Women on the Wing Hosts Pre-season Upland Hunt
Originally published in The Waitsburg Times, 6 October 2022 (hunter names are fictional)
Smoke hung like a heavy fog in the Palouse River canyon, making for a simultaneously mesmerizing yet apocalyptic scene. The sun itself appeared ablaze, blood-orange behind the smoke as it climbed above the dark basalt bluffs.
Ahead, over Connell, the moon was falling behind the horizon as if retreating from the sun. It too was massive and glowing orange, but confirming that the smoke was less intense over the miles ahead. Good news for the Blue Mountain Pheasant Forever’s first ever Women on the Wing upland hunt – “Girls and Gun Dogs Get Ready”.
Twenty women and their canine companions traveled from as far as La Grande, Oregon to meet September 10th at Limits Game Farm, on the dusty scablands. Hopes were high for tuning up bird-finding skills prior to the October upland hunting seasons.
Three fields were identified and hunter pairs assigned time slots across the morning. My role was to serve as a mentor in any capacity needed, e. g. provide guidance on working and reading young dogs, assistance with new shotguns, coaching on where birds were released, or simply standing by for whatever. Easy enough.
For the 7:00am hunt, I was fortunate to be placed with two young women and a year-old yellow Lab, Gus. While perfectly trained for waterfowl, Gus had never hunted upland birds. This introductory hunt would be a unique experience with an enthusiastic duck dog.
We shuffled down the powder-dry hillside into the coulee where milky green Russian olive rows stood near a cattail wetland to the south. To the north, sagebrush and grassland stretched out of sight. We were to hunt the southern field, so we headed toward the cattails through a small patch of sagebrush.
Dry and dusty are two things counterproductive to success for a bird dog, particularly one who has never hunted upland birds. Birds leave little scent as they move through cover, and that scent vanishes in dry conditions. Additionally, dust and other particles have potential to confuse a dog’s nose. Encountering the bird’s “scent cone” directly is virtually a dog’s only hope in these conditions, and this type of encounter can be abrupt.
Gus’ short casts through the grasses led him near the sagebrush where the first bird of the morning was sitting tight. The bird got up to Gus’ surprise, and the following gunfire clued him into this being an exciting gig. We pressed on to find a second bird, which followed in similar fashion, leaving Gus to sniff the area and ponder his first taste of upland hunting. While a bird never fell for Gus, his introduction to the game was a success.
Later in the morning, I walked the northern field with two women and their experienced pointing dogs – a pudelpointer and a large black and white German shorthaired pointer (GSP). A cloudy trail billowed as the dogs barreled down into the field.
“The first bird will be near the bottom of the road here” I cautioned.
It was after 10:00am and the sun was beating down on the sagebrush strip at somewhere between sixty-five and seventy degrees. The dogs worked the area but the bird was never seen, and such was the case for many birds across the morning.
We pressed on through the field as the two dogs crisscrossed each other’s paths. The black and white GSP streaked one way while the chocolate brown pudelpointer streaked the other. And then it happened. The brute of a GSP locked onto point, and when the pudelpointer crossed behind, it turned in behind the GSP to honor the point. Both dogs stood firm as their gunners eased into position. A striking, swoon-worthy scene, in my humble opinion.
Until this point, I was simply tagging along, taking in the show, but when the bird failed to materialize, I stepped in to assist, leaving the hunters to focus on their dogs and firearms. Both dogs stood confident, certain that the bird was there, but it simply would not move. Dropping to one knee and peering beneath the sagebrush revealed a pheasant sitting tightly, and making eye contact was enough to pressure the bird skyward.
Shots erupted from the sleek over/under twelve-gauge overhead and the GSP soon returned, proudly toting the pheasant to his handler. Ultimately, two birds came to hand, thanks to the skills of the two dogs and snappy shooting.
As the morning concluded, English setters, Norwegian duck tollers, black and yellow Labs (both pointers and flushers), and possibly a Vizsla and Weimaraner had worked birds, in addition to the GSP and pudelpointer. Their skill levels ranged from novice to decorated field trial masters, and the same could be said of their handlers. In the end, everyone endured the trying conditions with aplomb and left the field with a smile, eager for the general upland seasons to open.
Stories of the hunt were shared over a catered lunch, courtesy of the Pheasants Forever Ringold Chapter #656. A gear swap followed that allowed participants to share and equip one another for the upcoming season. Mentors conversed over dog work and hunts to come. And all agreed, the event was a great success.
