Pheasants Forever helps protect public hunting and recreation area in Mahaska County

Pheasants Forever helps protect public hunting and recreation area in Mahaska County

Local sportsmen, conservation groups and private donors were able to help protect a sizable area for public hunting and recreation in Mahaska County this summer, with partnership from Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

The 202-acre addition to the Russell Wildlife Management Area is adjacent to the Mahaska County Conservation headquarters and protects significant floodplain habitat along the South Skunk River. The Mahaska County Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter led fundraising efforts to make the property public.

“This property was enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, and this protection effort ensures that this great natural area stays permanently protected for habitat, hunting and recreation,” said Ross Baxter, INHF land projects director.

The project received Habitat Stamp funding, a federal grant program administered through states for game habitat protection. Support from the Mahaska County Conservation Board and the Mahaska County PF chapter was joined by PF chapters from Warren, Marshall and Jasper counties, as well as from the Iowa State University, North Polk and Cedar Creek chapters. Additional support came from the Pella Rolscreen Foundation, the English River Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited and a national grant from Whitetails Unlimited.