Minneapolis hosted the 2020 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic. The record breaking weekend had 32,467 attendees and more than 1,400 members. For the 13th year in a row, the event began with 100 different dogs representing 37 upland hunting breeds in the bird dog parade.
Sponsored by the NSSF and Project ChildSafe
This year I attended the Women, Wine & Wild Game event. About 160 women – along with Aurelia Skipwith (director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Sarah Strommen (commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) and Shannon Lotthammer (assistant commissioner of the Minnesota DNR) gathered to learn more about the Women on the Wing Initiative and network with other like-minded sportswomen.
The popular Youth Village, which is staffed by the National Youth Leadership Council, also plays a big part in this family-friendly gathering. This year’s event featured coloring and craft stations, an inflatable archery and indoor rifle range, decoy carving and painting, pollinator activities and more. All these activities are provided to engage and educate youth and their families about outdoor traditions.
Some of the vendors also appealed to youth by offering products and activities for them to enjoy.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources brought a display of skulls and antlers, as well as posters and coloring pages.
I really wanted to adopt one of the cute stuffed dogs from American Brittany Rescue, Inc. (ABR). This great group of volunteers works hard to find forever homes for stray, abandoned, surrendered and/or impounded purebred Brittanys.
Smile Outside’s conservation board book series would make a great gift idea for expectant or new parents and toddlers. Plus, 50 cents from each book goes to conservation organizations to create, protect and manage healthy lands, waters and wildlife.
We look to the next generation to continue our hunting traditions. Along with teaching them about hunting, we also must remember to stress safety with firearms. Project ChildSafe encourages Americans to handle firearms responsibly through its “Hunt S.A.F.E” program.
Secure your firearms when not in use
Always practice firearms safety
Focus on your responsibilities as a firearms owner
Education is key to preventing accidents
Remember – a hunt is not over until you are home S.A.F.E. and your firearms are securely stored. You can find a Hunt S.A.F.E. checklist for families here.
Next year’s National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic will be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Hope to see you there.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and GTM Original. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
