Youth Pheasant and Quail Season Prime Opportunity

PRATT – Two days, November 7-8, 2015, should be marked on every young hunter’s calendar. The youth pheasant and quail season allows all youth 16 and younger to hunt, under the supervision of an adult 18 or older, for pheasants and quail statewide. The daily bag limits during the youth season are 2 rooster pheasants per day and 4 quail per day. All state and federal lands normally open to public hunting are open, and all Walk-in Hunting Access lands are open. Hunting pressure is generally light, ensuring high-quality and productive hunting opportunities for youth.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism established youth hunting seasons through Pass It On, the department’s hunter recruitment program. Special youth seasons are set for spring turkey, deer, waterfowl, pheasants and quail. The youth seasons open before regular season openers, giving young hunters first crack. Setting youth seasons separate from regular seasons allows mentors to work with young hunters without giving up their traditional hunts.

Resident youth 15 and younger do not need a hunting license, and while Hunter Education certification is not required when hunting under adult supervision, it is highly recommended. Sixteen-year-old residents and all nonresidents must have hunting licenses. The adult mentor may not hunt; however the youth season can provide a great opportunity to scout potential hunting areas and get dogs primed before the regular opener.

With improved pheasant and quail populations predicted this fall, the youth season will provide a fantastic opportunity to introduce a youngster to the hunting tradition. For many veteran hunters, that experience is more rewarding than the hunt itself.

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Kansas Angler Discovers Rare Eel on End of Line

PRATT – A Kansas angler got quite the surprise when he reeled to the surface not a just an ordinary fish, but a 30-inch-long eel from the Kansas River, below the Bowersock Dam near Lawrence. After closer inspection, it was determined the catch was an American eel, a species that hasn’t been seen in Kansas for nearly 10 years.

“This species spawns in the Sargaso Sea of the Atlantic Ocean,” said Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Fisheries section chief, Doug Nygren. “So, this eel made a long journey from the Atlantic Ocean, through the Gulf of Mexico, up the Mississippi, took a turn at St. Louis to enter the Missouri River, and another turn to go up the Kansas River to the Bowersock Dam.”

The American eel once inhabited waters as far as the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines, from Greenland to Brazil, and inland from Minnesota to central New Mexico. In the early 1800s and 1900s, there were several accounts of the American eel in Kansas, but dams blocking upstream migrations have made this species’ appearance a rarity today.

Less active during the day, eels will often remain under logs or other cover until night approaches. They feed primarily on invertebrates and soft-bodied fish.

Although the age of the eel caught from the Kansas River is unknown, records indicate the American eel can live to about 20 years. The current state record American eel was caught in 1987, also from the Kansas River, and weighed 4.4 pounds.

Deer-vehicle Crashes Increase in Fall

TOPEKA ­– Mating season and the quest for more secure habitat have deer on the move this time of year, increasing the chances of vehicle collisions. Typically, the greatest occurrence of deer-vehicle crashes is in mid-November when the rut, or mating season, peaks.

“In addition to the rut, deer are also on the move in mid-fall seeking new locations as crops are harvested and leaves fall from trees and shrubs, leaving them less secure than in their summer habitats,” said Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism biologist Lloyd Fox.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 15 percent of Kansas crashes last year were deer-related (crashes in which a deer and vehicle actually collided or the presence of a deer was a contributing circumstance). Although crashes involving deer occur throughout the year in every Kansas county, the highest number of crashes typically occur where there are the most vehicles. Sedgwick County had 422 deer-vehicle crashes in 2014, the most of any county.

The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) cautions drivers to avoid taking extra-ordinary measures to avoid striking a deer in the road, lest a bad situation become even worse.

“If you are unfortunate enough to have a deer enter the highway in front of your car, it is best to hit the animal and not swerve to avoid it,” said the KHP’s Lt. Adam Winters. “Often we find more serious crashes occur when you swerve in avoidance.”

Other tips to avoid deer collisions include:

• Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk when deer are particularly active.
• Watch for more than one deer, as they seldom travel alone.
• Reduce speed and be alert near wooded areas or green spaces such as parks or golf courses and near water sources such as streams or ponds.
• Deer crossing signs show where high levels of deer/vehicle crashes have occurred in the past.
• Use your bright lights to help you detect deer as far ahead as possible.
• Always wear a seat belt and use appropriate child safety seats. Even if you are waiting in your car, it is best to wear your seat belt, and have your children in car seats.

If you do hit a deer, here are some additional tips:

• Don’t worry about the animal. Law enforcement will arrange to have the animal removed from the road when they arrive. Tell law enforcement dispatch if the deer is still in the road when reporting the crash call.
• If possible, remain in the vehicle, and remain buckled up, protecting yourself in the event there is a secondary crash involving another vehicle.
• If you must be outside your vehicle, stand as far off the road as possible; make sure hazard lights are activated; don't stand between your vehicle and another vehicle; and make sure children are kept properly restrained in your vehicle.
• If you hit a deer, slow down, pull onto the shoulder and turn on the emergency flashers.

To report a crash on Kansas highways from a cellular phone, call *47 (*HP) for a highway patrol dispatcher or *582 (*KTA) for assistance on the Kansas Turnpike. The crash can also be reported by dialing 911.

Youth Shooting Sports Clinic Planned

COUNCIL GROVE – Youth age 11-16 are invited to attend a fun and friendly shotgun and archery shooting and safety clinic on Saturday, October 24 at Council Grove Reservoir. This special event is part of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s “Pass It On” program and will provide participants with opportunities to enhance firearm and archery shooting and safety skills, in a controlled, safe environment. There is no cost to attend and all equipment, including shotguns, shells, bows, arrows, targets, and eye and ear protection will be provided. Youth need only a desire to learn and have fun. Interested youth must preregister by Oct. 20.  Students are not required to have completed a hunter education course, but prior completion is preferred.

The event will begin at 12 p.m. at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed (COE) area between Marina Cove and Neosho Park, approximately 0.25 miles west of the COE office at the west end of the dam. Check-in and a free lunch will take place from 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m., courtesy of the Flint Hills Chapter of Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation. Instruction will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will end approximately at 4 p.m. Participants will be provided with safety and shooting instruction by certified firearm and archery skills instructors, and teaching methods almost guarantee that students will be breaking shotgun targets by the end of the session.

Door prizes will be awarded, including a youth model .243 bolt action rifle with scope, donated by the Chisholm Trail Chapter of Safari Club International.

Additional event sponsors include the Bill Young Foundation and Morris County Hunter Education instructors.

For more information, contact Council Grove Wildlife Area manager, Brent Konen, at (620) 767-5900.

Beginner Venison Processing Class Oct. 24 in Pratt

VENISON RECIPES

PRATT – You’ve bought your deer tags, put in time scouting, spent countless hours in the field, and have finally shot a deer. Now what? From field dressing to processing your deer at home, the

“Venison 101: From Field to Table” class on Oct. 24 will answer your “now what?” questions and more. Hosted by the Pratt County Extension Office and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), Venison 101: will take place at the Pratt Area 4-H Center, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hunters of all skill levels and ages are welcome. The cost to attend is $5 per person, or $10 per family, and will include a chili lunch.

Topics covered in the one-day class include safe field dressing and home processing methods for preparing your own venison, in addition to a live butchering demonstration.

KDWPT game warden Jason Harrold will also share updates to hunting laws and answer any questions participants may have.

Drawings for door prizes will be available for those in attendance.

For more information, and to register, contact the Pratt County Extension Office at (620) 672-6121. 

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Kick It at Kanopolis This October

If you’re looking to get outside and kick your weekends up a notch, consider heading to Kanopolis State Park for a weekend event the whole family is sure to enjoy. From trail rides and shoots, to chili cook-offs and raffles, Kanopolis State Park is your good-time headquarters for the month of October.

OCTOBER 9-11

Head over to the Rock'n K Campground in the Horsethief Area, for a competitive horse trail ride, sanctioned by the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC). Check in will begin Friday, and riders can participate in a two-day ride or a stand-alone ride on either Saturday or Sunday.

Novice class rides consist of 4-5 hours of walking and trotting, where both horses and riders will be judged on obstacle ability, and horses will be judged on conditioning and soundness. For more information, visit www.natrc.org, e-mail Erin Glassman at ejacob716@gmail.com, or call (620) 617-7221. There will be a 60 rider limit. Discounts will be given to NATRC members.

OCTOBER 17-18

Pull up your boots and saddle up your horse for the 2015 Winter Breeze Benefit Trail Ride to raise funds for improvements to the Rock'n K Horse Campground. The event will begin with a guided trail ride at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a chili cook-off and auction in the evening. Cost to attend is $25 per person and includes the chili dinner, one raffle ticket for door prizes, and Sunday morning breakfast.

Interested parties can become a sponsor for $50 and also get a free event t-shirt. For information, contact Tracy McIntyre at (620) 680-0935 or Sherry Axman at (620) 786-4294.

