Above: Danny Elmore (left) and his daughter Angel Elmore hunted with Governor Sam Brownback (middle) at the 2018 Kansas Governor's Quail Hunt mear Emporia.
Quail Forever efforts are helping put bobwhites on the landscape and keeping Kansas a top quail destination.
Story and Photo by Mark Herwig
The first annual Kansas Governor’s Quail Hunt for Conservation took place near Emporia, Kansas in January. The event was a fun weekend that included a hunter/guide/landowner reception, a full day of quail hunting, a lunch provided by local brewpub Radius, and a day-capping banquet hosted by the local Lyon County Quail Forever chapter.
The hunt showcased the Sunflower State’s conservation efforts, habitat initiatives and wild quail hunting in a natural setting.
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback received a CZ shotgun for Christmas from his family, and he dropped a nice bobwhite with his first shot. The Governor braved the cold weather along with 23 other hunters, and throughout the hunt discussed conservation efforts to keep the state among the top quail producers in the nation.
“Its really important to promote Kansas outdoors,” said Governor Brownback during his morning hunt on local farmer Jeff Hodges’ land. “A key to keeping residents here, and attracting more people to Kansas, including millennials, is maintaining a good quality of life. Good quail hunting is critical to that effort.”
Later at the Lyon County Quail Forever Chapter banquet in Emporia, Governor Brownback thanked the large crowd of Quail Forever members for all the chapter does to improve quail habitat in the state. “Your efforts help make Kansas hunting great,” said Brownback. “Young people move to where the action is, and Kansas has great hunting. We have to do more to create a good quality of life in Kansas and the excitement that comes with it. Be proud of your efforts.”
Nik Roth, Lyon County Chapter president, was pleased with the chapter’s efforts to make the first Governor’s Quail Hunt a success. “It has taken us four years to build this chapter. Today’s hunt and tonight’s banquet show what hard work from dedicated volunteers can do.”
Marc Glades, Quail Forever South Region Field Manager and lifetime Kansas resident, thanked the Lyon County Chapter and the state’s other 48 chapters for their habitat efforts in recent years.
“The chapters have been critical partners in many conservation projects throughout the state for over 30 years,” Glades said. “Involvement in efforts such as the Kansas Quail Initiative and Kansas Pheasant Initiative have put thousands of acres of habitat back on the landscape, which in turn helps keep Kansas upland hunting thriving.”
For more on Kansas quail hunting, visit
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