SUMNER COUNTY DEER DID NOT HAVE CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

Initial test was false-positive
PRATT— In July, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) reported that nine deer had tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) during the 2011-12 testing period. The agency now reports that the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, after two different tests, did not detect CWD prions in the Sumner County deer, so initial testing in this case yielded a false-positive result. This reduces the total 2011-2012 positives to eight. Counties where CWD was detected during the 2011-2012 surveillance period include Wallace (one), Rawlins (one), Decatur (one), Norton (two), Trego (one), Ford (one), and Stafford (one).

The white-tailed deer in question was taken from Sumner County last winter. This result brings the total number of confirmed CWD cases in Kansas to 48 since testing began in 1996. In total, 2,446 animals were tested for CWD during the 2011-2012 surveillance period, Aug. 1, 2011, through July 31, 2012.

Annual testing is part of an ongoing effort by KDWPT to monitor the prevalence and spread of CWD. The fatal disease was first detected in the Kansas free-ranging deer herd in 2005 in Cheyenne County.

More information on CWD can be found on KDWPT’s website, ksoutdoors.com, or at the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance website, www.cwd-info.org.

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PLENTY OF SUMMER LEFT AT KANSAS STATE PARKS

After Labor Day, parks offer milder weather, uncrowded camping
PRATT — Many schools are already in session, and although this is often viewed as the end of summer, Kansas state parks are still going strong. Many events are planned for one of the busiest times the year — Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-3. For outdoor enthusiasts, this is one of the best times for a park visit. Once Labor Day weekend is over, crowds thin, and September provides a relaxing outdoor experience.

Trail rides, chili cook-offs, and fishing tournaments are among the many events slated for September, making the prospect of a pre-autumn mini-vacation even more inviting. Each park sets its own dates for these events, and all offer a chance to enjoy the special attributes of Kansas state parks, many of which feature rental cabins, as well as fascinating historical or geological features that enhance the park experience.
For more information on these events, phone individual parks or click the "Event Calendar" on the "State Parks" page of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) website, www.ksoutdoors.com. Under “Reservations,” campsite and cabin reservations may be made online.

Telephone numbers of all state parks offices may also be found on the State Parks page under "Locations."
The following is a list of September state park events:

• Sept. 1 — Clinton Trail Workday at Clinton State Park;
• Sept. 7-9 — Saddle Ridge Trail Riders Club Poker Ride at Hillsdale State Park;
• Sept. 8 — Hays Bass Anglers Association fishing tournament at Wilson State Park;
• Sept. 9 — Chili Cookoff and Free Park Entrance Day at Lovewell State Park;
• Sept. 9 — 3-D archery shoot and Free Park Entrance Day at Lovewell State Park;
• Sept. 15 — Hays Bass Anglers Association Big Bass Challenge at Wilson State Park;
• Sept. 16 — Heartland Coursing Association hound coursing practice at Clinton State Park;
• Sept. 22 — Kansas Buddy Bass Tournament at Hillsdale State Park;
• Sept. 22 — Women on Target instructional shooting at Tuttle Creek State Park;
• Sept. 22 — Heartland Motorcycle Poker Run fundraiser at Clinton State Park;
• Sept. 23 — Hays Recreation Center 30+K and 5K trail run at Wilson State Park;
• Sept. 28-30 — Kansas Bass Federation fishing tournament at Wilson State Park;
• Sept. 28 — Tour de Ted benefit bike ride for cancer research at Tuttle Creek State Park;
• Sept. 29 — 10th Annual Fall River Rendezvous at Fall River State Park; and
• Sept. 30 — Twin Rivers Bass Club of Emporia fishing tournament at Clinton State Park.

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WILD TURKEY FEDERATION STATE YOUTH CAMP SEPT. 15-16

At two-day event, kids can camp out and learn archery, shotgun shooting, crafts, much more

EMPORIA — The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will hold its 2012 NWTF Kansas State JAKES Camp for youth on Sept. 15-16 at Camp Alexander, near Emporia. JAKES stand for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship, and the acronym is also a common name for young male wild turkeys.

The cost of this event is $20 for JAKES members, $30 for non-JAKES members, and $20 for adults. Youth 17 years old and younger get to select from 15 activities in which to participate, including fishing, first aid in the field, air rifle, small game animals, arts and crafts, nature hikes and birding, firearms handling and safety, shotgun live fire, turkey calling, archery, sporting dogs, GPS, JAKES Take Aim range, and game calling.
Ralph Duren, two-time Grand National turkey calling champion, will present "Calls of the Wild" and will entertain campers later around the campfire Saturday night. Youth attending can participate in the 3rd Annual NWTF Kansas State youth turkey calling contest Saturday evening.

