The Colorado pheasant season closed on Jan. 31. For those who enjoy the challenge of upland bird hunting it is now time to case and store the shotguns and pick up the volunteer role and participate in spring Pheasants Forever (PF) programs.

PF was organized in 1982 with headquarters in St. Paul, Minn. The organization has secured 5,000,000 acres of protected habitat for pheasant and all birds and wildlife. Today PF has over 125,000 members and 800 chapters in the US and Canada. PF promotes habitat conservation (the single most important element to sustain healthy numbers of pheasants); education for landowners and hunters alike; political lobbying; local events; national conference; youth programs to get kids outdoors and to hunt and publications distributed widely among PF members and outdoors public organizations.

PF has partnered with Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife Division over the years to open private lands for public hunting under the State Walk-In Area Program and to foster and secure agricultural land habitat necessary for pheasants to nest and hatch, insects for food sources, and security from predators.

Gary Tuttle, PF volunteer, advised that “spring is that time of year the local PF chapters hold their annual fund raising events, banquets and information and educational programs. Silent and live auctions provide needed funds for the PF chapter activities.”

The February and March chapter events include the Greeley Chapter banquet Feb. 22, 5 p.m. at Island Gove Regional Park in Greeley; Northern Colorado Chapter annual banquet at the Ellis Ranch in Loveland and Metro Denver Chapter’s March 29 banquet at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Each banquet will offer bidders and raffle ticket holder’s chances to win shot guns, gun safes, hunting clothing and gear and day hunts.

According to Tuttle, “a Youth Day program is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, with food, safety training, hats and vests and a chance to learn trap shooting by experts. Youth 10-16 are welcome with parents.”

Contact PF representative Gary Tuttle at 303-653-5584 for additional information.