TEAL SEASON KICKS OFF SEPT. 7

Teal may be the smallest duck, but they are a fast and challenging quarry for waterfowl hunters

PRATT ­– It’s waders and whistles, it’s the sound of the marsh waking up, it’s what Sept. 7, waterfowl hunters will be waiting.

thousands of hunters around the state have been waiting for – it‘s teal season. An early migrant, teal are the first waterfowl to pass through Kansas each fall, and come

Using U.S. Highway 283 as a dividing line, Kansas is split up into two teal hunting zones: Low Plains and High Plains. The Low Plains Zone (anything east of U.S. Highway 283) will kick off the season Sept. 7, and run through Sept. 22, while the High Plains Zone (anything west of U.S. Highway 283) will open Sept. 14 and end Sept. 22.

As if recent rains filling the marshes weren’t enough of a bonus for early season waterfowl hunters, regulations now allow hunters to take six of these puddle ducks in a daily bag limit, a two-bird increase from the traditional early teal season daily bag of four. Also new this year, migratory bird possession limits have increased to three times the daily bag limit.

All hunters participating in teal season who are required to have a hunting license must also possess a Kansas HIP permit and State Waterfowl Permit. All hunters 16 and older must have a Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Hunters age 65-74 are reminded that they now need the state HIP permit and State Waterfowl Permit, in addition to the Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Kansas HIP permits and State Waterfowl Stamps can be purchased online at ksoutdoors.com, and Federal Waterfowl Stamps can be purchased at your local U.S. Post Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism regional offices.

For more information on migratory bird regulations, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting / Migratory Birds.”

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THERE IS STILL SUMMER LEFT TO ENJOY KANSAS STATE PARKS

State parks are ready for the last big weekends of summer

PRATT – Make plans and reservations to visit a Kansas state park - there’s still plenty of

summer fun left, and the weather is perfect.

It’s been a great summer, and Kansans have perhaps appreciated it more after the last two summers we’ve endured. Cooler temperatures and in many areas of the state, welcome rains have made the summer of 2013 one to remember. At most parks, low water levels are not a problem any longer, although a few parks ended up with too much of a good thing.

Water levels are normal or above at Kanopolis, Cheney, and El Dorado lakes, which experienced access and boating problems because of low water for much of the summer. Current water levels have boat ramps useable. It’s been a mild summer and water temperatures are perfect for boating, skiing and fishing.

For instance, water levels on Toronto Reservoir rose so high that parts of Cross Timbers State Park weren’t accessible. The water level has dropped since then, so the park will be open this weekend, however there will be some areas with mud and debris left by the water. High water at Elk City is going down, and boat ramps, docks and utility campsites are open. All facilities are expected to be ready by Memorial Weekend. Fall River State Park is open, even though the reservoir level is still high..While boat ramps are open and usable at these lakes, boaters should be alert to floating debris brought in by flooding.

All Kansas state parks are ready and waiting, so don’t miss the end of summer fun. Visit a state park this weekend and find out how much fun you and your family can have.

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION HOSTS YOUTH TURKEY HUNTING CAMP

Two-day camp offers youth a crash course on turkey hunting taught by local experts

PRATT ­– The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is hosting the 2013 Kansas State JAKES Camp September 14-15 at White Memorial Camp, six miles north of Council Grove. Youth age 17 and younger can participate in a variety of fun and educational activities, including fishing, arts and crafts, deer hunting, trap and target shooting, archery, and canoeing.

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend several presentations, including “Quail in Kansas,” presented by the Council Grove Chapter of the Quail and Upland Game Federation; “The World of Sporting Dogs,” presented by KVOE radio host Phil Taunton; and “Turkey Talk” presented by turkey hunting legend, author, outdoor TV personality, and Grand National turkey calling champion, Ray Eye.

Evening activities will include the NWTF Kansas State JAKES (youth 12 and under) and Xtreme JAKES (youth 13-17) turkey calling contests, as well as story-telling with Eye around the campfire.

The following morning, participants can enjoy a predator calling seminar with Knight & Hale Pro Staff member, Mick Bowman; a presentation on turkey biology and management from NWTF biologist, Brandon Houck; and a wildlife presentation by the Milford Nature Center. A sunrise service will also be made available to participants, led by Pastor Gary Cargill. Before heading home, participants will get to draw for prizes, as well as take home a commemorative t-shirt.

The cost to attend is $20 for JAKES members, $30 for non-JAKES members (which includes a JAKES membership), and $20 for adults. Lunch and dinner will be provided on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.

The NWTF Kansas State JAKES Camp was awarded the "Best State JAKES Event" in 2012 and the "Best Special JAKES Event" in 2013 at the NWTF National Convention in Nashville, TN.

For more information, contact Gib Rhodes at (620) 437-2012.

DOVE HUNTING SEASON OPENS SEPTEMBER 1

Kansas hunters anxiously await the arrival of fall’s first hunting season

PRATT – For avid bird hunters, the summer has slowly dragged on, but the September

1opening day of dove season will be here before you know it. It’s time to stock up on shells, practice your wingshooting skills and scout for water holes and feed fields doves are using.

Kansas is often referred to as the Sunflower State, and maybe that’s why so many mourning doves summer here; they love sunflower seeds. Doves are one of the most numerous game birds in the U.S., and Kansas usually ranks near the top when state dove breeding populations are surveyed. By the end of August, Kansas is literally teeming with mourning doves. In 2012, an estimated 37,791 hunters harvested 753,390 doves in Kansas.

