in this issue: from the roost fall...blue mountain chapter 258 fall 2019 in this issue: feature...
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Blue Mountain Chapter 258 Fal l 2019
In This Issue:
Feature ArticlesA Wrap on TrapPage 2
Raising Pheasant from the Ground Up
Page 4
Conservation Act Aimed at Preventing Endangered Species Act Listings
Page 5
Imparting the Upland Values
Page 6
Announcements and EventsPage 3
Banquet Sponsorship InformationPage 8
Banquet Sponsorship InformationPage 8
While these efforts are foundational to the Chapter?s existence, the youth mission carries as much if not greater importance to meeting our missions in the long run.
One of the goals of the No Child Left Indoors initiative is to recruit future conservation leaders. This means that instilling the outdoor passion through positive fishing, hunting and conservation experiences will lead a small proportion of youth to seek careers as biologists, lobbyists and executives who secure and put conservation dollars to work.
What?s more is that conservation funding comes from folks like us pursuing outdoor passions. Without recruiting sportsmen and women to perpetuate our outdoor heritage, the cash flow for conservation programs diminishes rapidly. Programs like the Farm Bill are dramatically reduced or cut. Habitat suffers, as do the wildlife that rely on it. And non-profit organizations like Pheasants Forever are crippled, left fighting desperately to maintain relevance and effectiveness.
With this in mind, think about the successful youth hunts we have enjoyed mentoring in late September. These are the most memorable of the Chapter-sponsored events for mentors and youth and help secure future sportsmen and women that fund conservation through their outdoor pursuits. Win-win.
As we approach the November Family Hunt, remember the importance of the event and the thrill of the flush. Support your Chapter by participating, volunteering and mentoring in youth events, and revel in the rare victory of the activities we promote
today being critical to the future of our outdoor heritage.
From The Roost
As a member of Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever, donating your time to efforts like the annual fundraising banquet and habitat projects is crucial to the Chapter?s mission success. The hard work, sometimes long hours, and selfless donation of your personal life is invaluable.
A Wrap on Trap
Although we experienced low attendance, the 2019 trap season proved successful. New members joined, repeat members improved their skills significantly and flushing dog demonstrations are Just a few of the highlights.
Sarah Shutters joined us for her first trap shoot at East End Road and Gun Club in July. With litt le prior shotgun experience, a litt le coaching from Dean Wass had her busting clays in a hurry,
making some of us old-timers look foolish.
Thanks to George Endicott for a late-night pigeon trapping, Gene Weinmaster and Randy Snyder
brought out their flushing dogs for an August demonstration.
Gene?s young lab showed promise working the scent alongside Randy?s seasoned golden retrievers.
The awards ceremony for the final summer
shoot were presented as follows.
- 1st ? Rylan Williams 28/50 clays - 2nd ? Rollin Carpenter 25/50 clays - 3rd ? Sarah Daves 12/50 clays (note that
Sarah improved tremendously shooting two complete rounds this year!)
Finally, the Family Challenge shoot, held at the Walla Walla Gun Club in September provided some fine clay-busting teams.
- 1st ? Tyson and Easton Landoni 39/50 clays - 2nd ? Klay and Kris Carver 36/50 clays - High Round ? Tyson Landoni 18/25 clays
Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever http://www.bmpf258.com 2
Fall 2019
The Chapter would like to thank those who participated and supported our youth programs in 2019. Looking out to next year, we welcome feedback from youth participants and parents on how we can improve our events and encourage more participation. Drop us a line at [email protected].
Announcements and Events
2020 Banquet
- Grand Prize = Honda Ruckus! - Tickets on sale now to be drawn at the
banquet next February. - Contact Banquet Chair Tami Wass at
FOR SALE - $1,700Browning Citori 20ga Feather Superlight: 26-inch barrels, 2 3/4 chamber, invector chokes, weighs 5.7 lbs.
Contact Chet Hadley at [email protected]
FOR SALE - $1,6501961 Remington .280 purchased new. Leupold 30mm LPS 2.5-10X45mm. Comes with ammo, reloading dyes, Harris bi-pod and more.
