Mower County Habitat & Pheasants Forever
Welcome to the internet home of the Mower County Habitat & Pheasants Forever. A Local Pheasants Forever Chapter in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant and other wildlife populations in North America. Read more about PF and our chapter.
Welcome To Mower County Habitat & Pheasants Forever
Just to let everyone know, we went forward with our fall events. These three events were a great success and enjoyed by all who attended
October 2nd - was the 2nd Annual DAV Hunt. An absolutely gorgeous day and a great way to say thanks to approx. 25 area Disable American Vets.
October 3rd - 6th Annual HUNT FOR A CURE 8:00 am - 4:00 pm - Three Arrows Game Preserve. What a great way to tune up your pup for the 2020 pheasant season and raise much needed funds for the Hormel Research Center and cancer research.
October 17th - 10th Annual Youth Hunt. 8:00 am- 4:00 Three Arrows Game Preserve. We held this event in a morning session for 20 youth hunters and an afternoon session for 15 youth hunters.
We received the 2012 Minnesota State Conservation Excellence Award for putting $1,000,000 into habitat and habitat programs in Mower County. Please take a moment to explore our website and discover more about Mower County Habitat & Pheasants Forever. You'll find detailed information on all our activities and upcoming events. If you are interested in becoming a member,we welcome you to connect with with us. ENJOY!
2021 7th Annual Hunt For A Cure
Our 7th Annual Hunt For A Cure is in the history books.
What a great time we all had in the pheasant fields on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Check out all the pics of the event here:http://www.pfmowercountyhabitat.org/events/1331-2021-7th-annual-hunt-for-a-cure/
We have so many people to thank that we hope we don't miss anyone:
Thank you to all our very generous Corporate Sponsor Absolute Energy of Lyle MN, who helped to make this event possible with their donation.
Thank you to all our our dog handlers who graciously donated their time and dogs to hunt for folks in need of dogs
Thank you to all the PF Mower County Habitat chapter members who worked so hard to put this event on.
Thank you to Ben Jacobsen and his team at Three Arrows Hunting Preserve for having a place to hold this event this and every year we have held it.
Thank you to Paul Kirtz and Diamond Tents and Tables for use of the big tent that helps our event be comfortable for our participants.
But the BIGGEST THANK YOU GOES OUT TO ALL OF OUR HUNTER PARTICIPANTS.
Because of you, we had the most successful Hunt For A Cure to date with 68 hunters helping to raise monies for the Hormel Cancer Research Center of Austin, MN.
If you know any pheasant hunters that may want to participate next year, please pass this information along to them so that they may plan on attending the 2022 event (tentatively scheduled for Saturday October 8, 2022.)
Mark Your Calendars Saturday October 8, 2022 for next year's DAV Pheasant Hunt.
2021 3rd Annual DAV Pheasant Hunt
Our 3rd Annual DAV Pheasant Hunt was held Friday October 1, 2021. This event was open to all Disabled American Veterans in Minnesota and FREE to all participants. This is our way of saying thanks to the men and women who gave so much to ensure the freedoms we enjoy in this country.
We have so many people to thank that we hope we don't miss anyone:
Thank you to all our very generous sponsors who made this event possible with their donations of money, goods and services.
Thank you to all our our dog handlers who graciously donated their time and dogs to hunt for the vets.
Thank you to all the PF Mower County Habitat chapter members who worked so hard to put this event on.
Thank you to Ben Jacobsen and his team at Three Arrows Hunting Preserve for having a place to hold this event this and every year we have held it.
Thank you to Ironwood Springs Christian Camp, Oxbow Park and Chesterwoods Park for letting us use your trac-chairs.
Thank you to all the vets who came out to hunt. The looks on your faces told the story.
2020 - 6th Annual Hunt For A Cure - Check Presentation
Our 6th Annual Hunt For A Cure Fundraising Event for the Hormel Cancer Research Center was held on Saturday October 3rd, 2020. We are hoping to raise several thousand dollars again this year for the Hormel Cancer Research Center and are so proud to work with such a world class organization.
