Every hunting season, visitors travel to north central Kansas for time in the field, a getaway with friends, and the experiences that bring them back year after year. Many arrive in groups, stay overnight, and spend money on far more than a guided hunt.

For Mitchell County businesses, that’s an opportunity worth paying attention to. Our hunting guides and lodges are often a visitor’s first connection to the area, but the benefits can reach restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, retailers, and attractions across the county. The easier it is for visitors to find what they need locally, the more of that spending stays right here at home.

Think Beyond the Hunt

Hunters may come for one reason, but their needs extend well beyond the field. A group might need breakfast before sunrise, coffee on the road, fuel for several vehicles, groceries for the weekend, dinner after a long day, and lodging for multiple nights. Those who stay several days may also want supplies or something to do when they aren’t hunting.

These are everyday purchases, but together they add up. The key is making it easy for visitors to choose Mitchell County businesses first. If they can’t find your hours, don’t know what you offer, or aren’t sure you’re open, they may take their business elsewhere.

Five Ways to Make Hunting Season Count

1. Make yourself easy to find.
Many visitors plan their trips from a distance and don’t know our towns. Check that your online business information is accurate, including phone number, address, hours, and services, and keep your Facebook page current. Post seasonal hours clearly, let people know if you can handle larger groups, and highlight anything hunters might appreciate, like takeout meals, early coffee, groceries, or outdoor supplies. Since visitors often travel early or late around their hunting schedules, be clear about when you’re available and encourage customers to call ahead when needed. Remember that Mitchell County Tourism is now on the Driftscape app, which makes it easy for visitors to find you. Check your listing out and let us know if anything needs changed!

2. Think about the hunter’s schedule.
A hunter’s day can start well before sunrise and end after dark. That doesn’t mean changing your hours, but it’s worth considering how your existing services fit their needs. Could you prepare a takeout order in advance, offer group meal reservations, make coffee and breakfast easy to grab, or help a lodge with a larger food order? You don’t have to do everything. Find one practical way to serve this audience well.

3. Welcome groups, not just individuals.
Many hunters travel with friends, family, or organized groups, which means several customers making purchases together. Restaurants can share seating capacity and whether they take reservations. Stores can make larger orders easy. Lodging providers can point guests to nearby places to eat, shop, and refuel. If you can’t accommodate a request, refer the visitor to a local business that can. A good referral helps the visitor and keeps the opportunity in our community.

4. Work together to keep spending local.
A lodge owner knows which restaurants are open for dinner. A restaurant knows where to find groceries. A store clerk can suggest an attraction for a free afternoon. Share other businesses’ seasonal posts when they’re relevant, and let nearby lodges and guides know what you offer. When we help visitors navigate the county, they spend more of their money here.

5. Give visitors a reason to come back.
A friendly interaction, a helpful recommendation, or a meal that hits the spot can become part of someone’s favorite hunting-season tradition. Visitors who feel welcome recommend us to their hunting partners, return next year, or bring someone new along. You don’t need a special promotion. Consistent service, accurate information, and genuine small-town hospitality go a long way.

Let’s Make Every Visit Count

Mitchell County has what hunters are looking for: outdoor recreation, experienced guides, places to stay, and communities where people still take time to visit with one another.

We can’t control how many visitors arrive or how much each person spends, but we can make it easier for them to find local businesses, meet their needs, and enjoy their stay. As hunting season gets underway, take a few minutes to review your business information, think about what visiting hunters might need, and connect with other local businesses. When visitors spend another night, stop for another meal, or discover a business they didn’t know existed, our whole community benefits.

Let’s welcome our visitors, support our local businesses, and make hunting season count for Mitchell County!

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