KDWPT VOLUNTARY ELECTRONIC TURKEY REGISTRATION ONLINE

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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.

Related articles

• Iowa Spring Turkey Hunting 101
• First Turkey Awards turn memories into a mementos
• Early spring presents turkey hunting challenges
• 2012 Kansas Nonresident Deer Application Deadline April 27
• Three Kansas Deer Confirmed Positive in Early Stages of Cwd Testing

SAFETY KEY TO SUCCESSFUL SPRING TURKEY HUNT

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ensure a rewarding hunt with a few simple safety rules

PRATT — Kansas gobblers are in full strut, and avid turkey hunters are champing at the bit to get into the woods on opening day of the general spring turkey season, which opens April 11 and runs through May 31. And because turkey hunting is a safe, rewarding way to introduce youth to a heart-thumping hunting experience, many parents and mentors are already pursuing gobblers during the youth/disabled and archery only season, April 1-10.

While calling male turkeys is one of the most exciting hunts in the Sunflower State, Kansas hunters must remember one word that exemplifies the perfect hunt: safety. Responsible hunters are sure of their targets 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 until you know; 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 your presence.

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 everyone.

Related articles

• Youth turkey harvest up
• Youth spring turkey season offers first shot to young hunters
• Turkey hunting clinic open to youths ages 9 through 15
• Turkey hunting clinic open to youths ages 9 through 15
• Warm weather could boost turkey hunters' long-term prospects

PHEASANT FEST TO FOCUS ON LANDOWNER HABITAT

Image via Wikipedia

Pheasants Forever national meeting in Kansas City Feb. 17-19
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas landowners — and those from across the country — will receive free land-use management consultation at Pheasants Forever's National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic 2012, in the Kansas City Convention Center Feb. 17-19. The Landowner Habitat Help Room, sponsored by Best Buy and Geek Squad, will feature the latest technology to evaluate landowner needs.

A dozen work stations featuring large-screen monitors will provide a detailed look at each landowner’s property. The room is designed to give farmers and landowners site-specific information about conservation programs they can implement on their land. Biologists use aerial photography, topography, and soil information for individual planning. Landowners just need to bring the legal description of their property (township, range, and section). Through one-on-one consultations with leading wildlife experts, landowners have the opportunity to learn about conservation and habitat options on their land available through federal, state, and local programs.

Accompanied by trained Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever biologists or partnering biologists from the Missouri Department of Conservation; the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism; or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, landowners will be educated on ways they can improve their acres for wildlife and even what local, state, and federal conservation programs that qualify for enrollment.

"Your next wildlife habitat project starts at Pheasant Fest," says Steve Riley, Farm Bill wildlife biologist manager for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. "The Landowner Habitat Help Room is one of the many ways Pheasants Forever's premiere event goes beyond a trade show and becomes an interactive event where wildlife habitat is the main focus, and a lasting impact is made."

With the most current streaming data available, the Landowner Habitat Help Room will offer topographic and aerial maps on any piece of property in the entire country. For more information, phone Brad Heidel at 651-209-4956 or email bheidel@pheasantsforever.org, or phone Rehan Nana at 651-209-4973 or mail rnana@pheasantsforever.org.

Related articles

• Quail Forecast has bright spots (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Missouri Firearms deer harvest just shy of 239,000 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Firearms deer harvest just shy of 239,000 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Kansas: TOLL-FREE PHONE HOTLINE PUTS POACHERS ON HOT SEAT (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wildlife restoration, unusual animal sightings top 2011 conservation news (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

KANSAS CITY TO HOST PHEASANTS FOREVER'S 2012 NATIONAL CONVENTION FEB. 17-19

Image via Wikipedia

Kansas City Convention Center site of Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the first time, the nation's biggest event for pheasant and quail hunters and bird dog enthusiasts is coming to Kansas City. Pheasants Forever's National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic will be held Feb. 17-19, 2012, at the Kansas City Convention Center in downtown Kansas City, Mo. The event will be sponsored by Cabela's, the World's Foremost Outfitter.

The annual convention has topped 20,000 in attendance each of the last six events. The Quail Classic portion of the 2012 event will be a first, representing the strong tradition of bobwhite quail hunting and conservation found in Kansas, Missouri, and across the Great Plains and southeast United States. Both the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the Missouri Department of Conservation will participate in the event.

Kansas and Missouri are home to a combined 47 local Pheasants Forever chapters and 34 Quail Forever chapters. With more than 10,000 Pheasants Forever and/or Quail Forever members in the two states, Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever, Inc.'s National President and CEO, says it's time to bring the organization's premiere event to Kansas City.

"Kansas is one of the elite states for pheasant hunting and wildlife habitat conservation, and Missouri has positioned itself as a clear leader in efforts to restore bobwhite quail populations," Vincent said. "Kansas City is the perfect meeting place to have fun celebrating both great game birds."

All things bird dog-related have been the biggest attractions at previous National Pheasant Fest events, and that's expected to be the case at the inaugural appearance in Kansas City. Approximately 40 different sporting dog breeds will be represented; dog training seminars will be held throughout the three-day weekend; and attendees will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with breeders, trainers, and dog kennel and club representatives.

A "Youth Village" is another popular show attraction, where youth can participate in archery and air rifle ranges, a casting booth, laser shot, and more.

For more information, including exhibitor details, phone Brad Heidel, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's Director of Corporate and Special Event Sales at 651-209-4956 or email bheidel@pheasantsforever.org.

Related articles

• Quail Forecast has bright spots (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Hunting & Fishing Day events part of Missouri's winning hunting-recruitment strategy (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)