THIRD ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS STATE MEET BIGGEST YET

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More than 250 students compete in program’s third state championship
HAYS — The third annual Kansas State Archery In the Schools (AIS) Championship meet was held at Fort Hays State University on March 31, and participation revealed that the program is growing dramatically in popularity. Seven participating school districts (Anthony-Chaparral, Clearwater, Healy, Jackson Heights, Neodesha, Otis-Bison, and Stockton), plus the Chanute Christian Academy, entered 266 youngsters, including 60 high school, 114 middle school, and 92 elementary school students. This compares to 246 participants in the second annual event last year.
The focus of the AIS program is to provide international-style target archery training in grades 4-12 physical education classes. The Kansas Archery in the Schools Program operates under the umbrella of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) and the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).

Started in Kentucky 13 years ago, Archery In the Schools came to Kansas in 2006. Gary Keehn, of Soldier, serves as coordinator of the state program. Keehn helps organize events, recruit instructors, set up ranges, and conduct certification workshops for instructors, many of whom are physical education teachers in elementary and secondary Kansas schools. Instructors are trained primarily through summer workshops.
Working under Mike Rader, KDWPT wildlife education coordinator, Keehn helps schools and other organizations start programs and obtain equipment. With support from the archery industry, a $5,000 program equipment kit can be purchased by schools for about $3,000. Any teacher who completes a training session receives assistance towards the purchase of a kit from KDWPT. Schools that host a basic instructor training workshop receive additional assistance. The Kansas program currently has about 200 schools involved.
Fort Hays State was the first university to establish a program, under the direction of Dr. Joyce Ellis, assistant professor in the school's Department of Health and Human Performance. For the third year in a row, Ellis has also been the driving force behind the state championship meet.
Because archery is not sanctioned by the Kansas State High School Activities Association, some schools restrict money used to establish programs or pay travel expenses for competitions. Schools with the program hold fund raisers with the help of supporters, students, local businesses, and community volunteers. Partial funding for equipment comes from KDWPT and NASP. And this year, support came from Genesis Bows and Morrell Targets.
Using stock, unmodified Genesis bows (their own or ones provided by the tournament), students shot one practice round of five arrows and three scoring rounds of five arrows each from both 10 meters and 15 meters — a total of 30 scoring shots. Scoring rings on the target provided points from 10 to zero. Team scores were the total of the team's highest 12 individual scores, with at least five archers of each gender per team.
Each participant received a medal. The overall highest male and female scorers each received a new Genesis bow donated by NASP. Plaques donated by KDWPT were awarded to the top three teams in each division and the top three individual shooters. The top two teams and the top three individuals in each division are eligible to participate in the 2012 NASP National Championships in Kentucky the second weekend of May.
The top scoring individual participants included the following, each receiving a Genesis bow:

• Top Male Overall — Brandon Williams, 9th-grader from Clearwater Middle School Blue; and
• Top Female Overall — Micaela Keehn — 11th-grader from Jackson Heights High School.

Jackson Heights High School and Clearwater dominated the individual high school competition, taking home all of the top three plaques in the high school division:

• First Place — Brandon Williams, 9th grade, Clearwater High School;
• Second Place — Jordan Serpan, 9th grade, Clearwater High School; and
• Third Place — Micaela Keehn, 11th grade, Jackson Heights.

Parity was the rule for the day in the middle school individual competition, with students from three different schools nabbing the top three plaques:

• First Place — Alexandrea Lear, 8th grade, Anthony Middle School;
• Second Place — Bradley Lightfoot, 7th grade, Otis-Bison Intermediate School; and
• Third Place — Darion Luckner, 7th grade, Clearwater Middle School White Team.

Individual elementary school plaques went to the following participants:

• First Place — Grant Ricky, 4th-grader, Clearwater Elementary Team Blue;
• Second Place — Michael Rowland, 6th-grader, Clearwater Elementary Team Blue; and
• Third Place — Kate Lears, 6th-grader, Jackson Heights Elementary School

The top three teams in each division also won plaques:
High School

• First Place —Clearwater High School;
• Second Place — Jackson Heights High School; and
• Third Place — Otis-Bison High School.

