It’s almost two months away, but Wingshooting USA TV’s “Fur Feathers Friends … powered by Toyota” event has expanded to more than four times as many participants as its earlier version.

The Topeka-area event gathers fans of the TV show from throughout the country to hunt alongside active-duty and retired military guests to say “thank you for your service.” Area Toyota dealers are also inviting service members and veterans to join them in the field. According to show host Scott Linden, the goals of fellowship and gratitude are facilitated while hunting and watching well-trained dogs work. “Dogs are incredible animals, we’ve been hunting partners for millennia. Working toward a common goal bonds us like no other experience,” he added.

Taking place Nov. 7-8 at Ravenwood Lodge near Topeka, KS, each day includes clay target shooting, pheasant hunting, lunch, and dog-oriented games organized by members of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association. Members of NAVHDA are also hunting and providing trained hunting dogs for the event.

Thanks to Toyota’s support, military guests participate without charge. Additional even support comes from the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism. The event ultimately becomes an episode of Wingshooting USA, to air in 2019. More information and signups for a waiting list are at www.furfeathersfriends.com.

On the air for 10 years, Wingshooting USA is the official TV series of the National Shooting Sports Foundation and is the only hunting show ever to air on Discovery Channel. It also airs on 10 other networks, most year-round. Created and hosted by Linden, Wingshooting USA is the most-watched bird hunting television show in the world.

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A German shorthaired pointer pins a pheasant as a guide prepares to flush it, at the first Fur Feathers Friends, 2016:

Former governor Sam Brownback (right) along with Wingshooting USA director

Tad Newberry at the 2016 Fur Feathers Friends event at Ravenwood Lodge near Topeka: