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How It Started...
The tradition and community...
In late 1986, former Kansas Governor Mike Hayden connected with Marv McCown, the newly appointed Executive Vice President of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, with a vision: to host a wild turkey hunt in the El Dorado area. They wanted to bring celebrities, business leaders, and leaders in the outdoor industry to hunt. Though Marv was a Navy veteran who had never hunted before, he took on the challenge, and brought together a team of passionate local hunters to act as guides. Their collaborative effort launched the Kansas Governor's One Shot Turkey Hunt in 1987—an event that welcomed hunters from around the globe for 35 incredible years. After a celebrated run, the original organization officially wrapped up its operations following the 2022 hunt.
Where The Hunt is Today...
Where Tradition, Conservation & Community Come Together
Unwilling to let a beloved tradition fade away, guide Steve Seymour and former Governor Mike Hayden joined forces with a passionate group of volunteers, sponsors, guides, hunters, and local landowners to rebuild the event from the ground up. Leveraging decades of deep community roots and longstanding relationships, this dedicated team laid the foundation to launch the new Kansas One Shot Turkey Hunt in 2023. Thanks to the generosity of vital founding sponsors, the organization established its new board of directors, completed its restructuring, and officially became a 501(c)(3) public charitable nonprofit in October 2022.
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Inviting key business, outdoor, sports and entertainment people to hunt in this exclusive event.
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Select youth hunters from all regions of Kansas, with one being from Butler County, Kansas.
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Select at least 3 American Heroes from the military and first responders.
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Determine areas of conservation and habitat where the hunt can make a difference in the life of the wild turkey.
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A fun, competitive event using a scoring mechanism to determine the Big Tom Award Winner after the two days of hunting.
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The Big Tom Award Winner receives their registration fees waived for the next year, hotel, and free taxidermy with a basic mount. (other mounts can be chosen at the winner's expense).
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For new hunters to the event, they receive the hunt and hotel. Travel is at the hunter's expense.
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Alumni Club members are guaranteed an invitation back at a $1750 registration fee plus their hotel and travel expenses at their expense.
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Depending on the level of sponsorship, most sponsors receive hunter spots and hotel with their sponsorship.
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All youth and American Heroes hunters expenses are paid through the Hunt and sponsors.
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Focus on areas of conservation and habitat and economic development for the area.
Meet The Board of Directors
Darren Jackson - Guide - El Dorado, KS
2026-27 Board Chairman
Darren was born and raised in Butler County, Kansas. He retired as Campus Police for Bluestem Schools and currently serves as a County Commissioner for Butler Co. Darren is a guide and a go-to person for the KOSTH office. Darren is also the coach for the shooting sports team at Butler Community College.
David Adams - Volunteer/Sponsor - El Dorado, KS
2026-27 Vice Chairman (Chair Elect)
Also known as the "cop cookie" guy, Dave makes peanut butter cookies for all hunters. Dave is also the guy behind the camera for the turkey shots. He served in law enforcement for the City of El Dorado and Butler County Sheriff's Dept. before retiring in recent years.
John Britt - Guide/Sponsor - Atlanta, KS
Immediate Past Chairman (2025)
John has served on the board since 2023. He is a guide for the hunt and assists with event set up and tear down. His job is a ranch manager and works for Parks Motors outside of Augusta, Kansas. John served as Board Chair in 2025 and is very involved with the El Dorado Elks.
Mike Hayden - Founder - Hunter - Lawrence, KS
Treasurer - 2026
Mike served as the 41st Governor of the great state of Kansas. He was the founder of the Governors Hunt and became the founder of the KOSTH in 2022. Mike is also a very avid fisherman and spends quality time on the lake.
Robert Boles - Guide - Wichita, KS
Alumni Club Chairman
Robert is our newest board member, having been elected by the Alumni Club membership in 2026. Robert serves in the healthcare industry. He has guided an American Hero for the hunt each year.
Kim Gonzales - Guide - El Dorado, KS
Board Member
As a longtime resident of Butler County, Kim has been a guide for the hunt for many years. She has served on the board since 2023. When she isn't in Kansas, she and her family spend time at their cabin in Alaska. Kim works with our Youth program and is a counselor in the Wichita School District.
Bryan Lewis - Hunter/Sponsor - Nashville, TN
Board Member
Bryan is a lawyer and comes to us from Nashville, TN. He has hunted and sponsored the hunt for many years and is a great supporter of the mission of the organization.
Leonard Moore - Guide - Eureka, KS
Board Member
Joining the board in 2025, Leonard has been a guide for the hunt for many years. He brings a unique perspective as a long time hunter. Leonard spent many years with the Correctional Facility in El Dorado and now works for Greenwood County Sheriff's Department.
Marc Murrell - Volunteer/Sponsor - Newton, KS
Board Member
As Director of Kansas Wildscape Foundation, Marc is instrumental in sharing resources with KS Wildlife and Parks and in supporting the youth and American Heroes programs. Marc is also the official scorer for the KOSTH event.
Jarrod Nichols - Guide - Past Chair (24) - Olathe, KS
Board Member
Jarrod served as Board Chair in 2024 and was instrumental in acquiring sponsors for the KOSTH. He has been a hunter for many years and just recently became a guide. Jarrod currently owns a business consulting firm and works for new start up, Tag Sports.
Kelsey Puryear - Hunter/Sponsor - Charleston, SC
Board Member
Kelsey, COO of Murray Road Agency, began her service to the board in 2024. She has been instrumental in many industry sponsorships for the hunt and is a huge resource in advertising and promotions of the event.
Steve Seymour - Guide - Founder - El Dorado, KS
Board Member
Long-time resident of Butler County and was instrumental in gathering people to begin this hunt. Steve served as Board Chair in 2023, and he is a guide. Steve is Commander of the American Legion Post 81 in El Dorado.
Becky Wolfe - HUNT COORDINATOR - Augusta, KS
Staff - Board Secretary
Becky has served on the board since 2022 and has served as volunteer hunt coordinator for 4 years. In 2026, the Board hired Becky to officially take the role of Hunt Coordinator. She has lived in Butler County for 40 years and began working on the Governor's Hunt with Marv McCown in 1989 and has worked in nonprofits most of her professional life.
Are you interested in being a Board Member?
Board membership is open to any sponsor, guide, landowner, or volunteer who is dedicated to our mission and available to attend meetings and events. As a working board, our members play an active, hands-on role in all aspects of making the Kansas One Shot Turkey Hunt a success.
Board membership is open to any sponsor, guide, landowner, or volunteer who is dedicated to our mission and available to attend meetings and events. As a working board, our members play an active, hands-on role in all aspects of making the Kansas One Shot Turkey Hunt a success.
Complete the Board Interest Form and a board member or staff will be in touch.
Complete the Board Interest Form and a board member or staff will be in touch.