Middle School

• First Place — Clearwater Middle School Team Blue;
• Second Place — Anthony Middle School; and
• Third Place — Clearwater Middle School Team White.

Elementary School

• First Place — Clearwater Elementary School Team Blue;
• Second Place — Anthony Elementary School; and
• Third Place — Clearwater Elementary School Team White.

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KDWPT VOLUNTARY ELECTRONIC TURKEY REGISTRATION ONLINE

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Photo electronic turkey registration helps hunters comply with transportation laws
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) reminds all spring turkey hunters that immediately after taking a turkey, the permit holder must sign the carcass tag and record on it the county, date, and time of kill, then attach the carcass tag to the bird in a visible manner before moving it from the kill site. During the spring season, only turkeys with a visible beard may be taken, so the beard of the turkey must remain naturally attached to the breast while in transit from the kill site to the permittee’s residence or a commercial place of processing or preservation.
However, a bird maybe dressed for transport if the hunter obtains a transportation confirmation number after electronically registering the turkey on the agency’s website (ksoutdoors.com), or the permittee has retained photographs necessary for electronic registration until registration occurs.

What is electronic registration? Using a camera-reading cell phone, this convenient system allows the permit holder to upload two images of a just-killed turkey, making legal to transport the bird without the carcass tag attached. (At this time the system does not work with certain cell phones.) Here’s how it works:

1. Click the “Check-in Turkey” button at https://programs.ksoutdoors.com/Programs/Electronic-Turkey-Check-in.
2. Here, either Login to an existing account or create a new account. (Save this account information; it will be used for other purposes such as deer check-in and future special hunts.)
3. If you have created a new account, you will need to click "Check-in Turkey" again.
4. Once logged in, fill out all the information requested.
5. Upload two photos of the turkey. One of the photos must be a close-up shot of the turkey tag attached to the turkey. The tag must be visible and filled out with the correct information. The second photo must be a view of the complete turkey with the tag attached and beard visible.
6. Once files appear, click the “Submit” button to finish.
7. Keep the confirmation number with the turkey tag.

This is not a telephone registration system, and it is not required. The system allows KDWPT staff to see the turkey and the hunter’s completed tag without the time and expense of maintaining a check station. This flexibility is a benefit to both the hunter and KDWPT. For more information, go online to ksoutdoors.com and click “Electronic Turkey Check-in” in the “Topics” box.

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WILDLIFE, PARKS AND TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 26 IN WICHITA

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Public hearing on fall turkey, antelope, and elk seasons; workshop on early migratory birds, prairie chickens, more
WICHITA — The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing on Thursday, April 26, 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 non-agenda items, followed by a general discussion period on the following topics:

• Secretary’s remarks;
• 2011 legislative update;
• Hunter/Angler Recruitment and Retention Program update, Pass It On Program;
• fishing regulations;
• hand fishing harvest analysis;
• potential changes in deer regulations 2013; and
• late migratory bird seasons.

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;
• webless migratory birds;
• commercial mussel harvest;
• prairie chicken seasons;
• falconry regulations;
• public land regulations; and
• KAR 115-25-9a — deer open season, bag limit, permits, and additional considerations.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 7 p.m. at the same location for a public hearing on the following regulations:

• KAR 115-25-5 — turkey fall season, bag limit, and permits;
• KAR 115-25-7 — antelope open season, bag limit, and permits; and
• KAR 115-25-8 — elk open season, bag limit, and permits.

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 26 and reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., April 27, to complete unfinished business.
Live video and audio streaming of this meeting will be broadcast through the KDWP website, 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 commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 21, at Cabela's, 10300 Cabela Dr. in Kansas City, Kan.

