15th Annual Pheasant Hunt for Youth & Women at Waconda Lake

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) and Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. is sponsoring their annual pheasant hunting event for youth and women at WacondaLake. The event will begin on Saturday morning at 7:15 am with a hunter breakfast to be held in theHopewell 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 areas around Glen Elder Reservoir and hunt until noon.  A noon meal will also be provided by the Waconda Lake Association for hunt participants.

Women of any age and youth ages 11 – 16 are eligible and encouraged to apply for this hunt. This hunt 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. Applications should be made by contacting the Glen Elder Area Office at 785-545-3345 (8:00 – 4:30 weekdays) by Monday, December 3, 2012. Up to 40 applicants will be selected to participate in the Saturday hunt. If there are more applicants, an additional hunt may be scheduled for Sunday morning December 9^th.

A free trap shoot will also be offered on Saturday afternoon from 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm. The trap shoot will be held just west of the KDWPT Glen Elder Area Office. The trap shoot will be open to the public and will also be geared towards new and beginning shooters.

Another unique aspect of this event is that each group of pheasant hunters will get to hunt alongside a few Hero/ Celebrities that have been invited to serve as hunting mentors for their group. This list is currently being put together, but these individuals may be former athletes, TV personalities, or military personnel that have recently returned from deployment.

There will also be hunter’s banquet held Saturday night at 6:00 pm. The banquet will be held at Memorial Hall in Downs and will include a meal, prizes for the hunters, and more opportunities for the hunters to interact with the Hero/ Celebrities. All event participants are invited to attend and will be asked to RSVP for the banquet when they sign up for the hunt.

If individuals have questions, need more information, or would like to be involved with this event, please contact Chris Lecuyer at the KDWPT Glen Elder Area Office 785-545-3345.