Pheasant Country Chapter 872

Pheasant Country Chapter 872 started in 1985 when local business owners realized the obvious: more pheasants mean more hunters, and more hunters mean more money flowing into the Mitchell area economy. Instead of just talking about it, they built a habitat program from the ground up.

Started with 18 landowners in 1985. Today, 300+ landowners participate. Over 3,000 acres of food plots planted. More than $600,000 contributed since 1988.

That's not generic "conservation work." That's a direct pipeline between your land and better hunting.

• •Food Plot Program - Each April, Pheasant Country distributes 2,500 bags of seed (donated by national seed companies) to participating landowners. The plots use corn, sorghum, and sunflowers for winter food—which means birds stay in the area through the season.

• •Wildlife Shelterbelt Program - Started after the brutal 1996/97 winter, this program helps farmers split the cost of planting trees. Over 600 acres of new shelter planted to date. Trees give pheasants protection from wind and predators during harsh winters.

• •Youth Programs - Annual Youth Trap Shoot. Annual Youth Pheasant Hunt. Getting the next generation into the field, not just the arcade.

Held the Friday night before pheasant season opens (third Saturday of October) at the famous Mitchell Corn Palace. 650+ people attend from across the US and Canada. Sit-down pheasant dinner, South Dakota artists on display, raffles, and auctions. Buy a $75 ticket, get a free Associate membership.

100% of net proceeds go directly to habitat, hunting, and youth programs.

Associate Membership - $45/year - Pheasants Forever magazine (5 issues/year) - Window decal - Membership card - Your money goes to work—8.5 million acres of habitat converted nationwide through Pheasants Forever and sister organization Quail Forever

Life Membership - $1,000 one-time - Leather jacket - Framed life member certificate - Gold pin - Recognition in Pheasants Forever Journal

Banquet Ticket - $75 - Free Associate membership included if you're new - Membership extension if you're already a member

Want to support food plots? Shelterbelts? Youth programs? Say so. Recent major contributions include:

• •$7,500 to Blue Stem Public wildlife area
• •$5,000 to Chuck Muth Wetlands Project
• •$5,000 to Davison County Shooting Sports Club for new indoor range
• •$2,500 annually as major sponsor of South Dakota Youth Trap Shoot
• •$10,000 toward new grain/seed drill for native grass habitat planting

The area around Mitchell offers some of the best pheasant hunting in the United States. Cornfields, sloughs, shelterbelts, creeks. Comfortable fall weather. Breathtaking autumn colors. Hospitable residents who actually know how to help visiting hunters.

Pheasant Country's 40-year track record means better birds, better hunting, and better economic support for the local community.