Smoky Hill Pheasants Forever is hosting their 17th annual kickoff of pheasant season.  The public is invited to attend a celebration of the season November 8th at the Hays Sportsman’s Club at 5810 230th Ave in Hays.  Gates will open at 2:00 pm, and the event will run until around 10:00 pm.  Shayne Wilson, the group’s treasurer, told Hays Post that it gives people a chance to practice shooting, socialize with other hunters, eat some food and possibly win prizes.

Participants can purchase raffle tickets at the event for a chance to win various prizes, including a Remington 887 Nitro Mag 12 gauge shotgun.  There aren’t any official prizes for shooting, but Wilson said shooters often hold friendly competitions amongst each other.

Tickets for the event are $15 for adults, $12 for children 6 – 12, kids 5 and under get in for free.  Wilson said that this event helps the group give back to area students.

“What we use this money for is our youth scholarships that we provide.  In the past we started out with one $500 scholarship, and we’ve been able to up that to about 3 different scholarships every year now.  And we give those to kids that are going to school in a Kansas school.”