Category: News

Feathers, Fields & Updates – September News

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

Let’s start with coming dates to remember:

Near Term . . . Our name change from South Metro Pheasants Forever is moving along. Our new web address will be greaterdenverpf.org and as soon as the web gods can make the change to the record that will be where you find chapter information.

October 7, 2025 – 6:30 p.m. Chapter Meeting at Cabellas Lone Tree

October 20, 2025 – 6:30 p.m. Cherry Creek State Park Marina/Boathouse, Seminar on Field First Aid for Dogs and Dog Nutrition, details below. ** UPDATE – this event has been CANCELLED **

March 14, 2026 – Annual Banquet, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Stay tuned for details as we get closer.

Update on September Events:

September 3, 2025

Governmental Affairs In-Person Presentation by Swanny Evans, PF Director of Governmental Affairs

Our chapter hosted other front range chapter leadership to hear what PF is doing at the National Level. I took some notes and below are some bullet points: 

A main priority is advocacy. This includes direct lobbying and PF will use paid contract lobbyists as necessary. There will be advocacy encouraged at the grassroots level as well. Communications regarding advocacy is a focus. PF did not have a policy in this area at the time of the mountain lion issue in Co., but there is now a policy outlining active advocacy going forward on issues like ballot box biology. Chapter donations to the Legislative Action Fund (LAF) provides the financial resources that supports advocacy. Our Chapter committed to donate $5000 to the LAF at this meeting. 

There is a new in-house PF Upland Caucus that is preparing a Policy Book to guide engagement in advocacy that does NOT require national board approval. The Upland Caucus will meet quarterly and at Pheasant Fest. 

A new Upland Action Center is established with new software (Quorem), customizable alerts, efficient and easy to use. In Beta testing are Action Alerts that can be sent to individual State Reps. They will also provide sample letters which are modifiable and sample email formats. 

We have chapters in 45 states and members in all 50 states. PF has already provided testimony on 150 bills at the individual State level. 

A goal is to build out REGIONAL TEAMS for advocacy. Building teams is currently underway. 

Presently, there are five folks on the PF Governmental Affairs team. 

The bottom line is that National has a lot of exciting and innovative things in the works that will greatly increase our voice on local, state and national issues. We can all cheer about that. 

September 13, 2025

Wingshooting Adventure Event for Front Range Community College and CSU Wildlife Biology Students at Valhalla Hunt Club, Bennett, CO 

Please click here to view our photos of our second and most recent Collegiate Wingshooting Adventure. Our first event was in April. Between both events we have hosted SO wildlife biology students and administrators. Thanks to all the volunteers who made these two events hugely successful. 

These were high quality and effective collegiate outreach events. How do we know this you may ask? 

  1. Below is a copy of a thank you card from CSU. Note the effusive complements from the CSU administrators near the top of the page and from the student leader and other students below.
  2. Note that the Faculty Advisor wants to continue the events “to benefit both our organizations & to give our students learning opportunities that we cannot provide in classes. SO FUN!”
  3. CSU administration recently reached out to ask if they could schedule another Adventure this fall. However, we had already booked Front Range Community College so we offered to schedule them next spring. The expectation and goal is to provide CSU (and FRCC) an annual Adventure.
  4. We had extra room in the Front Range College Sept. event and was able to invite additional CSU students who had missed out in April and were still anxious to participate.
  5. I just learned this week that CSU students organized and contacted PF National to begin the process to start a Collegiate CSU PF Chapter!!!!! Our Regional PF Representative called me to congratulate our chapter for all the work that we have done that lead to this unexpected bonus. The students have a short window to complete University paperwork to get club status yet this year, but they are working on it. It is important to note that our chapter began to develop the collegiate outreach in 2024. We met with administrators first, then students. We presented a class at each campus which included lectures by a PF Private Lands Conservationist who was equally excited to talk about the nature of their work and career opportunities. We have lined students up for 2 years to participate in the PF annual Virtual Job Fair which begins registration on OCT 1,2025 for the Fair which is Dec.

Of course, there are several long term objectives that this program addresses:

  • With hunter numbers falling 5% per year nationwide, we need to recruit new hunters.
  • When we attract new hunters in this demographic, we will likely get their children eventually.
  • Even the college students who don’t become hunters will be better informed about habitat, the role of hunters in conservation and how to be smart voters.
  • There is tremendous personal benefit to volunteers in terms of developing friendships and comradery within the organization.
  • Volunteers also feel as though their time is well spent and they add to their personal legacies.

I want to extend special recognition to our Habitat Chair, Steve Osa. From the start, he has worked with the wildlife biology departments with passion and effectiveness to make this program exemplary in every respect. Even as I write this Bulletin, he is reaching out to CU, Boulder to begin the process to add them to our Wingshooting Adventure outreach program this spring. Thank you Steve, you set a high bar for everyone else.

