LONGSPUR CHRONICLES

VISIT THE FOX RIVER VALLEY CHAPTER WEBSITE: WWW.FOXVALLEYPHEASANTS.COM POWERED BY THUNDERA MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTIONS

Inside this issue:

FRVC CHAPTER 2

PRESIDENT’S PERCEPTIONS 3

2012 YOUTH HUNT 4

2012 PRE-SEASON SOCIAL

6

PF TOP CHARITY RATING 8

FRVC SPONSORS 9

PRESCRIBED BURNS 10

RE-MARK-ABLE DATES 11

WE NEED YOU! 11

“PH”EATURED PHOTO/ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

12

BANQUET REGISTRATION ENCLOSED

Enc

THE LONGSPUR CHRONICLES NEWS & MUSINGS OF THE FOX RIVER VALLEY

President’s Perceptions

Winter Edition, 2013

PHEASANTS FOREVER CHAPTER, #585

On a clear, cold morning a few days after the 2012 Wis-consin gun deer season closed, I was out bird hunting with a group of friends. That’s pretty late in the season but it was only my third time out pheasant hunting for wild birds in 2012. Like most other folks, I find my time seems to evaporate more quickly than it used to and I got to think-ing how I could have let time slip by so. Was I finally los-ing some of my desire for the great outdoors? This day

would serve to re-kindle my outdoor spirit. I’ll need to back up a few months to tell the story.

Spring of 2012 began on a sad note for me as I lost my faithful hunting compan-ion of 14 years, Max. Max, short for Winnebago Maxie was far more than a hunt-ing companion. She was a chocolate Labrador retriever that became a beloved family member as well as a phenomenal hunter.

It was in 1997, a year after the loss of my 17 year old Golden Retriever, Brandy that we were ready for another dog. After researching many kennels, I decided on Mary Howley’s Candlewood Kennel in Madison. Mary’s labs had won five Na-tional Field Trial Champions in a row so I knew she had some great stock. After six or seven months on the waiting list, the day arrived in late May for us to pick out our pup. It would still be several weeks before we take the pup home but at least we could now pick one out. Candlewood pups spend their first seven weeks growing up in homes with families, rather than in a kennel environment, and when we arrived at that location, the pups were brought out into the yard so we could make a good inspection. As we sat in the grass near the pups, one of the pups broke from the pack and immediately jumped into the lap of my four year old son and began licking his face. We knew instantly that that would be our choice. She never did stop the licking.

That turned out to be a great choice as we enjoyed many years of fun and hunt-ing with that dog. In her early years, my friends nick named her Rocket because she was always the first dog to get to the game. After some professional train-ing, Maxie developed into not only an excellent upland bird hunter, but an equally proficient waterfowl dog. Those were good years and hunting with Max peaked my own desires to spend a lot of time hunting.

Continued on page 3...

BANQUET- Attend planning meetings before next year’s banquet and assist with banquet activities. Ryan Seeley (920) 424-9979 or [email protected] Al Heidl (920) 231-0860

CROWING COUNT- Start 45 minutes before sunrise. Drive 10 mile routes, stopping every 0.5 miles to listen and record location of crowing roosters on plat book maps. Finish 1 to 1.5 hours after sunrise. Randy Steeno (920) 725-0961 or [email protected]

HABITAT/PREDATOR- A planning committee to work on improving habitat and controlling predation. Rachel Foster (920) 420-5176 or [email protected]

LAND ACQUISITION- A planning/work committee for our chapter to initiate land acquisition programs. These programs are funded and executed using federal and state grants, Pheasants Forever national and local funds, easements and land trust cooperation. Jack Doemel (920) 379-6843 or [email protected]

NEWSLETTER-

Contribute articles, photos, or ideas to the newsletter. Krissy Seeley (920) 424-9979 or [email protected]

PAGE 2 THE LONGSPUR CHRONICLES PAGE 2

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT LEO KOLASZEWSKI

VICE PRESIDENT MARK LEWIS

SECRETARY RYAN SEELEY

TEASURER JOHN MANION

DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD STEVE HARNITZ

ANDY ALBRECHT JACK DOEMEL

RACHEL FOSTER AL HEIDL

ALEX HOEL TOM MANGIN JIM SEGER

NEWSLETTER

KRISSY SEELEY, EDITOR LEO KOLASZEWSKI, MANAGING EDITOR

LIFE MEMBERS

PAUL FOWLER JERRY MATHUSEK

BILL MILLER TOM PUPETER TOM RUSCH

MIKE SKOGLIND TERRY ZAWACKI

BILL ZIMAR

Pheasants Forever Fox River Valley Chapter

CONTROLLED BURNS- Looking to have a burn done or know someone that needs one done? Contact our Burn Boss to set-up an appointment. Andy Albrecht (360) 471-3141 or [email protected] FUNDRAISING- Assist in raffles, fall social, banquet, and other fundraisers throughout the year. Rachel Foster (920) 420-5176 or [email protected]

