KANSAS WETLANDS EDUCATION CENTER TO CONDUCT OUTDOOR SURVIVAL PROGRAM

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GREAT BEND — Getting lost in the wilderness, suffering a serious injury, or being caught in bad weather are among an outdoor enthusiast’s worst nightmares. Although uncommon, each of these scenarios can happen to anyone who spends time in the great outdoors. On April 17, visitors to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC), 10 miles northeast of Great Bend on K-156 Highway, have an opportunity to learn what to do in these situations during a program entitled “How to Survive an Outdoor Emergency,” presented by Peter Kummerfeldt, owner and chief instructor of Outdoor Safe, Inc. The program will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Kummerfeldt is a graduate of the Air Force Survival Instructor Training School and has served as an instructor at numerous other survival schools across the globe. He authored Surviving a Wilderness Emergency, has been featured on numerous television shows, and has addressed more than 20,000 people as the featured speaker at seminars, conferences, and national conventions.

Kummerfeldt’s program is informative, entertaining, and essential to a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts, including hunters, fishermen, campers, hikers, scouting groups, and 4-H groups. During this program, he will talk about techniques and equipment that work (and don’t work), as well as many wilderness survival myths.

This program is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. For more information about the program call the KWEC at 877-243-9268.

KDWP TO DEDICATE GREENWOOD COUNTY LAND ACQUISITION

Dedication of 1,400-acre tract of Flint Hills property slated for April 19
EURKEA — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has received a 1,400-acre parcel of land southeast of Eureka in Greenwood County thanks to the generosity of Dr. Frances Moss-Mayo. The land will be dedicated on Tuesday, April 19 at 10 a.m. and named the Frank and Frances Moss Wildlife Area, after Dr. Moss-Mayo’s grandparents, who originally owned the land.

Currently being managed for cattle grazing, this piece of property holds great potential for preservation of native Flint Hills prairie for public use. Vegetation includes native warm-season grasses and some wooded drainages that could provide excellent hunting, particularly for white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, and prairie chicken. Small ponds on the area may also provide angling opportunities.

Appraised at more than $1.2 million dollars, the property was purchased using a U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Service grant, which Dr. Moss-Mayo matched by donating half the appraised value.

The dedication will be held on the property, located 2 miles east of Eureka on U.S. Highway 54, 4 miles south on Highway K-99, and approximately 5 miles east on 100th Street. For more information on the property or the dedication, phone KDWP Region 5 Public Lands supervisor Lance Hedges at 620-431-0380.

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SPRINGTIME REMINDER FOR TURKEY HUNTERS — SAFETY FIRST

Hunting is safe and getting safer, but hunters asked to check their safety list
PRATT — The youth/disabled and archery spring turkey seasons began April 1 and run through April 12, and the regular season runs April 13-May 31. During these seasons, Kansas hunters must remember one word that exemplifies the perfect hunt: safety. Responsible hunters are sure of their targets — and what lies beyond them — before firing, and they hunt defensively to protect themselves from the mistakes of others.

The following are just a few defensive safety tips to follow when pursuing America’s largest game bird this spring:

• set up against a stump, tree, or rock that is wider than your shoulders and higher than your head;
• never wear or carry the colors red, white, light blue, or black — the colors of a wild turkey gobbler — when turkey hunting;
• eliminate movement and set up in open timber rather than thick brush;
• avoid imitating the sound of a gobbling turkey;
• watch other game and listen for the alarm cries of blue jays, crows, squirrels, or woodpeckers that can tip you off to the presence of another hunter;
• assume any noise you hear is another hunter; and
• never move, wave, or make turkey sounds to alert another hunter of your presence but remain still and call out in a loud, clear voice to announce.

Including the archery-only season and youth/disabled seasons, Kansas hunters will be able to hunt for two full months. During the youth season, youth 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. The adult may not hunt during the youth season (except with archery equipment). No hunting license is required for resident hunters 15 and younger, but a valid Kansas turkey permit is required.

