OUTDOOR NEWS 100 YEARS PHEASANTS FOREVER AWARD

Supporting 100 Years of Pheasant Hunting and Habitat: South Dakota Tourism Renews National Sponsorship of Pheasants Forever Upland hunters invited to “Paint the State Orange” at 2018 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Sioux Falls, SD St. Paul, Minn. – Aug. 24, 2017 – Supporting wildlife habitat conservation and 100 years of pheasant hunting in “The Pheasant Capital,” the South Dakota Department of Tourism has renewed its national sponsorship of Pheasants Forever for the fifth consecutive year. Through this partnership, the Department of Tourism markets to the largest collection of upland hunters in the nation, while providing direct monetary support to Pheasants Forever’s habitat mission. “The South Dakota Department of Tourism clearly understands the connection between our habitat mission and the state’s hunting license sales. We’re thrilled to help South Dakota maintain the state’s distinction as ‘The Pheasant Capital of the World’ for years to come,” stated Chris Kalis, Pheasants Forever’s director of corporate partnerships. “This year, we’ll not only be inviting our members to visit South Dakota during hunting season, but we’ll be inviting the organization’s entire 145,000 membership to join us in Sioux Falls for National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in February to paint the state orange.” Highlighting the partnership between Pheasants Forever and the South Dakota Department of Tourism is the significance of National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic coming to the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls on February 16-18, 2018. This will be the first time the organization’s signature event has been held in South Dakota. As a special offer to upland hunters, residents and non-residents alike who purchase a South Dakota small game license for the 2017/2018 seasons will receive complimentary admission to the nation’s largest upland conservation event. It’s all part of “Paint the State Orange” weekend at National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2018, encouraging supporters to wear their orange gear to the event as a testament to the culture of pheasant hunting in South Dakota. Attendees simply need to bring their valid 2017/2018 South Dakota hunting license with them and show it at the registration desk for admission. “The South Dakota Department of Tourism is proud to be a national sponsor of Pheasants Forever, an organization working to protect the world’s pheasant capital and fall traditions throughout South Dakota with their mission work,” said Jim Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. “Quality habitat remains the key factor for protecting our state’s renowned pheasant population and the enormous economic impact made by upland hunters. We look forward to participating in National Pheasant Fest in the coming year, highlighting the state’s rich history of pheasant hunting, and supporting further habitat efforts which make South Dakota the most unique and exciting upland hunting destination in the world.” In addition to advertising in the Pheasants Forever Journal & Quail Forever Journal, the following highlights key components of the partnership: • Paint the State Orange at National Pheasant Fest – The Department of Tourism will be a platinum sponsor of the event which features one of the largest exhibitor areas at the 2018 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Sioux Falls showcasing the wide array of private lodges, nearly five million acres of public land available and businesses of South Dakota . Hunters are encouraged to participate in the “Paint the State Orange” promotion by wearing upland gear and presenting a 2017/2018 South Dakota small game license for complimentary admission to the event. Additionally, the Department of Tourism will be the major sponsor of the event’s opening day ceremony, the Bird Dog Parade. • “Dog of the Day” Sponsor – Pheasants Forever’s “Dog of the Day” posting – Each day, a different bird dog belonging to a Pheasants Forever member is featured on the organization’s website and social platforms. • Upland Super Issue: 100 Years of Pheasant Hunting – The Department of Tourism is sponsoring a special gatefold issue in the first-ever Upland Super Issue being published in September for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members. The special feature will showcase 100 years of pheasant hunting in South Dakota, including how to sustain wildlife for the next century. Pheasant hunting continues to be big business in South Dakota as the world’s leading pheasant hunting region. In fact, South Dakota welcomed more than 142,000 upland hunters in 2016 who harvested 1.17 million ring-necked pheasants and contributed nearly $245 million to the state’s economy. Habitat remains the critical factor for maintaining long-term pheasant numbers throughout the state, and the Department of Tourism continues to support this notion as a dedicated national sponsor of Pheasants Forever. Learn more about the South Dakota Department of Tourism and their upland hunting opportunities by following this link: https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/things-to-do/recreation/hunting Use the following link to purchase your 2017/2018 South Dakota pheasant hunting license today: http://gfp.sd.gov/licenses/general-hunt-fish/default.aspx About Pheasants Forever Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 149,000 members and 720 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent; the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $708 million on 517,000 habitat projects benefiting 15.8 million acres nationwide. Photo Credit: Chad Coppess, South Dakota Department of Tourism