HUNTING GROUND CLEAN-UP- Clean up of specific Winnebago County public hunting areas 4-5 times a year. Rachel Foster (920) 420-5176 or [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP- To recruit the avid pheasant hunters who are not members to join and participate. Committee would meet occasionally to discuss and act on ways to increase membership in our chapter. Ryan Seeley (920) 424-9979 or [email protected]

YOUTH HUNT- Members and their dogs pair one-on-one with youth who have passed the gun safety course to have a group field day hunt for youths to experience pheasant hunting. Mark Lewis (920) 379-6526 or [email protected] Al Heidl (920) 231-0860

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN/DIRECTOR: BANQUET RYAN SEELEY/AL HEIDL FINANCE JOHN MANION FUNDRAISING RACHEL FOSTER HABITAT RACHEL FOSTER LAND ACQUISITION JACK DOEMEL MEMBERSHIP RYAN SEELEY NEWSLETTER KRISSY SEELEY

PUBLIC RELATIONS MARK LEWIS SPONSORSHIPS JIM SEGER WEBSITE MARK LEWIS YOUTH PROGRAMS ALEX HOEL CONTROLLED BURNS ANDY ALBRECHT

PAGE 3 NEWS & MUSINGS OF THE FOX R IVER VALLEY

… continued from page 1

This, year having lost Max, I found I did not have that burning desire to get out in the fields to hunt as I had in the past. It just wasn’t the same.

But on this particular morning, this past November, our group had a double mission. Not only were we out to enjoy a day in the field with friends, but we had along with us a writer and photographer from the Pheasants Forever National magazine. They had heard that our chapter was doing some great things locally and came to Wisconsin to write an article about us. We first met the evening prior to the visit over dinner at the Fin ‘n Feather in Winneconne. Then we started out the following day making plans over breakfast at Overdogs Restaurant in Omro. From there it was a very short drive to the chapters first land acquisition on Ginnow Rd. We had restored that parcel and donated it to the people of Wisconsin to be enjoyed forever. As we walked this parcel on this frosty morning, I was reminded why I joined PF in the first place. The land has become an absolute showcase example of Wisconsin native prairie. While the millions of wildflowers were faded now in November, they still provide food and cover for wildlife all year. There are two ponds we added and an arte-sian well that provides water year around and many trees we planted that will eventually be part of an oak savannah in one corner. While we only flushed one rooster here on this morning, it was a memorable morn-ing nonetheless. The guys from PF were asking so many questions about our work and mission, that it forced us to reminisce about the many projects we have undertaken over the years. Along with several land acqui-sitions, we have improved thousands of acres of habitat in the area on both public and private lands. Besides the habitat work, we have introduced hundreds of kids to the pleasures of upland hunting with many projects including 13 annual youth mentor hunts. We also support and partner with other conservation groups when we feel it will maximize the results of our work. We also support youth organizations such as the Oshkosh High School Trap team as a way increase interest in the outdoor sports. We spend time and money promot-ing government land programs that help conservation by reimbursing landowners for keeping some of their lands in a natural state. We even fund a PF regional biologist in our area to assist land owners in making good decisions regarding land management for the benefit of wildlife.

By the end of the day, my mind was much clearer on why we do what we do. While we call ourselves Pheas-ants Forever, our mission is to improve the overall outdoor experience in our area. In Wisconsin, with pheas-ants at least, this will always be an uphill battle but I am convinced we are making a difference in improving the outdoor experiences of area residents. Because there will always be many forces at work that negatively impact the environment, there will always be a need for organizations such as Pheasants Forever to convey a positive impact.

In conclusion, no, I’m not yet ready for another dog, but I am rein-vigorated with the knowledge that our organization is doing some-thing positive for the region. Perhaps the best thing about being in-volved in our group is the opportunity to work with and socialize with our dedicated board of directors and great membership in a common purpose. I want to thank these folks for allowing me to be part of this organization and to thank all of you for your support. I am proud and am confident that we are doing some very good things for our natu-ral environment.

Watch for the article on our chapter in an upcoming issue of the Pheasants Forever national magazine and don’t forget to mark your calendars for our annual Pheasant Fest banquet on March 8. Thank you,

Leo Kolaszewski President

Winnebago Maxie


2012 Youth Hunt

This year’s youth hunt was definitely enjoyed by many with over 60 kids attending. Not only did they enjoy a good day of pheasant hunting and clay shooting, but this year participants could also try out archery shooting put on by Critter’s of Winneconne and build a wood duck house to take home cour-tesy of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. Let’s not forget about Alex teaching the young kids how to clean a bird so when they got home they could make a tasty meal.

