Kansas Outdoors Information and Events: 2013

Sunday, December 8, 2013

JANUARY 1 COMMISSION BIG GAME PERMIT APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications are still being accepted for the 2014 drawing

PRATT – Seventy-two Kansas-based nonprofit organizations have already applied for the coveted

Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission Big Game Permits, but there is still time left for other organizations to apply. Applicants have until Jan.1, 2014 to apply for one of seven big game permits to be drawn at the Jan. 9, 2014 commission meeting. Permits may include one elk, one antelope or up to seven deer, depending upon the preferences of the drawn organizations.

Any Kansas-based nonprofit organization that actively promotes wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage is eligible to apply. Only one permit per organization will be awarded; however, individual chapters of the same organization may receive permits. A chapter or organization is eligible to receive only one Commission Big Game permit in a three-year period.

Organizations that draw a permit must pay KDWPT the permit fee, and they will be issued a voucher. The voucher can then be auctioned off to raise money for conservation projects. The final recipient must remit the voucher to KDWPT’s licensing section to receive the big game permit. Permits may be issued to resident or nonresident hunters and are valid in management units and seasons listed on the permits.

To apply, organizations must submit an application that includes a copy of their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, articles of incorporation and mission statement, as well as the organization’s preference for an elk, antelope or deer permit. Applications can be downloaded from KDWPT’s website, www.ksoutdoors.com; enter “2013 Commission Big Game Permit” in the search box. Mail applications to Sheila Kemmis, Commission Secretary, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.

Once an organization sells a permit, not less than 85 percent of the amount is returned to KDWPT to be spent on mutually agreed-upon projects. The remaining 15 percent can be spent at the organization’s discretion. (If Kansas Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KFHFH) receives a permit, not less than 15 percent of the funds raised is remitted to KDWPT with 85 percent staying with KFHFH.)

Friday, December 6, 2013

2014 LICENSES AND PERMITS GO ON SALE DEC. 16

Buy a license or permit and give the gift of the outdoors this holiday

PRATT – Looking for the perfect gift for dad? Need an affordable stocking stuffer for the kids? Consider purchasing a 2014 hunting or fishing license. Starting Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, all licenses and permits for the 2014 season will go on sale, and for those looking for one last “hoorah” of the year, 2014 license holders can hit the field or a stream the very same day.

2014 hunting and fishing licenses and permits can be purchased online at ksoutdoors.com, at any Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism state park or regional office, and at any license vendor beginning Dec. 16.

New this year, significant price reductions have been placed on youth deer, turkey and antelope permits, for hunters age 15 and younger. Youth fees that have been reduced beginning 2014 are as follows:

RESIDENT

General Resident Youth Deer Permit: $10.00

General Resident Youth Antelope Permit: $10.00

General Resident Youth Turkey Permit (1-bird limit): $5.00

Resident Youth Turkey Game Tag (1-bird limit): $5.00

General Resident Youth Turkey Permit/Game Tag Combination (2-bird limit): $10.00

NONRESIDENT

Nonresident Youth Turkey Permit (1-bird limit): $10.00

Nonresident Youth Turkey Game Tag (1-bird limit): $10.00

Nonresident Youth Turkey Permit/Game Tag Combination (2-bird limit): $20.00

Nonresident Youth Combination 2-deer Permit (antlered deer and antlerless white-tailed deer): $90.00

Nonresident Youth Antelope Permit (Archery only): $100.00

For more information, visit ksoutdoors.com

Thursday, December 5, 2013

KANSAS OUTDOOR RECREATION DRAFT REPORT READY FOR REVIEW

Online comments sought on draft outdoor plan

PRATT – A draft of the Kansas Outdoor Recreation Report - also called the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), is now available for review at the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) website, www.ksoutdoors.com. The National Park Service requires Kansas to produce the report in order to remain eligible for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grants. Kansas has received more than $50 million in LWCF grant funding since the program began in 1965.

The Outdoor Recreation Report/Plan is used by the state to assess the status of outdoor experiences and to examine important outdoor issues facing the state. It contains recommendations on how the state might best address some of its shortcomings, with the intended results being a more optimal supply of experiences and enhanced benefits to residents and visitors. As the plan was developed, KDWPT sought public input on topics including managed park use, issues and needs, and the types of experiences park-goers hope to have in the future.