Contact Randy Snyder at [email protected]
Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever http://www.bmpf258.com 3
Fall 2019
Pheasant Fact sResearch suggests that pheasant express
"brood-gathering" and "content" vocalizations
that elicit a strong approach response in chicks.
pheasant sforever258
Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever http://www.bmpf258.com 4
Fall 2019
Raising Pheasant from the Ground Up
Sustainable farming practices to benefit wildlife is a topic for discussion in grain capitols across the country, the Walla Walla Valley included. To the farmer, the mention of sustainability may trigger consideration of production and bottom line. To the biologist, thoughts of crop rotation and managed fallow lands provide wildlife food, water and shelter. And to the economist, efficiency and bang-for-the-buck in the form of yield versus effort/acreage sewn would likely provoke a back-of-the-napkin chart explaining the benefits.
So how does one actually define sustainable farming? A combination of all of the above. Sustainable farming includes economics, reducing production acreage to focus on the most productive for maximum yield. The less productive ground can be leased into CRP or to an NGO like Pheasants Forever to manage for wildlife.
To take it one step further, habitat-minded agriculture may provide a mix of no-till planting and forage and cover crops built into rotation schedules. This permits soil replenishment and works to combat invasive species by providing different plant competitors, insects, and invasive plant treatment options. Forage or cover crops can be sewn alongside winter cover like cattails and other wetland habitats to reduce energy expense and vulnerability critters may experience when seeking winter food sources.
Sounds great, right, but are the benefits actually attainable? Absolutely. Case-studies have proven the benefits to the farmer and wildlife through these sustainable practices. Midwest farms have shown production of preserve-scale wild pheasant through habitat-minded farming practices while maintaining or increasing their bottom line. And who out there would argue that they don?t enjoy wildlife like upland birds? If you answered no one,
we couldn?t agree more! If you find this encouraging from any perspective, reach out to us at [email protected] for more information.
Quail Forever
Conservation Act Aimed at Preventing Endangered Species
Act Listings
By now, you are likely familiar with the Recovering America?s Wildlife Act (Act). We presented a column in last fall?s newsletter about it, explaining how the funds are aimed to supplement state and tribal fish and wildlife budgets where other federal funds can be unpredictable from year to year. Where these funds can make a difference is an area worth discussing twice.
State fish and wildlife agency funds are largely raised through declining hunting and fishing license sales. However, this revenue is used to support a number of fish and wildlife goals and conservation actions, including those dedicated to benefit and protect non-game species. Given revenue is earned from license sales, this puts a ?color of money? concern on those funds as the folks who pay for their licenses have a vested interest in game species conservation.
Of pertinence, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5-year national Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Actives Survey identified 11.5 million hunters (another 2% decline) who?s expenditures decreased 29% to $25.6 billion between 2011 ? 2016. During this same time period, the survey elucidated a marked 20% increase in participation (up to 86 million people) and expenditure (up to $75.9 billion) for wildlife watching and photography; an industry with no hook (i.e. license sales) to contribute conservation funds.
Conservation Northwest Director, Paula Swedeen, was quoted discussing the Act and it 's benefits to Washington State.
?There is so much more that [the Act] would help us do in collaboration with our state and federal agency partners. In Washington, restoring
shrub-steppe habitat for sharp-tailed grouse and pygmy rabbits, continuing fisher reintroduction in the North Cascades and augmenting struggling lynx populations in the Kettle Range, and restoring large tree forest habitats for flammulated owls, Pacific marten and Townsend big-eared bats, to
name a few.?
The Act really shines by relieving some of the pressure of using license-generated funds for non-game species conservation. The Act can bridge the gap between needed and available funding for on-the-ground habitat improvement and species protection, allocating a greater proportion of license sales funds to game species conservation.
In the hands of state and tribal fish and wildlife biologists with the expertise to recover species from the brink, a rare win-win-win situation arises. Win #1: Fewer license dollars are obligated for seemingly ancillary purposes. Win #2: Biologists can implement programs to keep non-game species off the Endangered Species Act protection list, saving millions of taxpayer dollars in government process. Win #3: Habitat restoration funded by the Act will also benefit game species, leading to a greater amount of habitat enhancement and protection than only license
sales can fund. It?s an Act to be proud of, strongly supported by state, tribal, NGOs and sportsmen and women alike.
Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever http://www.bmpf258.com 5
Fall 2019
Rick Bohn
Imparting the Upland Values
The upland hunting community identifies with marvelous plumage, explosive flushes, brilliant escapes afoot and a handsome canine pointing or flushing under a favorite scattergun. We uphold tradition passed down over decades of canine and hunter bloodlines. Revered as a gentleman?s sport, integrity, respect for and generosity toward our brothers and sisters afield remain at the core.
