Shannon Cohrs has been recognized with the Forever Forward Award after bringing a Pheasants Forever chapter back to life
Just a few years ago, the Murray County Pheasants Forever Chapter was not only struggling, it didn’t exist after being disbanded.
That didn’t sit well with Shannon Cohrs, and the longtime outdoor enthusiast took action, breathing life back into the chapter as its new president and elevating its impact through vision and hard work.
“Determination,” is the simple answer Cohrs humbly gives when asked how he resurrected the 20-member chapter.
That determination didn’t just revive a defunct chapter, it pushed it to elite status — it was named the Pheasants Forever Chapter of the Year in 2024. Cohrs’ commitment not only saved a chapter, it earned him the Forever Forward Award, which was presented to him at the Sept. 12 MCPF Banquet in Fulda.
“I was a member before when it was just a group of good ol’ boys who thought they knew better with what they were doing … there was some bad feelings,” Cohrs said of the time leading up to the chapter disbanding. “They weren’t gonna do anything anymore, so I just took it over.”
Cohrs’ cohorts turned everything over to him, including some cash that was left over.
The chapter got going again with some help and donations from other chapters, said Cohrs, who has been running the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for the better part of the last 30 years. Cohrs said his inspiration to revive the chapter comes from his love of conservation.
“I love the groups; it’s all for a good cause,” said Cohrs, who after battling leukemia for 14 years was diagnosed with prostate cancer a little less than a year ago. “The biggest thing about Pheasants Forever, the money we raise, and the donations stay local within the county.”
Since the renewal of the chapter, it has acquired up a quarter section of land west of Pete’s Corner as well as 357 acres north of Current Lake.
“It’s not farmable land; it’s pretty rough land,” he said. “We’re not taking anything out of production.”
Cohrs said besides adding good habitat to the local landscape, groups of Pheasants Forever help ensure fruitful hunting for the next generation.
“I do it for the youth,” he said. “There’s too much sittin’ around on your phone, stuff like that. I’m all for the outdoors.”
Cohrs accepted his honor at the recent banquet with pride.
“I got somewhat emotional,” he admitted. “I didn’t know anything about it; it means a lot to me.”
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I love the groups; it’s all for a good cause. The biggest thing about Pheasants Forever, the money we raise, and the donations stay local within the county.
— SHANNON COHRS
