Hunting & Heritage  |  03/10/2022

Quail Classic for the Quail Hunter


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It may start with the word "pheasant" but the 2022 Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic March 11-13 at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha has plenty to appeal to die-hard quail hunters. That “Quail Classic" in the title is definitely not just for show. In fact, there’s a ton of quail-related, quail-centric, and quail-exclusive things to do, see, and watch at this year’s event. So if you’re more interested in staunch pointers and covey rises than labs and cackling roosters, here are just a few of the many quail-specific events, exhibitors, and activities. 
 


BIRD DOG STAGE

Ronnie and Rick Smith are synonymous with pointing dogs, and their seminars will offer a wealth of valuable information for making you and your dog a better team. In addition, Josh Miller will cover the basics of training your retriever, and veterinarian Seth Bynum will discuss nutrition and the issue of spay/neuter. These seminars will be like getting a one-on-one session with some of the best bird-dog trainers in the business.

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WILD GAME STAGE 

If there’s one thing quail hunters love to do as much or more than hunting quail, it’s eating them. And there’s no lack of delicious upland cookery planned for the show floor. Hank Shaw will discuss getting more out of your upland gamebirds, plus chefs Rachel Hogan, Jack Hennessy, Bri Van Scotter, Wade Truong and Jonathon Tremblay from Waltons, Inc. will be demonstrating other upland bird-themed recipes that can easily be used with quail.
 
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HABITAT HELP DESK AND STAGE

Quail Forever is “The Habitat Organization” and true to that mission statement, helping landowners meet their habitat goals will take a big role in the weekend’s events. Attendees can receive a personalized quail conservation plan by bringing their property’s legal description to the Habitat Help Desk. You can sit down with a wildlife biologist and learn all about which programs are available and come away with a free conservation plan for your property. In addition, there are numerous habitat speaker topics that apply to quail, including talks on precision ag, Working Lands for Wildlife, soil health, prescribed fire, pollinator, and the latest quail research.
And don’t miss the North American Grasslands Conservation Act panel at 11 a.m. on Saturday! Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever President and CEO Howard Vincent will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss the importance of this critically needed legislation and how it will benefit all grassland birds, including quail.

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POLLINATOR PLAZA   

You can’t have quail without pollinators, and the Quail Classic’s Pollinator Plaza is the place to be to learn all about the many critical links between pollinator habitat and healthy quail numbers. The Pollinator Plaza will provide information on popular pollinator species, habitat programs being implemented to provide quality habitat for a host of grassland and wildflower-dependent species and pollinators that are important to quail, as well as lots of hands-on learning activities.

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PUBLIC LANDS PAVILION

Making its second appearance at Quail Classic is the Public Lands Pavilion, our stage and exhibitor area celebrating the country’s 800 million acres of prairies, forests, mountains, and public lands open to all Americans for hunting, hiking, and exploring. Some of the quail-related content includes Nebraska’s Open Fields and Waters for the public land hunter, public land quail coast-to-coast, and the changing face of the public land hunter. In addition, the public lands state of the union panel discussion at 4 p.m. on Saturday will touch on many aspects of quail management and conservation.

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EXHIBITORS

The Quail Classic isn’t just about bird dogs, quail habitat, quail cooking, and quail conservation. It’s also all about the bird-hunting stuff we love to browse, and this year there is much indeed to look over. From guns to gear to destinations and every conceivable thing in between; if it relates to quail hunting or quail culture, you can find it here. Here is a by-no-means-complete list - just a taste, really – of what you can find at this year’s show.

Looking for a new quail gun? Peruse the offerings from Benelli, Beretta, Browning, Savage, Weatherby, and CZ-USA. If you’re looking for a new vest, check out the options from ALPS OutdoorZ, Hunt Redi, or Orvis.

Quail-hunting destinations more your game? There are a number of lodges and outfitters offering quail hunts attending the show, including Spoke Hollow Outfitters, who also donated a fantastic west Texas quail hunt for the shows, silent and live auction.

Bird dogs are always a big part of the show, and if you’re interested in a new pup, started dog, or a completely new breed, there are breed clubs, breeders, and hunt test organizations ready to answer your questions, including the National Shoot-to-Retrieve Field Trial Association and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association  In addition, there are dog boxes and kennel manufacturers like Ruff Land, dog food companies such as Purina Pro Plan, and a plethora of other dog-training products.

In fact, with hundreds of exhibitors packed into this year’s show, there’s literally something quail-y for everyone. The only real question with so much to choose from, is where to start?   
 

The 2022 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic will take place at CHI Health Center in Omaha on March 11-13. Tickets and more information can be found at: PheasantFest.org.