It was a great day for pheasant hunting, cool with just a few sprinkles to wet the dogs noses so they could find those birds that were sitting tight in the grass.
We cannot go any further without thanking our Corporate Sponsor
ABSOLUTE ENERGY of Lyle MN.
Without the their help and the help of all the participants, we just couldn't put on great events like these and raise the much needed funds for cancer research.
Thank you again (as this was our second big event in two days) to all the volunteer dog handler hunter hosts, Ben Jacobson and his team at Three Arrows Hunting Preserve and all the really, really, great volunteers from Chapter #670 Mower County Habitat and Pheasants Forever. You all are the spark that lights the fire for these good works!
Here is a link to the story that KIMT did on our 2020 Hunt For A Cure.
Sixth-Annual-Hunt-for-a-Cure...
Here is a link on our website to where you will find more photos of the great time we had in the pheasant fields of Three Arrows Hunting Preserve.
You can save your own pictures right off of our website.
Just scroll through all the pics and when you find one you like.
LEFT Click the thumbnail to get the pic into a bigger viewer.
RIGHT CLICK the image in the larger view and download and save it to your computer.
Help yourself! The pictures are our way of saying thank you again for helping us in this very worthwhile endeavor.
Stay tuned for our post on the check presentation where we will release the information on just how much we raise for this year's hunt.
Mark your calendars for the first week of October 2021 for the 7th Annual Hunt For A Cure.
2020 2nd Annual DAV Hnt
Our 2nd Annual Event to honor those who served our country and paid the price of Disabled American Veterans was a great time at Three Arrows Hunting Preserve October 2, 2020. The weather was beautiful autumn day with sunny skies and a crisp nip in the air. If you want to see all the fun we had, here is a link to pictures of the event.
2020-2nd-Annual-DAV-Hunt Photos/
We are already making plans to host our 2021 event in hopes to make this day in the pheasant fields a fitting thank you for all our men and women who helped to give us the freedoms we enjoy in our great nation.
2020 10th Annual Youth Hunt
Our 2020 - 10th Annual Youth Hunt was held Saturday October 17th at Three Arrows Game Preserve in LeRoy. The event was attended by over 80 people which included 35 young men and women hunters, family members, who walked with the groups, and several dog handler/hunter hosts as well as the PF staff members that made this event possible.
Many thanks to all the PF volunteers, dog handlers who helped the hunters in and out of the field. Special thanks to Jim Baldus and Jim's Market for providing treats. And, as always, the staff at Three Arrows Hunting Preserve who helped us stage this event. What a great day it turned out to be all who where involved.
Thank you again to all involved in helping us to pass the torch of leaving a legacy of habitat conservation and preservation to our future generation.
2020 - 6th Annual Hunt For A Cure - Check Presentation
On December 22, 2020 we presented a check $4,225 for this year's proceeds from the 6th Annual Hunt For A Cure to the Hormel Cancer Research Center.
Pictured here from left to right:
Gail Dennison and Dr. George Aslanidi - Hormel Cancer Research Center, Rick Schwarck - Absolute Energy Corporate Sponsor, Arlen Schamber, Wendy Rolfson and Davin Alan - Pheasants Forever Chapter #670.
The monies raised from our event go a long way to help pay for the much needed equipment and materials to continue the great work in cancer research that Hormel Cancer Research Center conducts. The tireless efforts of the dedicated staff and administration at the facility give us hope that someday cancer will be eradicated.
The Hunt For A Cure event has raised approximately $25,000 in the last six years. With your help and participation, Mower County Habitat and Pheasants Forever is committed to continue our efforts to fund this world class cancer research center.
Thanks to you, we can continue to do what we do.
2020 Paint The Town Pink Fundraiser
On February 20th 2021, Mower County Habitat and Pheasants Forever Chapter #670 co-sponsored a charity trap shoot/BB gun shooting event with the Cedar Valley Conservation Club to benefit the Hormel Cancer Research Center for the Annual Paint The Town Pink festivities.
