The 121st Annual Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic will take place November 18-20 in Colby, Kansas. It will welcome 80 hunters from 15 states to a three-day weekend filled with pheasant hunting opportunities in the fields around Colby. Guests will also enjoy banquets, auctions and special events. The Ringneck Classic aims to raise awareness and funds for wildlife habitat and conservation in Kansas.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating Northwest Kansas Game and Wildlife,” is designed to recognize the impact of the Classic and the funds raised to support habit conservation. The City Limits Convention Center in Colby will host the evening banquets. At least 40 volunteer handlers and dog handlers will be on hand to ensure guests enjoy the spacious nine-county courses in western Kansas.
Ed Arnett, CEO of The Wildlife Society, will be among the Governor’s guest hunters and will deliver the keynote address at the banquet on Saturday night. Howard Vincent, outgoing president and CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, and Amy Ray, president and CEO of Sisterhood of the Outdoors, will also join in the search for the iconic crew-necked pheasant.
The Classic will also host its third annual “Chix in the Sticks” happy hour on Friday, November 18 from 4-5:30 pm at City Limits Bar & Grill. The free event is open to all ladies. It will feature raffles, games and influential speakers in the world of women and hunting.
Since 2011, the Classic has generated more than $600,000 for local grantees and their Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to distribute grants to organizations that support wildlife and habitat conservation, develop highland public hunting, or provide outdoor opportunities for youth and new hunters and shooters. Classic sponsors and partners make this event possible. For information about our sponsors and partners, visit www.kansasringneckclassic.com/supporters/. Grants awarded by the Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation can be found at www.kansasringneckclassic.com/nkccf/.
The Conservation Foundation can be found at www.kansasringneckclassic.com/nkccf/.
Ringneck Classic/Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation board members include Jim Millensifer, Keith O’Dell, Justin Jamison, Matt Hayes, Jake Haines, Nolan Hull, Justin Burrus, Jenny Niblock, Lana Johnson, and Lexi Maris.
For more information on how to support the Classic, contact Jim Millensifer at (785) 953-1139.