To review the draft plan and submit comments go to www.ksoutdoors.com and click on “State Parks.”

Saturday, November 30, 2013

LANDOWNER PERMISSION A MUST WHEN HUNTING PRIVATE LAND

Hunters must ask for permission before hunting on private land

PRATT – Hunters can face serious penalties for hunting on private land without landowner

permission, and however tempting a trophy-sized buck, or a pond covered in greenheads may be, the consequences will always outweigh the perceived reward. With firearm season just around the corner, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) reminds all hunters that it is illegal to hunt on private land, posted or not, without the owner's permission. Whether someone actually enters private land without permission or shoots onto it from the road or another landowner's property without permission, it is illegal.

Trespassing affects more than just the immediate parties involved. The perception of the hunting community as a whole and our hunting heritage are just a couple pieces of the puzzle affected by illegal hunting practices. Because trespassing harms landowner-hunter relations — and because the penalties for trespassing can be severe — hunters should be aware of the following trespass issues:

landowner permission should be obtained before pursuing wounded game onto private property. If the landowner cannot be found, contact a local natural resource officer or sheriff's office;
hunting from roads or railways without legal permission is a form of trespassing called criminal hunting;
conviction of trespass or criminal hunting may prevent the convicted person from enjoying hunting privileges in other states. KDWPT is a member of the Wildlife Violator Compact, that includes 34 other states. Under this compact, anyone who has had hunting, fishing, or furharvesting privileges revoked or suspended in a member state cannot hunt, trap, or fish in other member states;
conviction of simple criminal hunting can result in a maximum fine of $500, plus court costs, and one month in jail on the first conviction. Additionally, the court can suspend or revoke license privileges for up to a year. A second conviction requires at least a one-year suspension of privileges in addition to any fines or jail time;
if big game or turkey hunting is involved, the penalties get stiffer. Upon first conviction, the law states that the violator "shall not be fined less than $500 nor more than $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than six months, or both." The law requires fifth and subsequent conviction penalties of a minimum $1,000 fine and minimum 90 days in jail;
criminal trespassing is when the violator does not leave property when told;
it is illegal to hunt on land posted with written permission signs or marked with purple paint without having written permission on one's person;
in any of these cases, hunting privileges may also be revoked; and
by law, all hunters must have permission whether the land is posted or not.

Kansas’ wildlife resources should not only be revered, but respected. Before a hunter contemplates hunting on private land without landowner permission, the long term and widespread affect those actions will have on the future of Kansas hunting should be considered.

If you witness trespassing or illegal hunting, report it to your local natural resource officer, sheriff's office, or call the Operation Game Thief toll-free hotline at 1-877-426-3843. A list of phone numbers for all natural resource officers, listed by counties they cover, can be found in the 2013 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summaryavailable wherever licenses are sold, or online at www.ksoutdoors.com.

Friday, November 29, 2013

FIREARM DEER SEASON OPENS DECEMBER 4

Hunters can register deer online atksoutdoors.com

PRATT – Dec. 4 marks the first day of firearm deer season this year and with new regulations giving hunters greater flexibility than ever before, the season offers something for anyone Dec. 4-15, hunters will have the opportunity to hunt deer with any centerfire rifle and handgun; any gauge shotgun using slugs; and any legal muzzleloading rifle, musket, or pistol .40 caliber or larger. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

willing to weather the cold. From

For those who possess a valid deer permit, but have yet to fill a tag, time isn’t up yet as any unfilled permit is valid during the firearm season; however, either-species, nonresident and some antlerless permits are restricted to the deer management units listed on the permit. In addition to their deer permit, all hunters, unless exempt by law, must also have a Kansas hunting license. Hunters with archery permits must use archery equipment and hunters with muzzleloader permits must use muzzleloaders, crossbows are archery equipment.

During the firearm season, all hunters must wear hunter orange clothing consisting of an orange hat and an orange vest that shows 100 square inches from the front and 100 square inches from the back. Camouflage orange clothing is legal if the number of square inches of orange is visible.

