By ERIC PRATT

sports@messengernews.net

A night of fun, fellowship and fundraising is on tap for the Webster County Chapter of Pheasants Forever this Saturday.

The group’s 41st annual banquet takes place at the Webster County Ag Center on the Webster County Fairgrounds. Banquet Chairman Jerry Beck anticipates a crowd of around 500 people for the event, which enjoyed a growth spurt last year.

“We had a terrific turnout (in 2025) and cleared the 500 mark after being right around 400 historically,” said Beck, who added that the uptick has also reached membership numbers for the group. “Advanced sales this year are going really well, and you can purchase tickets at the door.

“This is a big night for a lot of reasons,” he added. “The money raised goes to a number of habitat projects, and also, helps fund our scholarship program for Webster County students.”

Social hour begins at 4:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6:15 p.m. and the banquet to follow. There will be games, raffles and an auction.

Tickets are $60 each. Spouse and youth admission – age 18 and under – is $25.

In addition to funding habitat restoration, preservation and acquisition and the student support for college – two $1,000 scholarships are granted annually to Webster County students – there are youth education programs in place to guide future hunters. The chapter hosted two youth events for ages 15 and under within the last year: a trap shoot last August at the Iowa Central Community College range, and a mentor hunt during the Iowa-designated youth-only season last October.

“Everything from our chapter stays local,” Beck said. “That’s what makes Pheasants Forever unique. Each county has its own group, and (the money raised) doesn’t go to a national organization. It’s all used right here.”

A number of live-auction items will be available for bidding, and many raffle prizes will be given away. Three of the listed auction pieces are specifically designated to support the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight.

There will also be ladies and youth raffle tables. More than 50 guns will be given away in various raffles and games throughout the night.

Matt Garner is the current Webster County Pheasants Forever president. Larry Linn serves as vice president. Doug Wilk is secretary.

Ringneck co-chairs are Matt Carlson and Zach Garner. Habitat co-chairs are Scott Gebers and Norm Lundquist. JP Knutson is the regional wildlife biologist.

There are approximately 30 members who fill various board and committee responsibilities. Overall, the Webster County Chapter of Pheasants Forever has close to 600 members.

Since the group’s inception in 1985, more than $1.2 million has been invested in Webster County projects.

The most recent pheasant hunting season, which started Oct. 25, 2025 and ended Jan. 10, 2026, marked the 100th in Iowa. The first season was in October of 1925, with 13 counties in north-central Iowa open to hunting.