Governor's Turkey Hunt Seeks Young Hunters

Six lucky youngsters will get turkey hunting opportunity

The Governor’s One Shot Turkey Hunt, based in El Dorado, draws hunters from across the U.S. each spring to experience the great turkey hunting found in Kansas. However, since 2002, six lucky young hunters from Kansas have been selected to participate in the hunt as “Youth Celebrities.”

While organizers of the hunt strive to promote Kansas’ great hunting heritage, they also realize that hunting traditions must be passed down to our youth. To do that, they have developed an application and selection process to get young hunters involved. To be considered for selection, youth must be Kansas residents, have completed a hunter education course, be 12 to 18 years of age, have a parent or adult sponsor who will accompany and stay with them during the event, attend all events associated with the hunt, and submit an application, essay and photo by Jan. 8, 2013.

A selection committee will review the applications and essays, which should be about “Why I Should Be Considered for the Hunt”or“Why Hunting Is Important to Me.” The committee will consider qualified applicants of all experience levels.

The lucky six will be considered youth hunters and will not be in competition for the Top Gun award, but each will be provided with the following: a hunting guide; hotel accommodations in El Dorado; tickets and passes to all the events for the parent/sponsor and youth; two turkey permits and licenses required; and the opportunity to participate in future events as volunteers.

This year’s hunt will take place April 11-13. Applicants may contact the Kansas Governor’s One Shot Turkey Hunt office during business hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 316-321-3835 with any questions concerning the youth program or other programs associated with the hunt. A celebrity youth program application can be downloaded here http://www.ksgovsturkeyhunt.com/.

Any Kansas youth who meets the eligibility requirements is encouraged to apply for participation in the hunt. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a quality turkey hunting experience and the hospitality of the great folks in Butler County and El Dorado who conduct the hunt each year. The Kansas Governor’s Annual One Shot Turkey Hunt has become recognized throughout the U.S. as one of the finest of its kind in the nation.