this proposal on June 3 to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency by Gov. Mike Rounds, there is excitement among many about this program and its expected benefits.

HURON, S.D.—With the prairie winds waving around waist-high grass that has benefited from above-normal precipitation this spring, many nesting birds including pheasant, grouse and waterfowl are at the peak of their critical nesting and brood rearing time.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Legendary handgun maker and rising star in hunting rifles and shotguns, Smith & Wesson has become the newest sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

The annual celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation is set for Sept. 27, 2008.

Bucking a trend, sales of hunting and fishing licenses increased in California, according to a Sacremento Bee article that cites statistics from the state Department of Fish and Game. The increase for hunting, about 3 percent, is the first to stretch over two years since 1990. Although the state does not collect demographic information from license buyers that might indicate a trend, factors cited as potential causes of the increase include retiring baby boomers with more time to spend hunting and fishing, more women participants and a connection to the "eat local" movement that encourages finding sources of food close to home in order to benefit the environment.

A Pennsylvania judge last week struck down a Philadelphia City Council ban on so-called "assault weapons" and a second ordinance limiting handgun purchases to one a month. Read NSSF's statement on the ruling.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation recently signed an agreement with Daisy Outdoor Products that will help commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors outreach program.

CHAMA -- The Department of Game and Fish will conduct public meetings in Tierra Amarilla and Farmington on June 17 and 18 to review and listen to comments about the Department's recommendations for big-game hunting rules for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

The Department will consider public ideas and suggestions in developing the big-game hunting rules, which will be presented to the State Game Commission at the commission meeting July 23 in Las Vegas. The Commission will adopt the final rules Oct. 2 after further revisions and public comments.

USDA's Haying & Grazing Announcement has Positive and Negative implications

Washington, D.C. - May 30, 2008 - Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever
(QF) have a mix of reactions as a result of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement to open more than 24 million acres of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands to haying and grazing later this summer. While the move holds some habitat benefits, it does create problems for hunters this fall and sends the wrong message about the value of CRP to America. Also looming is the recurring discussion about "early-outs" from CRP contracts.

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Iowa State Chapter continues to make public hunting access a priority, having already contributed $72,000 toward the purchase of 812 acres of land in the Hawkeye State in 2008.   Most recently in Iowa, NWTF volunteers helped purchase land that will be used for public hunting as part of four existing conservation areas in Allamekee, Buchanan, Woodbury and Webster counties. The NWTF, with help from project partners, purchased land to expand public hunting land in the Lansing Wildlife Management Area, along the Wapsipinicon River, in the Oak Ridge Conservation Area and in the Boone Forks WMA.

Framework for Conservation Title agreed upon, details expected early next week

– May 2, 2008 – Late last night, congressional leaders reached a framework agreement on the 2008 Farm Bill's Conservation Title. Lawmakers are still ironing out other titles to complete the new Farm Bill. Full conservation program specifics will not be publicly released until early next week, but the new Farm Bill appears to be moving forward with the possibility of floor votes in both the Senate and House next week.

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota’s hunting heritage has traditionally been passed from one generation to the next. Recognizing that linage, and wanting to help it along, the S.D. Legislature approved a bill this year that allows children as young as 10 years of age to take part in mentored hunting opportunities.

“Having youngsters in the field is nothing new in South Dakota,” said Tony Leif, director of the Wildlife Division of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Many South Dakotans learned about hunting and the outdoors well before they were old enough to hunt.”

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Each year, conservation-minded Americans celebrate National Arbor Day by joining forces on the last Friday in April to plant an estimated 18 million tree seedlings.

However, to improve wildlife habitat and the environment, tree-planting efforts must span much further than Arbor Day celebrations. Through the National Wild Turkey Federation's initiatives, private landowners and volunteers work year-round to rejuvenate forests by managing habitat and planting trees.

HURON, S.D.—With the arrival of spring, people are anxious to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather. The S.D. Outdoor Expo to be held on the S.D. State Fairgrounds on May 17-18 will be a great opportunity for the whole family to get outside, enjoy the outdoors and learn a few new activities that they can enjoy all summer long. There are nearly 100 activities and booths for people to visit. There is sure to be something for everyone.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Congressionally appointed celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation set for Sept. 27, welcomes Outdoor Channel as an official sponsor for 2008.

MAN to Leverage SEG’s Relationships with Hunting and Fishing TV Producers, Country Music Stars

Denver and Elba, ALABAMA., (April 23, 2008) – The Maximum Adventure Network (MAN), a 24-hour outdoors adventure-focused television channel, announced today a strategic alliance with Southern Entertainment Group (SEG) LLC, a video and online content distribution company that owns and operates the Artists and Fans Network and Country Lifestyles Network. The alliance will provide additional outdoors adventure TV programs for MAN, give MAN access to marketing opportunities with a variety of country music stars, and provide SEG TV producers with a national platform for airing hunting and fishing shows.

DOUBLE SPRINGS, Ala. — Ask any wildlife biologist what it takes to keep wildlife healthy, happy and close to home, and they'll tell you it's all about having good habitat.

The ring-necked pheasant ( Phasianus colchicus ) may be the most popular game bird in the state of Kansas, with between 110,000 and 150,000 hunters pursuing the species each season.

Iowa pheasant hunters could see variable bird numbers this fall, thanks to different weather patterns across Iowa.

IOWA 2007-2008 HUNTING & TRAPPING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

PIERRE, SD—The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has identified the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program as a powerful tool to meet goals to provide additional undisturbed habitat for wildlife and public hunting access.

BROOKINGS, S.D.—Heeding the concerns of landowners and sportsmen’s groups, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission decided against a proposal that would have lengthened the pheasant season to the end of January.

The commission took the action at its April meeting in Brookings. The 2008 season will adhere to traditional dates, starting on the third Saturday of October—Oct. 18—and ending on the first Sunday of January—Jan. 4.

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakotans are not only interested in pheasants, they are involved and passionate about pheasant management. Those South Dakotans will now rely on Chad Switzer to provide guidance and management recommendations for ringnecks in his new position as senior upland wildlife biologist for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department.