THE 29TH PRAIRIE GROUSE TECHNICAL COUNCIL IN HAYS OCT. 4-6

Image via Wikipedia Annual event to feature experts from throughout prairie grouse range
HAYS — On Oct. 4-6, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will host the 29th meeting of the Prairie Grouse Technical Council (PGTC) at Fort Hays State University in Hays. Prairie grouse conservationists from across the country — both professional and amateur — will gather to share knowledge, data, and appreciation of prairie grouse populations throughout their range.

The prairie grouse family includes sage grouse, lesser and greater prairie chicken, Attwater’s prairie chicken, and sharp-tailed grouse. The meeting location is near an expanding population of lesser and greater prairie chickens — the only place in the world where these two species overlap in range — and hybridization has been documented in this area.

Participants will have the opportunity to see the impact of Farm Bill programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), on prairie grouse populations in western Kansas.

For professional biologists attending, abstracts for the meeting are now being accepted. The deadline for receipt of abstracts is Aug. 15. Authors will be notified by Sept. 1 if their submissions have been accept or not. Presentation of abstracts should be limited to 15 minutes. Speakers will be notified of the day, time, and location of their presentations. Email abstracts to Jim Pitman (jim.pitman@ksoutdoors.com) in Microsoft Word or plain text format. Those who do not have email may fax abstracts to 620-342-6248 or mail them to Jim Pitman, c/o KDWP, 1830 Merchant, Emporia, KS 66801.

State biologists attending are asked to submit reports on the status of prairie grouse in their states. Reports will include information on hunting and harvest of prairie grouse species by state (if applicable), population trends, conservation programs, and recent or ongoing research activities.

The meeting will include presentation of the Hamerstrom Award for the 29th PGTC Conference, and nominations for this award are now being accepted. This award was established in honor of Fred and Fran Hamerstrom, pioneers of prairie grouse research and management. The award recognizes “individuals and organization who have made significant contributions in prairie grouse research, management or other support programs that have enhanced the welfare of one or more species of prairie grouse in a particular state or region.” The deadline for nominations is Sept. 4.

In addition to the various prairie grouse reports, the event will feature presentations by experts in the field, field trips, educational meetings, and a banquet and auction.

For more information or to register, phone David Dahlgren at 785-628-8614 or email dave.dahlgren@ksoutdoors.com, or phone Pitman at 620-342-0658 or email him at jim.pitman@ksoutdoors.com. Questions regarding the technical program should go to Pitman; all other logistical questions for the meeting should go to Dahlgren.

LAKE SCOTT STATE PARK JEWEL OF STATE’S NEWEST BYWAY

Image via Wikipedia Drive the Byway Weekend coming to the Western Vistas Historic Byway
SCOTT CITY — Lake Scott State Park, one of the state’s most scenic and historic parks, is open for business. The park almost completely encompasses a national historic landmark and is situated in a stunning canyon virtually hidden from nearby US-83 highway. Lake Scott State Park is home to El Cuartelejo, the northernmost pueblo site in the U.S., and the more than century-old Steele Homestead. Park visitors can enjoy beautiful camping facilities while hikers, horseback riders and naturalists have outstanding opportunities to view wildlife and native plants on the park’s nature trails.
Lake Scott State Park is situated near the south end of the state’s newest historic byway, the Western Vistas Historic Byway. On May 7 and 8, the byway will host a “Drive the Byway” weekend. Visitors to Lake Scott can drive the byway, which extends 102 miles from Scott City to Oakley to Sharon Springs, and discover the rich history and scenic beauty of this western Kansas route.
That weekend, travelers can enjoy the following experiences:

• learn about the colorful adventurers scouting western Kansas, establishing frontier trails, forts, county seats, and railroad lines;
• discover an ancient world where creatures swam in a vast inland sea;
• experience the El Cuartelejo pueblo site where Taos Indians fled to escape Spanish persecution in what is now the southwest U.S.;
• visit museums, art shows, and a car show; and
• run a half-marathon on scenic backroads.

To learn more about the event, contact the Keystone Gallery at 620-872-2762 or visit the byway website at www.westernvistashistoricbyway.com.

