Western Kansas Outdoor Association backs young shooters, builds community through conservation

Group donates $1,500 and five BB guns to Thomas County 4-H as the last few spots remain for its Nov. 7 youth hunt in Oakley

The Western Kansas Outdoor Association is putting new equipment in the hands of young shooters while continuing to invest money, time and labor in outdoor projects across the region.

At the association’s recent monthly meeting, members presented Thomas County 4-H Shooting Sports with a $1,500 donation and five new Daisy BB guns. The contribution is intended to help the local program maintain its momentum and give more young people an opportunity to learn shooting skills in a structured environment.

The presentation offered a clear example of the association’s broader goal: supporting projects that get people outdoors, strengthen communities and help preserve western Kansas’ natural resources.

That work will continue this Saturday, Nov. 7, when the association hosts a youth hunting event at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center in Oakley. Only a few of the event’s 25 spots remain, and families interested in attending are encouraged to register as soon as possible by calling Kristen at 785-608-7477.

The event is open to youth ages 15 and younger, and a parent or guardian must be present. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by a required safety meeting at 8 a.m. The hunt, trap shoot, and lunch will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participants will learn firearm safety and hunter-education basics before taking part in hands-on activities, mentored hunting experiences and a trap shoot. Shells will be provided, along with a free lunch for all participants. The day will also include prizes, giveaways and family-friendly activities.

The youth hunt reflects one of the association’s central priorities — helping a new generation build outdoor skills while learning the responsibilities that come with hunting and conservation.

But the group’s community work extends well beyond hunting and shooting sports.

Association members recently contributed both labor and financial support to the Prairie Museum of Art and History’s walking trail project. The developing trail will wind through the museum’s 10-acre prairie refuge south of the museum, creating a natural-grass path and another place for residents to gather, walk and connect with the outdoors.

Members planted seed in the field and removed truckloads of invasive plants during the cleanup. Museum Director Jenny Linden has been developing the project as a “third space” for the community — a welcoming place outside home and work where people can spend time together.

The effort also brought the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks into the planning process to help develop a long-term approach to the prairie. The Colby City Council recently agreed to add a wheelchair-accessible ramp connecting the museum grounds with the city’s existing walking-trail system. The museum is awaiting trailhead signage before holding an official ribbon cutting.

The walking trail is one of several projects the association has supported this year. The group supported the annual fishing derby in May, provided lunch for a hunter-safety group and donated money to plant trees for community bee project.

Education is another focus. The association provides scholarships to seniors on the Colby High School shooting team, whose members regularly volunteer at association activities. It also offers a one-time, $1,500 scholarship to a senior from Colby, Oakley, Atwood, Rexford, Brewster or Triplains. Applicants write a 250-word essay describing what the outdoors means to them.

During the recent meeting, members also discussed how to honor the legacy of longtime member Daryl Meyer. Beginning this year, an award recipient will receive a custom .410 shotgun bearing a specially burned logo — a lasting tribute to Meyer’s dedication to the organization and its mission, honored as the Daryl Meyer Legacy Award.

Looking ahead, the association hopes to work with the Kansas Corners for Wildlife program, which supports wildlife habitat on unused corners of center-pivot irrigated fields. Members are also considering a second youth hunt in March, youth outdoor-skills programming and community trash-cleanup days.

The group is looking for additional partners and projects, whether they involve outdoor sports, habitat, recreation or another way to help residents enjoy the outdoors.

For now, the association’s attention turns to Saturday’s youth hunt in Oakley — another chance to connect young people with the outdoors and continue building the kind of community investment represented by its gift to Thomas County 4-H. With only a few openings left, families hoping to participate should register before the final spots are filled.

**Event information:** The Western Kansas Outdoor Association Youth Hunting Event is Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center in Oakley. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the required safety meeting begins at 8 a.m. The hunt, trap shoot and lunch run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to youth ages 15 and younger; parents or guardians must be present. Only a few of the 25 available spots remain. Register with Kristen at 785-608-7477 or contact the association at westernksoutdoor@gmail.com. Additional information is available at [westernksoutdoor.org](https://www.westernksoutdoor.org/).