Pheasants Forever Chapter #670 provided volunteers as well as the clay targets and shells for all the participants to use during the events. The Paint The Town Pink event was a progressive fundraiser that offered participants the chance to win prizes by filling out a bingo card as they went around Austin and participated in 16 different events ranging from turkey bowling, to trapshooting. The Cedar Valley Conservation Club was the site of trapshooting (hot pink clay targets provided by PF Chapter #670) as well as air soft BB gun shooting for all who wished to participate.
Participation from the Austin community was brisk at this event and the traffic that came to CVCC was pretty constant from 1:00-4:00 pm on Saturday February 20.
We are proud to support the fundraising efforts for this ”world-class" facility. Hats off to you for the work you do Hormel Cancer Research Center.
2021 21st Annual Banquet Mower County Habitat & Pheasants Forever Chapter #5670
Our 21st Annual Banquet of the Mower County Habitat & Pheasants Forever Chapter #670 is now in the history books and what a great time we had. The new venue - The Mower County Fairgrounds Blue Ribbon Building - was a great place to have this summertime pheasant phan picnic party. All who joined us were not disappointed with all the good food, great fun and all our great prizes and auction items. We have so many people to thank from our sponsors, (especially our new sponsors) to the fairgrounds crew, the food servers, all the trap team and 4-H helpers, our great PF volunteers and the banquet committee and of course, you, our loyal supporters.
Thanks again for joining us and helping us continue our legacy of habitat conservation and preservation!
2019 Minnesota Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener
The Ninth Annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Opener, was held October 11-12, 2019. This event was hosted for the first time by Austin, located in the southeastern part of the state.
I thank the people of Austin for graciously offering to host the 2019 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener,” said Gov. Tim Walz. “The Pheasant Opener has become a special Minnesota tradition, made possible by our tremendous host communities. I look forward to another fantastic opener in Austin this year.”
Austin was selected through an application process that considered hunting land in the area, event facilities and community support. With the recent resurgence in the pheasant population in the Austin area, now is the perfect time to showcase this hunting resource. Austin’s outdoors heritage also includes the Cedar River State Water Trail, grasslands, State parks, nearby state recreational trails. Austin has 13 miles of paved bike trails in town and the over 500 acre Jay C. Hormel Nature Center consisting of restored prairie grasslands, woodlands and a new interactive interpretive center.
“We’re very excited to host the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Opener,” said Sandy Forstner, chairman of the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener committee in Austin. “This will be a great way to showcase not only the many hunting opportunities available surrounding Austin, but also the wide range of tourism opportunities in the immediate area.”
In addition to pheasant hunting, the weekend event included a public dedication of Murphy Lake Wildlife Management Area north of Austin, and a Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener Community Banquet.
Initiated by Governor Dayton in 2011, this annual event has become a tradition that highlights the local hunting, recreational, and tourism opportunities host communities have to offer. This is the first Pheasant Hunting Opener for Gov. Walz as Governor, however, he’s attended previous openers as an invited guest.
Explore Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources were assisting local partners in planning the event.
2019 - 5th Annual Hunt For A Cure
The 2019 5th Annual Hunt For A Cure was held Saturday October 19th, at Three Arrows Hunting Preserve in LeRoy. What a great day it ended up being!
We started out with a little rain but, it didn't dampen the spirits of all those who participated and helped us to raise much needed funds to support cancer research in our area. 100% of our proceeds will go directly to the Hormel Cancer Research Center.
We have so many people we want to thank:
First and foremost, Absolute Energy of Lisle MN, our corporate sponsor again for this year's event.
All of our PF Chapter members who worked so hard on this event and the Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener last week. Your dedication and cooperation is truly inspiring.
Ben Jacobson and the staff at Three Arrows Hunting Preserve. Couldn't have done this event without you all.
Paul Kirtz and Diamond Tents and Tables of Adams for the huge tent and tables and chairs the set up for us. Sure helped keep us dry in the morning with the rain.
All the media outlets who helped us promote our event.