Women on the Wing embraces and strengthens the bond between hunter, canine, the dazzling upland birds they pursue, and conservation. This hunt was merely the beginning of a legacy for Women on the Wing in Washington State and the women who choose the path to the uplands.
Women on the Wing – Learn to Hunt and Shoot
Press Release published in the Walla Walla Union Bulletin 29 May 2022
The threat of rain didn’t stop twenty-three enthusiastic women from arriving at the Walla Walla Gun Club on April 30th, 2022, for a Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever (BMPF) Women on the Wing (WotW) event that was not to be missed.
The Learn to Hunt and Shoot event was the second in a lineup of events across the calendar year aimed to encourage women to explore upland hunting and provide them with the tools to succeed and experience the enjoyment of the uplands. Additionally, given conservation is the foundation of Pheasants Forever’s missions, habitat identification and enhancement are focal points of the WotW program.
The morning kicked off with discussions led by the WotW Steering Committee on what drew this varied group of conservation leaders into upland hunting, followed by gear, gun dogs, finding good pheasant cover, and the value of conservation.
Guest speaker Corrie Thorne-Hadley, Private Lands Biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), presented her experience being a lady in the field who works one of the most important programs to sportsmen and women – the private lands access program. Corrie works with landowners to enroll their acreage into one of several types of public access including “feel free to hunt”, “hunt by written permission”, and “hunt by reservation”.
Corrie walked the participants through WDFW’s online hunt planner tools and hunt reservation system, and provided insight into the varied signage seen around the private lands open to the public and how to respect those lands, given access is a privilege. In closing, Corrie presented her habitat enhancement duties and cooperation with BMPF to make on-the-ground improvements on local properties.
Throughout the morning, WotW Steering Committee Chair, Kelly Merrick, broke up the discussions with trivia and prizes to those who could answer habitat-related questions such as “What three things do pheasant need to survive”? The answer? Food, water, and shelter – the three basic survival components of all living beings. Kelly used this question to segue into a deeper dive on habitat identification.
The morning concluded with a feast of homemade pheasant stew and brats off the grill, and with their tanks full, the participants moved right into firearms safety and shooting technique training with Bob Bloch of the Walla Walla Gun Club.
Shooting technique is more complicated than just shouldering the gun and squeezing the trigger, suffice it to say that if the eye, barrel, and bead are not all in perfect alignment, target acquisition will suffer. As the participants split into two groups – one experienced and the other inexperienced – trap shooting began under various levels of coaching.
The inexperienced group was afforded one-on-one coaching for proper shoulder placement of the shotgun butt, proper eye alignment down the barrel, and assistance with “picking up” the clay as it sailed straight away from the trap house. For some, the event provided their first clay-shooting experience, while others had never shot at all.
At the end of the day, everyone walked away better equipped and energized for the upcoming upland bird season. Be it wingshooting mechanics, habitat considerations, hunt planning tools, or a combination of all aspects, the Learn to Hunt and Shoot event was a great success.
Join BMPF Saturday June 11th at 10:00am for the WotW Hike for Habitat Scavenger Hunt at Bennington Lake in Walla Walla, WA. Online registration is at Women on the Wing – Hike for Habitat Scavenger: Sat, Jun 11, 2022 (myeventscenter.com). For more information, contact the WotW Committee Chairperson, Kelly Merrick at WOW@bmpf258.org.
2022 Annual Banquet Summary
Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever (BMPF) held its 31st annual fundraiser banquet February 26th, 2022 at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds Pavilion. Per usual, the community offered overwhelming support for the non-profit habitat organization.
Tickets were sold at $90 for a single Pheasants Forever membership with options for guest meals. Meals were capped at 400 and sold out in the week leading up to the event. The combination of having a great time supporting a great cause and enjoying the exquisite catering of A Chef’s Creation once again led to a full house.
The evening’s events kicked off with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, sung by Cadet Lieutenant Kaden Kerr & Cadet First Sergeant Raquelle Justice of the Walla Walla High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) while the Color Guard presented the American flag. Rifle Team Cadet Captain, Cassidy Hanson, followed with a brilliant speech of the JROTC rifle team’s accomplishments, made possible in part by the relationship and support between BMPF and the JROTC.
Concluding the opening ceremony, attendees mingled to the humor of emcee, Scott Beiber, and offered additional support to BMPF through participation in the various raffles and silent and live auctions throughout the night. Ladies shooting and spa packages, fine rifles and shotguns, bird dog training packages, and fine art and wine set an excited tone for those willing to purchase tickets, cast a bid, and take a chance on winning great prizes for a noble cause. The community’s generosity raised $28,052 net funds, which will fund habitat enhancement, youth and women outreach events, and family and member hunting and shooting opportunities.