ANTELOPE, ELK SEASON DATES SET

Image via Wikipedia Dates set at April 21 meeting of Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission in Wichita
PRATT — At the Public Hearing portion of the April 21 meeting of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission, regulations for antelope and elk seasons were approved.
Pronghorn antelope season dates for 2011 include the follow: Archery – Sept. 24-Oct. 2 and Oct. 15-31; Muzzleloader – Oct. 3-10; and Firearm – Oct. 7-10. The application deadline for the resident-only firearm and muzzleloader permits is June 10. Resident and nonresident pronghorn antelope archery permits are unlimited and available over the counter through Oct. 30.
Elk season dates for 2011, both on Fort Riley (Unit 2A) and off the fort were also set: Archery statewide (except units 1 and 2A) — Sept. 19-Dec. 31; Fort Riley (Unit 2A) – Sept. 1-Oct. 2. Muzzleloader statewide (except Unit 2A and a portion of Morton County, Unit 1) – Sept. 1-Oct. 2; Fort Riley – Sept. 1-Oct. 2. Firearm statewide (except Unit 2A and Unit 1) – Nov. 30-Dec. 11 and Jan. 1-March 15, 2012; Fort Riley (Unit 2A) Antlerless Only permits first segment, Oct. 1-31, second segment, Nov. 1-30, third segment, Dec. 1-31. Fort Riley firearm season for holders of Either-Species/Either-Sex permits — Oct. 1-Dec. 31.
As in past seasons, a limited quota of any elk and antlerless only elk permits that are valid on Fort Riley (Unit 2A) and in units 2 and 3 will be available to residents and Fort Riley military personnel only. The application deadline for limited-quota elk permits is July 8, 2011. Unlimited hunt-own-land elk permits are valid in units 2 and 3 and will be available through March 14, 2012. Over-the-counter elk permits valid only in Unit 3 will be available through March 14, 2012. Applications will be available online June 8. No paper applications are available, but those without internet access may apply by phone, 620-672-5911, and ask for Licensing.

WICHITA STATE TO OFFER HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR COURSE

Course designed to develop teaching skills prior to becoming a certified hunter education instructor
WICHITA — In the 2011 fall semester, Wichita State University will offer a course to train students in the knowledge and skills necessary to become certified as a volunteer Kansas Hunter Education Instructor through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). Students will learn about wildlife conservation, safe gun handling, and the role of hunting in conservation. Wildlife management, firearm safety, and other topics will also be covered.
The 2 credit-hour course is currently scheduled for 2:30 p.m. each Wednesday of the semester. In addition, a 4-hour session on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 9 a.m. is mandatory. This session will take place at Michael Murphy and Sons, 6400 SW Hunter Road just north of Augusta and will involve field work in live fire training and use of trail walks and other training aids in simulated hunting situations.
The course will focus heavily on developing instructor presentation skills using lecture, training aids, electronic media, and internet instruction.
“I’m excited about this course,” says Wayne Doyle, course instructor and former statewide hunter education coordinator for KDWP. “I think it has a lot of potential. I’ve been telling instructors for years that what they need to improve most is their presentation skills. This is important whether you’re a farmer, a businessman, or a teacher, but a lot of our guys have not had much training in this area. And there’s no one ‘right’ way. We want to teach them to use the tools best adapted to their personalities, whether it’s lecture, one-on-one instruction, or audio-visual tools. The point is, we want them to be more effective communicators.” 
No previous courses or experience is required for this course although some experience with hunting is recommended. To find a course description, go online to https://ssbprod.wichita.edu/pls/PROD/bwckschd.p_get_crse_unsec . Write down the course numbers, then phone 316-978-3055 for enrollment information.

SPRINGTIME CAUTION: LEAVE YOUNG WILDLIFE ALONE

Image via Wikipedia

Young animals may seem abandoned but are seldom alone in the wild; “rescue,” however, may kill them

PRATT — Spring is a time of rebirth and birth, with trees budding and young wildlife being born and hatched, and different levels of parental care are employed within the animal kingdom, all designed to work without human interference. But one common problem occurs when seemingly abandoned or orphaned wildlife are picked up by well-intentioned persons, often with tragic results.

Mammals such as deer often leave their young to search for food. Deer fawns are born with natural camouflage and little scent, making it difficult for predators to detect them. A spotted coat helps hide young as they sit motionless in surrounding cover. These adaptations make it possible for the doe to move about and feed, maintaining her strength as she provides for her young. Raccoons and other mammals employ similar strategies.

