The Seventh Annual Wildlife Appreciation and Conservation Days event at Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply is right around the corner.
The event, which is aimed at wildlife appreciation and conservation, will be held on Friday and Saturday at the store, 2611 W. Highway 50.
Local conservation groups will be present at the event including Quail Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Lyon County Soil Conservation, Kansas Hunter Education, Camp Alexander, Kansas Fur Harvesters and others.
“The groups come into the store and set up a booth and have a chance to meet our customers in a different venue than our banquets,” said Bruce Burenheide of Bluestem. “We also have some manufacturers’ representatives here and have demos set up of hunting blinds, tree stands and wildlife feeders.”
Outside the store, there will be grill demos on Weber grills, a Horizon Smoker and Traeger Grill. A hot dog stand will be stocked with Fanestil hot dogs and beef and beans. All proceeds from the stand are divided among the local conservation groups. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will bring a laser shooting booth where shooters can test their skills on game and targets.
There will be prize drawings during the days with the grand prize being a Savage model 16 .243 rifle. Grandpa Pokey will make balloon animals. New this year will be a marshmallow blaster shooting range.