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We are starting a new program this year in earnest that we experimented with last year. We will continue to work with landowners would like to do larger plots of native grasses, food plots, habitat and mid management of conservation reserve program acres. Our new activity will look at small plot land that landowners would like to commit to wildlife. This would be one of five acre plots that you may be mowing, corners of a crop field that are hard to reach, or marginal wetlands that are not profitable to farm. If you thought about converting this to wildlife habitat or food plots please contact us so that we can work with you to get the seed and have it available at seed day in April. We also want to put together a schedule so that we can allocate equipment and personnel to make this program worked effectively. There is no commitment to talk to us about making the portion of your property available to wildlife. This will help to conserve precious fuel by planting native prairie grasses as opposed to expensive and conservation unfriendly mowing.
Thank You PF
It was his 1st time out
1st bird went up and he couldnt get the safety off the bird just flew away (majestically!)
He learned his lesson
2nd bird went up & he winged it, it fell to the ground and ran.
CJ found it and nabbed it
When we cleaned the bird later we found that he hit it with 3-pellets!
It was a blast!
You guys do a great job and help create confidence in a 1st time hunter!
He is hooked now!
This is what it is all about. This is why we have a youth program and how money spent at the banquet stays here to create this type of opportunities for young people.
Winnebago County PF is proud to offer the following to the community : Support for program at Severson dells, scholarships for teachers to attend the Leopold Conference's, support for this year's Conservation Camp we will be holding with our partner the Natural Land Institute and on-going cost sharing with local farmers and conservation groups for seed and equipment. We are also pleased to be working with the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) who has accepted a donation of 750 acres of exceptional wildlife habitat near Pecatonica in Winnebago Co. to serve as the home of the Torstenson Family Youth Conservation Education Center. Area Youth will be able to learn outdoor skills and activities such as hunting, archery, shooting and fishing will be intermingled with classroom instruction. This is a unique opportunity for youth in our area and we will be helping providing and financial support for this to become a world class center for local youth.
My wife and I are not just the new owners of Black Bear Lodge, we are also long time guests as well. For the past 27 summers, Jillian and I have made more than 36 seperate trips up to Black Bear Lodge, including our honeymoon in 2004. We took over the camp in the summer of 2006 and have now made Red Lake, Ontario our summer home.
Jillian and I were born and raised in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago but have since moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where we spent the winters fulfilling our other passion, working with children. Jillian coaches gymnastics part time while I am a full time gymnastics coach. In April of 2009 we gave birth to our daughter, Josie. Josie is no stranger to Black Bear Lodge as she was only 10 days old when she made her first trip to camp. We are definitely living our dream(s) and we feel truly blessed.
As the owners of Black Bear Lodge, our aim is to preserve the history and traditions of the camp just as they have been for over 60 years. With its breath taking scenery, abundant wildlife, and exceptional fishing and hunting, Black Bear Lodge has become a special place for many people from across the Nation. It is our commitment to continue to offer a true wilderness experience for all of our guests.
Recent Press Releases
April 13, 2012: Wyoming Upland Enthusiasts Form Two Pheasants Forever ChaptersApril 04, 2012: Calling All Bird Dogs for Iowa Pheasants Forever’s 2nd Annual Spring Fun Trial
April 04, 2012: Third Annual Colorado Pheasants Forever State Habitat Meeting Rescheduled in Holyoke
April 03, 2012: Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist in New Mexico Starts during CRP Sign-up
April 02, 2012: California DFG Veteran Volunteers Expertise for California’s Pheasants and Quail