SURVEY SUGGESTS NESTING PHEASANT NUMBERS STABLE

Image via Wikipedia Western Kansas has one of strongest breeding populations in history; breeding season drought may offset good news
PRATT — Following the outstanding 2010-2011 pheasant season, spring surveys revealed good pheasant populations going into the 2011 nesting season. From April 25-May 15, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) conducted its annual spring survey of pheasants. As the mating season approaches, roosters increase crowing, and KDWP staff drive established routes to listen for the birds. Pheasant routes are set up along 20-mile transects, with at least 2 miles between each of 11 stops. At stops, observers listen for two minutes and count all the audible two-note crows heard from male pheasants. The average number of crows per stop across each management region is calculated and used to assess how population numbers have changed from previous years.
Observers start listening at the first stop along each route beginning 45 minutes before sunrise and progressing along the route until all 11 stops have been surveyed. Noise interference is taken into consideration, and data is censored if the observer feels noise is inhibiting their ability to count crows. Data from this survey, combined with the summer brood count survey in August and a rural mail carrier survey, helps determine the outlook for the fall pheasant hunting season.
All 62 established routes were surveyed this year, and an average of 20.5 crows were counted per station, an apparent increase of 17 percent from 2010, which is not considered statistically different.
The spring pheasant survey results can represent two important life stages for pheasant populations in Kansas. Changes in spring survey indices can reflect over-winter survival for a population. Often, winter can be a bottleneck for some upland game populations. However, in western Kansas, winters are often much more mild than more northern latitudes, and pheasant survival is usually high throughout much of the state. When this is the case, spring surveys can also reflect the reproductive success of the previous breeding season.
In the 2010 breeding season, pheasant productivity was high across most of the state, which carried over to the 2011 Pheasant Crow Count because of a fairly mild winter for Kansas’ best pheasant range. The southcentral and northeastern parts of the state showed declines, likely due to poor productivity last summer as a result of less than ideal weather conditions in those areas. Northeast Kansas has also had some severe winters recently, which has suppressed populations.
Overall, western Kansas has one of the strongest pheasant breeding populations in its history this year, which is reflected by the extremely high crow counts for 2011. However, extreme drought has created unfavorable breeding season conditions across most of southwestern and southcentral Kansas. Thus, the 2011 fall pheasant population will likely be down substantially from last fall in those areas. Conditions appear to have been much more favorable for productivity in other regions of the state, but it is still too early to make accurate predictions about the fall population in those areas.
Across Kansas’ pheasant range, those areas with good interspersion of grassland and cropland showed the highest densities of pheasants again this spring. Many of the hens in these regions use green wheat for nesting, and the condition of the wheat crop usually has a strong influence on pheasant productivity. The wheat crop was generally poor across western Kansas this year, which meant less vertical structure for nest concealment and an early harvest date. The early harvest likely increased direct mortality of nests and young from farm equipment. Additionally, the ongoing drought in that region will also negatively affect chick survival because dry conditions reduce the availability of insects, which are the primary food source for those developing young.
KDWPT’s late summer brood surveys in July and August will provide better projections of fall populations.

KDWPT FINDS LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKENS OUTSIDE CURRENT RANGE

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Computer modeling system reveals previously unknown breeding grounds
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) recently used Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling software to target searches for lesser prairie chicken leks (breeding grounds) outside their current range in northwest Kansas. MaxEnt modeling can identify areas with a high probability of lek occurrence by analyzing presence-only data (not absence data), making it an ideal method for analyzing lek survey data.
"We used MaxEnt to identify areas that had a relatively high probability of occurrence outside the lesser’s known range and targeted those areas to survey," says Jim Pitman, small game coordinator for KDWPT. "Finding chickens outside the known range allows us to more accurately delineate the range and better target conservation programs to ensure they are being implemented in areas where chickens have the best chance to benefit."
The targeted surveys were successful in locating new lek sites and resulted in KDWPT extending the historic lesser prairie chicken range 30 miles north. Despite high winds making it difficult to detect leks, the biologists found both lesser and greater prairie chickens and greater/lesser prairie chicken hybrids, called "guessers," present on 11 leks well outside the current known range of the species. They also located 23 leks occupied solely by greater prairie chickens and three leks in which species composition could not be identified.
To determine the probability of lek occurrence, the MaxEnt model compares a given set of landscape characteristics at known lek sites to areas where lek occurrence is unknown. The landscape characteristics include features that could influence lek site selection by the lesser prairie chicken, such as vegetation type, anthropogenic features, and elevation. The results showed that both biological type — such as vegetation — and anthropogenic features — such as highways — were important in predicting where leks occur.
To identify areas for new lek surveys, the MaxEnt results were filtered to include only areas with a high probability of lek occurrence that overlapped native grassland or CRP in Ellis, Trego, Graham, Sheridan, Rawlins, and Thomas counties. These high-probability areas were then connected creating 15- to 20-mile routes that biologists could search.
Historically, the lesser prairie chicken was found throughout western Kansas, but over time its range receded due to habitat loss and degradation. The federal Conservation Reserve Program is given much credit for the species’ apparent stability in western Kansas, and the new software model is helping identify the extent of that stability, or perhaps even growth.
"MaxEnt is working really well, and we feel comfortable that this model is doing a good job of predicting where lessers occur," Pitman explains. "Since we don’t have the manpower to survey every square inch of potential range, MaxEnt will be very useful for targeting our surveys, and most importantly, conservation programs in the future."
Because of the success of the KDWPT MaxEnt model, the Western Governors Association (WGA) is supporting state wildlife agencies from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado in developing a range-wide lesser prairie chicken support system that incorporates MaxEnt modeling results, along with other products.

Bullfrog Season

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Season runs July 1-Oct. 31; fishing license required
PRATT — As the old song goes, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog, was a good friend of mine...” Well, no one’s planning on eating Jeremiah, but he’d probably make some mighty fine fry. And for those who think viewing bullfrogs as drinking buddies is absurd, they’re right. But hunting them is a great way to beat the summer heat in the cool of the night with a fun outdoor adventure for young and old alike. And the resulting table fare will make the most hardcore “oldies” fan get up and dance. So get ready to boogie; the season begins July 1.

Bullfrog hunting, or "frogging," as many people call it, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors after days have sweltered close to 100 degrees through much of June. The freedom of summer nights beckons with the call of the bullfrog in July. At this time, shorts and a T-shirt are all that's needed to cool off in the water and pursue this popular quarry.

Froggers enjoy a season that runs July 1 through Oct. 31 although most frogging activity is in the hotter months of July and August. The daily creel limit is eight, with a possession limit of 24. While bullfrogs may be taken by hook and line, dip net, gig, bow and arrow, or crossbow (firearms not allowed), many froggers prefer to take them by hand. All that's needed is a flashlight or headlamp, a mesh sack, an old pair of tennis shoes, and some stealth. The only other necessary ingredient is access to a local pond, lake, or stream. A valid fishing license is needed, if required by law.

The best method is to walk quietly through the water at night and shine a bright light along the bank until a pair of glowing eyes appear. Temporarily blinded by the light, frogs can be grabbed or netted.

The fruits of this effort are not only fun times but good food. Frog legs are regarded as a delicacy and have a taste and texture resembling a cross of shrimp and fish. A popular way to cook them is to dip the legs in egg and then into a mixture of flour and corn meal, seasoning salt, and pepper. Then the legs are fried to a golden brown in oil. This gourmet meal is a bonus to a great summer evening that both kids and adults will always remember.
Add a great old Three Dog Night song written by Hoyt Axton, and you’ll be singing “joy to the world.”

CELEBRATE JULY 4 AT A KANSAS STATE PARK

CELEBRATE JULY 4 AT A KANSAS STATE PARK

State parks are perfect venue for July 4 outdoor fun, but check local regulations on fireworks

PRATT—Baseball; apple pie; red, white and blue; and state parks – what could be more American? The July Fourth Holiday weekend is a big one for Kansas’ 26 state parks. Kansans love summer outdoor fun, and it’s a time-honored tradition to celebrate our nation’s birthday outdoors with family and friends. Kansas state parks are popular because most have easy access to lakes and host a variety of other outdoor recreation opportunities. Some parks also host spectacular fireworks displays for patrons to enjoy. However, if you want to shoot your own fireworks, check the list below or call the park office first. For safety and fire risk reasons, many parks do not allow personal fireworks, and those that do have designated areas for shooting them. Below is a list of state parks with events and personal fireworks policies.

Cedar Bluff State Park will host a fireworks show on July 3. No personal fireworks allowed.

Cheney State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Clinton State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Crawford State Park will host a fireworks show along with homemade ice cream, pie, free watermelon, face painting, kids games and a live band on July 2. No personal fireworks allowed.

Cross Timbers State Park will host a fireworks show on July 2. No personal fireworks allowed.

Eisenhower State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

El Dorado State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Elk City State Park: Personal fireworks are allowed only in parking lot near entrance.

Fall River State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Glen Elder State Park will host a public fireworks show on July 3. No personal fireworks allowed.

Hillsdale State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Kanopolis State Park patrons can enjoy a fireworks display at the Tower Harbor Marina on July 2. No personal fireworks allowed.

Kaw River State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Lovewell State Park: Personal fireworks are allowed on July 2-3 in Pioneer Playground only.

Meade State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Milford State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Mushroom Rock State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Perry State Park: Personal fireworks are allowed July 1-4 only in the Lakeview Boat Ramp area until 11:00 p.m. each day.