For more information, contact the nearest office of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks or visit the agency's website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

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SAFETY FIRST WHEN ON THE WATER

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Boaters reminded of laws, safety rules that could save a life
PRATT — It’s springtime, and outdoor recreational users are taking to the water. Fishing, skiing, tubing, sailing, and paddle sports are common activities people enjoy while boating on Kansas waters. With the new season, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reminds recreational enthusiasts that safety equipment, attention to rules, and properly-maintained equipment help make a safe and enjoyable trip.

The most valuable piece of equipment for both swimmers and boaters is the personal flotation device (PFD), commonly known as a life jacket. “Of the six boating-related fatalities that occurred in 2010, all were from drowning, and none of the victims wore a life jacket,” says Dan Hesket, boating law administrator for KDWP. “These tragedies illustrate the importance of obtaining and wearing a proper life jacket. New designs of life jackets, including inflatable designs, eliminate common excuses for not wearing them. These new PFDs are comfortable, fashionable, and designed to reduce any restrictions while moving around.”

Attending or completing an approved boating safety course is also highly recommended and is required for any person between the ages of 12 and 20 who wishes to operate a vessel (PWC, power boat, sailboat) without direct, on-board supervision. In addition, no one under the age of 12 may operate a vessel without direct, on-board supervision regardless of boater education certification. Information on courses may be found at the KDWP website,www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Just click “Boating/Boating Education.” This course provides information on types of equipment required on vessels, as well as others suggested to make the outing as safe as possible.

Many people are unaware that there are operating rules for boats on the water, which include being able to recognize buoy markings and the proper use of navigation lights. Knowledge of these rules can prevent dangerous, even deadly, situations.

Safety on the water is not all that is covered in a boating education course. Before turning the key, letting down the sail, or controlling a paddle, you must first get the boat to the water. Most of this involves the use of a trailer. Proper trailer inspections cover wheel bearings, trailer lights, winch straps, structural integrity of trailers, and properly-working trailer hitches.

Motorized boats and sailboats are required to be registered and properly numbered before operated on public waters of Kansas. Original registration papers must be on board and made available for inspection. Upon sale of a boat, the registration must be properly transferred to the new owner before it can be legally operated on public waters.

For more information on boating safety and boating laws, phone KDWP at 620-672-5911 and ask for Boater Education.

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WILDLIFE AND PARKS COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 21 IN WICHITA

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Public hearing on antelope and elk seasons; workshop on deer, fish bait regulations
WICHITA — The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing on Thursday, April 21, at the Great Plains Nature Center Auditorium, 6232 East 29th Street North in Wichita. The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m., and the evening session will begin at 7 p.m.

The afternoon session will begin with time for public comments on on-agenda items, followed by a general discussion period on the following topics:

• Secretary’s remarks;
• 2011 legislative update;
• agency and state fiscal status;
• vehicles on the ice;
• fishing regulations;
• late migratory bird seasons;
• park regulations;
• falconry regulations; and
• K.A.R. 115-16-3 — nuisance bird control permit application, provisions, and requirements.

The afternoon will also include a workshop session, in preparation for potential future regulatory action, covering preliminary recommendations on the following regulations:

• early migratory bird seasons;
• duck zone regulations from 2011 through 2015; and
• furbearer regulations.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 7 p.m. at the same location to hear more general public comments on non-agenda items, general discussion of potential changes in deer regulations, and continued workshop discussion on the following topics:

• KAR 115-25-9a, deer — open season, bag limit, permits; and additional considerations; and
• aquatic nuisance species and bait regulations.

This workshop session will be followed by a public hearing on the following regulations:

• KAR 115-25-7, antelope — open season, bag limit, and permits;
• KAR 115-25-8, elk — open season, bag limit, and permits; and
• KAR 115-7-9 — weigh-in black bass fishing tournaments.

Time will be set aside in both the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on topics that are not on the agenda. If necessary, the commission will recess on April 21 and reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., April 22, to complete unfinished business.

Live video and audio streaming of this meeting will be broadcast through the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

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 and Parks Commission secretary at 620-672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 23, at the Norton Community High School, 103 West Woodsfield in Norton.

