Last year we had a warming spell that gave us open ground on this same date. By the end of this week it appears we will be headed up into the 40's for highs so the ground will once again be peeking out. Going to be a strange phenomena since we've had snow on the ground since December 9th.
This weekend in Des Moines,IA the National Pheasant Fest is returning for another great time for the upland bird game hunter.
I haven't personally attended one of the gatherings,but from what I have heard they have a lot of things scheduled .
Weekend Agenda
Friday, February 26, 2010
12:45pm
Bird Dog Parade (immediately preceding Ribbon Cutting)
HyVee Hall Entrance
1:00pm
Ribbon Cutting - Show Opens
HyVee Hall Entrance
2:00pm
Seminars and Sessions Begin
HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
6:00pm
Friday Night Sportsman's Banquet - Boasting & Toasting
Polk County Convention Center
7:30pm
Friday Night Sportsman's Banquet - Dinner Served
Polk County Convention Center
8:00pm
Seminars and Sessions End
HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
9:00pm
Show Closes
HyVee Hall
Saturday, February 27, 2010
9:00am
Show Opens
HyVee Hall
10:00am
Seminars and Sessions Begin
HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
12:00pm
Conservation Lunch
Polk County Convention Center
5:00pm
Seminars and Sessions End
HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
6:00pm
Show Closes
HyVee Hall
6:00pm
Saturday Night Banquet - Boasting & Toasting
Polk County Convention Center
7:30pm
Saturday Night Banquet - Dinner Served
Polk County Convention Center
Sunday, February 28, 2010
8:00am
Church Service
10:00am
Show Opens
HyVee Hall
11:00am
Seminars and Sessions Begin
HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
4:00pm
Seminars and Sessions End
HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
5:00pm
Show Ends - Thank you for a great Pheasant Fest!
HyVee Hall
(weekend agenda subject to change)
In taking a look at pictures,number #20 to be exact, from the last event held in Des Moines at the Iowa Events Center back in 2007, I saw a Springer Spaniel from the back that reminded me of my dog Sadie.
It is my understanding that Federal Premium Ammunition will be introducing a new pheasant shot called "Prairie Storm" at the Fest. Click here to see a review by Anthony Hauck, outdoor writer for the Star Tribune from Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN.
I have been checking out the website and ran across some of the forage mixtures that Pheasants Forever have developed to supply the upland game birds and whitetail deer winter food sources. Dual purposes that could fit many situations.
It has been my personal observation that the pheasant population has had a huge decline in our local area and it wasn't by human hunting pressures.Sure would like to see the birds back to the same level of three to four years ago. ;)
The National convention is only a few days away and would make a great break in the monotonous winter weather that has been keeping us all with an eye to the sky. The forecast for the weekend in central Iowa is sun and temps in the 30's. ;)
National Pheasant Fest Mark your calendars:
Des Moines, IA
Friday, February 26th 1pm-9pm
Saturday, February 27th 9am-6pm
Sunday, February 28th 10am-5pm
