YOUTH UPLAND BIRD HUNT MARCH 1

Local Pheasants Forever chapter to host youth upland bird hunt

GOODLAND – The High Plains Roosters chapter of Pheasants Forever is pleased to announce their upcoming youth upland bird hunt,March 1, in Sherman County (Road 67 and 17).  The hunt is open to all youth age 10-15, and no previous hunting experience is required.

“Our volunteers pride themselves on the ability to accommodate youth hunters of all experience levels,” said Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever Kansas Outreach Coordinator, Brian Schaffer. “These are very seasoned sportsmen who make every effort to pass on our hunting heritage in a safe, enjoyable environment.” 

The event will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday with a pre-hunt safety seminar. Then hunters and mentors will hunt various species of upland birds including ring-necked pheasants and chukar on the grounds of a local controlled shooting area. Following the hunt, participants can also partake in shotgun shooting, bird cleaning, and a D.A.R.E. program provided by the local sheriff’s office. Lunch and refreshments will be provided and there is no cost to attend. All participants must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

“If your child has an interest in hunting, but maybe doesn’t know where to start, please encourage them to attend this event and experience what it’s all about to be a conservation-minded sportsman,” Schaffer added.

For more information, or to register for this event, contact Melvin Crow at (785) 821-2607 or Jason Artzer at (785) 821-2317. This hunt is open to the first 45 participants, so early registration is encouraged.

2013 DUCK AND GOOSE SEASONS SET

Goose daily bag limits increased; possession limits for ducks and geese increased

YATES CENTER – The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission listened to department staff recommendations and comments from waterfowl hunters before approving the 2013 duck and goose seasons during a public hearing held in Yates Center on August 1. Summer breeding bird surveys show most species well above long-term averages, and with good to excellent nesting habitat conditions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provided liberal season frameworks. Waterfowl hunters may be surprised to learn that the daily bag limit for teal during the early teal season was increased from four to six, the daily bag limit for Canada geese was increased from 3 to 6 and the daily bag limit for light geese was increased from 20 to 50. Possession limits for ducks and geese were increased from twice the daily bag limit to three times the daily bag limit. The Commission approved the following waterfowl hunting seasons:

High Plains Duck Zone: Oct. 5-Dec. 2, 2013 AND Dec. 21, 2013-Jan. 26, 2014. Youth: Sept. 28-29, 2013

Low Plains Early Duck Zone: Oct. 5-Dec. 1, 2013 AND Dec. 21, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014. Youth: Sept. 28-29, 2013

Low Plains Late Zone: Oct. 26-Dec. 29, 2013 AND Jan. 18-Jan. 26, 2014. Youth: Oct. 19-20, 2013

Low Plains Southeast Zone: Nov. 2-3, 2013 AND Nov. 16, 2013-Jan. 26, 2014. Youth: Oct. 26-27, 2013

Duck bag limit: Six ducks, including no more than 5 mallards, of which only 2 may be hens; 2 redheads; 3 wood ducks; 3 scaup; 2 pintails; and 2 canvasbacks. Possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

White-fronted geese: Oct. 26-Dec. 29, 2013 AND Feb. 1-Feb. 9, 2014. Daily bag limit: 2. Possession limit is 6.

Canada geese: Oct. 26-Nov. 3, 2013 and Nov. 6, 2013-Feb. 9, 2014. Daily bag limit on Canada geese: 6. Possession limit: 18.

Light geese: Oct. 26-Nov. 3, 2013 and Nov. 6, 2013-Feb. 9, 2014. Daily bag limit: 50. No limit on possession

Light Goose Conservation Order: Feb 10-April 30, 2014. No bag or possession limit.

To view a map of duck zones and to see all 2013 hunting seasons go to www.ksoutdoors.com, click on “Hunting” then “When to Hunt.”

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JANUARY AND FEBRUARY OFFER GREAT HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES

Image via Wikipedia

Excellent waterfowl, small game, upland game, more await winter hunters
PRATT — Sometimes the best things are saved for last. This winter, make it so with a late-season Kansas hunt. For those hunters still in pursuit of upland birds, the last two weeks of the season can be very productive. Cold weather often bunches birds together and makes them hold tighter while competition for hunting spots is light. And although waterfowl seasons have been open for more than two months, there’s still time for good duck and goose hunting.

Quail, pheasant, prairie chicken (Northwest and East units only), and fall turkey seasons are open through Jan. 31, and rabbit and squirrel seasons provide additional opportunities for the avid hunter.

In most areas, crops have been cut, concentrating birds in draws and thick grass, such as CRP. Late-migrating geese and ducks, especially mallards, are often abundant where open water can be found. And as hunting pressure eases, private landowners are often more receptive to hunters looking for new places to pursue game.

Heavy pressure can make public hunting areas less desirable than private land in early seasons, but public areas may provide better hunting in late season. Wildlife management practices on public lands usually provide excellent cover and food supplies, making them good late-season options as hunting pressure decreases.

Hunters looking for a place to stay can rent one of more than 100 cabins at state parks and wildlife areas across the state. Most cabins are open year-round and provide a range of amenities, many with full bathrooms and kitchens. Click "Cabin Reservations" in the upper right-hand corner of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) website,www.kdwpt.state.ks.us, for more information.

Those seasons still open or opening soon include the following:

• ducks High Plains Zone (west of U.S. 283) — Jan. 21-29;
• ducks Low Plains Late Zone — Jan. 21-29;
• ducks Low Plains Southeast Zone — Jan. 21-29;
• Canada geese (including Brant) — through Feb. 12;
• white-fronted geese — Feb. 4-12;
• light geese — through Feb. 12;
• Light Goose Conservation Order — Feb. 13-April 30;
• pheasant and quail — through Jan. 31;
• prairie chicken (Northwest and East units) — through Jan. 31;
• fall turkey — through Jan. 31;
• exotic dove (Eurasian collared and ringed turtle) — through Feb. 28;
• squirrel — through Feb. 29;
• rabbit — year-round;
• extended archery antlerless only whitetail deer (management Unit 19 only) — through Jan. 31;
• coyote — year-round;
• furbearer hunting and trapping — through Feb. 15; and
• beaver trapping — through March 31.

For detailed information, consult the Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary, available at most license vendors, KDWPT offices, or online at www.kdwpt.state.ks.us.

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