Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
For some people, the most relaxing, peaceful moments are when hunting, specifically bird hunting. Opportunities to hunt are limited without efforts to maintain habitats.
Pheasants Forever is a program that teaches proper bird hunting, gun use and habitat development.
The local Pheasants Forever chapter, High Plains Pheasants Forever, is planning its annual fundraiser banquet for March 2, the first Friday in March. Cocktails begin at 5 p.m. and the dinner at 7 p.m.
"We use those funds to do all of our projects for the year," said David Branham, member of the High Plains Pheasants Forever.
The event will include a banquet dinner, with the option of purchasing a "bottomless beer," live and silent auctions, raffles and other activities. Among the items to be auctioned is an Argentina dove hunt. The auctions will also offer framed artwork, firearms and various goods and services donated by the community.
Membership and dinner tickets cost $50, traditionally sold at the door. The Bottomless Beer is an additional $10. Spouses of members is $15 and Ringneck (youth) are $10. Membership costs $35 annually for an Associate Member, $75 annually for a Rooster Booster, $150 for a Magnum members, $250 for a Sponsor, $1,000 for a Life member, $10,000 for a Patron, $25,000 for a Gold Patron, $15 for a Ringneck and $500 for a Dog Life.
All proceeds from the banquet stay in Cheyenne County. Only the membership fee is passed on to the state organization.
Pheasants Forever is a program that teaches safe and proper hunting, and developing future bird habitat.
"This is our 28th banquet," he said.
The banquet will be held at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. Proceeds from the banquet are invested in projects within Cheyenne County. The High Plains Pheasants Forever has a Youth Pollinator program, Youth/Mentor Hunt, Women's Hunt and a hunt with disabled veterans.
The Youth Pollinator program is a hands-on program where Pheasants Forever chapters work with state biologists and local schools to construct bird habitats. The habitat includes a wildflower seed mixture.
"We do about an acre. It's not intense," he said.
The Youth/Mentor Hunt, scheduled for October, is for 12-14 year-olds. Each youth has to complete a hunter safety course to take part in the event. The event starts with classes the first part of the day, finishing with time at the Sidney Shooting Park. Lunch is provided by "Each youth is paired with a mentor. Part of it is gun safety," Branham said.
This year, 16 youth participated in the Youth/Mentor event. The Youth/Mentor Hunt includes time in the field. Birds are planted, released into a specific field, to increase the chances of youth getting a bird on the hunt. The program uses two volunteers for each student enrolled in the event. Volunteers include Sidney Police officers, Cheyenne County Sheriff's officers and Pheasants Forever club members. Students learn gun cleaning, bird biology, field dressing a bird, habitat and safe fire handling. They also receive a compliment of safety equipment including shooting vest, hats, eye and hearing protection and meals.
The first time out, each youth is issued one shell at a time.
"It is all very controlled," said Branham.
The event includes training with dogs.
"This year, we had three get their first birds," he said.
The Women's Hunt is scheduled the same weekend as the Youth/Mentor hunt.
Pheasants Forever also sponsors a hunt for disabled veterans. To participate, a veteran must have a medical discharge or verified disability. The Sidney Motor Lodge traditionally donates lodging for the veterans. Food and supplies for the hunt are donated. Shawn Kruse donates meals for the veterans hunt. Branham said the veterans hunt uses 15 to 18 volunteers in support.
Pheasants Forever was founded in 1982 focused on habitat restoration and preservation to ensure the future of pheasants and other wildlife, according to the High Plains Pheasants Forever website. The national organization has grown to an estimated 110,000 members in more than 600 chapters. Nationwide, the organization has spent $260 million on programs helping fund 347,000 habitat, affecting 4.4 million acres across the nation.
The local nonprofit organization hosts habitat field days, involves youth in hunts and habitat projects, promotes habitat projects and efforts to restore and preserve public land and contributes to funding the purchase and restoration of local land.
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