About Pheasants Forever McLeod County - 7

Local - Our Chapter History

In 1984 in conjunction with Meeker County, the McLeod County Chapter was formed. In 1985 McLeod County separated from the Meeker County chapter. The McLeod County has become a national success story and the model for other chapters to copy. (There are currently over 650 chapters and over 115,000 members of Pheasants Forever across the United States and Canada.)

1988--#1 Nationally in habitat expenditures

1989--#2 Nationally in habitat expenditures

1990--#1 Nationally in habitat expenditures

1991--#1 In state habitat expenditures

1992--#1 In state and #2 in habitat expenditures

1993--Purchased 221 acres bringing our total to over 700 acres of land for wildlife habitat (accessible to the public)

1994--Sponsored a Habitat Intern for the summer, contributed over $3,000 for cost shared planting

1995--Contributed over $3000 towards saving the CRP Program sponsored a Habitat Intern for the summer

1996--Purchased 167 acres of land adjacent to Bakers Lake near Brownton, Planted 6,000 trees and seeded the native grasses.

1997--#4 Nationally in habitat expenditures purchased and additional 80 acres near Silver Lake and made available 1400 bushels of corn for winter feeding program.

1998--#1 Nationally in habitat expenditures with total dollar spent of $247,085.00. 1st Chapter nationally to reach $1,000,000.00 in habitat work and acquired 80 acres in Sumter Township.

1999--#4 Nationally in habitat expenditures with total dollars spent of $115,044.00. Purchased 75 acres in section 32 and 85 acres in Section 36 of Hassan Valley Township. In the summer of 1998 spent $40,000.00 on habitat improvement on 3 sites purchased in past years. (Clauster Lake, Deutsch, Pebbles. Planted Trees, native grasses, wild flowers and constructed parking lots and erected signs. We have cost shared the reclamation of over 6,100 acres of private land to woody cover and grasses. We continue to promote habitat awareness through political and educational efforts

2000--#1 Nationally in habitat expenditures with total dollar spent of $199,377.00. Planted trees, native grasses and wildflowers on sites purchased in 1999. We have cost shared the reclamation of over 6,100 acres of private land to woody cover and grasses. We continue to promote habitat awareness through political and educational efforts.

2001--Purchased 195 acres on three sites- 40 acres along the Crow River in Bergen Township, 75 acres addition to Phasianus W.M.A., and 80 acres in Hassan Valley Township, planted 75 acres to Native Prairie on Prairie Heritage W.M.A.

2002--#3 Nationally in habitat expenditures, spent $330,056.00 on habitat projects. Developed 250 acres on nesting cover, 9.5 acres wetland restoration, planted 4,600 trees and installed 29 acres of food plot on 31 different sites. We are currently working on a purchase of 120 acres of permanent wildlife habitat. A 40 acre land acquisition near Lester Prairie was developed with cooperation from Lester Prairie Sportsmen Club, Crow River Cutters, Deer Hunters Association and McLeod Wildlife and Fish Alliance.

2003--#2 Nationally in habitat expenditures, spent $316,761.00 on various habitat projects. Purchased 200 acres in one parcel with approximately 70 acres of existing wetland. Planted 60 acres native prairie, restored a 40 acres of wetland and began restoration efforts on a 30 acre wetland. Installed 30 acres of food plots on 20 different sites. Continued maintenance on past land acquisition sites.

2004--Fox Hill project Hassen Valley Township – Planted 3.1 acres of woody cover and installed weed control fabric. Restored 30 acres of wetland. Conservation Partners of America – McLeod County Chapter provided finances for the wetland restoration and Crow River Cutters assisted with the woody cover planting. Penn Township Section 26-27 project – Planted 95 acres of diverse prairie habitat, 20 acres clover/grass nesting cover and restored 35 acre wetland. Maintenance on many past land acquisition sites which are now open to public enjoyment. The Lester Prairie Sportsmen club continues to care for “The Forty” project in Bergen Township.

2005--Purchased 308 acres in Hassan Valley and Sumter Townships. Minnesota Chapter of the Year - First chapter to spend $3 Million for habitat. Number 2 in Minnesota for new memberships.

2004--Prairie burns and maintenance on 120 acre, 15 acre wetland seeding and restoration. Youth programs - participated at Gopher Campfire’s Youth Conservation Day, held a Youth Hunt at Spruce Ridge Landfill.

2006--In cooperation with Conservation Partners of America, NRCS, USFWS and M.W.A., planted 300 acres of nesting cover, restored 90 acres of wetland on newest acquisition near Biscay. Maintenance and prairie burns 300 acres. Held a youth mentor hunt at Spruce Ridge, participated in Youth Conservation Day at Gopher Campfire. #1 Nationally in habitat expenditures. Purchased 180 acres. Youth programs - participated at Gopher Campfire’s Youth Conservation Day

2007--First $4 Million Chapter - Nationally. Development of the 200 acre tract purchased in 2006. Assisted USFWS with site preperation, planting and maintaining Native grass plantings. Seven wetland basins were also restored on the site. Youth events: Participated in Youth Conservation Day at Gopher Campfire. Conservation through Cooperation Recognition from the USFWS.

2008--Conducted maintenance on lands which were transferred to USFWS and are now open for public enjoyment. Developed food plots on public lands and provided seed for private food plots. Participated in two youth events.

2009--In cooperation with the Wildlife Habitat Conservation Society of McLeod County two parcels of land totaling 168 acres were purchased. Our local PF club received grants through Pheasants Forever adn the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (Conservation Amendment Funding) to assist with acquisitin and restoration of these lands. Both parcels will become WMA's and be open for public hunting. Developed food plots on public lands and provided seed for private food plots. Participated in two youth events.

Who is Pheasants Forever?

A national organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of habitat for upland game and wildlife throughout the nation.

• Over 145,000 grassroots members and volunteers who have developed more than 10 million acres of pheasant and other wildlife habitat since inception.
• 600 chapters completing over 35,000 projects annually.