Thanks to the numerous BMPF donors and sponsors, auctioneer Nick Nelson, the Banquet Committee (Marisa Wachter – Chair, Makaiwi Wachter, Mike Davis, Sheri Davis, Andi Bigler), and the many volunteers that assisted with gathering donations and event setup and takedown, making the 2022 banquet wildly successful!
Women on the Wing Lands in Walla Walla
2022 Women on the Wing Steering Committee
While hunting is still largely viewed as a man’s activity, the number of women hunters increased 25 percent between 2011-2016 according to US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the numbers continue to climb. Embracing women in the outdoors is not news to Pheasants Forever (PF), but their “Women on the Wing” (WotW) initiative is relatively fresh.
“In 2018, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s Women on the Wing Initiative officially kicked off in response to the rapid interest and engagement among women conservationists [and those] that wanted to learn more. The vision of the initiative is simple: To expand and diversify those who hold an appreciation for the uplands, and to increase opportunities to share our passion with others” writes Marissa Jensen, PF’s Education and Outreach Program Manager.
The WotW initiative has boomed since its inception, with chapters springing up across the nation devoted solely to providing hands-on programming for women in the outdoors. Given founding members of our local Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever chapter (Chapter) included conservation-minded women like the late Bertha Hinchliff, developing a local WotW program has become a top priority.
Kelly and “Nelli” chasing roosters on the Palouse
In December 2021, a young lady from Tri-Cities, Kelly Merrick, stepped up to give the program wings. Kelly volunteered to officially form the Chapter’s WotW Committee and take the reigns as the Committee Chair. As an enthusiastic upland hunter and conservationist, Kelly has a background in training and hunting pointing labs and is active in the Columbia Basin Pointing Labrador Club and other outdoor programs.
“Building relationships with working dogs through upland hunting has opened a whole new world to me. It’s allowed me to share more deeply in outdoor experiences with my husband and my dog and has now become my favorite past-time. I want to introduce other women to bird dogs and the uplands and help them experience the same joy and excitement that I do when hunting behind my dog. Women on the Wing is a perfect outlet to encourage and grow our hunting and conservation community, and I am proud to be a part of the initiative” Kelly said.
Kelly’s tenacity spurred WotW to life by drafting a 2022 Chapter program agenda. Events will include shooting clinics and firearms safety, hunting dog demonstrations, habitat and conservation workshops, and wrap up next fall with a “Women, Wine and Wild Game” event providing a “field-to-table” experience and promoting the pride and delicacy that is sourcing one’s own wild food. To learn more and to get involved with WotW, email Kelly at WoW@bmpf258.org, and visit the Chapter’s WotW webpage (Women on the Wing – Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever (bmpf258.org)).
A Family Hunt Tradition
Heading to the field to roust up some roosters
Smoke curled up from the chimney that protrudes through the tin roof sheltering a massive brick firepit. A cast-iron grate supported an old blue and white porcelain percolator, warmed by the amber glow of embers and steaming from the pour spout. “Fine morning for the Family Hunt, eh Don” I asked Chapter Treasurer, Don Perrigin, as he grasped the percolator and poured a steel mug full of the rich, black, aromatic coffee lifeblood.
For the first time in years, Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever’s late November Family Hunt could be braved in a heavy flannel rather than mittens and winter coat with pockets full of Hot Hands. The dogs ran in the snow in 2020, but not this day.
Chapter President Makaiwi Wachter loads up a rooster for a successful young hunter
More than a dozen families arrived by 9:00am to watch their fellow Chapter members march behind seasoned pointers and flushers, even a bird-hunting boarder collie as they walked the fields of Clyde Shooting Preserve.
Families joined the hunt from as far as Central Washington. A few young hunters connected with their first roosters. A newbie GSP experienced an action-packed pheasant field. Meanwhile, Chapter leaders took in the show and occasionally talked business, capitalizing on the opportunity to visit outside of a meeting.
Yes, the Family Hunt is a coveted event, as celebrated by the volunteers who facilitate and mentor as those who participate. Another year of memories is in the books. Who’s looking forward to next November?
This little boy “Chukar” experienced his first upland hunt
Youth Hunters, Old Dogs, and Wiley Roosters
October 9th, 2021 dawned beautifully crisp and clear. A prime day for Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever’s annual youth hunt.
