Sheridan - Johnson County Home

The Sheridan/Johnson County Chapter of Pheasants Forever has been in existence for twelve years. We implement and follow the national goal to protect and enhance pheasant and other wildlife populations throughout North America by enhancing public awareness, education, habitat restoration, development and maintenance and improvements in land and water management policies. Pheasants Forever are unique among all wildlife habitat organizations in that all money which is raised locally stays with the local chapter to be used in the area where it was raised.

Some of the activities the Sheridan/Johnson County chapter has been active in are:

- We have partnered with local landowners in fencing crucial riparian zones to improve the habitat and improve water quality.

- We have partnered in the establishment of shelter belts which provide winter cover to wildlife and provide the landowner with wind breaks.

- The Chapter has been intimately involved in the Welch Management Area which was acquired by the BLM three years ago fifteen miles north of Sheridan, WY. Monies for fencing, water development and winter food plots have been partnered with the BLM to enhance the habitat found on this outstanding resource on the Tongue River. $14,000 has been committed by the Chapter to date in this partnership.

- When drought and reduced habitat threatened wintering populations of pheasants and other wildlife the Chapter initiated a program to provide feed; first through the use of wheat bales and later through the construction of feeders. Over 100 feeders are in use in the two county area. The Chapter provided over 20,000 pounds of feed to landowners this past winter. The Chapter also partnered with the Sheridan College Agricultural program in 2007 to grow barley which was baled just prior to harvesting. Fifty 900 pound bales will be distributed this fall as an additional winter food source for wildlife.

- Winter food is a crucial aspect of maintaining healthy populations of not only pheasants, but all wildlife. The Chapter provides seed for winter food plots to willing landowners who agree to plant and maintain these food plots.

- The Chapter has been an active participant in the activities sponsored by the Lake DeSmet Conservation District to enhance sage grouse habitat. We have provided $15,000 to date in matching funds to the district for rangeland enhancement activities that are being carried out by willing landowners.

- The Chapter holds an annual Youth Pheasant Hunt and a Ladies Pheasant Hunt to introduce these two groups of people to hunting. This opportunity is used to provide education on conservation and the sport of hunting. Two youth hunts and one ladies hunt are scheduled for 2007.

- The Chapter provides all ammunition to the 4-H shooting program in both counties and to the Hunter Safety Education program. Eighty six 4-H youth participated in this program in 2007. We also support Outdoor Education classes in the local schools. The Chapter has purchased ten shotguns which are available through the Wyoming Game and Fish for use in these programs.

- We have worked with our National Office as Farm Bills are being debated by Congress. The various conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), stream buffers, and wetlands preservation have all benefited from Pheasants Forever input. We have donated $30,000 to the National office in the last 3 years to support this effort.

- And lastly, the Chapter has been an active participant with the Wyoming Game and Fish in the Access Yes program. This year's check of $4,000 to the program brings us to a total of $33,000 donated since 2003. We are proud to be a supporter of this program which provides access to lands which would normally not be open to the public.

This is a partial list of activities the Chapter is involved in. We believe we are carrying out the mission of Pheasants Forever to enhance habitat and educate the public in how our natural resources can benefit all publics.

Sincerely,

Brian Kirven
President
Sheridan/Johnson County Chapter #542
Pheasants Forever