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Kansas 1 Shot Turkey Hunt outlines conservation, youth and economic outreach in El Dorado
Summary
Organizers of the reestablished Kansas 1 Shot Turkey Hunt told the El Dorado commission they have set up a downtown office, partnered with state agencies on habitat and health studies, plan pollinator-plot plantings, and aim to bring about 50 participants to the April 16–18 event while using the hunt to support local economic recruitment.
Becky Wolf, the Kansas 1 Shot Turkey Hunt coordinator, and Darren Jackson, the hunt chair, presented to the El Dorado City Commission about the organization’s local activities and upcoming April events.
"I'm Becky Wolf, and I'm the hunt coordinator for the Kansas 1 Shot Turkey Hunt," Wolf said, explaining the hunt's new downtown office at 210 West Central in El Dorado and the group's outreach and marketing packet for sponsors and prospective hunters. Darren Jackson added, "I'm Darren Jackson. I'm the chair for the next 2 years for the 1 Shot Turkey Hunt," and emphasized the hunt's role in attracting visitors and potential employers to the region.
Organizers reviewed recent partnerships and accomplishments: collaboration with the Kansas Department of Commerce that helped the organization host prospective business representatives (they cited Marvin Windows, which later located a 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Kansas City, Kansas, with an estimated 600 jobs by 2028), studies with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and K State on habitat improvement and harvested-bird sampling to investigate parasite and health issues, and plans to plant pollinator plots in March with a state park partner.
The hunt also runs outreach programs: five youth representatives (one selected from each of four quadrants of Kansas plus one from Butler County) attend and participate as honored "celebrity hunters," and an "American heroes" program brings three veterans or first responders to the event. Organizers said they had sent 75 invitations this year, including the youth and American heroes, and hope to draw at least 50 participants.
Organizers invited commissioners and the public to attend the banquet and luncheon on the hunt weekend (April 16–18) and noted additional attractions including an artist donation and a return visit from Zuni tribal representatives who demonstrated ceremonial uses for feathers and other traditions.
The presentation concluded with organizers offering to answer questions and thanking the mayor, commission and city staff for the opportunity to present.
Next steps: organizers will proceed with marketing and sponsor outreach and selected local representation will serve as the city’s scribe at the hunt.
