Cody's old trail was plainly visible by the number of skeletons of buffalo that had been killed by him.- John Park February 4, 1868 Correspondent, Kansas State Journal Lawrence, KS

Kirk Shapland in his award winning camp as Buffalo Bill in his 1868 Camp on Big Creek

Park had come to Cody's world as a participant in a hunt guided by Cody and a guide named Crockett near Hays City, Kansas. In his article Park wrote of seeing large herds of elk, and abundance of beavers, as well as many wolves on the plains of Kansas. On the way to the hunting grounds their party passed though Cody's camp and Park wrote of the large amounts of meat drying on poles in this camp. Reenactor Kirk Shapland has recreated this 1868 camp on Big Creek. Complete with buffalo tongues and meat hanging on poles to dry.

Kirk strives to present as true a picture of Cody as possible. Through photo's and painstaking research Kirk and his wife have recreated some of Cody's garments and the guns that Kirk uses in his presentations are all reproductions of guns that Cody was known to use. Based on Cody's own 1879 autobiography, Kirk's presentations are as close to Bill's opinion of himself as we will ever get. With twelve years experience as a reenactor at the Fort Hays State Historic site, and with 3 years experience at Fort Larned National Park Site and as the chosen Buffalo Bill for the Grand Duke Alexis Rendezvous held annually near Hayes Center, NEKirk brings a little different perspective on the years Cody spent on the plains, where he learned the skills of a true plainsman. Kirk tells of all the aspects of the young scouts on the plains. From childhood misadventures, to the Pony Express, to buffalo hunting and scouting for the Army.

Honors include: The Official Buffalo Bill of Hays, Kansas 1999 3rd Place Buffalo Bill Look-alike contest at the Buckhorn Exchange, Denver CO 2000 1st Place Buffalo Bill Look-alike Contest at the Irma Hotel, Cody WY 2000 2nd place AFOWR Midwest Regional Comp- Living History Division Winner of the 2001 Look-alike contest held at the Buckhorn exchange Member AFOWR(American Federation of Old West Reenactors)

"Live your life as you see fit, Keeping in mind that everything you do must be for the glory of your country and you cannot go wrong"- William Frederick Cody Historical Presentations available for Schools, Festivals, Historical Societies and more... For More Information or Booking Call: Kirk Shapland (620) 397-5796 P.O. Box 184 Dighton, KS 67839 or E-Mail ktshapland@yahoo.com

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