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APRIL STATE PARK EVENTS ANTICIPATE BUSY SUMMER

Spring weather heralds more park activity
PRATT — Spring weather is slowly warming up the Sunflower State, and state park staff plan to enhance the Kansas state park experience with a variety of special events throughout the state in 2011. Some events are in conjunction with Free Park Entrance Days, some celebrate a special historical event or geological attribute of an individual park, and others are just for entertainment. Each park sets its own dates for these events.

Events are diverse and may include anything from a marathon race to boating courses and equestrian events. Many are educational, and all make visiting Kansas state parks more enjoyable. For more information on state park events, phone individual parks or click the "Event Calendar" on the State Parks page of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

Cabin rental reservations may also be made online.

Park goers are urged to phone the park they intend to visit before traveling.Telephone numbers of all state parks offices may be found on the KDWP website. Click "State Parks" at the top of the page, then "Locations" in the left-hand column. A short conversation with local park staff will provide information on campsite availability, park conditions, current visitation rates, and answers to other questions. Campsite reservations may also be made by phone.

To date, only two events are scheduled for April, the April 2 Lake Adventures Race at Tuttle Creek State Park and Operation Pedal Express bicycle benefit ride at El Dorado State Park. Additional events may be listed during a given month, so be sure to check your favorite park weekly for more events.

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NRA YOUTH HUNTER EDUCATION CHALLENGE MAY 14

Event designed to enhance skills already learned in hunter education classes
WICHITA — On Saturday, May 14, the Chisholm Trail Antique Gun Association (CTAGA) will conduct their annual NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) beginning with check-in at 7:30 a.m. and running throughout the day. The event will take place at the CTAGA Gun Range, northeast of Wichita off of K-254 highway near the Sedgwick-Butler county line, 15090 East 69th Street North in Wichita.

Youth 18 years old and younger are encouraged to attend the event. All participants must have completed a basic state hunter education course and present proof of hunter education certification. No prior hunting experience is required, but participants must be able to shoulder and control firearms.

Participants will compete in junior (age 14 and younger) or senior (age 15 through 18) categories. While the YHEC has a competitive side, the focus of the program is the personal challenge of improvement and the advancement of skills introduced in a basic hunter education course. Challenge events include the following:

• shotgun course with clay targets, 12- and 20- gauge shotguns only, no adjustable cheek stocks or butt plates;
• muzzle-loading course with life-size game targets at 20 to 70 yards, .50 caliber muzzleloaders, ammunition, and No. 11 percussion caps provided. Participants may provide their own muzzleloader (.54 caliber or smaller) and respective balls and patches. In-line muzzleloaders with saboted bullets allowed but bullets and supplies not provided. No scopes allowed.
• light rifle (.22 caliber) course with life-size game targets at 15 to 60 yards. Equipment is limited to rifles designed for field use and hunting. Scopes no greater than 4X are allowed. High-velocity .22 ammo will be provided;
• archery course with 3-D game animal targets from 5 to 40 yards. Participants may bring their own bows and arrows. Some equipment restrictions include no more than six sight pins, no magnified sights, only one stabilizer 12 inches or shorter, field points only. Recurve bows will be provided. All compound bows will be shot at the longer distances. Compound bow shooters must bring their own arrows.
• wildlife identification to test knowledge of Kansas wildlife from animal mounts, hides, bird wings, tracks, horns/antlers, and other evidence. No identification guides are allowed.
• safety trail to test safe hunting and gun handling skills, game laws, and hunter ethics.

The cost of registration is $15, which includes all ammunition. (Do not bring ammunition unless allowed on above list.) All equipment and firearms will be provided if needed. The registration deadline is May 7, but space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. A light lunch will be provided for participants, volunteers, and parents. Awards will be presented at the completion of the challenge.

To register, mail a check and registration form to Jim Fry, 116 E. Sandhill Rd., Derby, KS 67037. Make checks payable to Jim Fry. For more information or registration forms, phone Jim Fry at 316-788-5026 or email yhec@att.net.

This event is sponsored by NRA Foundations Inc., Heartland Friends of the NRA, the Chisholm Trail Antique Gun Association, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, and Parks, and the Kansas Wildlife Officers Association.

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