Hendee: Outdoor sports' version of ‘car shows' offer variety of exhibits

Nebraskans and Iowans have two high-flying, smooth-sailing options for winter getaways just up the street or down the road this week.

One choice is docking in Omaha for the annual Omaha Boat, Sports and Travel Show at the Qwest Center. The other is roosting in Des Moines' Iowa Events Center at the annual National Pheasant Fest.

Tens of thousands of people will flock to both events. Some will undoubtedly attend both. Omaha and Des Moines are only a two-hour drive apart.

Many outdoor enthusiasts are familiar with the long-running Omaha show, now in its 63rd year. It showcases speakers on waterfowl hunting, ice fishing, catfish and walleye fishing, spring turkey hunting and more. Vacation destinations, a lumberjack competition, a bear show and an outdoor chef are special features.

Pheasants Forever's Pheasant Fest is a relatively new bird in the flock of winter hunting, fishing and outdoor shows. But since 2003, it has grown to be the country's largest event for upland hunters, sport dog owners and wildlife habitat conservationists. It combines a national outdoor tradeshow, wildlife habitat seminars and family events with puppies, tractors, shotguns and art.

“Even if you're not in the market for a new hunting dog, shotgun or seed drill, Pheasant Fest is like a car show — you get to see all the new and different models,'' said Anthony Hauck, a Pheasants Forever spokesman.

Pheasant Fest prominently flashes its habitat conservation mission for pheasants and other wildlife, but the event is designed for families and fun.

“Rudy's Youth Village” offers mix of activities, including wolf and coyote pups, fox kits, mock pheasant hunts, archery and air rifle ranges, fly-tying seminars, a casting booth and nature crafts. Rudy is Pheasants Forever's youth mascot.

Pheasants Forever is making it easy for members of youth organizations to see the show. Scouts, 4-H and FFA members all receive free admission Feb. 28 by wearing their uniform or providing proof of membership.

For adults, 52 new firearms valued at $78,000 will be raffled. All proceeds will go toward purchasing new public hunting and recreation areas in Iowa.

Iowa's 102 Pheasants Forever chapters, two Quail Forever chapters and 19,000 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members completed more than 6,900 wildlife habitat projects last year.

The projects benefitted nearly 142,000 acres for upland birds and other wildlife, including nearly 5,000 acres of land acquired and then opened to public hunting and recreation.

Pheasant Fest returned to Iowa to highlight habitat conservation that's been accomplished over the years and to prevent it from eroding.

“We need to turn around Iowa's plummeting pheasant decline immediately,'' said Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever president.

In the last three years, Iowa has lost 389,426 acres of grassland voluntarily set aside by landowners in exchange for federal payments. More than 117,000 more acres will expire this year, plus another 491,000 acres between 2011 and 2013.

The conversion of these acres to cropland coupled with a series of record wet, cold springs and harsh winters have led to tough times for Iowa's wildlife. As a result, Iowa's pheasant harvest hit an all-time low in 2008 with 383,000 roosters bagged.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, will give the keynote address Saturday. He is expected to bring good news about the future of the federal Conservation Reserve Program and its role in providing vital wildlife habitat.

Pheasant Fest returns to Omaha next year. More than 24,000 people and 325 exhibitor booths filled the Qwest Center for Pheasant Fest 2005.

Contact the writer:

444-1127, david.hendee@owh.com

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