OCTOBER 23-25

Prairie Longrifles members invite you and your family to join in on some friendly competition at the 36th Annual Fall Shoot, open to shooters of all ages. The event will take place at Mulberry Campground in Kanopolis State Park’s Langley Point Area. Men, women and junior events will include: rifle, pistol, knife and tomahawk throwing, supervised pre-junior shooting, under-the table shooting, and kids’ events. A meal will be provided Saturday evening to all registered guests, free of charge, and to non-registered guests for $3.00.

Event festivities will continue on Sunday with an archery and team pole shoot. For more information, contact Jimmy Lewis at (785) 827-5784, or Barb or Luke Long at (785) 667-4612.

Fall Turkey Season Offers Second Chance at Gobblers

Turkey Recipes

PRATT – If lady luck wasn’t on your side this spring turkey season, or you simply want to enjoy a unique fall hunting experience, the fall turkey season is an opportunity for a second chance. From Oct. 1 - Dec. 1 and Dec. 14, 2015 - Jan. 31, 2016, turkey hunters may hunt both male and female turkeys in turkey management units: 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. Hunters with a fall turkey permit and valid Kansas hunting license may also purchase up to three additional turkey game tags valid in Unit 2, offering plenty of opportunities to stock up this winter.

All hunters must have a hunting license, unless exempt, and a turkey permit. Residents 15 and younger, 75 and older and hunters hunting on land they own are exempt from hunting license requirements. Resident permits are $22.50 for hunters 16 and older and $7.50 for hunters 15 and younger. Resident turkey game tags are $12.50. Nonresident turkey permits are $32.50 and nonresident turkey game tags are $22.50.

For information on turkey hunting regulations, legal equipment, unit maps and public hunting areas, pick up or download an electronic copy (ksoutdoors.com) of the 2015 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary and 2015 Kansas Hunting Atlas. Permits and game tags are available wherever licenses are sold and at ksoutdoors.com.

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Game Wardens, KHP Troopers to Conduct Checkpoints

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) game wardens and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) troopers will conduct one or more joint checkpoints in central Kansas on Sunday, October 11, 2015. Deer, dove and duck seasons will be underway. Checkpoints are intended to help enforce state and federal wildlife laws, as well as the state’s driver’s licensing laws.  

KHP troopers will operate the first stage of the checkpoints to ensure drivers are properly licensed to be driving. If a driver does not have a valid license, appropriate enforcement actions will be taken. Travelers should not expect major delays from this portion of the checkpoints.

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

The following locations may be used if weather conditions and manpower allow:

US-81 at milepost 161, Ottawa County
US-56 and K-46 intersection, McPherson County
K-156 at milepost 165, Ellsworth County
US-281 and US-50 intersection, Stafford County
K-156 and US-56 intersection, Pawnee County
US-281 and K-4 intersection, Barton County
Additional wildlife checkpoints will occur around the state during the fall and winter hunting seasons.

Youth Pheasant Hunt in Baldwin City Oct. 11

Pheasant Recipes

The Jayhawk Chapter of the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF) will host a youth pheasant hunt Sunday, October 11 for hunters 15 and younger. The free event will take place at Eckman's Hunting Preserve, 988 E. 1900 Rd., Baldwin City. To reserve your child’s spot, contact John Hill at (785) 841-9555 or by e-mail at hills4ku@hotmail.com

The day’s activities will begin with a safety refresher and warm-up trap shooting. Hunters will then be assigned a two-hour window, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., in which they will be in the field hunting. Shotgun shells will be provided. Mentors and shotguns can be provided upon request. All participants must bring eye protection and wear hunter orange.

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License Fees, Duck Zones and Fishing Regulations on Commission Agenda

The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting in Burlington on October 22, 2015 at the Coffey County Library, 410 Juniatta Street. The afternoon session will begin at 1 p.m. and will recess for supper at 5 p.m. The meeting will reconvene for the Public Hearing portion at 6:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend all portions of the meeting.

Items on the afternoon General Discussion agenda include a report on the fiscal status of the agency and state by Secretary Robin Jennison; the upcoming 2016 session of the Kansas Legislature; Kansas tourism, staff report on the Coffey County Lake fishery, the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, and antelope and elk regulations. Workshop items include deer hunting regulations and big game permanent regulations.

The Public Hearing portion will begin at 6:30 p.m. Items to be discussed and voted on by the commission include hunting and fishing fees, big game and turkey permit applications, definitions concerning setline fishing, fishing regulations near fish ladders, length and creel limits and duck zone boundary changes.

Time will be available during the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on non-agenda items. If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., October 23, to complete any unfinished business.

Live video and audio streaming of the meeting will be available at ksoutdoors.com.

If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at (620) 672-5911.

The next Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission meeting is scheduled for January 7, 2016 at the K-State Alumni Center in Manhattan.