The Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) hosts two annual pheasant hunting contests. The Bounty Bird, exclusive to Ford County, and the Rooster Roundup in conjunction with seven surrounding counties. Both concluded on January 31. This year’s pheasant season drew hunters from all over the country, with the lucky winner of the Rooster Roundup and the grand prize of $500 in Chamber Bucks being Rex Starnes of Utica, KY.
But Rex wasn’t the only winner. Upon registration, every participant received a Rooster Roundup hat and a $20 Free Play Chip courtesy of the Boot Hill Casino & Resort or another hunting-related prize if under the age of 21. Bounty Bird participants also received a community gift valued at $25 or more.
“These contests present a great opportunity to engage with a population of our traveling public that we don’t usually see,” said Megan Welsh, manager of the CVB, “They give hunters a reason to come into the Visitor Information Center and a chance for us to get them excited about all the wonderful things our city has to offer.”
The Rooster Roundup annually releases 400 birds across seven counties and is facilitated by the Wild West Country tourism coalition that represents the 22 counties in the southwest region of Kansas and is made possible through grants from the Mariah Fund and the support of local sponsors.
This year’s sponsors include: Boot Hill Casino & Resort, Boot Hill Distillery, Boot Hill Museum, Dodge City Brewing, Dodge City Roundup, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, I Don’t Care Family Restaurant & Sports Bar, Longs, Long Branch Lagoon, Mariah Hills Golf Course, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, and United Wireless Arena.