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7th Annual Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic

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Last November, my hubby and I spent time afield and with friends at the 7th Annual Governor’s Ringneck Classic, held from Nov. 16 to 19 in Colby, Kansas. The WON has partnered with the Kansas Ringneck Foundation for the past 3 years to cover this annual event that raises money for conservation and youth programs in the great state of Kansas.

 

To some, it may seem barren and stark. To me, it’s God’s country out in western Kanas, which is full of beautiful wildlife and wide open spaces. (Rich Dykstra photo)

 

The WON Ringneck Classic

I bought Eddie Bauer upland clothes a few years ago, and for the past 3 years, they have gone afield (last year with Claire Sadler from London, and our managing editor, Michelle Cerino). It’s good stuff and wears really well. I also wear the brush pants in the fields at home in the Ozarks. The first look at my gun? It’s a Syren Elos Venti. I purchased it a few years ago for the Classic, too, and it is my go-to upland over-and-under.

 

good food at Ringneck classic

The food is always amazing at the Classic. It kicked off with a wild game dinner, featuring grouse, pheasant, elk and my pal, Jonathan Owen, from SHWAT.com’s, fav — wild turkey street tacos.

 

mule deer antler Kanasa

While others had started competing in the clays tournament, hubby (aka, the Bomb) and I took to the fields — specifically Gary Keller’s fine fields near Oakley, along with Jim Millinsifer and his wonderful hunting dogs, Zoey, Sage and Mia.

 

Jim Millinsifer and Baird afield Kansas

Not bad for a morning of hunting. Limits and a shed. With our good friend, and president of the Kansas Ringneck Foundation, Jim Millinsifer.

 

Syren Elos

It’s truly a thing of beauty … the Syren Elos Venti that I purchased a few years ago for the first Classic.

 

Jen o'Hara ringneck classic clays

Meanwhile, over at the clays competition … Girls with Guns Clothing’s Jen O’Hara gets some coaching for her next clay bustin’ shot. She’s shooting a Ruger Red Label shotgun. (Rick Dykstra photo)

 

More about the Ringneck Classic

The numbers bear the Classic’s success story so far.

  • The Classic has spent more than $570,000 in northwest Kansas on tourism dollars including food, lodging, entertainment and other event-related expenses. A significant portion of the dollars used for these expenses have come from outside its geographical area in the form of sponsorship.
  • More than 300 different people from Kansas, Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska have volunteered at the Classic. A handful of these folks have participated in all seven Classics. Hunters from at least 26 states and 3 foreign countries have walked the fields of Kansas because of their association with the Classic.
  • Through its association with Freedom Hunters, an organization that takes our country’s warriors on hunting trips, more than 80 active-duty, retired and wounded veterans from our military have experienced wild pheasant hunting in Kansas.
  • Twenty-six Kansas youth earned scholarships to hunt as guests of the governor.
  • Throughout the course, the Classic has awarded 20 lifetime Pheasants Forever memberships, seven Kansas lifetime hunting licenses and six college scholarships to Kansas youth hunters.
  • The Classic has been featured on national television productions each year, including “The Flush,” “Tom’s Wildlife,” “Bass Pro’s The Next Generation,” “Cabela’s Sporting Dog Adventures,” “Wing Shooting USA,” “Garmin’s Americana Outdoors” and “Nick’s Wild Ride.” It will be featured in 2018 on “Girls with Guns TV.”
Benelli rep on shotgun at Classic in Kansas

Benelli sent 2 reps this year to the Classic. (Rick Dykstra photo)

 

moving to hunt pheasants in Kansas

Here’s our group, moving toward a field and getting ready to set up to walk through grass and grains. (Rick Dykstra photo)

 

Kansas Ringneck Classic group Brownback

And here’s what we looked like after one of our long walks. That’s Jen and Norissa, of Girls with Guns Clothing, with me (on the end) and Gov. Sam Brownback (next to me), along with Todd Baxter from Texas (next to Brownback, our guide, dog handler and of course, the Bomb. (Rick Dykstra photo)

 

kansas tall grass field pheasants

This is a great representation of what it’s like to traverse a wild pheasant field, with cameraman for Girls with Guns TV, Kappy, behind us! (Rick Dykstra photo)

 

Learn more about the Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic.

Read other stories about the Ringneck Classic from years gone by: Claire Sadler’s story from her blog, “Gracing the Field,” and Michelle Cerino’s account. My story at NRA Family.

 

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  • About Barbara Baird

    Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in hunting, shooting and outdoor markets. Her bylines are found at several top hunting and shooting publications. She also is a travel writer, and you can follow her at https://www.ozarkian.com.

     

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