Oct. 30, 2014

Event provides outstanding hunting opportunities for new young and women hunters

CAWKER CITY – If you want to learn more about hunting but don’t know where to start, the 17

 Annual Youth & Women’s Pheasant Hunt At Waconda Lake might be for you. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) and sponsoring partners will conduct the 2014 pheasant hunting event for youth and women at Waconda Lake on Saturday, Nov. 22.  Designed to provide women and youth new to hunting with a safe and productive initiation into hunting, the event will begin in at 7:15 am with breakfast at the Hopewell Church basement in Glen Elder State Park. Breakfast will be followed by a pre-hunt safety talk and participants will be divided into hunting groups. The hunters, guides, and mentors will then head out to various refuge areas (where a very limited amount of hunting is allowed) around Waconda Lake and hunt for the remainder of the morning and early afternoon. A noon meal will be provided by the Waconda Lake Association.

Women of any age and youth ages 11–16 are encouraged to apply for this hunt, which is geared toward providing a comfortable and positive hunting environment for new or inexperienced hunters. Previous hunting experience is not required, and some shotguns and ammunition can be provided to applicants who do not have access to their own equipment. To apply, contact the Glen Elder Area Office at 785-545-3345 (8:00–4:30 weekdays) by Monday, Nov.10. Up to 40 applicants will be selected to participate in the hunt. 

This year’s new format will divide participants into groups based on their hunting experience and skill levels. The most inexperienced hunters will start their activities with some basic field safety exercises and trap shooting, then progress pheasant hunting later in the day. Participants who have some prior pheasant hunting experience will spend more time in the field.

A unique aspect of this event is that each group of pheasant hunters will get to hunt alongside hero/celebrities who have been invited to serve as hunting mentors. These individuals may be former professional athletes, TV personalities, or military personnel who have recently returned from deployment.

Trap shooting will be available for hunters to work on refining their shooting skills. From 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. the trap shooting will also be open to the general public.  The trap shooting area will be located immediately west of the KDWPT Glen Elder Area Office. Everyone is encouraged to bring novice shooters with them.

All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt that recognizes event sponsors. Each of the youth hunters will also receive a prize bag containing several items of “essential” outdoor gear for beginning hunters.

Additionally, a hunters’ banquet is planned for Saturday night. The banquet will include a meal, recognition of event sponsors and partners, and opportunity for hunters, mentors and the hero/celebrities to interact. All event participants are invited to attend and will be asked to RSVP for the banquet when they sign up for the hunt.

Extra volunteers will be needed for the event to serve as hunting and instructional mentors. For further questions concerning the event or if you would like to be involved, please contact Chris Lecuyer at the KDWPT Glen Elder Area Office 785-545-3345.

-30-

Back to 10/31/14 News