PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT FOR HOUNDS DURING RUNNING SEASON

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

No-kill season allows runners and their dogs to sharpen hunting abilities

PRATT – Mar. 1, opening day of running season, marks the start of an eight-month-long race as hound enthusiasts and their dogs perfect their furbearer-chasing skills. Through Nov. 1, hunters and their dogs can chase – but not take – bobcats, opossums, raccoons, red fox and gray fox.

Hunters can run furbearers 24 hours daily during running season. A furharvester license is required for all runners.

Because no furbearer may be legally killed or taken during running season, it is illegal for runners to possess any firearms or weapons while pursuing furbearers, however certain exceptions apply.

For additional information on furbearer regulations, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting/Hunting-Regulations/Furbearers.”

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COUNCIL GROVE YOUTH HUNT LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

From guides to cooks, helpers are needed for popular event
COUNCIL GROVE — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Council Grove Annual Spring Turkey Hunt for youth hunters is one of the most popular events of its kind in the state. However, it’s become a victim of its own success. While the annual event enhances opportunities for beginning turkey hunters, it’s gotten bigger with time, and volunteers are needed to host the event.

“We are trying to enhance coordination efforts by asking potential volunteers to assist so that we may improve our ability to plan and ensure that we have enough volunteers to meet participant demand,” says event coordinator Brent Konen, area manager for Council Grove and El Dorado wildlife areas and Chase State Fishing Lake. “Past participants have truly appreciated our efforts to provide these opportunities, and we’d hate to turn anyone away because we lack volunteers.”

This year’s youth hunt has been planned during the youth season on Saturday, April 2. Levels of volunteer assistance needed are wide-ranging, from guides responsible for escorting participants into the field and assisting with the hunt, to assistants responsible for helping with tasks during shotgun firing and meal preparation.

Guides should have property access plans in mind before the event. Consider access plans that account for inclement road and field conditions and the needs of young participants. A few ATVs will be available to assist with transportation but will not be available to all parties. Because some past participants have requested that family or friends accompany them on the hunt, volunteer guides should consider hunting locations that provide concealment for hunting parties of two to four. Pop-up blinds will be available.

This years’ event will provide participating hunters (age 11 through 16) with an opportunity to become involved not only in the hunt but also its preparation. The event will begin on Friday, April 1, at 4:30 p.m. at Council Grove Reservoir. A brief informational meeting and a meet-and-greet session for all volunteers and participants will be followed by a complimentary meal. After the meal, participants may pattern shotguns, then accompany guides to hunt locations to scout for the following morning’s hunt. At 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, the group will meet for breakfast, and the hunts will conclude at 11:30 a.m., when participants will enjoy a free lunch.

“I would ask anyone who can to please consider assisting in any way,” Konen asks. “Volunteers will be provided with a complete event agenda in late March.”

For more information, phone Konen at 620-767-5900.

Spring Turkey Hunting Basics

GLEN ELDER YOUTH

Military veterans and celebrities to take part in event; Dec. 10 application deadline
GLEN ELDER — On Dec. 18-19, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc., will sponsor their annual pheasant hunt for youth and women at Glen Elder Reservoir. The event will begin early on both Saturday and Sunday mornings with a hunter breakfast followed by a pre-hunt safety meeting. Groups of hunters, guides, and mentors will then go to various areas around Glen Elder Reservoir and hunt until noon. A noon meal will also be provided for hunt participants each day.

Women of any age and youth ages 11 through 16 are eligible for this hunt, which is geared toward providing a comfortable and positive hunting environment for new or inexperienced hunters. Previous hunting experience is not required, and some shotguns and ammunition will be provided to applicants who do not have access to their own equipment.

A free trap shoot will be offered on Saturday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. west of the Glen Elder Area Office. While designed for new and beginning shooters, the shoot will be open to anyone.

One highlight of this event is that each group will hunt pheasants with a military veteran and celebrity. This guest list is currently being developed, but these individuals may be former athletes, TV personalities, or servicemen and women have recently returned from deployment.

For more information and applications, phone the Glen Elder Area Office at 785-545-3345 (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays) by Friday, Dec. 10. Forty applicants will be selected to participate in one of the morning hunts.

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13TH ANNUAL YOUTH AND WOMEN PHEASANT HUNT DEC. 18-19 AT GLEN ELDER

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Military veterans and celebrities to take part in event; Dec. 10 application deadline
GLEN ELDER — On Dec. 18-19, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc., will sponsor their annual pheasant hunt for youth and women at Glen Elder Reservoir. The event will begin early on both Saturday and Sunday mornings with a hunter breakfast followed by a pre-hunt safety meeting. Groups of hunters, guides, and mentors will then go to various areas around Glen Elder Reservoir and hunt until noon. A noon meal will also be provided for hunt participants each day.

Women of any age and youth ages 11 through 16 are eligible for this hunt, which is geared toward providing a comfortable and positive hunting environment for new or inexperienced hunters. Previous hunting experience is not required, and some shotguns and ammunition will be provided to applicants who do not have access to their own equipment.

A free trap shoot will be offered on Saturday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. west of the Glen Elder Area Office. While designed for new and beginning shooters, the shoot will be open to anyone.

One highlight of this event is that each group will hunt pheasants with a military veteran and celebrity. This guest list is currently being developed, but these individuals may be former athletes, TV personalities, or servicemen and women have recently returned from deployment.

For more information and applications, phone the Glen Elder Area Office at 785-545-3345 (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays) by Friday, Dec. 10. Forty applicants will be selected to participate in one of the morning hunts.