Bluestem Celebrates Wildlife, Outdoors
Conservation groups will have booths
By Brandy Nance
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply will be buzzing Friday and Saturday with its fifth annual Wildlife Appreciation and Conservation Days.
Several local conservation groups plan to have booths at Bluestem Friday and Saturday. Bruce Burenheide of Bluestem said many groups were invited including: Quail Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Lyon County Soil Conservation, Kansas Hunter Education, Camp Alexander and Kansas Furharvesters.
“The groups come into the store and set up a booth and have a chance to meet our customers in a different venue than their usual banquets,” Burenheide said. “We also have some manufacturer’s reps here, and have demos set up of hunting blinds, treestands and wildlife feeders.”
Burenheide said the event would be fun for all ages and it would be beneficial to youth.
“Anything to get the kids outside and off the couch,” he said. “It’s a good learning experience and (people) get to have fun too.”
In addition to indoor booths, events will be held outside. Smoker and grill demos are planned. If customers get hungry, Fanestil’s hot dogs and beef and beans will be available for sale.
All the proceeds from the hot dog stand are divided among the conservation groups.
A Gamo Air rifle range will be set up outside too. Wildlife and Parks will bring its laser shooting booth and drawings for prizes will be held. The grand prize is a Savage 17 HMR rifle. Grandpa Pokey will make balloon animals.
“We try to make this a fun day for our customers and especially their kids,” Burenheide said.
For more information, call Bluestem at 342-5502.