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)
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.
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.
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.
Not bad for a morning of hunting. Limits and a shed. With our good friend, and president of the Kansas Ringneck Foundation, Jim Millinsifer.
It’s truly a thing of beauty … the Syren Elos Venti that I purchased a few years ago for the first Classic.
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)
The numbers bear the Classic’s success story so far.
Benelli sent 2 reps this year to the Classic. (Rick Dykstra photo)
Here’s our group, moving toward a field and getting ready to set up to walk through grass and grains. (Rick Dykstra photo)
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)
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.
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. View all posts by Barbara Baird
