The Mower County Pheasants Forever has stockpiled more reasons than ever for people to attend its 12th annual banquet starting 5 p.m. this Saturday at the Holiday Inn in Austin.

This year’s banquet includes roughly 80 silent auction items, a live auction, numerous raffles and 27 winnable guns. While the banquet fell just $1,000 short of its $20,000 goal last year, Mower Pheasants Forever President Sue Olson sees no reason why this year shouldn’t surpass that goal.

“This year our goal is for $20,000 net, and I really do think we are going to make it this year,” she said.

Ticket sales for this year’s banquet are well ahead of schedule, Olson added. People can still purchase advance tickets from Double K Specialties in Austin, or they may be able to get tickets at the door. Olson suspects the banquet will sell out sometime during the 5 p.m. start.

Among the various hunting prizes, a couple hunting partners are up for auction, as well. One of dog trainer Bob Mallory’s lab puppies — a direct descendant of his champion dock dog — will be up for auction, along with a pointer puppy, as well.

Pheasants Forever plans to use proceeds from the event to continue purchasing and setting aside local lands for wildlife habitat. Olson mentioned the organization has been waiting to expand its Schwerin Creek Wildlife Management Area near LeRoy. It also has plans to purchase 160 acres of land within five miles of Austin for public use. Mower Pheasants Forever will also be recognized at Saturday’s banquet for pledging more than $1 million toward wildlife habitat and programs throughout the course of its history.

Tickets are available at Double K specialty or through Pheasants Forever committee members by calling 433-1048. Single membership dinners are $55, $20 additional to bring a spouse and $20 for youth 17 and younger.