May 8, 2014

All participants saw turkeys during this two-day event

PRATT ­– Five out of 13 youth turkey hunters went home with a bird in-hand at the Inaugural Ellis County Youth Turkey Hunt, but all had the experience of a lifetime.

The two-day event, hosted by the Hays “Long beard” chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT), and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Hays, kicked off the evening of April 11. Participants were presented with a brief history of wild turkeys in Kansas, turkey biology, and how to prepare for a hunt. Before the evening was over, each participant received a box call of their own to use on the hunt and a chance to see turkeys fly to roost.

The next morning, each hunter was guided by a local, experienced turkey hunter to a nearby hunting spot. Following the hunts, participants and guides gathered for lunch and storytelling. While not all hunters came away with a bird, all had a positive hunting experience.

“All the kids learned that while you don’t harvest a bird every time out, it can still be a wonderful experience,” said Vickie Cikanek, KDWPT biological technician and one of several hunt coordinators. “It is our hope that, with the knowledge given to them, these youth will continue to enjoy turkey hunting on their own, as well as the many other experiences our Kansas outdoors has to offer.”

For more information on this event, contact Cikanek at (785) 658-2465 ext. 205, or by e-mail at vickie.cikanek@ksoutdoors.com.

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