Hunt for Habitat

Welcome to the 1st Annual Hunt for Habitat!

My father, John Leo Hayden, used to talk passionately about the vibrancy of the small town he cherished most, Goodland. He reminisced about street dances, the Elks Club, Sugar Hills Country Club, church organizations, the G Club, dragging main, bird hunting, and the wonderful friends who populated the town. While Goodland is still full of incredible people and many of the same traditions, he lamented the lack of visitors and friends during the entire pheasant season. My dad believed this was a fixable issue and he insisted that it needed attention.

A solution dad believed in focused on establishing grassland habitat on pivot corners and other small tracts of marginally productive acres. Dad’s vision helped inspire Hayden Outdoors to partner with Pheasants Forever on the Corners for Wildlife Program. This program stands out because it calls on everyone who could benefit from the pheasant season to contribute to its success. In simple terms, businesses and community-minded families sponsor upland habitat restoration by making a donation, landowners participate, people visit and spend money, and everyone comes out ahead. We should bid farewell to the days of empty main streets during the opening weekend of the season and, frankly, the following 90 days. My dad and Ken Johnson hunted pheasants together for 68 opening days straight, demonstrating their passion and bond. Let’s give our youth, friends, and families more reasons to cherish these longstanding traditions and memories by bringing them back to their ‘Goodland’ a few more times each year.

The Corners for Wildlife program is straightforward: farmers enroll corners of their pivots and establish pheasant habitat, either receiving payment per acre from privately donated funds or by donating their habitat by opting out of the enrollment payment to Pheasants Forever, a 501(c)(3) organization. An event in Goodland will raise funds for enrolling additional land and maintaining existing corners in the program. The initial sign-up period is for five years, with farmers receiving $75 per acre, totaling $525 on a 7-acre pivot corner. It’s common knowledge that farmers are our finest land stewards; they deserve to benefit from their participation. A heartfelt thank you goes out to them for their years of commitment to hunting tradition and their willingness to provide access.

Best Wishes,

Dax Hayden

Hunt for Habitat 2024

This special event is more than just a hunt; it’s a celebration of community and conservation. We look forward to bringing together local residents and outdoors enthusiasts from across the state to enjoy a weekend filled with camaraderie, tradition, and a shared passion for preserving our natural habitats. Join us in fostering a sense of unity and purpose as we work together to support wildlife conservation and strengthen our local community.

Friday, November 8th: Join us for registration on Friday, November 8th, from 1-6 pm at the Price Convention Center in Goodland, Kansas. Hunters will receive their written permission, group assignments, and have the opportunity to purchase tickets and enroll if necessary. Afterwards, relax and network at our cocktail hour with a cash bar and appetizers provided. Your support goes towards preserving wildlife corners in Sherman County. Don’t miss this chance to contribute to conservation while enjoying a memorable hunting weekend.

Saturday November 9th: Join us on Saturday for an action-packed day starting with breakfast from 5:30-8 am, followed by the kickoff of our pheasant hunting activities. Following a day in the field, our fundraising event will commence at 6 pm. Sponsored by Hayden Outdoors, the evening will feature a dinner, live music, and a cash bar to unwind and enjoy the camaraderie.

Sunday, November 10th: On Sunday, hunters will have independent access to the fields, allowing them to pursue their hunting activities at their own pace and discretion.

Don’t miss this chance to contribute to conservation while enjoying a memorable hunting weekend!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Flush Sponsorship:

Sponsor of 5 corners (for one year) totaling $2,500 will receive the following benefits:

• Logo placement on event banners, with size and position determined by sponsorship level
• Logo featured on the Hayden Outdoors website leading up the event
• Inclusion in at least one Hayden Outdoors newsletter before the event
• Exposure through a 30-second TV commercial about the event with logo placement at the end
• Promotion on Hayden Outdoors’ social media platforms as an event sponsor
• 6 tickets included to the cocktail hour and fundraising banquet

Rooster Sponsorship:

Sponsor of 10 corners (for one year) totaling $5,000 will receive the following benefits:

• All benefits from Flush sponsorship, plus:
• Radio advertisement on local radio stations, with a shoutout at the end of the commercial
• Enhanced logo placement on event banners and TV commercials
• Increased exposure through roller ads in the local area on tv
• Additional features on Hayden Outdoors social media platforms recognizing sponsorship
• 10 Tickets included to the cocktail hour and fundraising banquet

Legacy Sponsorship:

Sponsor of 20 corners (for one year) totaling $10,000 will receive the following benefits:

• All benefits from Level 1 and Level 2 sponsorship, plus:
• Priority logo placement on event banners, Hayden Outdoors website, and in TV commercials
• Extended radio advertisements on local radio, with prominent mention at the end of the commercial
• Exclusive exposure through roller ads in the local area on tv.
• Featured prominently and frequently on Hayden Outdoors social media platforms
• Comprehensive advertising campaign starting at the end of September to maximize exposure
• Logo placement on local print ads including High Plains Journal
• VIP Treatment at the fundraising dinner, including reserved seating
• 20 tickets included to the cocktail hour and fundraising banquet

Join the Incredible List of Event and Media Sponsors

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the generous sponsors whose support is crucial in advancing wildlife conservation efforts, enriching local communities, and celebrating the cherished tradition of pheasant hunting.