Attendees may choose to tent camp Saturday night or commute. Top-notch meals will be provided both days. Last year's Kansas State JAKES Camp was awarded the NWTF "Best State JAKES Event" at this year's NWTF National Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

For more information or a registration form, contact Gib Rhodes at 620-437-2012.

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POACHER SENTENCED FOR ILLEGAL KILLING OF EAGLE

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Golden eagle killed in Trego County
WICHITA — The poacher of a golden eagle in Trego County was sentenced Aug. 21 after pleading guilty to killing the immature raptor in 2011. Chad Irvin, Lacrosse, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. He killed the eagle with a 12-gauge shotgun from a vehicle while hunting with family members.

Irvin was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and restitution of $3,000; placed on supervised probation for three years, during which time he may not hunt, fish or trap; required to complete 50 hours of community service; and ordered to forfeit the shotgun used to kill the eagle.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent investigated the crime in conjunction with Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism natural resource officers.

Golden eagles are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The killing of any eagle constitutes a violation of those acts. For more information on golden eagles, go online to fws.gov/migratorybirds/baldeagle.htm.

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KANSAN NETS BASSMASTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Lake Quivira native at the top of this sport

PRATT — Kansan Brent Chapman has had a phenomenal year as a professional bass fisherman. The Lake Quivira resident started the 2012 season of the Bassmaster Elite Series ranked 58th in the world of bass fishing, according to the BassFan.com World Rankings. He finished the season by winning the final event on New York’s Oneida Lake on Aug. 23-26. That win also landed him the 2012 Bassmaster Angler of the Year award (AOY), professional bass fishing’s most prestigious honor.

As the series of eight tournaments unfolded in March, Chapman started strong with a fourth-place finish at the St. John’s River in Florida. A fifth at Lake Okeechobee, Fla., moved him up to second in the AOY race. After another fifth-place finish, this time at Missouri’s Table Rock Lake, he found himself at the top of the AOY list. Unfortunately, Douglas Lake in Tennessee proved to be a challenging venue, and he finished well down the list at 68th place, out of the money cut (top 50). This finish dropped him to third in the AOY standings, 40 points behind the new leader.

Apparently determined to erase the sour taste of a poor finish after three consecutive top fives, he rebounded to dominate the next contest on Louisiana’s Toledo Bend, taking the lead on the second day and never relinquishing it. It was his first Elite Series win and fourth win of his 17-year career.

Chapman continued with a string of high finishes, logging a 22nd at the Upper Mississippi River, then a 27th at Lake Michigan’s Green Bay. This put him back atop the AOY points race going into Lake Oneida.

The AOY award not only netted Chapman $100,000 but ensures him of a string of future endorsements. And he has already qualified for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Tournament, the Super Bowl of bass fishing. That event will be held much closer to home next year, at Grand Lake, Okla.

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20th ANNUAL KINSLEY GUN CLUB KIDS KLASSIC SEPT. 15

Awards await young shooters; registration deadline Sept. 10

KINSLEY — On Saturday, Sept. 15, 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 three guns. 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 29 flats of shotgun shells and 36 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. 10. 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.

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JAMESTOWN WILDLIFE AREA WATERFOWL TOUR SEPT. 6

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Day to feature field seminar and question and answer session
CONCORDIA — On Sept. 6, Jamestown Wildlife Area managers will hold the traditional Jamestown Waterfowl Information night, with a twist. Instead of meeting in a classroom with presentations, pictures, graphs, and tables on current habitat conditions, interested hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to Jamestown Wildlife Area to see the conditions first hand.

Jamestown Wildlife Area is 12 miles northwest of Concordia, near Jamestown. From Jamestown, go 2.5 miles north on Cloud County Road 765, turn west on Wagon Road for one mile, turn north on 30 Road for one mile, then turn west on Republic Road for another mile and follow the road north around the curve for about a mile to the intersection of Marsh Trail and 30 Road to 299 Marsh Trail.

A driving tour will begin at 6 p.m. from the area headquarters and return at 7:30 p.m. for a short presentation and question and answer session.

Attendees will see the challenges of management in 2012, how water is moved and held in various pools, and the habitat conditions expected for this upcoming season. This will be an excellent opportunity for the public to get a sneak peak before the teal season opener on Sept. 8. Managers will discuss expected waterfowl numbers and Central Flyway habitat conditions, as well as 2012-2013 season dates and bag limits.

For more information, phone the area office at 785-439-6243.

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