Prepping for Next Season-

Season is over and preparation for next season started today! I would really like to hear from any of you if you have suggestions for us to make our services and products better. This morning one of my “appreciations” was honest and loyal customers. If you have input, I want to hear it so we can better Pheasant Bonanza.

I should be in the skid loader as I’m typing this and in the past I would have skipped this and been going sun up to sun down (or later) working. Instead I have Jager (my oldest son) in the skid loader and I am able to do more. I used to be worried about what everyone thought about me allowing my kids to operate machinery at such a young age but I don’t anymore. I was brought up operating at a very young age and I am teaching my children to do the same. I am so fortunate to be able to have my kids come to work with me and learn the trades at such a young age. I’m so blessed to be in the situation I am in and doing what I love. I challenge each and every one of you to think about the positives that come with your job. If you can’t think of anything, remember you aren’t stuck! You may feel stuck but that is your mind winning over, you can change your story and sometimes it feels like you’re jumping off of a cliff. If you “just do it” you won’t have to wonder “what if”, “I should have”, or “I would have”. Blah, Blah, Blah! If you want change, CHANGE! It really is that simple, you are the author of your story.

At Pheasant Bonanza we have been working on burns, tree/shrub management, and we have started preparing food plots. We are very excited to make our grounds better for next fall. Don’t forget we will keep some grounds set aside for dog training. You can train with chukar, pigeons, quail, or hens. (See below for NE regulations). The best thing you can do in off season is keep your bird dog crisp and putting birds under them a few times in the off season is VERY beneficial. If you have questions or need help, let us know. We are willing to help!

Dog Training Regulations:

Please be aware of the following regulations when training your dog:

• For each dog involved in a session, no more than two hen pheasants and five quail may be harvested. (Chukar and pigeons have no limitations)
• It is permitted on private land, provided landowner permission is obtained and dog training rules are followed.
• It is unlawful for anyone to exercise, run, train, or hunt with dogs on state wildlife management areas during the period from May 1 through July 31 of each year, except on areas designated and specifically posted with “Authorized Dog Training Area” signs.
• Training or exercising dogs on areas designated and posted as a “Dog Trial Area” is prohibited; such areas are restricted for field trial use only.
• All game birds released for training purposes must be obtained from a captive wildlife permit holder or licensed nonresident breeder, and must be banded by the trainer or seller with official bands authorized by Game and Parks. Any person who purchases game birds from a captive wildlife permit holder or licensed nonresident breeder shall have in his or her possession a sales tag/receipt from the permit holder listing the date, species and number of birds purchased.
• Game birds obtained for dog training may be kept in captivity without a captive wildlife permit for a period not to exceed 14 days following date of purchase or receipt.