We would like to thank all the volunteers that helped with this event; the Youth Hunt Committee, the WI DNR for their presentation, the hunter safety instructors, and last but not least Paul Fowler for letting us use his great facilities. Everyone liked it so much that we will be returning to his place this coming fall. Keep an eye and ear open because this year we will be adding even more stuff for the kids to do.

NEWS & MUSINGS OF THE FOX R IVER VALLEY PAGE 5

PAGE 6 THE LONGSPUR CHRONICLES

Fall 2012 Pre-Season Social

1st – Browning Gold Hunter 12 ga Jaime Peterson, Winneconne

2nd – Tool chest & tools Mike Eierman, Oshkosh

3rd – Door County Getaway Package

Wendy Matulle, Oshkosh (A friend accepted Wen-

dy’s prize.)

4th – Salmon Fishing Charter

Norm Williams, Berlin 5th – Packer tickets & football

Tyler Hoyt, Oshkosh


PAGE 8 THE LONGSPUR CHRONICLES

Charity Navigator Recognizes Pheasants Forever with Top Charity Rating “THE HABITAT ORGANIZATION” OUTPERFORMS MOST OTHER CHARITIES IN AMERICA

December 19, 2012

Pheasants Forever has received a 4-star rating – the highest possible – from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest charity evaluator. The nonprofit wildlife habitat conser-vation organization received the designation based on its sound fiscal management, commitment to accountability, and operational transparency. Based on Charity Naviga-tor’s standards, Pheasants Forever outperforms most other charities in America.

As a premiere charity rating service, Charity Navigator’s goal is to provide donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make. “Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization adheres to good governance and other best practices…and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way,” Ken Berger, President and CEO of Charity Navi-gator said in a statement. Only a quarter of the charities it evaluates receive Charity Navigator’s highest rating.

“Receiving an exceptional designation from Charity Navigator is another factor that sets this organization apart,” said Howard Vincent, President and CEO of Pheasants Forever, Inc., “This rating, Pheasants Forever’s unique local model, a 30-year track record of outstanding habitat accomplishments and our program efficiency of 91.7 all stand out as strong reasons why supporters and donors can trust in Pheasants Forever to turn their charitable dollars into wildlife habitat.”

With more than 135,000 members, making it North America’s largest devotee to upland conservation, Pheasants Forever has completed more than 440,000 wildlife habitat projects which have helped create or restore 8.5 million acres of wildlife habitat in its first three decades. Included among those projects are 1,312 land acquisitions, which have permanently con-served more than 160,000 acres while simultaneously opening those acres to public pheasant hunting and other forms of outdoor recreation. “PF,” as it is known to many, will officially celebrate its 30th anniversary at its upcoming National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic event in February.

Coming off its highest historical mission expenditure (more than $50 million in 2011), Vincent says the challenge is to al-ways do better. “Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever will continue to maintain the highest standard to our volunteers, do-nors and the pheasants, quail and wildlife we work for,” Vincent said, “Thanks to all who support wildlife habitat conserva-tion through Pheasants Forever.”

Pheasants Forever is a 501©(3) charitable organization. Pheasants Forever’s upcoming Annual Report will be published in the Spring 2013 issue of the Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland Conservation.

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization ded-icated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 130,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots struc-ture.

Rehan Nana (651) 209-4973 [email protected]

-Article taken from pheasantsforever.org

Pheasants Forever Program Expense Breakdown

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4319

http://www.pheasantfest.org

http://www.pheasantfest.org

mailto:[email protected]

4imprint—Oshkosh

Acee-Duecee Bar—Oshkosh

American Wholesale Furniture—Fort Atkinson

Arnie Malczewski—Oshkosh

Badger Mill Supply—Larry Schroeder

Beez Electric, Inc

Big Bob

Bob Mackey—Oshkosh

Brian Wilke Construction—Omro

Critters Wolf River Sports

Curtis Law Office

Dennis Ball

Dental Design Studio—Oshkosh

Doemel Landscape Construction, LLC—Oshkosh

Envision Building—Oshkosh

Expert Towing & Transmission

Fin-n-Feather—Winneconne

First National Bank - Fox Valley

Folske Electric / E-Tech

Fox Valley Auto Parts - NAPA

Fox Valley Taxidermy—Berlin

Fox Valley Transmission

Fran & Karen Sedlachek

Frank Winingham Shooting

HM & BB Installations—Oshkosh

Jack Doemel - Realtor—Oshkosh

James Seger

Jasper's Food & Spirits—Pickett

Kelly Green Lawn Care—Oshkosh

Kenneth Walter

Kitz & Pfeil—Oshkosh

Klinger Painting

Kossel's TV & Appliance—Oshkosh

Larry & Libby Senderhof

Trish and Leo Kolaszewski

M.V. Klinger Painting & Decorating Company, Inc.

