January 31st Annual Chapter Banquet A Great Success!

The 2009 Annual Fundraising Banquet of the Prairie Rockets Chapter was held on Saturday, January 31st. This fun-filled event was again held at the Hill Prairie Winery in Oakford, IL. The new January 31st date was chosen to allow members who are landowners and/or farmers a chance to attend the banquet without conflicting with the busy agricultural season in the Spring. Learn More About This Event

Chapter meeting are typically held at 7 pm at the J&B Sports Bar in Petersburg, and are scheduled as needed. All chapter members and prospective members are always invited to attend any chapter meetings. We will now be organizing our chapter projects concerned with wildlife habitat enhancement and youth hunter support. You don't have to attend all of the meetings - any level of participation is appreciated, so don't be shy! For more information, call Aaron Kuehl at 217-635-5207. (Or email akuehl@pheasantsforever.org )

Landowners Paid to Establish Nesting Cover

The new Grassland Enhancement and Restoration Initiative (GERI) provides assistance to landowners in Menard County interested in establishing upland nesting cover. Quality grassland habitat is the most limiting factor affecting quail populations in Illinois and across their range. Sliding commodity prices, increased input costs and lower productivity along field edges make the USDA CP33 field borders practice attractive to many landowners, especially those who are also interested in conservation.

CP33 provides a $100/acre sign up incentive payment, 50% cost share and a 40% practice incentive payment. GERI can pick up the landowners remaining 10% of out-of-pocket costs for establishment. GERI can also provide 100% cost share on establishment of warm season grassland on acres that do not qualify for existing farm programs. Landowners can use it for round outs on other CRP practices, pivot corners and small, odd-shaped fields. Funding will be distributed to Menard County landowners on a first come, first serve basis. An application and brochure detailing the GERI is available at the Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District, or download a copy by clicking here.

Prairie Rockets Support Youth/Ladies Shooting Clinic

The Prairie Rockets Chapter of Quail Forever supported the June 13th, 2009 Youth/Ladies Wingshooting Clinic held by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at nearby JEPC (Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area.)

36 participants of various skill levels teamed up with 10 instructors for the day-long clinic, which consisted of classroom instruction in the morning and practical wingshooting experience in the afternoon. Volunteer instructors for this program have been certified through the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF.) The chapter provided financial support for the clinics, which are offered free of charge to the participating students. Support for this project was made possible by chapter donations from three local banks: The Petersburg branch of Petefish, Skiles & Company, the National Bank of Petersburg, and the Athens State Bank branch in Petersburg. Learn More About This Event

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Local Conservation Chapters Fund JEPC (Site M) Wildlife Food Plots

The Prairie Rockets Chapter joined with the local New Salem Longbeards NWTF Chapter to fund wildlife food plots at nearby Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (JEPC.)

IDNR budget cuts had eliminated the funding for the planting of food plots at the site for 2009, but the local chapters stepped up to the plate and cooperatively funded the plantings with a $750.00 donation for seed.

The check was presented to the ILDNR at our January 31st, 2009 banquet. Shown in the photo are Bill Vanderlaan (QF,) Rhett Rossi (NWTF,) Frank Llano (QF,) and JEPC Site Administrator Mike Wickens.

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