2023 Kansas Mentor Of The Year- Brett Heckel

Our mission is to empower young people through outdoor experiences & mentorship. By using outdoor experiences as a platform to mentor young people of diverse backgrounds we are making a generational impact through the outdoors and passing on our outdoor heritage.

It is because of our volunteer mentors that our program is growing and flourishing the way it is. It is our great pleasure to announce our 2023 Kansas Mentor Of The Year Recipient, Brett Heckel. Brett, thank you for all you do! You are an inspiration to so many and we are thankful for your eagerness and passion to serve youth in the outdoors!

Brett started as a volunteer with us in 2022 and has mentored 48 different events since then! He has a true passion for sharing outdoor experiences with others and unwavering support for our mission to provide kids with new and continued hunting opportunities. He is an incredible example of how we can all do better and be better.

Kansas Program Coordinator Bobby Cole said, “Brett and his family have been a pleasure to work with for the last two years. He and his family have gone above and beyond to help us expand our program in Western, KS. I am proud to say that he is The Mentor Of The Year for Kansas and even more proud and thankful to call him my friend. “

About Brett: He is 41 years old and was raised in Holcomb KS. He moved to Garden City in 2001. He started his career in corrections with the Finney County Sheriff's Department in 2002 and is currently the personnel and training lieutenant. He has an awesome wife of 21 years that is very accepting of his hunting addiction. She is also understanding of his passion to help and teach others anytime that he can. He has 4 daughters, who along with his wife, all enjoy hunting and the outdoors. His youngest went on her first deer hunt this year. He enjoys anytime he gets to spend with them outdoors whether it be fishing, hunting, trapping, or shooting.

How Long Have You Been Hunting: 38 years

Who Is / Was Your Mentor: First would be my dad, Mark Heckel. Jeff Sharp also took me hunting and taught me a lot. My friend Jeremy Garcia taught me how to hunt turkey.

What Is Your Favorite Outdoor Mentors Memory: There are many but there is one I will always remember and smile about. The first hunt my daughter Andi and I went on with outdoor mentors was mentored by Paul Zedalis. He called in a turkey for Andi and she seemingly missed it 3 times, then it died out of fright.

What Does It Mean To You To Be Nominated As Mentor Of The Year: It is humbling to be recognized as mentor of the year. There are many people who work hard for the outdoor mentors program and they all deserve recognition!