If you are a resident hunter and have yet to purchase a permit, you may do so wherever licenses are sold and online. Permits aren’t valid until the next calendar day after purchase. Hunters must possess a permit that allows the harvest of a buck before they are eligible to purchase antlerless permits.

Hunters should remember that all deer must be tagged before moving the carcass from the kill site. Certain permits, such as an antlerless whitetail permit, require that the head remain attached to the carcass during transport for sex identification. However, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism offers a voluntary option that allows hunters to register their deer through the Internet, using photos taken at the harvest site. Once registered, the hunter may then transport the carcass without the head attached. If Internet access is unavailable at the kill site, the hunter can retain the photographs while in transit and a registration number can be obtained later. To access the electronic deer check-in, go online to the KDWPT website, www.ksoutdoors.com, and click “Hunting/Big Game/Deer/Deer Check-in.”

To ensure everyone enjoys a safe deer hunt, hunters must remember basic firearm safety rules including knowing their target and what lies beyond it and always wearing the required hunter orange. Hunters must have permission to hunt on any private land, whether it is posted or not. The 2012 Kansas Hunting Atlas features maps showing all public and Walk-In Hunting Access areas is available wherever licenses are sold and online at www.ksoutdoors.com.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

FIELD CARE CRITICAL FOR TASTY VENISON

Venison Steaks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

GOOD VENISON RECIPES

Venison is healthy culinary treat if cared for properly

PRATT – “Gamey,” “tough,” and “dry” are three adjectives that should never describe your deer meat, and if proper practices take place while in the field, the reward can be quite a culinary treat. Whether you are processing a deer for the first time, or are looking to try a different process, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has a brief, easy-to-follow video on field dressing your harvest that will walk you through the process from start to finish. Just visitksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting/Big Game Information” to view the video.

After a shot has been placed and the deer recovered, a hunter should immediately tag the carcass and begin cooling the meat. This can be done by immediately field dressing, or gutting, the carcass. The first step in dressing the deer should be to remove the deer’s entrails. Next, prop open the ribcage and let cool air circulate throughout the body cavity. After a few minutes have passed the carcass can then be moved to the final location of processing, taking care to keep the meat clean.

If you plan to use a commercial butcher/processer, it’s a good idea to call ahead and make sure they are open and can get your deer into the cooler. If you plan to process the meat yourself, you’ll need a cool, clean place to hang the carcass, which should be skinned as quickly as possible unless temperatures are very cool. Prompt skinning is another important step in cooling the meat when temperatures are mild. Once meat has been processed, it’s time to hit the grill.

Since venison is very lean, adding a strip of bacon to steaks or mixing beef tallow or sausage to the burger can add great flavor to the meat. The only “trick” to cooking tasty venison, is not overcooking it as there is a fine line between just right and an overcooked. Venison, as with all wild game, should be carefully cooked to medium or medium rare. Let the meat rest a few minutes after cooking while you prepare your sides, dish up a plate, and enjoy!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

WILDLIFE CHECKPOINT PLANNED IN SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS

Joint effort will check for drivers’ licenses and possession of wildlife

PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) and local law enforcement officials will conduct a joint checkpoint in south central Kansas in early December. The regular firearm deer season starts December 4, and upland game bird, certain waterfowl and trapping seasons are underway. The checkpoint is intended to help enforce state and federal wildlife laws, gather critical harvest and biological information and enforce the state’s driver’s licensing laws.

Local law enforcement officers will operate the first stage of the checkpoint to be sure drivers are properly licensed to be driving. If a driver does not have a valid license, appropriate enforcement actions will be taken. Travelers can expect minimal delays from this portion of the checkpoint.

Occupants of vehicles in the first check lane will be asked if they are hunters or are transporting wildlife. If yes in either case, drivers will be directed to a nearby check lane where KDWPT natural resource officers will check for required licenses and permits, count the game and gather biological, harvest, and hunter success information. This portion of the checkpoint should also cause minimal delay.

Additional wildlife checkpoints may occur around the state during the fall and winter hunting seasons.

Monday, November 25, 2013

BOATING PREPAREDNESS IN COLD WEATHER A MUST

Boaters increase odds of survival during cold-weather incidents when armed with the right knowledge and tools

PRATT – A quick slip of the foot, a clothing snag on a limb, or even high winds can pose a big

risk for any boater, but add in freezing temperatures, and you may find yourself encountering a life or death situation. As colder temperatures make their way through the state, boaters are encouraged to arm themselves and their passengers with the tools and knowledge necessary to increase the odds of survival, should a boating incident occur.

