Inside Kansas’s Premier Wild Bird Hunting Camp: Where Tradition Takes Flight

Venku Outdoors , GunBroker Contributor

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Article by Guest Contributor: VENKU.com

*Experience Real Kansas Hunting: Wild Birds, Trained Labs, and True Hospitality*

Last Chance Wings & Labs: Kansas’s Best-Kept Secret for Wild Bird Hunters

In Russell, Kansas – a stretch of wind-swept prairie that still echoes with the flutter of wild wings – there’s a bird camp that keeps its promise to hunters: wild birds, hard-working dogs, and hospitality that feels like home.

It’s called Last Chance Wings & Labs (LCWL), and it’s run by a man whose love of dogs, land, and tradition can be felt in every hunt he leads.

Venku.com has had the privilege of working with the owner, Stuart Young for years now through. What makes his operation stand out is something you can’t always advertise – a deep commitment to doing things right, every single time.

Stuart Young of Last Chance Wings & Labs (LCWL)

A Hunt That Feels Like Coming Home

At Last Chance Wings & Labs, you’re not one of many. You’re the only group in camp. That’s how Stuart likes to keep it. He hunts with one group at a time, always personalized, always built around the kind of experience he’d want for himself.

“You eat in our home,” Stuart says. “We make you feel like family, and most of our hunters have been hunting with us for decades. This isn’t just a trip, it’s a reunion.”

From pheasant-filled uplands to cut corn duck blinds, Stuart and his crew offer both upland and waterfowl hunts, all set in meticulously managed habitat thanks to long-term partnerships with area farmers. “Working with landowners to create great environments for both waterfowl and upland creates a win, win situation for us and the birds,” Stuart says. Importantly (and unlike many others) they hunt only wild birds. No pen-raised shortcuts here.

That wild experience is what draws hunters in. But it’s the way Stuart treats you – like you’re family, not clients – that brings them back year after year.

Dogs, Dogs, and More Dogs

The “Labs” part of Last Chance Wings & Labs isn’t just for show. Stuart breeds and trains his own dogs and loves working behind them in the field. Watching them lock up on a Kansas rooster or retrieve a mallard through icy water is part of the thrill, and Stuart invites you to bring your own dogs along, too.

Whether it’s your first season with a pup or a veteran pointer that knows the drill, Last Chance welcomes dogs of all experience levels. There’s a genuine respect for the bond between hunter and dog that few outfitters truly honor the way Stuart does.

*“A day in the field beats a day in the office every time”*

Firearms Built for the Field

When it comes to gear, Stuart puts performance first. His team regularly carries Franchi, Beretta, and Winchester shotguns, but it’s the Franchi that earns top billing for reliability – especially when working waterfowl in sub-zero Kansas mornings or taking second shots at running pheasants. “We really prefer the Franchi guns because of the reliability in both warm and cold conditions. It gives us that extra edge, particularly when we are hunting waterfowl and handling cripples at a distance.”

Semi-automatics are another recommendation Stuart shares for beginner and experienced hunters alike: “For both waterfowl and upland, we recommend a semi-auto,” Stuart says. “That second and third shot can be the difference when the birds are flushing hard or flying fast.”

And of course, safety always comes first. Every hunt starts with a rundown, and Stuart’s motto is simple and effective:

“Aim for the head and they’ll be dead.”

But more than that, he encourages every hunter to slow down, savor the day, enjoy the dogs and the camaraderie. Because as he puts it, “A day in the field beats a day in the office every time.”

Trusted Gear, Field-Tested

You’ll find Roger’s gear throughout Stuart’s blinds (including waders, coats and gloves), which are well suited to the tough Kansas conditions. On upland days, it’s Winchester vests, Carhartt boots “for comfort and reliability,” and brush-busting pants. Everything has been tested season after season, and it’s gear Stuart stands behind.

Slow down, savor the day, enjoy the camaraderie

Why We Trust Stuart, And Why You Should, Too

We’ve sent countless hunters to Last Chance Wings & Labs through Venku, and each time, they return with the same stories: incredible dog work, more flushes than they expected, honest wild birds, and the kind of outfitter who remembers your name, your favorite whiskey, and the name of your dog from two seasons ago.

After 27 years in business, Stuart is one of the last of his kind – a true upland and waterfowl steward still chasing wild Kansas birds with good dogs and good people. He’s built something lasting on trust, tradition, and loyalty, and we’re proud to call him a partner.

Book Your Kansas Bird Hunt

If you’re ready to experience an old-school, wild bird hunt the way it was meant to be, check out Last Chance Wings & Labs on Venku. Book online, bring your dog, and prepare to hunt birds the way they were hunted generations ago – wild, fast, and on open Kansas ground.

*Legendary Kansas Bird Camp: Wild Hunts, Loyal Dogs, and Prairie Sunsets*

About Venku

Venku is the leading online platform for booking guided outdoor adventures. From upland hunts to alligator trips, our outfitters are handpicked and trusted by hunters nationwide. Discover and book your next hunt at Venku.com.

Pheasant, Waterfowl and Upland Game Recommendations:

Stuart Young Outfitter / LCWL (Last Chance Wings & Labs)
Franchi Shotguns
Winchester Shotguns
Semi-Automatic Shotgun
Hunting blinds
Hunting boots

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About the Author

Venku Outdoors

Venku helps people book top-notch hunting and fishing experiences all across 🇺🇸. Thousands of self-guided trips can be booked through Venku including: hunting, fishing, camping, and eco-tours

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