2024 was a nonstop highlight reel
By Ryan Sparks
As the curtains closed on the final day of the 2024 Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, echoes of camaraderie and conservation reverberated throughout the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Early numbers from the event are trending towards making this year’s Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic another record setting year in terms of attendance, membership, and funds raised for upland habitat conservation. 35,415 upland enthusiasts walked through the doors to explore the show floor over the weekend – an all-time high for the event!
“The energy of the Sioux Falls community has been incredible,” said Bob St. Pierre, PF & QF’s Chief Marketing Officer. “They legitimately rolled out the orange carpet for the event. The enthusiasm for Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic here is unmatched anywhere else in the county.”
One early highlight of the final day was Family Day, presented by First PREMIER Bank. All kids 16 and under received free admission and could explore the youth village and talk with a host of upland exhibitors. Additionally, the first 500 families received a free Fly & Fetch plush rooster. Family day encourages the next generation of upland enthusiasts to take up the torch of upland habitat and upland birds.
The day also kicked off with a series of engaging seminars and presentations, covering a diverse range of topics for quail and pheasant hunters. From habitat management techniques to bird dog training tips, experts shared their knowledge and insights, empowering attendees to be more successful in the field and to become better stewards of the land.
Throughout the day, exhibitors continued to showcase the latest outdoor gear, hunting equipment, and conservation implements. From fast-pointing shotguns to cutting edge habitat restoration tools, attendees had the opportunity to explore a wide array of offerings from leading brands and organizations dedicated to upland conservation.
National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic also supplied on-the-ground wildlife habitat benefits for pheasants, quail, and a diverse array of other wildlife. The Habitat Help Desk assisted over 100 landowners in conservation guidance on thousands of acres across over a dozen states.
Additionally, the show garnered 8,591 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Associate/Affiliate memberships and 156 Elite memberships to the nation’s leading upland habitat conservation group.
Reflecting on the 2024 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic as a whole, the entire weekend was a nonstop highlight reel.
One major milestone was the first ever Concert for Conservation, which raised over $100,000 for upland habitat conservation. Everyone in attendance raved about the sense of community and the tremendous energy Trampled by Turtles brought to the event.
“Our organization can’t thank Trampled by Turtles enough for helping us create our first ever Concert for Conservation,” Bob St. Pierre said. “The show set the tone for what will be remembered as one of the all-time greatest events in our organization’s history.”
Another major highlight was the highly anticipated announcement from USDA Under Secretary Robert Bonnie regarding the Working Lands for Wildlife Bobwhite framework. Quail enthusiasts gathered to hear about this groundbreaking initiative, which is set to be the greatest bobwhite conservation effort in history.
Under Secretary Bonnie’s announcement sparked enthusiasm and optimism among conservationists, landowners, and quail hunters, as they envisioned the positive impact this will have on bobwhite populations and habitat.
Heartfelt conversations and shared memories underscored the sense of community and shared purpose that defines the Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic. As the event came to an end, attendees departed with a renewed sense of passion and purpose, ready to continue their efforts to conserve and protect the cherished traditions of upland hunting for generations to come.
Next year, National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic travels to Kansas City, Missouri, where chapters, members, exhibitors, speakers, and attendees will celebrate the accomplishments and mission of The Habitat Organization on March 7-9, 2025, at the Kansas City Convention Center.