As a rule of thumb, if the sum of the air and water temperatures added together equals less than 100 degrees and you fall into the water, you could be at risk for hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Cold water can rob the body of heat 25 times faster than cold air, so time is of the upmost importance should a boater fall in the water. If a boater’s core body temperature drops below normal (98.6 degrees F), the risk of becoming hypothermic increases dramatically.

If you fall overboard, remember the “1-10-1” rule. After the initial shock of falling in wears off, you will experience about one minute of deep and uncontrolled breathing before your blood circulation is altered. Staying calm will be easier if you're wearing a life jacket because it will keep your head above the water line and help you avoid breathing in mouthfuls of water.

The ten minutes after falling into cold water are crucial to survival. During this time, blood flow will start moving away from hands and feet in order to keep the body’s core warm. The body instinctively attempts to keep vital organs warm and functioning in an effort to avoid organ failure and death. This change in blood circulation affects nerves and muscles farther away from the body’s core, limiting their ability to function. A self-rescue attempt must be made at this time. If possible, immediately get out of the water. Even if your boat is capsized and upside down, crawling onto the part of the boat that is still above water will increase your odds of survival. If you are not wearing a life jacket and can’t get out of the water, you will eventually lose the ability to tread water or swim due to the lack of response from your arms and legs. Using the Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP) will keep your core warmer longer, and wearing a life jacket makes the HELP position just that much easier. In the HELP position, you just pull your legs up to your chest and hug your knees, keeping your body compact and surrounding your chest with protection. If other boaters are in the water with you, huddle together for warmth.

The last part of the “1-10-1” rule refers to a person’s level of consciousness after being in cold water for one hour. Most people will lose consciousness within one hour, but if you are wearing a life jacket, your face will remain above water, allowing you to breathe even if you become unconscious.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism recommends as it does with any outdoor outing to always let someone know where you will be and what time they should expect you to be back. Always dress appropriately by wearing layers that can be removed if the weather warms, and avoid cotton clothing. Cotton will keep water trapped close to your body instead of wicking it away, ultimately taking it longer to dry. If you should find yourself soaking wet, never remove your clothing and shoes unless you have a dry set to change into. Although cold and wet, this clothing will provide your body with more insulation, keeping you warmer than you would normally be without clothing.

There are no guarantees when out in the water, but by wearing a life jacket, remembering the “1-10-1” rule, and always letting someone know where you are prior to leaving, you could potentially save not only your own life, but the life of another.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

KANSAS WILDLIFE AND PARKS MAGAZINE TO FEATURE JUNIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Cedar (Photo credit: hynkle)

Winning entries from the Wild About Kansas junior photography contest feature photographers as young as age 12

PRATT – “To see the world through the eyes of a child” will soon be a reality for readers of the January/February photography issue of Kansas Wildlife & Parks magazine. Winning photographs from the magazine’s first annual Wild About Kansas junior photography contest will feature works from photographers as young as 12. To obtain a copy of the January/February issue, call (620) 672-5911.

“We saw this contest as a creative way to showcase our beautiful state in a new light,” said Kansas Wildlife & Parksmagazine associate editor, Nadia Marji. “You don’t have to be a professional photographer to capture a beautiful moment in time and these kids are proof of that.”

Photos were judged based on creativity, composition, subject matter, lighting, and the overall sharpness of the photo. A total of 77 entries were received from 32 participants, ranging from age 11-18. Forty-four entries were submitted in the landscape category, 25 in the wildlife category, and eight in the outdoor recreation category.

