National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic Coming to Kansas City

National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic is the nation’s largest tradeshow and convention for upland hunters, sport dog trainers, and wildlife habitat conservationists. It features seminars, vendors, and gear designed with upland hunters in mind. It’s hosted by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, which collectively have more than 140,000 members. This year it is taking place in Kansas City at the Convention Center, February 19-21.

National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic is going to have something for everyone who appreciates uplands birds and their habitat. Seminars, products, outfitters, gear, firearms and more await attendees. Some specific highlights for dog lovers are the “The Bird Dog Parade,” which will highlight 40 different sporting dog breeds during the show’s opening ceremony. Dog training seminars, breeders, trainers, and dog kennel representatives. Some of the best dog trainers and handlers in the game, including Bob West, Tom Dokken, Rick Smith, and Ronnie Smith.

A Saturday night banquet features country music artist, Drake White, who sings “The Simple Life” and “It Feels Good.” A youth village offers a fun and educational experience for aspiring hunters and conservationists. Volunteers are teaching science, hunting, ethics, and firearm safety. Expert chefs will be cooking live on the Wild Game Cooking Stage.

National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic isn’t only for hunters. The event offers as much to landowners who are interested in improving their habitat and quail numbers. Seminars throughout the weekend will cover prescribed fire, restoring quail in prairie landscapes, pollinators, and habitat management in Missouri and Kentucky.

Bobwhite quail numbers have been declining since the 1980’s. There’s a lot of argument over why this is. Many government wildlife agencies and conservation organizations are working to stop the slide and reverse the trend. In some areas, including many in Missouri, their efforts are working. Many of these experts are coming together at the first-ever Quail Summit on February 20th at the Kansas City Convention in conjunction with the 2016 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic. Policymakers, biologists, landowners and hunters will openly discuss quail and habitat across the United States.

“One of our keynote speakers for the quail summit is Shane Mahoney, one of the world’s renowned speakers in conservation. If nothing else, the trip alone to the Quail Summit to see him talk will be worth the trip,” said Jared Wiklund, Pheasants Forever public relations specialist.

“I am honored to be part of 2016 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic and to join the nation’s leading upland habitat conservation organization in their fight for habitat and wildlife conservation. These are challenging times for wildlife habitat and the hunting traditions that all concerned Americans should fight to protect,” explained Mahoney. “No social movement is of greater consequence to the future of the United States and Canada than that of conservation. It is our responsibility to protect the habitats of these wild creatures so they can thrive forever.”

Daily admission tickets for the 2016 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic are $10 and available at the door. Visit www.pheasantsforever.org to purchase advance tickets, and to register for Friday and Saturday night banquets.

See you down the trail…

Brandon Butler

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