Upon arrival at Clyde Shooting Preserve, the usual crowd of hunters and canines was not what it was in the past. The change came as benefit to participants from good planning. Youth Committee Chair, George Endicott, arranged a hunt schedule over the two-day event, staggering arrival times and reducing the wait for hunters.
From high on the hill, the parking area at Clyde Shooting Preserve appeared nearly vacant as scheduled hunters were chasing dogs and roosters afield. Photo by Katy Bellotti.
As hunters, mentors, and Chapter guides took to the field, it became clear that the roosters at Clyde Shooting Preserve achieved the usual standard. Large, healthy birds demonstrated typical pheasant skill, sneaking away from the dogs before busting into strong flight. Youth hunters exercised proper trigger discipline and impressive wingshooting skill as roosters erupted into a head wind, gaining altitude and dodging between shooters and dog handlers.
Across the two days, 26 youth hunters graced the fields, some new to game and others experienced. A first bird is an unforgettable moment, and the Chapter was proud to have afforded the opportunity to a few hunters over the weekend. But the youth hunt is not only for youth. A few old dogs also enjoyed a run at some birds.
10-year-old Llewellin setter Kea worked over a few birds, despite battling an autoimmune disorder. Photo by Brad Trumbo.
Thanks to George Endicott and Kit Lane at Clyde Shooting Preserve for arranging the event, and to Chapter officers and volunteers who came to support the hunt. And, of course, thanks to the parents, mentors, and youth who traveled from various areas of Washington to participate. The Chapter and Clyde Shooting Preserve appreciate your support.
Youth hunters enter the field following a little coaching from the dog handler. Photo by Brad Trumbo.
Smoke and Clays
As the Green Ridge fire expanded into the southwest line of the Lick Creek blaze, Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever welcomed youth shooters to their final regular event of the summer clay series at the Walla Walla Gun Club.
Despite a light haze from the nearby burn, air quality was sufficient for outdoor activity, and 10 youth arrived, eager for a round of five-stand.
Parents, chapter members and volunteers looked on as the shooting commenced. At least a few of us couldn’t help but appreciate the skill of some of the young participants as challenging clay pairs were dusted, include a simulated rabbit coupled with a fast overhead flier.
As the event wound to a close, prizes were awarded for to Oliver for Ma breaking 94 clays, Dominic Goins for breaking 69 clays, and Tanner Corn for breaking 56 clays out of 150 across the shooting series. A beginner award was given to Samuel Weiland for breaking 14 clays, and most improved went to Madison Muhley.
Overall, the 2021 clay series was a success, opening with the Chapter’s first ever shotgun clinic in May, and seeing over 30 youth shooters across the summer. Looking forward, September holds the Family Challenge shoot, and the youth and family shoots later in the fall.
Other upcoming opportunities include another Chapter first – a Women on the Wing outdoor and shooting event. Planning is in the works, so stay tuned, and we hope to see you at these events this fall.
Pollinator Plot Preparation at Bennington Lake
In July, Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever (BMPF) Assisted the US Army Corps of Engineers, Mill Creek Project by laying clear plastic tarp along a 300-foot property boundary strip south of Bennington Dam. Employing a technique called “solarization”, the technique uses the sun’s power to control pests, in this case, invasive weeds, by trapping solar energy under the plastic. The heat encourages weed seed germination, and then overheats the sprouts, killing plants before they can establish. The plastic will be left in place for up to two years before removing and drill-seeding native broadleaf plants to promote pollinator insects like bees and butterflies.
The cooperative project was carried out as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Mill Creek Project and BMPF. The MOU is a non-binding, non-monetary agreement to cooperate to the benefit of both parties on conservation and youth outdoor events. While youth hunts have been held on Mill Creek wildlife lands in the past, the solarization project is the first cooperative conservation effort between BMPF and Mill Creek.
The Mill Creek wildlife lands and Bennington Lake are valuable resources for the Walla Walla Valley, seeing over 350,000 visitors annually. These public land users range from hunters to birders, and otherwise include runners, bikers and hikers traversing the 10 miles of trails around Bennington Lake.
“The solarization project provides a prime opportunity for Pheasants Forever to cooperate with the Corps of Engineers to provide environmental and general public recreation benefits that reach a broad range of public land users” said BMPF Advisory Board Chairman, Brad Trumbo.
As the solarized land strip is ready to be seeded, BMPF will cooperate with the Mill Creek Project to move the tarps to the next contiguous section of property boundary in an attempt to establish native pollinator plants around the property.
a Shotgun Start to the summer shooting series
How do you end a two-month spring drought, wrought with bluebird skies and mild temperatures? Host an outdoor youth shooting event. Proven fact.