2013 Wild About Kansas junior photography contest award winners are as follows:

LANDSCAPE

1st - Mark Kreider (18), North Newton: “Lightning and Evening Storm”

2nd - Mark Kreider (18), North Newton: “Winter Morning on Sand Creek”

3rd - Anna Faust (16), Lawrence: “A Moment in Time”

Honorable Mention - Lexi Brady (17), Lawrence: “Colors of the Lake”

WILDLIFE

1st - Allie Ifland (12), Cedar: “Collared Lizard”

2nd - Christina Craig (15), Lawrence: “The Boss”

3rd - Ross Ifland (14), Cedar: “Walking on Water”

Honorable Mention - Addie Bruns (18), Spring Hill: “Kansas Fawn”

OUTDOOR RECREATION

1st - Allie Ifland (12), Cedar: “Duck Hunt”

2nd - Jessica Lahasky (18), Overland Park: “Patience”

3rd - Heather Woleslagel (13), Hutchinson: “State Fair Shooting”

Honorable Mention - Jessica Lahasky (18), Overland Park: “Gone Fishin’”

Details for the 2014 contest will be announced at ksoutdoors.com in January.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

15TH ANNUAL STATE FINALS ECO-MEET A SUCCESS

Students tested on knowledge of Kansas flora and fauna

PRATT – A total of 23 teams consisting of 88 students from 21 Kansas high schools participated in the 15th Annual State Finals ECO-Meet on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Dyck Arboretum at Hesston College. Schools represented at the competition include: Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies, Chapman, Goddard, Goodland, Haven, Lakewood Middle School of Salina, Maize, McLouth, Mission Valley, Olathe South, Palco, Pratt, Salina South, Shawnee Mission South, St. Mary’s-Colgan of Pittsburg, St. John’s of Beloit, St. Xavier of Junction City, Tescott, Wakefield, Wilson Junior High and Wilson High School.

ECO-Meets are a series of quiz bowl-type competitions based on knowledge of Kansas plants and animals. Winners were awarded scholarship prizes. The event proved to be an exciting, hard-fought contest, with the following results posted:

Overall Team

1st place: Olathe South HS – Stephen DeHart, Rachel Meyers, Hannah Parrinello, Nadia Qureshi and team coach Rene Gloshen. ($300/student scholarship.)

2nd place: Shawnee Mission South HS – Jessica Jurczak, Jake Morrissey, Joe Petty, Ashleigh Smith and team coach P.J. Born. ($200/student scholarship.)

3rd place: Maize HS, Team A – Sam Urban, Skyler Roth, Ben Emerson, Kris Super, and team coach Jay Super. ($100/student scholarship.)

Individual Events

Mammalogy

1st Place: Stephen DeHart, Olathe South HS ($200 scholarship)

2nd Place: Jake Morrissey, Shawnee Mission South HS ($100 scholarship)

Shortgrass Prairie Ecosystem

1st Place: Stephen DeHart, Olathe South HS ($200 scholarship)

2nd Place: Kris Super, Maize HS ($100 scholarship)

Eight regional qualifying competitions were held to see who claimed the honor of representing their location at the state finals. The regional locations were: Wilson Lake in Russell County, the Sternberg Museum in Hays, Milford Nature Center near Junction City, Lakewood Discovery Center in Salina, Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita, Dillon Nature Center in Hutchinson, Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, and the Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe. The Kansas ECO-Meet committee is considering at least one new location (Garden City) for 2014 and also a return to the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center at Greenbush to host the regionals, so there is potential for continued growth of this program.

The Kansas ECO-Meet committee would like to thank the Kansas Wildscape Foundation; the Kansas Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Simpson Farm Enterprises of Ransom; Barton Community College; Friends of Cheyenne Bottoms; Marelcy of Hutchinson; the Kansas Wildlife Federation; the Ellsworth County Chapter of Pheasants Forever; Friends of Milford Nature Center; Mid America Awards of Salina; Goodwin Sporting Goods of Hays; and the Wildlife Education Service Section of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism in Pratt for their continued support.

For more information, visit kansasecomeet.org, or contact Mike Rader at mike.rader@ksoutdoors.com or (620) 672-0708.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

WACONDA LAKE TO HOST ANNUAL YOUTH AND WOMEN’S PHEASANT HUNT

Hunters will hunt alongside celebrity mentors, including former NFL and MLB players

GLEN ELDER – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is pleased to announce the upcoming 16th Annual Youth and Women’s Pheasant Hunt at Waconda Lake, Dec. 14. The hunt will begin at 7:15 a.m. with breakfast at Hopewell Church in Glen Elder State Park, followed by a pre-hunt safety seminar. Hunters, guides, and mentors will hunt in various areas around Waconda Lake where only a limited amount of hunting is allowed. At noon, lunch will be provided by the Waconda Lake Association. Youth age 11-16 and women are eligible to participate, and previous hunting experience is not required. Shotguns and ammunition will be provided for those without equipment while supplies last. Hunters can apply by contacting the Glen Elder Wildlife Area Office at (785) 545-3345 by Monday, Dec. 2. The hunt is open to 40 participants, so early registration is encouraged.

