Pheasants Forever chapter is ready for Saturday night banquet, auction

    The Southwestern Nebraska Pheasants Forever (PF) Chapter will be hosting its 31st annual banquet on Saturday.
    This Saturday’s event marks one of the first major events in the area to be back to the way things were before COVID-19.
    The Chase County Fairgrounds Expo Building will have doors open at 5 p.m. for social time.
    The social hour will feature games and prizes before the steak supper and fixings are served around 7 p.m. The live auction will follow supper. Plans are for a silent auction again this year, too.  
    “It is going to be a live, in-person banquet,” said Heather Francis, chapter president.
    “Our banquet committee has been working hard using feedback from past events to host another banquet with games, prizes and items for everyone in attendance,” she said.
    Committee member Trevor Oxford said they’ll be auctioning off prints, metal items and more. Among items at the top of the list is Pheasant Forever’s Print of the Year— Up With The Sun.”
    Youths who attended the chapter’s Youth Mentor Hunt in October are encouraged to attend, wearing their hat and hunting vest, she added.  
    A Pheasants Forever membership is $35 annually. The meal will be $15 per plate.  Youths under the age of 15 will receive a PF youth membership at no charge.
    Social distancing and wearing masks are encouraged, Francis said. Hand sanitizer will be available as well as some masks if needed.  
    Francis said they may not have enough masks for everyone, so attendees should bring their own if they can.
    “Please consider not attending if you have been ill or are not feeling well,” she said.
     At the heart of PF’s organization is a grassroots system of fundraising and project development that allows members to see the direct result of their contributions, Francis said.  
    Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever empower chapters to determine how 100% of their locally-raised funds are used. As a result, chapter members can see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.  
    Nebraska has a variety of conservation programs vital to supporting PF’s habitat mission. Since 1986, over 6.5 million acres of habitat have been improved, maintained or enhanced because of PF chapter volunteers, biologists and partners, she said.