October 20, 2025 – ** UPDATE – THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED **

Dog First Aid and Nutrition Seminar

Presenting this Seminar is RuthAnn Lobos, DVM, CCRT, CVAT. Senior Veterinarian with Nestle Purina PetCare. Part of the seminar is learning how and when to use a staple gun to patch up your dog. We will be using bananas to practice. We will have pizza. The event will be priced with and without a staple gun.

If you bring your own staple gun to practice with, there is no extra charge. On the other hand, we can include a new staple gun which you can keep for a higher registration fee. Our registration platform will go live soon. Please register early so that we know how many staple guns and pizza to order..

LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET MORE INVOLVED?

If you want to get plugged in as an active member who can help with any of these activities, please give me a call or email. We can always use some help. There are fringe benefits too! Contact Dean Titterington, 303-981-4642 dlt2737@aol.com

Feathers, Fields & Updates – August News

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

South Metro PF Changing Name to Greater Denver PF, and Other Changes

We are excited to make some changes in our name to reflect an effort to allow more members in the north part of the metro area to become more easily involved with the chapter. The chapter used to be called Metro Denver PF and we met at the Bass Pro in Northfield shopping area. Sometime before the pandemic, a decision was made to have two chapters in the metro area. One in the north and one in the south. Traffic congestion in Denver made it hard for everyone to get to Bass Pro on a Tuesday night. So two chapters, one at each end of the metro area made sense. Metro changed it’s name to South Metro and moved meetings to the Cabellas in Lone Tree. Then the pandemic hit and stalled the plan. Also playing a role, I believe, is that we had a 5-year period when there was severe drought for 4 of the 5 years. This decimated habitat and pheasant populations in Colorado. It also had to discourage pheasant hunters in general.

So, South Metro will become Greater Denver. We plan on having some of our monthly meetings at Cabellas in Thornton. Also, we are going to set up to allow anyone to ZOOM into a meeting from anywhere. We currently have active members from Parker, Colorado Springs and Bailey for example. So whether you prefer to meet and make friends in person or find a computer connection better, you will have an option.

This change is going to take some time to accomplish. It involves changes at banks, at National, acquiring new computer equipment, changing the website, etc. 

HERE IS AN ASK FROM YOU: It would be helpful to hear from members in the north part of the metro if you think this is good idea or not. Maybe you have some other suggestions i.e., location, times, etc. We would appreciate getting some FEEDBACK to let us know we are on the right track. Please email Dean at dlt2737@aol.com or phone me at 303-981-4642. 

Barr Lake Mentor Day a Success!

CPW at Barr Lake State hosted an annual MENTORS DAY at the park on Aug. 23. We have set up a Barr Lake shooting activity for the public for many years. It involves a brief class on the PF organization and what we do in habitat. We also cover gun safety. Finally, we instruct them on how to shoot a pellet rifle to hit the bullseye. That focus is on sight picture, breath control and trigger squeeze. Some years we do dog demonstrations as well. We have kids and adults alike really get into it. Some even came back later in the day to do it again! They get to keep their targets, and kids got a pheasant tail feather.

All in all, as a public outreach this does a good job creating positive perspectives about PF members as conservationists, guns aren’t scary and hunting is an important heritage that belongs to everyone.

Thanks to Steve, Jeff, John and Paul (and myself) for the expert instruction and laughs. Below are some photos from the event.

COMING UP

WINGSHOOTING ADVENTURE…….. Volunteer Opportunity:

Saturday, September 13, 2025 – 8 am – 12:00 pm

The chapter is hosting Front Range Community College wildlife biology students at Valhalla Hunt Club in Bennett, Co. This involves a classroom period where we present on topics including, upland conservation, gun safety, wildlife biology, gun safety, field safety, gun safety, hunting tactics and gun safety. That is followed by breakout sessions for hands on in the field instruction on a Safety Trail, Field Hunting Simulation with dogs and live birds and, finally, individual shooting instruction on a clay target course.  Many, even most, of the students have never handled or fired any gun before. They are clean slates and soak up all the information we share. We give them all an orange PF hat to remind them of how much fun they had.

We, very recently, also have a second group from CSU wanting to come out for another Wingshooting Adventure. We did one for their wildlife biology students last April. If this new group can get themselves organized quick enough, we offered to do another session with them on Saturday afternoon.  

At this point we don’t know if this is just a half day event with FRCC or will be an all day event with CSU students in the afternoon. We will provide lunch for volunteers if it is an all day affair.

If you have not helped with one of the Wingshooting Adventures before, it would be great to start now. Let me know if you can be available for the Saturday morning event and, perhaps also Saturday afternoon. If you can only do Saturday morning that is OK.  