This hunt is unique because participants will have the opportunity to hunt alongside celebrity mentors, including former NFL players Jerry Holloway, Mark Arneson, and Mel Gray; former MLB players Diego and David Segui; national youth go-cart racing champions Brody and Nolan Pope; national youth Crappiemasters champion Jon Gillotte; and former drag racer Guy Caster.

Following lunch, participants may stay for a free trap shoot from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The trap shoot will be held west of the KDWPT Glen Elder Wildlife Area Office and is open to the public.

At 6 p.m., participants can attend the Hunters’ Banquet at Memorial Hall in Downs. In addition to the meal, attendees will be able to meet and visit with celebrity mentors. Hunters must RSVP for the banquet at sign-up.

For more information, contact Chris Lecuyer at (785) 545-3345.

Friday, November 15, 2013

PRAIRIE CHICKEN SEASON UNIQUE HUNTING OPPORTUNITY

Kansas harbors highest prairie chicken population in world

PRATT – What may be the most unique upland bird hunting opportunity in North America begins on

the third Saturday in November. The 2013 regular prairie chicken season opens Nov. 16 and runs through Jan. 31, 2014 in the Northwest and East units. It endsDec. 31, 2013 in the Southwest Unit. Kansas is home to lesser and greater prairie chickens, both iconic prairie grouse species of our Midwest grasslands.

In Kansas, the more numerous greater prairie chicken inhabits the tallgrass prairie of the Flint Hills, in east-central Kansas, and mixed grass prairies of the Smoky Hills, in northcentral and northwest Kansas. Less than 4 percent of the 400,000 square miles of tallgrass prairie that once covered North America still remain, and two-thirds of that is in the Kansas region known as the Flint Hills. This region in east-central Kansas still provides large, unbroken expanses of tallgrass prairie, thanks to the stewardship of private cattle ranchers, and a shallow layer of chert, or flint, that protects it from the plow.

The more rare lesser prairie chicken inhabits the shortgrass prairies of southwest Kansas. Because of habitat loss and population declines in four other states where lesser prairie chickens exist (Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas), Kansas is the only state where lesser prairie chickens can be hunted. In fact, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will announce next spring whether or not the lesser prairie chicken will be added to the Threatened and Endangered Species List. To address habitat losses, wildlife agencies in the five states formed a working group that collaborated with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to develop a comprehensive management plan. State biologists hope the plan will dissuade the USFWS from listing the lesser prairie chicken, allowing state agencies to implement a variety of private land habitat enhancement programs designed to benefit lesser chickens.

Hunting lesser prairie chickens in Kansas has no impact on the population, and provides a truly unique upland bird hunting opportunity. The daily bag limit in the Southwest Unit is one prairie chicken per day with a possession limit of four.

Daily bag limit in the Northwest and East units is two prairie chickens per day, and the possession limit is eight. Most prairie chickens taken during the regular season are taken by pass shooting. Hunters position themselves along the edges of feed fields in the early morning or late evening hours and wait for chickens to fly in from the grasslands. Success depends on prior scouting, patience and luck. It also requires shooting skill because prairie chickens fly deceptively fast, especially with any type of tailwind.

In addition to a hunting license, unless exempt, prairie chicken hunters are required to have a $2.50 Prairie Chicken Permit. The special permit allows KDWPT to gain valuable management information from hunters who pursue prairie chickens.