Well-meaning individuals sometimes discover young deer, raccoons, foxes, rabbits, or skunks and assume that they are orphaned or abandoned. Usually, the mother is close at hand but out of sight waiting for the human intruders to leave the area. In this situation, it is extremely important to leave the animals as found in the wild. To pick them up and take them home is illegal, for good reason. Wild animals often have very specific dietary requirements and often die under human care. Those that do survive have little chance of surviving if returned to the wild.

Another reason to avoid picking up wild animals is health. Wild animals carry diseases and parasites that can infect humans or their pets. Dogs, if not vaccinated, may contract distemper from infected coyotes, foxes, or even weasels. Bobcats can transmit a similar disease to domestic cats. Ticks from host animals can expose humans to Lyme disease, and perhaps the greatest danger wild animals pose to humans is rabies. Many animals can carry rabies for several days without showing any outward symptoms.

Pet dogs and cats should also be restrained during the season when young birds, rabbits, and other wildlife are young. Both dogs and cats can be deadly to wild young, no matter how friendly they may seem to humans.

It can be a wonderful experience to see young animals in the wild, but for the benefit of the wildlife, it is important to leave them in the wild, where they are best equipped to survive.

FISHING LICENSES DOLLARS MAKE KANSAS ANGLING GREAT

License purchase means more angling opportunity
PRATT — Spring is a time of renewal, anticipation, and respite from a long winter. But for anglers, spring means just one thing: the fish are biting somewhere. April, May, and June are the best months to fish in Kansas, and fishing opportunities have never been better. Anglers preparing for another great year must remember their most important piece of equipment — a fishing license.

Not only is a fishing license required for all resident anglers age 16 through 64 and all nonresidents 16 and older, but money from Kansas fishing license purchases goes directly to supporting the management of Kansas’ fisheries. The following projects were made possible by Kansas fishing license dollars supporting the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in 2010:

• access to 1,500 acres of private ponds and 90 miles of streams through the Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitats program (F.I.S.H.);
• fishing rights through the Community Fisheries Assistance Program to almost 240 community-owned waters, removing additional local fees to fish these waters;
• fisheries law enforcement resources;
• fight against the spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels, white perch, and Asian carp;
• sampling and research to improve the state’s fisheries resources;
• introduction of fishing to more than 10,000 kids at KDWP fishing clinics and derbies;
• a mobile aquarium exhibit that displayed live Kansas fish to more than 150,000 people;
• four fish hatcheries and maintenance of facilities at 40 state fishing lakes;
• stocking of more than 150,000 rainbow trout, providing winter fishing opportunities;
• 138,000 catfish added to urban waters for close-to-home angling; and
• more than 82,000,000 sport fish stocked in Kansas reservoirs, state fishing lakes, and community lakes.

High-quality fishing is just a lure’s throw away from just about anywhere in Kansas today. To learn where all of these great fishing opportunities are located, pick up a 2011 Fishing Atlas at the nearest license vendor or download it online at www.fishks.org. While at this website, get all the inside information by checking out the 2011 Fishing Forecast, view weekly updated fishing reports, and sign up for fisheries biologist newsletters.

Purchase of a Kansas fishing license helps keep Kansas fishing outstanding, and renewing a license is more convenient than ever. Just visitwww1.ks.wildlifelicense.com, phone 1-800-918-2877, or stop by any local sporting goods retailer.

OUTDOOR WRITERS OF KANSAS RAISE FUNDS FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS

May 2 auction raises scholarship money for Outdoor Adventure Camp

PARSONS — Looking for some bargains on fishing, hunting, and camping equipment? Plan on attending the Outdoor Writers of Kansas (OWK) fundraising auction May 2 at the City Municipal Building, 112 South 17th Street in Parsons. The event will start at 7:30 p.m.

Among items up for bid will be two free nights of lodging at Timberhill Lodge (a $300 value), a Bushnell range finder, rods and reels, lots of soft-plastic fishing lures, soft-sided tackle boxes, camping equipment, books, and more.

OWK is an organization with members who promote the Kansas outdoors through writing, photography, broadcast, and art. Members get together for fall and spring conferences, and to raise money for programs designed to get youth outdoors. Proceeds from the spring auction help send underprivileged kids to the Kansas Wildlife Federation’s weeklong Outdoor Adventure Camp in June.