To volunteer, ask questions or volunteer contact Dean at dlt2737@aol.com 303 981 4642 or Steve OSA at steve.osa12@gmail.com 720 301 6985

MORE COMING UP –

September 4, 2025 – NORTHEAST HABITAT TOUR ,Yuma Co. 11 a.m.

This is put on by our biologists and eastern chapters. There is an opportunity for a dove hunt after the tour. Contact Dean T. if you have an interest and for details. Dean at 303 981 4642 dlt2737@aol.com

CANCELLED – September 14, 2025 – Clays Tournament/Fundraiser

Our key organizer experienced a “training accident” when his shorthair ran into him. His knee has had surgeries (yes, plural) and, he is still an invalid (I did not know how to spell convalescing?).

If you have any questions on anything or can volunteer, please let me know at dlt2737@aol.com or, better yet, give me a call at 303 981 4642.

Barr Lake State Park Mentor Day

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

The Chapter participated in the annual Barr Lake State Park Mentor Day event.  Our contribution to the event is a pellet gun shooting range.  We start with classroom instruction covering Pheasants Forever as The Habitat Organization and offering basic gun safety and shooting instruction.  The focus is on sight picture, breath control and trigger squeeze.  Then, as in prior years, we set up 4 to 5 shooting lanes for children and adults to try their newly acquired shooting skills. 

Everyone shooting got “on the paper” and many managed tight groups (even in the bullseye).  Unabashedly, the coaches and instructors take all the credit for these successes.  The participants got to keep their targets and a pheasant tail feather as a memento.  It was a lot of fun for our PF coaches as well as the public. 

The Park served our volunteers burritos for lunch which HIT THE SPOT too.  In 2026, CPW at Barr Lake may move the event to a springtime date.  Whenever they choose, we expect to be there.

Barr Lake State Park Mentor Day
Barr Lake State Park Mentor Day

Feathers, Fields & Updates – July News from South Metro PF

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

Hunting Forecast for Southeast Colorado

Holy smokes folks, the cover and birds are INCREDIBLE!!!!! John H., Mike H., and I accompanied Steve Osa (SMPF Habitat Chair) on a day-long June 26th tour of Baca and Prowers Counties. Trey McDowell, PF Private Lands Conservationist, was our tour co-host along with Jonathan Reitz with CPW. There were also several other CPW folks and a couple of private photographers rounding out the group.

We toured many of their habitat projects and covered a lot of ground over the day. Everywhere we went there was fantastic cover. These areas are open to public hunting. Cactus and rattlesnakes are not issues. However, everywhere we went we heard bobwhites whistling and saw many birds just “hanging around” on the roads or sitting on fence posts. Reports on recent whistle survey counts confirm big numbers. Our hosts advised that pheasants are also present in large numbers in each of the parcels we toured. I managed to catch sight of a rooster “hot footing it” across the road.

Check out some of the photos I managed to capture! There’s a close-up of a Lark Bunting nest with blue eggs, and some pictures of the cover. Several of our chapter members will be spending our opening weekend down south. I know I plan to be there.

Barr Lake Projects with Occidental (OXY) and PF Volunteers

July 17 SMPF hosted 30 OXY volunteers at Barr Lake State Park for a half-day habitat work day. We split into 2 groups. One group constructed a split-rail fence to complete the fence around an educational pollinator plot. The other group planted 130 sumac shrubs and spruce trees (all native to Colorado) to form a shelter belt area near the park nature center. OXY has corporately donated to several of our BARR Lake projects over the years. We had a box lunch in the nature enter and a slide presentation by Trey McDowell, who drove up from Lamar to show OXY employees how OXY has also helped with PF and CPW efforts to save the lesser prairie chickens in the Southeast part of the State. We are down to only about 200 of these birds statewide.

Below are some photos of the OXY crew in action. I want to thank Carlos and John H. from the chapter who helped. Also, SMPF outreach chair Mike H. and Charley Schoenherr, PF Development Officer for Co., UT., N.M. and Wy., both graced us with their attendance and help.

COMING UP:

August 5, 2025 – 6:30pm – Chapter Meeting

Our next chapter meeting will be at Cabella’s Lone Tree. If you can make it, we would love to have you attend. If there is some area that you can contribute some time to that interests you I am sure we can work that out.

August – Social Media Work/Study Meeting

Sometime in August there will be a work/study meeting to discuss how to make better use of social media. If you have ideas or experience in this area, call me please: 303 9814642, Dean.

August Planning Meeting for Wing Shooting Adventure

Also in August, we will be making arrangements for Front Range Community College Wildlife Biology students to attend a September 13 Wing Shooting Adventure at Valhalla Bijou. Please mark your calendars for this event. We need a dozen or more volunteers for the morning event. We will be reaching out to CU students to participate in a Wing Shooting Adventure that same afternoon. So this will be an all day affair for PF volunteers.