The many donors who gave us the best silent auction we have ever had for the Hunt For A Cure.
But especially, we wanted to thank all or our participants who came out to hunt with us and support the cause. With your help we are able to donate to the Hormel Cancer Research Center in their efforts to cure cancer in our lifetime.
A few pictures are include below but if you want to see all the pics, click on this link to our website:
http://www.pfmowercountyhabitat.org/…/1156-2019-5th-annual…/
If you left click on the thumbs, you can view in larger viewer. If you would like to have one of the imaged, "Right Click" and save to your hard drive.
Should you wish to purchase any of the Hunt For A Cure merchandise or anything from the Minnesota Governors Pheasant Hunting Opener, send us a note at our website at this link:
http://www.pfmowercountyhabitat.org/contact/
Thank you again to all who helped make our 2019 5th Annual Hunt For A Cure a great success.
Here is a link to KIMT's coverage of the event: https://www.kimt.com/content/video/563468992.html
Here is a link to KTTC's coverage of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj9glk_ucFw
Mark your calendars for the first week in October 2020 for the 6th Annual Hunt For A Cure. It will be a great tune up for you and your dogs the week before next year's pheasant opener.
2020 Annual Banquet
Our 2020 20th Annual Banquet was held on Saturday February 22, 2020 at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Austin.
Thank you to all our loyal Pheasant Phans & supporters who joined us this and every year for this great time. Thank you also to our loyal and hardworking committee members and the Austin High School Clay Target team who worked so hard to make this year's event a tremendous success.
We recounted many of the events of the past 20 years reflected on what our organization has been doing to "Foster and Maintain a Legacy of Habitat Conservation and Preservation for Future Generations."
We shared some highlights of 2020 and especially enjoyed recapping the 2019 Minnesota Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener. This event shined a bright light on our city, our local PF chapter and helped us all feel so very grateful for great outdoor recreation we all enjoy living in Austin MN.
Thank you once again to all who joined us.
If not for YOU, we could not do the good work we do.
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
2019 - 5th Annual Hunt For A Cure - Check Presentation
On December 19th of 2019 we presented a check for $3,500 to the Hormel Cancer Research Center from the proceeds of our 5th Annual Hunt For A Cure Fundraising Event for the Hormel Cancer Research Center, which was held on Saturday October 19th, 2019.
We truly enjoy being able to support this "World Class" cancer research center and continue the fight to eradicate the scourge of cancer in our lifetime.
Here is a link to this year's event photos: 2019 4th Annual Hunt For a Cure Photos
2021 - 2022 Annual Youth Scholarship
Mower County Habitat & Pheasants Forever #670 would like to congratulate Christian Jacobsen as the recipient of the 2021-2022 $1,000 Annual Scholarship Award.
Christian is the son of Ben and Diane Jacobsen of Three Arrows Game Preserve. We have partnered with Ben and his family at Three Arrows for years to hold our events at their phine pheasant phacility.
Christian is a 2021 graduate of Grand Meadow High School where he, along with being an outstanding student, participated in football and wrestling for the Meadowlarks.
Christian will be attending University of Wisconsin Eau Claire studying – Elementary and Special Education.
He will also be wrestling for the Blugold.
Christian states the he "hopes to use his outdoor experiences to help teach our youth the value of conservation and preservation of our natural resources."
Congratulations again to Christian Jacobsen the 2021-2022 Scholarship Award Winner!
2019 Annual Donations
We are very happy to inform you that the Mower County Habitat & Pheasants Forever Chapter #670 has been able to show our appreciation and financial support to several local area youth organizations. Since March 2019, we have donated $2500 to three local area shooting sports youth organizations.
The Austin High School "Clay Breakers" clay target team, the Southland High School Clay Target Team and the 4-H Shooting Sports Teams have been the beneficiaries of much needed funds our organization was able to provide.
We hope these monies will go a long way in providing the needed equipment and accessories that approximately 150 area youth on these teams need to learn proper safety and shooting skills for our this sport.
