Well, it’s down to the wire here in Iowa. We are three days away from the November 2nd election. Iowa finally has a chance to make a difference for conservation by creating a trust fund that will help with water quality, soil erosion, and wildlife habitat. Several years ago, myself and several other National Youth Leadership kids from Iowa sent out letters to all 150 legislators asking for their support to vote yes to put an amendment on the ballot for the people of Iowa to vote on. This next Tuesday night, the votes will be counted and many Iowans that care about conservation will be hoping the amendment will pass, and all the efforts of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever volunteers will have been successful. This is the same kind of conservation effort that Missouri passed in the 1970s and Minnesota recently passed two years ago.

On September 25th many kids came to enjoy a perfect fall day, having fun with friends and family, and most of all being outdoors. Youth of all ages had a great time! They got to participate in activities such as clay pigeon shooting, sling shot, conservation activies, various arts and crafts and more!

Bird dog training season started two weeks ago, the weather is still very hot and I had to give both my setters a haircut to keep them cool. Miss Debbie and me are working my dogs when we can the first QF field trial is next weekend and I hope to get called for the final drive on Sunday. I will let everyone know how we do. I have not run up with any rattle snakes yet and hope I don’t, Harvey my little buddy that lives on the field trial grounds is still alive and has got a little bigger he is a three foot gator that will need to be relocated next year if he  gets any bigger because Gators are great at foot ball but love to eat dogs and we cant have that.I will keep everyone posted on the trial season and hunting season. In two weeks The local chapter is hosting another youth day with all kind of fun things to do from shooting guns and bows to buggy rides and fishing. I get to help  Miss Debbie with the best thing of all the bird dog demonstration . It is really cool because allot of kids do not even know what a pointer or setter does and when they see they want to go and get one, I wish all kids could enjoy the outdoors like I do instead of hanging out at the Mall or playing video games.

Well thats all I have for now and have to go

Matthew Ford

training season has started an it’s really tireing and hot but you know what my two setters but the woods look beautiful.