Sunday, September 14, 2025 – SAVE THE DATE!

The day after the Winshooting Adventures, SMPF will be hosting a fun shoot. Stay tuned for details.

If you have any questions on anything or can volunteer, please let me know at dlt2737@aol.com or, better yet, give me a call at 303 981 4642.

Feathers, Fields & Updates – June News from South Metro PF

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

Housekeeping note: Our Tuesday, July 1 chapter meeting has been rescheduled to the following week, now on Wednesday, July 9. Same time, 6:30 p.m., and still at Cabelas Lone Tree. The switch was made to avoid conflicts with the July 4 holiday week.

The June 5 Pint Night at Brother’s Bar & Grill was a great success. We had 42 supporters, signed up 12 new members and enjoyed a video presentation shot by our own Mike Higbee. His video featured the Lesser Prairie Chicken and our recent chapter efforts to help preserve this specie in Colorado. To top it off, a 15 year old young man won our drawing and selected a new Baretta semi auto shotgun! The event was also successful as a fund raiser for chapter projects. Thanks to all who supported and came to the event.

COMING UP

July 17 from 9-12 at Barr Lake State Park is a habitat project. SMPF is partnering with Occidental Petroleum to build a “living fence”( 200 feet) and also to install a 270 foot windbreak consisting of 4 rows of Rocky Mt. Junipers and Three Leaf Sumac. We may have up to 50 Oxy volunteers and all PF volunteers who can make the event will round out the work force. SMPF will also make a brief presentation about the Lesser Prairie Chicken project in the nature center. OXY has provided grants to PF for this project. If you can help, please give Dean T. a call at 303 981 4642 or call Steve Osa (Habitat Chair) at 720 301 6985.

CLICK HERE to download a very informative report from our PF biologists. It details their significant accomplishments and is worth your review. Let me share a bit more information regarding our biologists. First, they specialize in certain areas. As an example, some are Private Lands Conservationists whose main mission is to work with ranchers and farmers. They can help ranchers and farmers be more profitable and at the same time preserve more habitat for wildlife. Using a Precision Farming strategy, they analyze all of the input costs of planting a crop against the likelihood of making a profit on certain acres of ground which are actually marginal for crops. So, there might 5 or 10 acres where the soil, drainage or other natural factors might only result in a profit once every five years. If the acreage wasn’t farmed at all then the farmer is net more profitable over time. Then, the higher use of that ground would be to restore it to wildlife habitat. Of course, then our Conservationist can make recommendations and offer assistance to make that wildlife habitat happen.

Have a great July 4th holiday!

Dean Titterington, President

Proposition 127 – Initiative to Prohibit Hunting of Mountain Lion, Bobcat, and Lynx

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

The South Metro Chapter of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever wants to pass along a development regarding Proposition 127 on the forthcoming Colorado ballot that would ban hunting of mountain lions and bobcats. National PF&QF has recently joined dozens of other hunting and conservation organizations in opposing this ballot initiative. 

The letter, being shepherded by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, can be read here:

« READ THE LETTER »

Novice Hunter Clinic – August 31, 2024

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

South Metro Pheasants Forever President Dean Titterington tells novice wingshooters about Pheasants Forever habitat and hunting programs during first novice hunter clinic held at Cherry Creek State Park, which was organized by SMPF Outreach Chair and CCSP Chief Michelle Suebert.

Chapter members provided shooting lessons to nearly 20 students at the state park’s Family Shooting Center trap range.

Colorado Life Members Honored

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

John Hyde and SMPF President Dean Titterington helped to host an event for all the Colorado Life Members. It was held at the ORVIS store in Cherry Creek North. Several folks from the Pheasant’s Forever national office and our regional reps were present. John was very popular as he could mix some awesome drinks.

The event was a thank you for the Life Member’s support and an opportunity for them to lean into other initiatives that were presented. Discussions were lively and informative.

SMPF outreach with Cherry Creek Clay

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

SMPF leaders Mike Higbee, John Hyde and president Dean Titterington attended the Cherry Creek Clay banquet as guests and shared information about the chapter, including about our May 17, 2025 Banquet and Wingshooting clinics. CCC is a group of avid clay busters at the Family Shooting Center at Cherry Creek State Park, managed by SMPF Outreach Chair Michelle Seubert.

It was especially productive in that two CCC members indicated they will buy tables at our banquet and novice hunters were invited to our two Wingshooting clinics.  Several expressed interest and signed up.

Chapter Officers Plan & Shoot

Posted on | by vP0ut-70

Chapter officers and board members met on the grounds of the DT Ranch for a planning session. It was only appropriate to include a bit of fun with the work. So we enjoyed shooting skeet in the morning before a barbeque lunch and before getting down to business. It was immediately clear that keeping score would only have been embarrassing so no scores were kept.