Colton Zirkle named Executive Director for Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc.

New Executive Director is lifelong Missouri resident with deep roots in Missouri’s outdoor way of life and hunting traditions.

Kansas City, MO – Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc. (MHHF) today announced that Colton Zirkle has joined the 501(c)(3) organization as Executive Director, effective June 13, 2022. Zirkle will focus on successfully carrying out and supervising activities that lead to the overall strategic, operational and financial wellbeing of the Federation.

“I am honored to accept this opportunity,” says Zirkle. “As a hunter, fisherman, trapper, and outdoorsman, my over-arching desire is to inspire fellow Missourians to protect and conserve our natural resources. This includes providing education and hands-on training to Missouri’s youth so they learn how to safely handle firearms, gain an understanding of wildlife conservation and are introduced to the many enjoyable aspects of Missouri's hunting heritage.”

Zirkle, who has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and an M.S. in Entomology, has a long history of supporting Missouri conversation and working with youth. He joins MHHF from the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) where he helped recruit student leaders, promote events, and produce CFM’s electronic communications. His work included meeting Missouri state legislators, conservation partners and other state agencies to advance Missouri’s outdoor way of life.

Prior to joining CFM, Zirkle worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation, University of Arkansas and Roaring River State Park.

“Colton brings a unique blend of marketing, hunting, conservation and relationship management experience that MHHF needs in order to continue to grow and expand the Federation across the state of Missouri,” says MHHF president, Stacie Hubler. “We are fortunate to have someone with Colton’s credentials and passion overseeing the day-to-day operations of MHHF.”

An Eagle Scout since 2008, Zirkle is an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. He is a life member of the National Rifle Association and Conservation Federation of Missouri. Additionally, he is a member of Missouri Outdoor Communicators and Quail Forever.

###

MHHF is a 501(c)(3) service-oriented organization of volunteers who are passionate about Missouri's hunting history. MHHF introduces youth to an outdoor way of life featuring our hunting tradition, the shooting sports and the enjoyment of being in Missouri's natural landscape.

Through education and hands-on training, youth learn how to safely handle firearms, gain an understanding of wildlife conservation and are introduced to the many enjoyable aspects of Missouri's hunting heritage.

Clinics are conducted throughout the year during Missouri's hunting and trapping seasons. Classroom courses and clinic activities are tailored to match the seasons. Hunter education, bowhunter education, and trapper education classroom courses are each taught by volunteer instructor members of MHHF certified by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

FOR CLINIC INFORMATION AND A SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS VISIT mhhf.us

Download PDF

Colton Zirkle, Executive Director of the Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation.

MHHF co-founder featured in community magazine

Lee Vogel observes as a student demonstrates her knowledge of sight, safety and action of a firearm.

Lee Vogel, co-founder and past president of MHHF, was recently interviewed by Lake Winnebago Living magazine. Read more about the history, mission and future of MHHF in the attached. READ THE ARTICLE

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc. Completes 100th Youth Hunter Education CliniC

Since MHHF’s first Hunter Education Clinic in 2007, 593 families have been introduced to Missouri’s outdoor way of life and hunting traditions.

Kansas City, MO – Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc. (MHHF), a 501(c)(3) organization, celebrated its 100th Youth Hunter Education Clinic the weekend of April 9, 2022. Six families participated in the Clinic, which included a mentored turkey hunt. Since its first official Clinic in 2007, MHHF has introduced 593 families to Missouri’s outdoor way of life and hunting traditions.

The idea behind MHHF developed in the spring of 2006. Motivated to action by reports of students graduating from hunter education classes and never experiencing their first hunt, a handful of Missouri’s volunteer instructors organized a turkey hunt for five youth. Mentoring youth on their first hunt was a gratifying experience for these volunteer instructors and that led to three additional events that year.

In 2007, the youth hunts evolved and expanded into “clinics” that included the classroom course, a live-fire session, a mentored hunt, and a group meal, all conducted in a single weekend. Shortly after that, MHHF was incorporated as a 501(c)(3).

“It’s coincidence that our first youth hunt was for turkey and our 100th Clinic was also turkey,” says co-founder and past president Lee Vogel. “What’s not coincidence is the growth of MHHF and the commitment of our sponsors and volunteers.”

Each year, on average, more than 35 volunteers share approximately 1,000 hours supporting MHHF’s mission to “pass along Missouri’s hunting heritage in the best and safest way possible.”

"We're fortunate that we have the support of many like-minded individuals and partners who recognize the importance of getting youth outdoors," says MHHF President Stacie Hubler.

This year several organizations have confirmed the value of MHHF either through grants or other types of recognition. This includes:

• MHHF received a David A. Risberg Grant for the 4th consecutive year. This grant, which awards money in honor of David A. Risberg, helps fund projects that CFM believes will have a lasting impact on the lives of Missourians for years to come.

• The Peculiar Charitable Foundation sponsored four MHHF Clinics.

• The Friends of NRA, which supports the shooting sports, issued a grant to MHHF.

"We appreciate their support, and that of all our sponsors, members and volunteers. It's because of them that we're able to achieve the milestone of our 100th Clinic," says Hubler.

Acknowledging MHHF's contribution to the outdoor way of life, the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) recently recognized MHHF as the CFM Conservation Organization of the Year. "This recognition is the result of MHHF’s continued efforts to be a strong promoter of the outdoors in Missouri," say CFM executive director Tyler Schwartze.

While MHHF Clinics are intended to introduce youth to hunting, the result often exceeds the goal. "The concept behind our clinic model is more than just getting kids outdoors," says Vogel. "We see this as an opportunity for families to connect with each other while they learn about hunting and the shooting sports together. Few things can create a family bond better than time spent in the field anticipating the first harvest of the season."

MHHF Clinics are held several weekends a year, and are all free of charge to each student. Click for more information about upcoming Clinics. Photos of prior clinics.

###

MHHF is a 501(c)(3) service-oriented organization of volunteers who are passionate about Missouri's hunting history. MHHF introduces youth to an outdoor way of life featuring our hunting tradition, the shooting sports and the enjoyment of being in Missouri's natural landscape. Through education and hands-on training, youth learn how to safely handle firearms, gain an understanding of wildlife conservation and are introduced to the many enjoyable aspects of Missouri's hunting heritage.

Clinics are conducted throughout the year during Missouri's hunting and trapping seasons. Classroom courses and clinic activities are tailored to match the seasons. Hunter education, bowhunter education, and trapper education classroom courses are each taught by volunteer instructor members of MHHF certified by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

DOWNLOAD .PDF