Daily Archives: June 7, 2015

Helping Heroes Heal Bass Fishing Tournament at Council Grove City Lake

Patriot Outdoors Adventures is proud to host the “Helping Heroes Heal” Bass Fishing Tournament June 14 at Council Grove City Lake, located 3.5 miles northwest of Council Grove. This unique event will pair veterans with members of local bass fishing clubs to compete in a fishing tournament. The event will include official weigh-ins and a presentation of awards. Members of the public and media are invited to watch. Although all spots are filled for the tournament, Patriot Outdoors Adventures invites any veteran who has been affected by time spent in service to be a part of future events by contacting Nathan McClure at (785) 375-1327.

The Helping Heroes Heal Bass Fishing Tournament will begin on Saturday, June 13 with a meet and greet at 4 p.m. followed by the fishing tournament Sunday morning. An opening ceremony will begin at 5:30 a.m. at the boat dock and fishing will begin at 6 a.m. Weigh-ins will begin at noon in accordance with state and local fishing regulations, and the awards ceremony and closing events will follow.

Patriot Outdoors Adventures is a 501(c)3 charity that was established by retired Sgt. Maj. Mark Spencer in 2008. Spencer, a wounded veteran, created the organization as a way to help other veterans struggling with physical, mental and emotional injuries transition back into civilian life, as well as learn how to live with their injuries. To learn more, visit them on Facebook at “Patriot Outdoors Adventures.”

Two Kansas Hunter Education instructors make Hall of Fame

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is proud to announce two of the Department’s very own hunter education instructors have been inducted into the International Hunter Education Association’s (IHEA-USA) Hall of Fame. Ray Fischer and Dennis Vincent were inducted at the IHEA-USA’s annual conference May 18-21, 2015 in Des Moines, IA. Fischer, a veteran instructor of 20 years, received the Volunteer Hunter Education Hall of Fame Award, and Vincent, a veteran instructor of 25 years, received the Professional Hunter Education Hall of Fame Award.

Fischer became involved with the Kansas Hunter Education program in 1995 serving as an instructor. Just two short years later, he was named an area coordinator. To date, he has served in several capacities, including serving on the program’s advisory committee for the past seven years.

“Fischer makes learning a fun and rewarding adventure for his students,” said nominator and Kansas Hunter Education coordinator, Kent Barrett. “As busy as he is with family, work and other activities, he always finds time to volunteer.”

Vincent, named the 2014 Kansas Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, is also a committed member of the program.

“Dennis is a down-to-earth spokesman for hunting and shooting,” Barrett said of Vincent. “He is able to communicate with everyone from the politician in the statehouse, to the hunting veteran with 30 years of field experience, to the apprehensive mother watching her 12-year-old son shoot a shotgun for the first time.”

IHEA-USA is the professional hunter education association affiliated with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the 50 state fish and hunter education programs. These programs throughout the US utilize 55,000 instructors, many of whom are volunteers, who teach hunting and shooting safety, as well as hunter ethics and responsibilities.

Through the Hall of Fame program, IHEA-USA annually recognizes professionals and volunteers who go “above and beyond” the call of duty to bring hunter safety education to students and instructors in their states; assist IHEA-USA in a manner that exceeds a general effort; and benefit hunter safety education nationally, including involvement within the community as well as with conservation partners and the hunting and shooting sports industries at the state and national levels.

For more information on the IHEA Hall of Fame, visit www.ihea.com.

Two Salina High School students win state fishing championship

Nickolas Davenport and Hunter Baird, members of the Salina Stix Fishing Team, took first place at the 2015 Kansas State High School Fishing Championship at Milford Lake in Junction City May 31. One of 14 teams, the first place duo was able to tip the scales in their favor by reeling in three bass that weighed a combined 6 pounds and 7 ounces. Their first place spot at the championship qualified them for the High School Fishing Southern Conference Championship in Pine Bluff, Ark. this October, and earned them the title of state champions.

Coming in second place were Zach Vielhauer and Nathanial Thompson, members of the Kansas Student Angler Federation, followed by Thomas Heinen and Brock Bila of Hayden High School in third place. Veilhauer and Thompson had a weigh-in of 4 pounds and 6 ounces, followed closely by Heinin and Bila with a weigh-in of 4 pounds and 1 ounce.

For complete results and photos from the tournament, visit highschoolfishing.org.

Persons interested in starting a high school fishing club can visit www.highschoolfishing.org/getting-started/ to learn how.