Upland passion can take many forms and burns white-hot among uplanders, particularly those who associate bird hunting as a lifestyle. We thirst to support our brethren in experiencing the same gut-wrenching, heart-pounding obsession sparked by the staunch, feathery point of an elegant setter, sleek and muscly Drahthaar, or bristly wirehair; to experience the urgency of the flush and dizzying whir of wings, ejecting the bird from underfoot.
Presently, social media provides a solid avenue for like-minded uplanders to share stories and gear recommendations, and maybe arrange a hunt. Entities such as Uplander Lifestyle, Project Upland, Upland Tradition, Upland Inc., Uplander Pro and Palouse Prairie Company do a fine job promoting upland hunting and conservation, and strengthening the upland community that no doubt piques the interest of younger generations. But its mentorship that truly makes the cream of
the upland community rise. And no youth are afforded a better mentorship opportunity than participating in a youth hunting program through organizations like Pheasants Forever.
September 21st and 22nd, 2019, the Chapter held its annual youth hunt over the state-defined youth weekend. Members and mentors eagerly anticipate the youth hunt as unique qualities of each hunt express themselves. Be it remarkable wingshooting, outstanding safety-mindedness, or the unexpected, imposing tact of pen-raised roosters released for the hunt, a significant highlight always shines in wake of the weekend. But 2019 offered something more inspiring; generosity and values.
Youth participants, all veterans of the local youth program, gathered beneath the dim eastern horizon before the fields each morning. Having climbed through the ranks over the past few years, these kids had come from taking their first rooster pheasant to gaining confidence working with a pointing or flushing dog in the field. Many are not afforded the luxury of living in an upland hunting family, making the youth hunt a particularly special event. Every bird is cherished.
Small groups of hunters departed for the fields with adult mentors leading the way, encircled by a variety of canines from golden retrievers to large Munsterlanders. As the dogs worked the fields, participants and mentors bantered among
Fall 2019
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themselves about fancy dog work, various shotguns and who gets the first shot while awaiting the energetic announcement of ?POINT!?
Slowly, shots began echoing across the fields as wily roosters skirted a pointing dog, succumbed to a flusher or held tight to be kicked up in textbook fashion. The goal was to offer each youth at least one opportunity at a bird if not at least one bird in the vest, and the Chapter upheld its end of the bargain. But most noteworthy, was the score-keeping among the youth.
Those who had already taken a bird or had opportunity, conscientiously deferred to those who had not. What?s more, in the event that two hunters struck a bird simultaneously, or there was any doubt in who made the initial contact, they were thrilled to share in the victory.
At each day?s conclusion, participants gathered
for lessons on cleaning their harvest and to revel in the thrill and success of the hunt. Comradery, respect and unity bonding hunters, their quarry and their mentors, exemplified the character that the upland community and the Chapter are known for.
As a mentor and bona fide uplander, this struck a chord in my soul. We were realizing the Pheasants Forever mission, creating lasting bonds and memories and witnessing the passion flicker to life in our youth hunters. The passion that drove us all, novice and veteran, to the fields these mornings to share in tradition.
While hunter numbers are declining overall, upland hunters are maintaining or seeing an uptick thanks to the efforts of the upland community at large, non-profit organizations like Pheasants Forever, and the concerted R3 (Recruit, Retain, Reactivate) efforts of state fish and wildlife agencies like the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other Chapter supporters such as the Clyde Shooting Preserve, who see and invest in the value of such programs.
Given opportunity and exposure to the uplands, our youth may mature from mentee to savvy uplander, and possibly mentor, where the upland values serve as the antiphon of full-circle evolution, with generosity returned to the land
through conservation.
Fall 2019
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Off icers
President : Dan Eveland (bm pf@bm pf258.com )
Vice President : Makaiw i Wacht er
Treasurer : Don Per r igin (per r [email protected] )
Secret ary: Brad Trum bo (bradly.t rum bo@gm ail.com )
Yout h Chair : George Endicot t (gpendicot t @gm ail.com )
Habit at Chair : Lar ry Boe (boeleca@char t er .net )
Banquet Chair : Tam i Wass (bm pfbanquet chair@gm ail.com )
Public Relat ions and Recruit m ent Of f icer : Brad Trum bo
Advisory Board
Brad Trum bo (Chairm an)
Chet Hadley
Mar isa Wacht er
Makaiw i Wacht er
Randy Snyder
Ryan Alden
1 Vacancy