SPRING TURKEY SEASON RUNS THROUGH MAY 31

Firearm hunters can hit the field April 9

PRATT –  A lot of work goes into prepping for a spring turkey hunt, from scouting roosting April 9 when the regular spring turkey season opens. Following the archery-only/ youth/disabled season, April 1-8, turkey hunters can hit the field with shotgun or archery equipment to take their shot at a spring turkey, or two. And thanks to equipment changes established last year, hunters may now use any gauge shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun with shot sizes No. 2 through No. 9 and crossbows to fill their spring turkey tags.

sights and sighting in shotguns, to mastering the perfect “cluck” and “purr” call. And all that hard work will pay off on

For hunters age 15 and younger, filling a tag has never been more affordable. Thanks to reduced youth permit pricing, resident youth hunters can now enjoy taking their shot at a spring turkey for just 7.50, and nonresident youth for 12.50.

Other 2014 Spring turkey permits can be purchased at the following prices:

• Resident Permit: $22.50
• Landowner/Tenant Permit: $12.50
• Resident Turkey Game Tag: $12.50
• Nonresident Permit: $32.50
• Nonresident Turkey Game Tag: $22.50

A turkey permit or game tag is valid for one bearded turkey. Any individual who has purchased a spring turkey permit is also eligible for one spring turkey game tag. Spring game tags are valid for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.

Hunters who drew a Unit 4 (southwest Kansas) spring turkey permit earlier this year may also use their Unit 4 permit in adjacent Units 1, 2 and 5.

Regardless of where you choose to hunt this spring, it’s not guaranteed you’ll fill a tag, but rest assured the opportunity is out there. For information on where you opportunity may await, consult the 2014 Spring Turkey Hunting Atlas, or visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting / Turkey Information.”

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ARRIVAL OF SPRING PUTS TURKEY HUNTING BACK IN FULL STRUT

The sound of a turkey gobble is a sure sign of Spring and music to turkey hunters’ ears. This season will kick off with the youth/disabled and archery season April 1-9, followed by the regular firearm season April 10-May 31. Hunters have until May 30 to purchase a 2013 Spring turkey permit for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. A turkey permit is valid for one bearded turkey.

During the youth/disabled/archery season, hunters 16 and younger and hunters with disabilities may hunt with

April 1 Marks the start of the
2013 spring turkey season for archers,
 youth and disable hunters

any legal equipment, including shotguns, bows and crossbows.

NEW THIS SEASON: Recently-approved regulations removed gauge restrictions on shotguns for turkey hunting and allow crossbows during archery seasons. HOWEVER, hunters are reminded that the aforementioned changes WILL NOT go into affect until April 19, 2013. After that date, hunters may use any gauge shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun with shot size No. 2 through No. 9.

Kansas youth 16 and under can purchase a spring turkey permit valid statewide for $12.50, or a combo permit/game tag for $17.50.

Permit/Game Tag combos are available only through March 31. After March 31, hunters must purchase a spring turkey permit and spring turkey game tag at the regular price.

Other spring turkey fees are as follows:

RESIDENT

-Resident Permit: $22.50

-Resident Combo Permit/Game Tag: $27.50 (through March 31 only)

-Resident Turkey Game Tag: $12.50

LANDOWNER/TENANT

-Landowner/Tenant Permit: $12.50

-Landowner/Tenant COMBO Permit/Game Tag: $17.50 (through March 31 only)

NONRESIDENT

-Nonresident Permit: $32.50

-Nonresident COMBO Permit/Game Tag: $47.50 (through March 31 only)

-Nonresident Turkey Game Tag $22.50

Any individual who has purchased a spring turkey permit is also eligible for one spring turkey game tag. Spring game tags are valid for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.

Hunters who drew a Unit 4 (southwest Kansas) spring turkey permit earlier this year may also use their Unit 4 permit in adjacent Units 1, 2 and 5.

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

For more information, consult your 2013 Spring Turkey Hunting Atlas, or visit www.ksoutdoors.com.

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COUNCIL GROVE YOUTH SHOOTING CLINIC SEPT. 24

Sept. 8, 2011
Event designed to encourage youth hunters and shooters; registration deadline Sept. 16
COUNCIL GROVE — Council Grove area youth are invited to attend a free shotgun, pellet rifle, and archery shooting and safety clinic on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Council Grove Reservoir. Sponsored by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), the Flint Hills Chapter of Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF), and Morris County hunter education instructors, this special event will provide participants with the opportunity to enhance firearm and archery shooting and safety skills. Controlled live fire instruction will teach safe, responsible, and fun shooting techniques.

Participants will be provided safety and shooting instruction by certified firearm and archery skills instructors. All gear and supplies, including shotguns, pellet rifles, shells, bows, arrows, targets, and eye and ear protection will be provided by KDWPT’s “Pass It On” and Hunter Education programs. Teaching methods almost guarantee that students will break shotgun targets by the end of the session.

Anyone age 11 through 16 may participate. Participants are required to pre-register for the event by Sept. 16. 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 COE-managed area between Marina Cove and Neosho Park, approximately 1/4 mile west of the COE office at the west end of the dam. Check-in will be run from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., and QUWF will provide a free lunch during check-in. Instruction will begin at 12:30 p.m. and end at 4 p.m.

KDWP’s “Pass It On” Program is designed to increase the number of Kansans who hunt. Those interested are reminded to pre-register before Sept. 16. To register or learn more about this event, phone Brent Konen, Council Grove Wildlife Area manager, at 620-767-5900.

Hunting, Fishing, and Camping

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19th ANNUAL KINSLEY GUN CLUB KIDS KLASSIC SEPT. 17

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$100 bonds, shotguns, other awards await young shooters; registration deadline Sept. 12
KINSLEY — On Saturday, Sept. 17, the Kinsley Gun Club will host its 19th Annual Kids Klassic trap shooting tournament for young shooters. Each youngster will fire at 100 targets. A $25 entry fee will include a custom T-shirt, lunch, and a chance to win a door prize, including four guns — all provided by area businesses and the shooting fraternity. The entry fee does not include shells.

This event is open to all youngsters through high school. Shooters will compete for trophies, Olympic-style medals, shotgun shells, and other prizes in four age groups for individuals and five-person teams. Ten $100 savings bonds will be awarded by drawing, so everyone has a chance to win. Other awards include 19 flats of shotgun shells and individual trophies for four age groups with special awards to 4-H members. The top three five-shooter teams earn trophies and shells. A trophy and prize will be reserved for the top girl shooter, as well.

The shoot starts at the Dodge City Gun club with 50 16-yard targets, then moves to Kinsley for lunch, 50 handicap targets, and the prize presentation.

While everyone high school age and younger is welcome to attend, participants who enter must be strong enough to handle a shotgun safely and are expected to know the basic rules and etiquette of trapshooting. The shoot is not for beginners.

The registration deadline for the event is Sept. 12. Entries (including T-shirt sizes and number of adults for lunch) should be provided in advance. To enter, receive an official program, receive more information, or find out where to practice close to home, phone toll free at 1-888-324-5445, emailfranko@gbta.net, or write to Frank O’Brien, 115 Sunnyside Drive, Lewis, KS 67552.