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 concluded on January 31, 2023. This year’s pheasant season in Dodge City drew hunters from all over the country with the furthest traveled from South Carolina. The lucky winner of the Dodge City/Ford County Rooster Roundup, Garrett Tann of Shawnee KS, won the grand prize of $500 in Dodge City Chamber Bucks.
But Garett 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. Every Bounty Bird participant also received a community gift valued at $25 or more.
“The pheasant hunting contests have created excellent partnerships across our community that incentivizes hunters to travel to Dodge City and hunt our area,” said Megan Welsh, director of the CVB, “This year, in addition to our partnerships across the region, Dodge City launched our hunting rewards program with local businesses to give hunters one more reason to choose to hunt in Dodge City.”
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. This contest is made possible through grants from the Mariah Fund and the support of local sponsors.
Sponsors for the Dodge City / Ford County pheasant hunting contests include Boot Hill Casino & Resort, Boot Hill Distillery, Boot Hill Museum, Central Station, Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce, Dodge City Brewing, Dodge City Roundup, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, I Don’t Care Family Restaurant & Sports Bar, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Longs, Long Branch Lagoon, and Mariah Hills Golf Course.