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NEW STATE PARK RESERVATION SYSTEM OPEN FOR BUSINESS

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New campsite, cabin reservation system launched April 17; no park damage from weekend storms
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has announced that its new online campsite and cabin reservations system is up and running. This good news followed reports that with the exception of a few downed trees and a temporary power outage at Kanopolis State Park, Kansas state parks survived unscathed by tornadoes that rampaged through the state on April 14.
Built by Active Network, Inc., a cloud-based activity and participant management™ solutions provider, the new system makes it easy to find and reserve campsites and cabins in the state parks as well as cabins at certain state fishing lakes and wildlife areas. It is hosted on ReserveAmerica.com, a media property of Active Network for camping reservations. The online registration system powered by ActiveWorks® cloud technology was launched on schedule just after midnight on Tuesday, April 17. KDWPT has not taken online or phone reservations since April 1 to allow programmers to move reservations made before April 1 into the new reservation system. As a result, there is no need for customers to renew existing reservations.

The new reservation system allows KDWPT to take its paper- and phone-based camping reservations process online for the first time, creating tremendous efficiencies for both park staff and consumers. The centralized system allows guests to search multiple camping and cabin sites simultaneously and make reservations from the comfort of their homes. In many cases, park users will save money through reduced service fees and will be assured a site if they have made a reservation. Additionally, the system will enable KDWPT park staff to more effectively manage their statewide parks and facilities, and benefit from centralized reporting and auditing.
To make campsite and cabin reservations, guests can visit the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, where they’ll be directed to the new reservation site at reserveamerica.com, or they can call a KDWPT state park office or the Pratt Operations Office at 620-672-5911. For the location of the nearest Kansas state park office, go to the KDWPT website and click “State Parks/Locations.” For those without computers or who still prefer using a phone, park staff will be able to use the new system to help callers with reservations.
The number of campsites available for reservation will vary by park – in most parks about half of the sites can be reserved. The rest will be available through the traditional “first-come, first-served” method. Shelter and group campground reservations will continue to be made only through the park office where the facilities are located.
For more information, contact the nearest KDWPT state park or phone the Pratt Operations Office, 620-672-5911, and ask for the Parks Division.

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KANSAS LAUNCHES NEW BOBWHITE QUAIL INITIATIVE

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Efforts aim to increase eastern Kansas quail populations in focal areas by 50 percent

EMPORIA — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is launching a new quail restoration initiative aimed at making a difference in declining bobwhite quail populations at a landscape level. The state initiative includes the designation of two large quail management focal areas and as much as $500,000 of KDWPT wildlife fee funds over five years to attract landowner participation. Additional funding and support are being provided by the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, Quail Forever, Safari Club International, Kansas Wildlife Federation, and The Nature Conservancy. Primary objectives are a 50 percent increase in bobwhite populations and a 5 percent increase in suitable quail habitat in each focus area.

“Bobwhite populations in eastern Kansas have declined by 50 percent or more in the past three decades or so and even more across other parts of its range nationally,” says Jim Pitman, small game coordinator for KDWPT. “Biologists have associated the declines primarily with land use changes and resultant habitat loss, and they have joined forces across the nation as the National Bobwhite Technical Committee to counter the trend at a landscape scale with the habitat-based National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI).”

KDWPT has targeted two regional bobwhite “focal areas” totaling nearly 310,000 acres for restoration over a five-year period. The focal-area strategy reflects the national consensus that working at larger landscape levels rather than on small, scattered projects provides the best opportunity to save the bird — along with a suite of other wildlife species that require the same habitat. Typically, focal areas are anchored by a large tract of public or private land as a core, and efforts are expanded outward to other interested adjacent landowners.

Kansas’ 194,911-acre northern focal area includes parts of Lyon, Wabaunsee, Coffey, and Osage counties and has a bobwhite habitat management potential of “high,” as rated in the national initiative. The core public lands are the 9,407-acre Melvern Wildlife Area and the 562-acre Lyon State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area.