Pomona State Park will feature a band and fireworks show at the marina on July 2. No personal fireworks allowed.

Prairie Dog State Park will host a fireworks show on July 4 with watermelon feed and music beginning at 8:00 p.m. No personal fireworks allowed.

Prairie Spirit Trail State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Sandhills State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Scott State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Tuttle Creek State Park: No personal fireworks allowed.

Webster State Park: Personal fireworks allowed July 1-4 in designated areas only -- Townsite Beach and Goose Flats Boat Ramp.

Wilson State Park visitors can view a fireworks show sponsored by the Wilson Lake Homeowners Association from the Otoe Area on July 2. No personal fireworks allowed.

For more information on Kansas state parks and contact information for each state park office, go to www.kdwpt.state.ks.us. It’s always a good idea to call the park office before you visit to learn more about events, site availability and current conditions.

JULY 8 DEADLINE FOR RESIDENT ELK, FIREARM EITHER-SPECIES DEER APPLICATIONS

Apply online for Elk and Firearm Either-Species/Either-Sex deer permits

PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) reminds resident hunters that 2011 Firearm Either-Species/Either-Sex Deer permit applications are due July 8. Applications are available online atwww.kdwpt.state.ks.us and must be submitted online or by phone, 620-672-0728. No paper mail-in applications will be accepted. These permits allow firearm hunters to take a mule deer or white-tailed deer of either sex. General resident permits cost $37.50. Landowner/tenant permits cost $22.50, plus internet processing fees. Unsuccessful applicants will be charged a $6.50 application fee and receive one preference point for next year's drawing.

There are two mule deer zones for resident firearm hunters. In the West Zone (Deer Management Units 1, 2, 17, and 18), 1,290 permits are allocated. In the East Zone (Deer Management Units 3, 4, 5, 7, and 16), 1,000 permits are allocated.

Applications for limited resident elk permits valid in units 2A (Ft. Riley), 2, and 3 (most of Morton County closed) are also due July 8 through online application. Ten Either-Sex and 15 Antlerless-Only Elk permits are allocated for this drawing.

A unlimited number of Hunt-Own-Land Antlerless Only Elk and Hunt-Own-Land Either Sex Elk permits will be available for most of Kansas, except a portion of Morton County, which is closed to elk hunting. A Hunt-Own-Land Elk permit is valid during any elk season, and the bag limit is one elk as specified on the permit. These permits will be available July 25, 2011, through March 14, 2012.

An unlimited number of general resident Antlerless-Only Elk permits and Either-Sex Elk permits will be available over the counter. These permits are valid in Unit 3 (most of Kansas except Fort Riley and Morton County) only. The bag limit for each unlimited over-the-counter elk permit will be one elk as specified on the permit. These permits are also available July 25, 2011, through March 14, 2012. While most elk in Kansas inhabit the Fort Riley area, some small populations may be found in western Kansas on private land. KDWPT recommends that hunters make sure they have permission to hunt before purchasing a permit.

General resident Either-Sex Elk permits cost $252.50, and landowner/tenant Either-Sex permits are $127.50. General resident Antlerless-Only Elk permits cost $102.50. Landowner/tenant Antlerless-Only Elk permits are $52.50. The fee to apply for an elk permit is $7.69. Those unsuccessful in the drawing for limited permits valid on Fort Riley will receive a bonus point.

Applicants for limited elk permits valid on Fort Riley must apply online or by phone, 620-672-0728, by July 8. For more information, visit the KDWPT website, www.kdwpt.state.ks.us, or phone the nearest agency office. Elk and deer season information may be found on the website at Hunting/When to Hunt/Big Game.

ZEBRA MUSSELS DISCOVERED AT TWO MORE KANSAS RESERVOIRS

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Boaters reminded of threat and prevention steps before holiday weekend

EMPORIA – On Wednesday, June 29, 2011, officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that zebra mussels have been found in Council Grove Reservoir in Morris County and Melvern Reservoir in Osage County. Adding the twelfth and thirteenth Kansas reservoirs to the infested list disappoints KDWPT aquatic nuisance species biologist Jason Goeckler because he knows the spread can be prevented.

“We expected Council Grove Reservoir because zebra mussels naturally move downstream, and they were found in Council Grove City Lake last July,” Goeckler explained. “The Melvern infestation is a different story because it could have been prevented. I still think we can prevent further spread of aquatic nuisance species if lake users will follow a few basic precautions.”

