About Pheasants Forever Shiawassee County - 399
A Local Michigan Chapter
Welcome. We are Michigan (PF), a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasants and other upland bird populations in North America.
Pheasants Forever is the only national organization with a model of chapters keeping 100% of the funds they raise. While belonging to a larger national organization that has a voice on federal and state conservation policies, chapters are tasked with finding projects for their funds. Michigan takes full advantage of this model using funds raised for projects locally as well as other areas in the state of Michigan.
About Us
People often ask "what is Pheasants Forever, and what do you do?". If you think about it that is a very big question and will have many answers.
To start let me identify who we are and then get into what we do. Nationally, Pheasants Forever is a group of individuals organized into Chapters across the country focused on maintaining and improving the habitat for the betterment of pheasants and other wildlife. Chapter members come from all walks of life with all types of background. Chapter members are fathers and sons, husbands and wives, fathers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren. We offer up our time on a volunteer basis to go out and plants shrubs, lay irrigation pipe or dig weeds to improve the habitat. The improvements are designed to establish or enhance the nesting areas, food plots and bedding grounds to give the pheasant a better chance of survival.
On one hand you could say we are a habitat~conservation organization. With that you would be correct. One of our key tenets is habitat~conservation. In addition, youth development and involvement is another key focus area. We strongly believe that the habitat and youth involvement go hand in hand to maintain the long term preservation of pheasants and upland game. Whether you are a hunter or not you can understand the importance of these two stratigies and how they link to improving and maintaining wildlife and upland birds.
I mentioned briefly what we do for the habitat. Let me give you an overview of what we do regarding youth development and involvement. For the 18 and under youths there is the Ringneck program. This is sponsered by Pheasants Forever and is a national program. At Chapter 399 we support through out the year Youth Hunts, Skeet Shoots and are working to sponser Hunter Safety classes. There is much more we would like to do on the youth front. Again this is a volunteer organization and there is only so much we can take on and feel that we are doing it in a quality manner.
In order to fund these activities, Chapter 399 hosts an annual banquet. All proceeds from this banquet go back to either habitat or youth activities. Please join us at a annual event by clicking over to our events page. We will have a great meal, live and silent auctions, raffles, door prizes and great fun. I hope you can come out and join us.
If you can't make the banquet but are interested in learning more about Pheasants Forever come join us at a monthly meeting. Meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at the Iron Horse Pub, Durrand, MI 6:30pm.
I hope this helped to answer the question "what is Pheasants Forever, what do you do?". If not, come out, volunteer and then you can see first hand what you can do.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to meeting you.
Bryan Gross, Chapter 399 President
Our Local Habitat Projects
We actively partner with other chapters and Michigan Department of natural resources on many habitat projects.
- Habitat field days are conducted when opportunities arise.
- We involve young people through activities such as youth hunts and habitat projects.
- Habitat projects and efforts to restore and preserve public lands.
- Contribute to funding purchasing and restoration of local land throughout our community.
Our Fundraising
- Our annual fundraising banquet, which is attended by more than 325 people, generates thousands of dollars. The banquet is held in February each year.
What Can You Do To Help?
Please explore our website and discover more about the Shiawassee County Pheasants Forever Chapter 399. You'll find detailed information on all our activities and upcoming events. Let us know what you think; we appreciate your feedback. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact us. We welcome people interested in the Pheasants Forever mission to attend our monthly meetings, listed on our events page.
- Become a Pheasants Forever member or sponsor
- Volunteer your time or resources to our chapter
