Thousands of hunters were in Kansas fields over the weekend for the opening of pheasant season, benefitting hundreds of businesses and philanthropies.

Mike Miller, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism information chief, told The Wichita Eagle that pheasant season – especially opening weekend – is an important economic boost.  He says up to 50,000 hunters are expected to hunt this weekend, and traveling hunters spend a minimum of $150 per night for rooms, meals and gasoline.

Miller estimates hunting adds about $400 million to the Kansas economy, and “a lot of that will come this weekend.”

This year, the state’s best pheasant populations seem to be in southwest Kansas, but experts report improved populations in central and western Kansas too.

The season opened over the weekend, and runs through Jan. 31.