Governor Sam Brownback’s 2011 initiative:
The Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic was designed to draw regional and national attention to hunting tourism in Kansas. “My top priority is to grow the state’s economy. Key to that is capitalizing on the competitive advantages our state has,” Governor Brownback stated. “Kansas is consistently ranked as one of the top three states in the country for pheasant hunting. This is an underutilized asset for our rural communities. If we do a better job telling folks about the quality of hunting available here in Kansas, we will pull more of those tourism dollars into Kansas.” The 2011 inaugural hunt and the 2012 hunt were hosted by the town of Oakley. Starting in year 2013, the hunt began a rotation among several northwestern communities.
The Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic:
The Ringneck Classic, Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation in the state of Kansas. The PURPOSE of the Classic is to “Bring people together for an annual pheasant hunt that raises funds to benefit the Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation (NWKCF), promote hunting tourism and contribute to local economies.”
The Classic Club:
The Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic offers past hunt participants the opportunity to join the “Classic Club”, an exclusive lifetime club for our alumni members. Classic Club members receive a yearly invitation to the hunt.
The Northwest Kansas Conservation Foundation NWKCF:
The NWKCF’s VISION is to “Support wildlife and habitat conservation, the development of public upland hunting, outdoor youth opportunities, and new hunters and shooters.”
Our MISSION is to “Distribute grants to organizations in NW Kansas that fulfill the foundations’ vision.”
In addition, the foundation annually funds a college scholarship awarded to a student majoring in a related field.
The Ringneck Classic Board of Directors:
The Ringneck Classic board is made up of members representing Northwest Kansas. The members are committed to the vision of promoting hunting, wildlife habitat and land conservation in NW Kansas.
Board Members
Jim Millensifer – President, Oakley, KS
Nolan Hull – Vice President, Colby, KS
Keith O’Dell – Colby, KS
Justin Burrus, Colby, KS
Justin Jamison, Colby, KS
Lana Johnson – Colby, KS
Jake Haines – Colby, KS
Lexi Maris – Colby, KS
Matt Hayes – Levant, KS
Administrator: Laurie Millensifer, The Ringneck Classic, Inc., Oakley, KS 785.671.1000
email: [email protected]