MAC Air—Greenville

Mid State Amusement—Oshkosh

Nelson Industries

Nelson Sales Corporation—Muskego

Ohio Street Station

Patrick Flanigan's Outdoors, LLC—Oshkosh

Pigs In Heat—Oshkosh

Rare Elegance Limo—Oshkosh

Reds Pizza

Richard Mohr

Rogers Printing Solutions—Winneconne

RW Ranch—Pickett

See Spot Run on 21

Spice Unlimited—Oshkosh

Springbrook Sportsman's Club

Standard Electric

Stille's Rooster Run Lodge

TEL/COM 2-way/Land Mobile Radio

The Auto Authority LLC—Oshkosh

The Boatyard

The Roxy

Thomas Tyers, Wildfowl Carvings—Pickett

Thundera Multimedia—Oshkosh

Tom & Jan Hetzer—Oshkosh

Tom Grey

Valley Auto Body—Oshkosh

Valley Creek Game bird Farm

Van Dyne Sportsman's Club

Van Ert Electric Company

Vitales—Oshkosh

West Side Tire & Auto Center

Our FRVC Sponsors

Thank you for your continued support!



For longer than humans have roamed North America, wild fires have played an essential role for many ecosystems. Until recent development of the landscape and fire suppression, wild fires have been a way of life. Wildfires not only reset the clock on ecological succession, but also restore nutrients to the landscape. With increasing rural development and a lack of understanding, pre-scribed fire has become a topic of debate for many. With valuable education, fire becomes an ex-tremely viable, cost effective, natural tool for land managers.

Prescribed fire is defined as the deliberate setting and careful watching of a fire on a natural landscape for the purpose of fulfilling a management goal(s). Just as a doctor prescribes a specific medication for a condition or ailment, prescribed fire specialists and land managers alike create a prescription to produce desired management effects. These effects can be everything from bulk woody fuel reductions to restoring a delicate prairie landscape. Depending on the conditions, meth-odology, and many other factors, fire can be used to positively manipulate a landscape. Native Americans once used fire to promote growth of edible berries and to renew grazing land. Fox River Valley Pheasants Forever provides a NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) trained prescribed burn crew for landowners of all acreages. We conduct burns in both spring and fall for private landowners and government assisted projects. We price all burns on a competitive, case by case basis. For any question regarding prescribed burning, feel free to contact Andy Al-brecht, the chapters Prescribed Burn Boss. His contact information is 360-471-3141 or [email protected].

Prescribed Burns

Helping Wildlife Management 7 Miles South of Oshkosh

If interested contact Paul at 920-420-9061 or email [email protected] or write to 6170 S. US HWY 45 Oshkosh WI,

54902 or visit our website at http://www.blackwolfwildlife.com/

Walking Trails

Fishing

Club House

Ponds and Waterways

Upland Game Hunting

Deer Hunting

Sporting Clay

Access 365 days a year

Black Wolf Wildlife Association

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.blackwolfwildlife.com/

PAGE 11 NEWS & MUSINGS OF THE FOX R IVER VALLEY

re-MARK-able DATES

2013

March 8 -PheasantFest Banquet at Oshkosh Convention Center April 6-7 -Youth Turkey Hunt 10-16 -Turkey Period A 17-23 -Turkey Period B 22 -Earth Day 24-30 -Turkey Period C 26 -Arbor Day May 1-7 -Turkey Period D 8-14 -Turkey Period E 15-21 -Turkey Period F

*See dnr.wi.gov

for full listings of Wisconsin Season Dates and Application Deadlines

We Need You!

This is your newsletter! You are PF. If it’s important to you, it’s important to us! We want to hear from you!

We would love to have the following:

Your outdoor photos

Your hunting and/or fishing stories

Recipes for wild game

Your feedback and/or ideas for the newsletter

Submit your photos, stories, recipes, ideas, gripes, likes, and/or dislikes about the newsletter to Krissy at [email protected] Any other complaints can go to Leo!

D ID YOU KNOW?

EARTH DAY WAS FIRST

CELEBRATED ON APRIL 22, 1970

AND WAS THE IDEA OF

W ISCONSIN SENATOR

GAYLORD NELSON .

-SOURCE : WWW .NELSONEARTHDAY .NET

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

WINNECONNE, WI

PERMIT NO. 11

823 Eastman St.

Oshkosh, WI 54901

Pheasants Forever—Fox River Valley Chapter

TAKING HOME A PHEASANT AND GREAT MEMORIES

FROM THE 2012 FRVC PF YOUTH HUNT.

Documents

LONGSPUR CHRONICLES