The Kansas Chapter has been working diligently towards official charter for the past several months. As part of this effort we attended the Monster Buck Classic in January and the Kansas Bowhunters Association Convention in February, where we visited with many people, informing them of the BHA mission. We signed up several members and sold merchandise at these events.
In addition to these events, we have also held 3 different pint nights in Wichita, Manhattan and Overland Park, attended by over 140 people total. The highlight of our pint night efforts this past several months was the Overland Park Pint Night. We are grateful that this event was attended by Land Tawney. Prior to the pint night, we met with the Kansas Public Lands Manager for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism; who also attended the pint night; and began a good and strong relationship centered on public lands in Kansas. The Overland Park event was also attended by Congressman Roger Marshall of the Kansas Big First District, and his Chief of Staff, as well as many of our friends from the Missouri side of the river.
During Land's visit to Kansas we provided him both the big and up close view of Kansas public lands and the people that benefit and fight for them. Land met with the Kansas State University chapter of BHA; was provided a two-and-one-half-hour, 300 mile, aerial tour of public lands in Kansas – including the largest interior wetland in the United States, Cheyenne Bottoms; and finally, on the last day, experienced Kansas public land up close and personal while on a rabbit/shed hunt at Hillsdale Reservoir Wildlife Area. These experiences left Land with a firm understanding of public lands in Kansas and why they are so important to the Kansas chapter. They also left the Kansas chapter feeling good about the future of BHA in Kansas.
In May, at Rendezvous, we became an official BHA chapter! With energized leadership willing to roll up sleeves and fight for Public Lands not only in Kansas, but everywhere, we have a bright future!
About Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
The Voice For Our Wild Public Lands, Waters & Wildlife.