The 113,711-acre southern focal area includes parts of Labette and Neosho counties. Its potential for bobwhite habitat management is rated “medium,” but Pitman adds that the additional sources of funding and potential partners available to assist the effort there make it a worthwhile target. Additionally, the public land centerpieces include the new Grand Osage Wildlife Area (formerly the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant) where approximately 9,000 acres will be managed by KDWPT when all the agreements are in place. The southern focal area also includes the 1,320-acre Big Hill Wildlife Area.

KDWPT will assist eligible landowners with enrollment in the appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cost-share programs and then cover the landowner share of approved practices with non-federal money.

The state has issued a list of acceptable quail-friendly practices, but each landowner project must have the approval of the appropriate KDWPT district biologist to receive the additional non-federal cost share. Bobwhite-friendly practices that are not eligible or accepted into USDA programs will be covered solely with non-federal dollars. Consequently, the landowners will be reimbursed for 100 percent of the estimated average costs for all approved quail-friendly work that they implement within each focus area.

For more information, call the KDWPT Region 4 Office in Wichita at 316-683-8069. To read the Kansas Quail Initiative plan, go online to goo.gl/VmdKd. For more information about NBCI, go online to bringbackbobwhites.org or https://www.facebook.com/bringbackbobwhites.

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KANSAS BIRDING FESTIVAL AT WAKEFIELD APRIL 27-29

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Birdwatching, wetland and prairie chicken lek tours, seminars to be featured; April 13 registration deadline

WAKEFIELD — On April 25-27, the Kansas Birding Festival will be held near Wakefield. The three-day event will feature seminars on birds and birdwatching, guided field trips, food, and much more. This area is rich in birding opportunities during the latter part of April. Native birds inhabit the area year round, and this is the prime season for migrating birds. Combine this with Milford Reservoir and Wetlands and the native prairie, and you have one of the best locations in America for watching birds.

On Friday, April 27, the event will begin at the Wakefield Methodist Church Community Center with registration and guided field trips to the Milford Wetlands, the Republican River Bottoms, and the Kansas Landscape Arboretum.

The event on Saturday will begin with breakfast from 4 a.m. to 5:45 a.m., followed by guided field trips, including a prairie chicken lek at Fort Riley, the Konza Prairie, the Landscape Arboretum, the Milford Wetlands, and the Republican River Bottoms.

After an 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. lunch break, events will include optional free time to bird watch and seminars, including “Greater Prairie Chickens in Kansas,” by Dr. Brett Sandercock; “Shorebird Identification,” by Suzanne Fellows; and “Grassland Birds,” by Eugene Young. At 7 p.m., a banquet will be held with a keynote address by wildlife photographer Judd Patterson.

On Sunday, April 29, breakfast will again be served from 4 a.m.-5:45 a.m. This will be followed by the field trip options.

Fees and pre-registration are required. For more information, phone Chuck Otte at 785-238-4161 or 785-238-8800 or Vanessa Avara at 785-238-3108, email cotte@ksu.edu, or go online to www.kansasbirdingfestival.org.

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UNDERAGE DRINKERS TARGETED ON PUBLIC LANDS

KDOT grant to help keep public land users safe

PRATT — Through a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation, natural resource officers with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism are targeting underage drinkers at Osage and Lyon state fishing lakes and Melvern and Pomona reservoirs this spring. The issue is especially problematic in late spring, when minors gather after prom and graduation festivities for parties on their own.

Similar operations in the past have netted arrests for minors possessing or consuming alcohol, as well as drugs and drug paraphernalia. Numerous cases of beer and other alcoholic beverages were seized and citations were issued. Parents or guardians were notified and required to come to the lakes to pick up their sons and daughters. Additionally, officers arrested and charged several adults with furnishing intoxicants to minors.

Natural resource officers are conducting similar efforts in other parts of the state to keep natural areas safe and clean and to help prevent tragedies that too often occur as a result of alcohol and drug abuse.

For more information, phone the KDWPT Pratt Operations Office, Law Enforcement Division, at 620-672-5911.

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