All un-infested Kansas waters are under continual zebra mussel surveillance by KDWPT staff. A day after biologists found zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, while sampling Council Grove Reservoir, a lake user found a rock with a single adult zebra mussel attached. Within days, both veligers and adult mussels were found at Melvern Reservoir. Veligers are too small to see with the naked eye and suspend for several weeks in the water before sinking to the bottom and attaching to a hard surface. While they are suspended in the larval stage, zebra mussels can be easily transported in flowing water or water in boats, bait buckets and through other recreational activities.

Zebra mussels are native to the Black and Caspian seas in Europe. They are believed to have been transported to the Great Lakes in the ballasts of transoceanic ships. Since first being discovered in 1988, zebra mussels have spread quickly to other waters in the Midwest. Control is expensive and there is no way to eradicate them once they become established.

While an adult zebra mussel is only about the size of a dime, the species poses a threat to our native fish and aquatic animals. One adult female can produce up to 1 million eggs per year, and zebra mussel colonies quickly become quite dense, attaching to any hard surface, including native mussels, crayfish, turtles, boats, docks, as well as water intake structures. They even attach to other zebra mussels, creating layered colonies up to 6 inches thick. Densities of more than 1 million zebra mussels per square meter have been documented in Lake Erie. In addition to the threat they pose to our environment, native species and water recreation, zebra mussels will cost water suppliers, power plants and other water-related businesses $1 billion each year -- costs we all help pay.

Adult zebra mussels are filter feeders, and an infestation can dramatically disrupt a lake’s food chain by removing plankton native fish rely on. KDWPT biologists have documented decreases in body condition and abundance in several game fish species after zebra mussel infestations. Zebra mussel feeding habits may also increase the potential for blue-green algae blooms, which can be toxic to humans and animals. Dense colonies of zebra mussels make wading and swimming along shorelines dangerous because of their sharp shells. When zebra mussels die, the odor and shell fragments that wash up make any shoreline activities unpleasant.

With these latest discoveries, KDWPT will increase local outreach efforts through signage and information materials in an attempt to educate lake users about the dangers of spreading zebra mussels. All lake users are asked to help stop the spread of zebra mussels to another water body. Goeckler reminds all anglers and boaters to remember three simple rules: CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY. Inspect your vessel for any zebra mussels before you leave the boat ramp area. (Zebra mussels are on the prohibited species list, which means they can’t be possessed alive. Having a live zebra mussel attached to your boat is a violation.). Drain all water from the boat’s livewell, baitwell and sump area (Drain any bait buckets, as well – never pour live bait into the lake, dispose of it on land.) Dry the boat and trailer for at least five days before putting them in another lake, or wash the boat and trailer with 140-degree water.

“It’s important that lake users take the threat of aquatic nuisance species seriously,” Goeckler added. “If their spread is allowed to continue, our water-based recreation opportunities may be changed forever.”
Zebra mussels are just one of several invasive species that threaten our waters. Prevent their spread by following the CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY procedures and never move water or fish from one body of water to another. For more information about aquatic nuisance species, go towww.kdpwt.state.ks.us and click on the “STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS” window on the lower left of the Homepage.

TOURISM TO JOIN WILDLIFE AND PARKS JULY 1

Merger adds new responsibility for agency

TOPEKA--On July 1, the Division of Travel and Tourism will officially transfer from the Department of Commerce to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The merger changes the agency’s name to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) and the name of the division to the Division of Tourism. The merger also:

• Establishes the new position of Assistant Secretary for Parks and Tourism; Linda Craghead was appointed to that new position.

• Abolishes the position of Assistant Secretary for Operations, held by Keith Sexson.

• Creates the position of Assistant Secretary for Wildlife, Fisheries and Boating; Keith Sexson was appointed to the new position.

All Division of Travel and Tourism employees will transfer to KDWPT, along with the division’s funding. In early July, eight employees will move their offices to KDWPT’s Office of the Secretary at 1020 S Kansas. Six other employees work in the Goodland Tourist Information Center, located on eastbound I-70 west of Goodland.

The phone number for the Division of Tourism will remain the same, 785-296-2009.

The Kansas Agritourism program, managed by Becki Rhoades, will also officially transfer to the agency on July 1. Rhoades moved to the Office of the Secretary on Friday, June 24. Her phone number is also unchanged, 785-296-1847.

Robin Jennison, KDWPT Secretary, is looking forward to the agency’s added responsibilities. “This is a great opportunity for us to help make Kansas a real showpiece in the Midwest. I firmly believe the state has an enormous variety of opportunities for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, alike. This merger just makes sense,” he said.

Becky Blake, Director of the Division of Tourism, added, “Kansas has a wealth of unique and authentic experiences to share with the rest of the world. This merger will enhance our ability to develop and promote all of the state’s tourism opportunities and expand the economic impact of this important segment of the state’s economy.”

For information about traveling in Kansas, visit the Division of Tourism website at travelks.com and for more information about KDWPT, visit the agency website at www.kdwpt.state.ks.us.