7th Annual Kansas Governor's Ringneck Classic a Success

OAKLEY, Kan. - Dec. 18, 2017 - PRLog -- The 7^th Annual Kansas Governor's Ringneck Classic went afield in pheasant territory around the Colby area from Nov. 16 to 19. Pheasant hunters from 12 states participated in the effort to bring awareness and dollars to wild pheasant hunting and conservation in Kansas.

Gov. Sam Brownback joined fellow hunters on Sat., Nov. 18, for a full day of walking and hunting wild pheasants. Other events included a clay shooting competition, fund-raising banquets, side-hunts and special music. Nashville artists Nick Hoffman and Natalie Murphy played to a packed house on Friday night, followed by Kansas rocker Lucas Maddy at the Saturday evening banquet and fundraiser.

Since 2011, the Classic has generated more than $300,000 for local beneficiaries, youth, its partners supporting conservation efforts and the Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation. The Foundation is the backbone of the yearly event.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."

"The Ringneck Board of Directors are honored to have had the support of Governor Brownback the last seven years, we look forward to continuing the hunt for years to come" said Jim Millensifer, president of the Kansas Ringneck Classic board.

The 2018 Kansas Governor's Ringneck Classic is scheduled to return to Colby, Kansas, next year, from Thurs., Nov. 15, to Sun., Nov. 18. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Millensifer. Visit the website, http://www.kansasringneckclassic.com.

About the Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation

The Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation (NWKCF) was created by the Kansas Governor's Ringneck Classicto support habitat improvement and wildlife conservation in Northwest Kansas.   The foundation receives funds annually as a beneficiary of The Ringneck Classic.