The Smoky Hills region is expected to hold some of the highest densities and greatest hunting opportunities in the state for greater prairie chickens. Hunters may also find success in the Flint Hills, where reduced burning allowed for more residual grass cover for nesting compared to most years. For more details, view the 2013 Upland Bird Forecast atksoutdoors.com.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

KANSAS WILDLIFE FEDERATION SEEKS AWARD NOMINATIONS

2013 Conservation Achievement Award winners will be recognized at the February banquet in Salina

PRATT – Many conservation projects around the state would never happen without the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly each day to contribute their time, skills and expertise. The Kansas Wildlife Federation (KWF) believes these contributions, however large or small, should be recognized. If you know someone who has made exceptional contributions to wildlife and natural resource conservation this past year, KWF would like to hear about them. Nominate your favorite conservationist for a Conservation Achievement Program (CAP) award.

CAP award categories include Land and Soil Conservation, Youth Conservationist, Conservation Communicator, Conservation Educator, Wildlife Conservationist, Water Conservationist, Conservation Legislator, Conservation Farmer/Rancher, Forestry Conservationist, Stream Team Conservationist, Outdoor Skills Instructor, Conservation Organization, and Conservationist of the Year.

Nominations can be made by e-mailing your contact information along with the nominee’s contact information, and a 2,000-word explanation of why this individual should be recognized to drrkidd@gmail.com. Nominations must be received by December 10. Winners of these prestigious awards will be recognized at the 2014 CAP Banquet in Salina,Feb. 22, 2014.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

WILDLIFE CHECKPOINT PLANNED IN NORTHCENTRAL KANSAS

Vehicles will be stopped and checked for wildlife

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) law enforcement officers

will conduct a wildlife checkpoint in northcentral Kansas in mid-November. With upland bird, turkey, deer and waterfowl seasons underway, the checkpoint is intended to help enforce state and federal wildlife laws.

Officers will ask vehicle occupants if they have been hunting or are transporting wildlife. If they answer yes in either case, drivers will be directed to a check lane where natural resource officers will check for required licenses and permits, count the game and gather biological, harvest, and hunter success information. If violations of wildlife laws or other state laws are found, appropriate enforcement actions will be taken. Travelers should not expect major delays from this checkpoint.

Additional wildlife checkpoints will occur around the state during the fall and winter hunting seasons.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

SEASON OF GIVING STARTS EARLY FOR SOME DEER HUNTERS

One donated deer can create as many as 200 meals at a local food pantry

PRATT – The holidays are often a time when we reflect back on all that we are given, and in the state of Kansas, we are fortunate enough to have an abundance of natural resources, including a healthy and stable big game population. And because of this abundant resource, hunters in Kansas have opportunities unmatched by other states, such as the ability to obtain as many as five whitetail

antlerless deer permits, in addition to an either-sex permit, in some areas of the state.

Under the right conditions, a hunter’s freezer can quickly fill up with a surplus of game meat, far more than they can consume by next season. This is where the Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KSHFH) comes in. KSHFH is a nonprofit organization that is the conduit for hunters to donate deer and provide food for hungry Kansans. With the help of hunters, meat processors, and private donors, KSHFH annually provides thousands of meals to those in need. Last year, hunters donated 997 deer and 17 elk to nearly 40 meat lockers, putting food on the tables of nearly 100 food banks across the state.

“Our goal for this year is to see 1,200 deer donated and processed, and served at 160 food pantries throughout the state,” said KSHFH President, Tony DeRossett. “Too often we run out of money before we can pay for all of the processing, but I am optimistic our new donation system will make it easier for people to contribute to the organization’s efforts and make our goal a reality this year.”

DeRossett said that the annual cost of processing the donated deer is approximately $70,000.

New for 2014, money donations can be made to KSHFH by texting “DEER” to 91011. A reply text will then ask for credit card information, including the donation amount. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism also makes supporting this program easy. When outdoorsmen and women buy licenses, permits, or stamps, they can donate $2 to fund the program, which the agency collects for KSHFH. Donations made by check can also be mailed to KSHFH at 17811 Donahoo Rd., Tonganoxie, KS, 66086.

KSHFH invites hunters to donate any legally-harvested deer, antelope, elk, or moose to one of the more than 40 participating meat processors around the state found at www.kshfh.org/lockers. It’s always a good idea to call ahead before taking your deer to a processor, but walk-ins are welcome. There is no cost to donate your deer as long as the KSHFH organization has sufficient funding to cover the processing expense. Donated game must be field dressed and legally tagged.

For more information on how you can help, visit www.kshfh.org.

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