We are proud to be associated with upstanding young individuals as we strive to "Promote A Legacy of Habitat Conservation for Future Generations."
2019 Annual Scholarship Award
We would like to extend our CONGRATULATIONS to Kolton Arndorfer, of LeRoy, for being awarded the 2019 Mower County Habitat and Pheasants Forever's Annual Scholarship.
Kolton was picked from several other well deserving candidates in Mower County area this year, based on his involvement in community volunteer programs as well as his school academic, sports and agricultural activities.
Kolton will be attending The University of Wisconsin River-Falls in the fall pursuing an Agricultural degree.
Please join us in wishing Kolton the very best in his endeavors.
(Jamie Surdy - President of Mower County Habitat & Pheasants Forever Chapter #670 presents the 2019 PF Annual Scholarship Award of $1,000 to Kolton Arndorfer of LeRoy.)
2019 Banquet UPDATE
Our 2019 19th Annual Banquet has come once again with nice snow storm. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all our loyal Pheasant Fans & supporters who braved the elements and joined us for this great time.
We want to thank our Sponsors, our faithful members, and all the committee members who worked so hard to put this year's event on.
Special shout out to Landherr Labradors for their generous donation of a beautiful "Snow" Lab (fitting for this year) that put the icing on the cake for our banquet.
2018 Hunt For A Cure
Our 2018 4th Annual Hunt For A Cure Fundraiser for the Hormel Cancer Research Center was a great success this year. We presented a check to the Hormel Cancer Research Center for $6,000 on November 9, 2018. This year's event was attended by over 75 hunters, guests and PF members.
Pictured here from L-R:
David Hagen - Past President Pheasants Forever, Rick Schwarck - CEO Absolute Energy, Dr. Zigang Dong - Exec. Dir. The Hormel Institute, Davin Alan - Marketing Director Pheasants Forever, Dr. Rick Brown - Research Section Leader The Hormel Institute and Jamie Surdy - President Pheasants Forever.
Click this link to read an Austin Daily Herald article: https://www.austindailyherald.com/2018/11/photo-hunt-for-a-cure-gives-to-institute/
Through the help of our corporate sponsor Absolute Energy and your involvement and support we were able to eclipse our last years' donation amount by several thousand dollars.
Please mark your calendars for the 1st Saturday in October 2019 when to help us raise even more money for the Hormel Cancer Research Center in hopes of eradicating cancer in our lifetime.
Help us raise awareness and funds for cancer research right here in our own community!
2021 Annual Youth Scholarship
MOWER COUNTY HABITAT & PHEASANTS FOREVER
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION SHEET
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Students should be graduating seniors in Mower County with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
- Students must be either
- pursuing a career in conservation, natural resources, environmental education, conservation law enforcement, biology, or other related field at an accredited institution of higher education (i.e. Junior College, Community College, Technical College, College or University), or
- pursuing a degree at an accredited institution of higher education AND very active on a personal level in conservation/habitat-related community and/or extra-curricular activities.
- Students must demonstrate leadership skills and the motivation to participate in extra-curricular activities.
- Students must demonstrate a commitment to and passion for conservation and improvement of wildlife habitat.
- Students must submit an autobiography and essay supporting Requirements 2, 3 and 4 above. (See application for details).
- Two letters of recommendation must be attached to the application.
- High schools/students must submit completed applications and attachments to the Mower County chapter post marked or delivered by May 17, 2021 to the name and address listed on the application.
- Employees of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever and their family members are not eligible to apply. (This restriction does not apply to volunteers and family members of volunteers.)
2018 8th Annual Youth Hunt
Our 2018 8th Annual Youth Hunt is in the books. What a great time we had with our area youth in the pheasant fields. The event, held October 20, 2018 this year, had 30 youth hunter participants and a total of 75 total participants with adult guides, dog handlers and PF Staff. Big thanks to all our volunteer dog handlers and the staff at Three Arrows Game Preserve for helping to make our youth event a big success.
Sponsored by mower County HABITAT & Pheasants Forever #670
