The Osborne County Pheasants Forever Chapter and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) are inviting young hunters to participate in an opening morning dove hunt. This hunt is expected to provide the young participants with plenty of shooting action as the birds flock to a grain field for morning feeding.
The hunt will be for youth between the ages of 10 and 16 who have had limited previous dove hunting experience. Kids who have never hunted will be given preference to participate. Only the youngsters will be hunting, and each hunter will have at least one adult mentor at their side to assist them. All hunters must be strong enough to handle their guns in a safe manner.
The hunt will take place early on the morning of Sunday, September 1st, on the Glen Elder Wildlife Area. A managed crop field on the lake property will be reserved exclusively for this youth hunting event. Hunters will meet before sunrise on the morning of the hunt at the Glen Elder Wildlife Area shop in Cawker City to organize and be paired up with adult mentors before heading to the field. After the hunt is finished all participants will enjoy a lunch where stories of the morning's hunt can be re-lived and shared.
Young hunters who would like to participate in the hunt will need to pre-register by calling the Glen Elder Area Office at 785-545-3345 (8:00 - 4:30 weekdays). Signup deadline will be Tuesday, August 27th. Spots are limited, so hunters are encouraged to register early.
When registering for the event, hunters will be asked if they want to participate in a practice trap shoot that may be held on Saturday afternoon, August 31st. If there is enough interest shown, participants will be notified with details of time and location for the trap shoot.
Some shotguns can be provided for those kids who do not have one. 12 and 20 gauge shotgun shells will be provided for the youth hunters. 2013 regulations for Glen Elder WA require that all hunters utilizing Managed Dove Fields on the property must use non-toxic (steel) shot.
For questions, more information, or if you would like to assist with this event, please contact either Chris Lecuyer (KDWPT) at 785-545-3345 or John Cockerham (PF) at 785-346-6527.