May 22nd, Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever hosted a shotgun clinic at the Walla Walla gun Club. The first shoot of the Chapter’s 2021 youth event season. Barely an inch of rainfall graced the parched wheat fields since March, but as volunteers, special guests, and youth shooters worked through the morning, a cold rain fell across the Walla Walla Valley.
Rollin Carpenter, one of the Chapter’s active youth members, opened the morning with some inspiration on the influence and opportunity Pheasants Forever provides him.
Tom Schirm with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rounded out our special guests discussing the importance of habitat and wildlife management on wildlife populations and hunter opportunity.
Richard Mason was welcomed to assist with firearms instruction.
As the presentations concluded, it was time to burn powder and dust clays. Chapter Advisory Board member and shooting instructor Dean Wass rounded up the first-timers for some one-on-one instruction on firearms handling and shooting technique, guiding those new to the world of firearms through the process of tracking, aiming, and firing on the clay targets. Meanwhile, more experienced members enjoyed a round of five-stand, which mixes sporting clays and trap shooting into an action-packed variety of shooting challenges.
Our good friends at Ranch and Home provided hats and cut us a deal on shotgun shells for participants, while the US Army Corps of Engineers provided information and goodies on water recreation safety and hunting public lands.
Despite the much-needed rain, the morning was a great success with 22 youth participants undeterred by the storm. Special thanks to George Endicott, Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever’s Youth Committee Chair, for organizing the event, as well as members Tami Wass, Bernard Ma, Mike Davis, Ethan and Annie Carpenter for setup assistance. Finally, the event would not have been possible without the cooperation of the Chapter’s long-time supporter, the Walla Walla Gun Club.
Pheasants Forever and Army Reserve Officers Support Wa-Hi JROTC
The Walla Walla High School Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (JROTC) has 2 competitive shooting teams that have been nationally ranked for over a decade. Made up of the top 15 to 20 shooting athletes in the program, the teams travel to attend up to 20 competitive rifle matches each year. To that end, travel expenses and other equipment needs present a continual financial need.
Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever (BMPF) has supported the JROTC during their annual fundraiser for many years by purchasing a shotgun for raffle, selling tickets, and donating 100 percent of the proceeds to supplement the JROTC rifle team’s budget.
Funds raised by BMPF, Walla Walla’s Army Reserve Organization of America (ROA), and other local donors, are placed in an endowment set up with Midway USA in 2012. Midway USA matches the funds raised, and the JROTC is able to withdraw up to five percent of the endowment each year for equipment, ammunition, team travel, and competition registration fees. The JROTC 2021 endowment payout was over $8,000, said JROTC Instructor and Rifle Team Coach, Mark Mebes.
In a normal year, varsity shooters can expect to receive invitations to shoot in local, regional and national matches in as many as eight different states, Mark said. Preliminary match results suggest invitation to national-level matches this coming summer in Ohio, Alabama, or Michigan.
Each year at the BMPF fundraiser banquet, the JROTC presents the flags, a cadet occasionally sings the National Anthem, followed by the Captain of the rifle team delivering a summary of the prior year use of the Midway USA endowment funds. “This amounts to a rifle team ‘state of the union’ address of sorts.” Mark said. It’s an exceptional public speaking experience that team Captains consider a part of their job, proudly reviewing the team’s accomplishments from the past year. It also informs the community of how their donations supported the team.
The BMPF 2021 fundraiser banquet, typically held the last Saturday in February, was cancelled due to the pandemic. Not only did the JROTC Captain miss their opportunity to address the community, it seemed JROTC raffle ticket sales may not fare as well as usual, but BMPF was not the only non-profit affected by the pandemic this year. The ROA typically supports the JROTC as well, and when their typical fundraising efforts were impacted, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Morris reached out to BMPF to join forces.
Together, BMPF and ROA sold 548 raffle tickets and received additional donations, raising a total of $3,000 for the JROTC’s Midway USA endowment. BMPF’s concurrent 10-gun raffle in lieu of the annual banquet was also wildly successful. Thanks to passionate BMPF and ROA members for their efforts, and the strong support of the community for the fundraiser successes.
Community support has been foundational to each of these organizations over the years, and BMPF relies on membership support. With the cancellation of BMPF’s 2021 banquet, many memberships have not been renewed. To keep in the loop on youth and family hunting and shooting opportunities, memberships can be renewed with Tami Wass at bmpfbanquetchair@gmail.com.