/default.aspx

Building upon a track record of public lands support for upland birds and backing of local chapters throughout the nation, Quail Forever is pleased to announce SCHEELS as the organization’s newest national sponsor and merchandise fulfillment partner. The North Dakota-based company will help market new and existing merchandise lines for Quail Forever starting on July 1, 2021, ultimately supporting the passion of wingshooters with an investment in the nation’s foremost upland habitat conservation group.
 
“We are particularly proud to partner with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as the heart of upland country is where our company is based and as we continue to grow, our footprint continues to overlap more and more,” stated Steve M. Scheel, CEO of SCHEELS. “Our partnership with ‘The Habitat Organization’ is a genuine fit as we work to protect the natural resources which are vital to North American upland populations. SCHEELS has been a supporter of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever for many years, and now as a national merchandise partner, SCHEELS is excited to bring that support to another level while continuing to assist local banquets in communities where we have stores.”
 
SCHEELS is an employee-owned and operated sporting goods company with 28 locations across thirteen states - Colorado, North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Nevada, Illinois, Utah, Kansas, and Texas - who has offered incredible support over the last decade to local chapters of Quail Forever. Of particular note is their donor support for the organization’s signature Build a Wildlife Area program that has permanently protected more than 13,000 acres of public lands in 10 states through a unique, partner-driven matching gift program.  Additionally, SCHEELS was a major supporter of Pheasants Forever’s Learn-to-Hunt initiative during its early stages of development in North Dakota, which is now a nationwide program.
 
“SCHEELS’ commitment to the nation’s upland hunting culture and our habitat mission is what prompted partnership discussions from the very beginning,” said Chris Kalis, director of corporate partnerships for Quail Forever. “We’re elated to bring our chapter volunteers and the general public an exceptional merchandise program moving forward that will not only help brand Quail Forever in a new light, but also give back to the wildlife and public lands we cherish most. For that, we can’t thank SCHEELS enough for their steadfast support.”
 
Look for new and existing Quail Forever upland/lifestyle clothing lines in SCHEELS stores after July 1, 2021. Additionally, watch for SCHEELS merchandise at Quail Forever banquets nationwide starting next year.
 
About SCHEELS
Three acres of potatoes were the seed for the first SCHEELS store in 1902. Frederick A.
Scheel, a German immigrant, used the $300 he earned from that first harvest as the down
payment on the first SCHEELS, a small hardware and general merchandise store in Sabin,
Minn.
 
Over the years, SCHEELS opened in surrounding communities including Fargo, N.D. in 1930
and as growth continued, Fargo became the corporate office for the company. From the
beginning, SCHEELS focus was the hardware business along with a small inventory of sporting
goods. Customer interest grew for sporting goods and more sports lines were added over the
years including athletic shoes and clothing in 1972.

Today, SCHEELS is a 28-store operation across 13 states including Colorado, North Dakota,
Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Nevada, Illinois, Utah, Kansas,
and Texas. Two additional stores are scheduled to open in 2021, one in Colorado Springs,
Colo. and another in Missoula, Mont. Currently, Steve D. Scheel, the great-grandson of
SCHEELS founder, is the company's Chairman of the Board, and great-great-grandson Steve
M. Scheel is the CEO. Bill Nelson serves as President and oversees SCHEELS daily operations
of nearly 8,000 associates.

About Quail Forever

Quail Forever is a leading organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation efforts for the United States’ native quail species. Since its creation in 2005, Quail Forever has conducted more than 15,000 habitat projects across the nation benefitting quail and other wildlife. Along with its affiliate organization Pheasants Forever, it has committed more than $900 million to improve more than 19 million acres of wildlife habitat. Quail Forever has more than 17,000 members and 180 local chapters across the country. Both Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever are part of Pheasants Forever, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit.  

Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
​​​​​​​jwiklund@quailforever.org