Celebrating 20 Years of Quail Forever on the Quail Stage at Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic
By Ryan Sparks
This year’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic March 7-9 in Kansas City, Missouri, promises to be one for the ages as Quail Forever celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The lineup of expert speakers and exciting announcements is the ultimate event for quail enthusiasts nationwide. The Quail Stage will feature an incredible roster of presentations and personalities who embody the spirit of upland bird hunting and habitat conservation. Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find:
Jump to Stage Schedule
Quail Forever – The Next 20 Years
Occurs: Friday at 1PM / Saturday at 11AM / Sunday at 2:30PM
Quail Forever’s Program Manager, Andy Edwards, and QF’s Chief Conservation Officer, Ron Leathers, reflect on the first 20 years of Quail Forever and unveil an exciting vision for the future.
The Podcasters
Occurs: Saturday at 3:30PM
MeatEater’s Ryan “Cal” Callahan moderates a raucous quail discussion between Tyler Webster of the Western Wingshooter Podcast, Mike Neiduski of the The Ugly Dog Podcast, Travis Frank of The Flush Podcast, Reid Bryant of The Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast, and Bob St. Pierre of PF and QF’s On the Wing Podcast. Expect laughs, insights, and inspiration!
Announcing the Arizona Quail Initiative
Occurs: Friday at 2PM / Saturday at 12PM / Sunday at 10AM
Quail Forever is excited to announce the launch of the Arizona Quail Initiative — a groundbreaking effort to restore and conserve critical quail habitats in Arizona’s Sky Islands region. Be among the first to hear about Quail Forever’s transformative new project!
Quail Coast to Coast
Occurs: Saturday at 12:30PM
This group discussion celebrates quail across the country and features a knowledgeable group of panelists including: QF’s Conservation Leadership Program Manager, Levi Day; Tyler Webster of the Western Wingshooter Podcast; Ben Brettingen of onX Hunt; and Dallas Ingram, State Quail Coordinator with the Georgia DNR.
DIY Southern Quail on Public Land
Occurs: Friday at 3PM
A panel of experts speaks to the challenge of hunting quail on public lands throughout the Southeast.
Quail Battleship
Occurs: Friday at 4:30PM
MeatEater’s Ryan “Cal” Callahan moderates a friendly game of “Quail Battleship” with Quail Forever Journal Editor, Ryan Sparks, GUN DOG magazine Editor, Kali Parmley, Ben Brettingen of onX Hunt, and Tyler Webster of the Western Wingshooter Podcast. Get numerous tips for quail hunting success!
And that’s only a handful of the nearly 30 speakers representing over 20 presentations and discussions on the Quail Stage.
Ready to join the ultimate celebration of quail and conservation? The Quail Stage is your destination for all things quail. Don’t miss it!
Seminar Schedule
2025 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic:
Quail Classic Stage
| Time |
Topic |
Speaker(s) |
| Friday |
12:30 |
Show Me State Quail |
Andrew White & Beth Emmerich |
| 1:00 |
Quail Forever, The Next 20 Years |
Andy Edwards & Ron Leathers |
| 1:30 |
Quail Conservation Priorities in DC |
Ariel Wiegard, Andrew Schmidt, & Moderated by Andy Edwards |
| 2:00 |
Announcing the Arizona Quail Initiative |
Jordan Martincich & Scott Poppenberger |
| 2:30 |
The Firebird - Prescribed Burning and Quail Habitat |
James Martin |
| 3:00 |
DIY Southern Quail on Public Land |
Nick Yashko, John Mark Curtis, Dallas Ingram & Michael Hook |
| 4:30 |
Quail Battle Ship |
Ryan Sparks, Kali Parmley, Tyler Webster, Ben Brettigen, & Moderated by Ryan “Cal” Callaghan |
| Saturday |
10:00 |
Monitoring Quail Populations |
Olivia Lappin & Dr. Jess McGuire |
| 10:30 |
Show Me State Quail |
Andrew White & Beth Emmerich |
| 11:00 |
Quail Forever, The Next 20 Years |
Andy Edwards & Ron Leathers |
| 11:30 |
Quail Conservation Priorities in DC |
Ariel Wiegard, Andrew Schmidt, & Moderated by Andy Edwards |
| 12:00 |
Announcing the Arizona Quail Initiative |
Jordan Martincich & Scott Poppenberger |
| 12:30 |
Quail Coast-to-Coast |
Levi Day, Tyler Webster, Ben Bretingen & Dallas Ingram |
| 2:00 |
Quail Myth Busters |
Dr. Jess McGuire, Tim Caughran, Frank Loncarich & Kyle Hedges |
| 3:30 |
The Podcasters |
Tyler Webster, Mike Neiduski, Travis Frank, Reid Bryant, Bob St. Pierre & Moderated by Ryan “Cal” Callaghan |
| Sunday |
10:00 |
Announcing the Arizona Quail Initiative |
Jordan Martincich & Scott Poppenberger |
| 10:30 |
Quail Myth Busters |
Dr. Jess McGuire, Tim Caughran, Frank Loncarich & Kyle Hedges |
| 12:00 |
Monitoring Quail Populations |
Olivia Lappin & Dr. Jess McGuire |
| 12:30 |
The Latest Quail Research |
James Martin, Mark McConnell, Frank Loncarich & Kyle Hedges |
| 2:00 |
Show Me State Quail |
Andrew White & Beth Emmerich |
| 2:30 |
Quail Forever, The Next 20 Years |
Andy Edwards & Ron Leathers |
| 3:00 |
The Firebird - Prescribed Burning and Quail Habitat |
James Martin |
The 2025 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic will take place at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, MO on March 7-9. Passes and more information can be found at: PheasantFest.org.