The dove season is open Sept. 1-Oct. 31 and Nov. 2-10 for mourning, white-winged Eurasian, and ringed turtle doves. The daily bag limit is 15, and the possession limit is 45, which applies only to mourning and white-winged doves, single species or in combination. There is no limit on Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves, but any taken in addition to a daily bag limit of mourning and white-winged doves must have a fully-feathered wing attached while in transport. An extended exotic dove season for Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves is open Nov. 20, 2013-Feb. 28, 2014. There is no daily bag or possession limit, but a fully-feathered wing must remain attached while in transport.

Residents 16-74 must have a hunting license and Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit, unless exempt by law, to hunt doves. All nonresidents, regardless of age, must have a nonresident hunting license and a Kansas HIP permit.

Finding a productive dove hunting spot requires some advance scouting, and this can be as simple as driving backroads during the early morning hours looking for fields doves are using. Birds will often congregate along power lines or dead trees. Before hunting on private land, get landowner permission.

Public lands can provide outstanding hunting opportunities, especially on managed dove fields. Many Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism wildlife areas have fields managed specifically to attract mourning doves. The small fields are planted to sunflowers or wheat and managed to make them attractive to doves. When the weather cooperates, dove hunting around these fields can be fantastic. Thirty-nine wildlife areas across the state feature managed dove fields and some special restrictions may apply. Go to www.ksoutdoors.com, click on “Hunting,” “Migratory Birds,” then “Doves” for a listing of dove field locations and special regulations. Many of the dove fields will be designated as “Non-toxic Shot Only,” and some may be set aside for youth hunting opportunities. Fields designated as “Non-toxic Shot Only” will be marked with signs.

The impending autumn brings with it the optimism of the 2013 hunting season, and it won’t get here a day too soon for avid hunters. Get out and take advantage of the great hunting opportunities available here in Kansas.

2013 HUNTING ATLAS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Atlas features 60 detailed maps with more than 1 million acres of prime hunting locations

PRATT – With maps showing the location of more than 1 million acres of land open to hunting, the 2013 Kansas Hunting Atlas, available online now, is a must-have for hunters. Whether you’re looking for the perfect duck hunting marsh, scouting for land rich with upland birds, or scanning woodlots for the perfect place to set up your tree stand, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s hunting atlas is the perfect tool Better than ever, the newly-redesigned hunting atlas features maps with shaded relief backdrops, county road names (where available), stream names, and much more. All state, federal and Walk-in Hunting Access areas are shown, color-coded for ease of use.

The atlas also features 2013 season dates and an outline of new regulations, making it quick and easy for hunters to get up-to-speed on important changes.

To view the atlas online, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting,” then “Where to Hunt,” then then “2013 Fall Hunting Atlas.” Hunters can also download an electronic version of the atlas from the KDWPT website, and file downloads that can be loaded onto Garmin GPS units. There are also file downloads for Android and iOS devices that can be used with Google Earth. The 2013 Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary is also available on the KDWPT website. Printed versions of both pamphlets will be distributed in early September.

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LOVEWELL STATE PARK TO HOST ANNUAL CAMPGROUND CHRISTMAS EVENT

Campers will trade in “hot and humid” for “ho, ho, ho” during this holiday decorating contest

PRATT ­– Do the hot and humid days of summer have you wishing for a winter wonderland? Well look no farther than Lovewell State Park because your wish is about to be granted. Lovewell State Park, located in Jewell County in northcentral Kansas, will host the 11th Annual Campground Christmas event Saturday, Aug. 17. Campers will compete in a two-day decorating contest by adorning their campsites and cabins with yuletide themes.

The decorations will then be available for public viewing, followed by a formal judging at 8 p.m. Saturday evening. Prizes will be awarded at 11 a.m. the following morning.

Campers interested in entering the contest must register at the Lovewell State Park Office no later than 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17. Those interested in viewing the campsites must have a vehicle permit to enter the park. Daily permits can be purchased for $5.00, annual permits for $25.00. For more information, contact Lovewell State Park manager Thane Loring at (785) 753-4971.

For a list of park events near you, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “State Parks/Event Calendar.”

YOUTH DOVE HUNT AT CLINTON WILDLIFE AREA

A mentored dove hunt is a perfect way to introduce a youngster to hunting

PRATT – The Jayhawk Chapter of the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) are making preparations for their 6th Annual Youth Dove Hunt to be held opening day, Sept. 1, 2013 at Clinton Wildlife Area near Lecompton.

The hunt is open to hunters age 16 and younger. Shotguns, shells, and eye and ear protection will be provided to participants at no cost. Hunters are encouraged to wear camouflage clothing.

“This is just a great event for kids to get out in the field and get hands-on experience hunting doves without worrying about the cost. We supply them with everything they need, and we are happy to do it,” said QUWF Jayhawk Chapter member Dr. John Hill. “Last year, our young hunters shot a little over 780 shells. This year, we hope to shoot even more.”

Mentors will accompany all participants, but non-hunting family members are encouraged to attend, as well. The hunt will begin just before sunrise and conclude mid-day. To register for this event, contact Hill at (785) 550-5657 or by e-mail at hills4ku@hotmail.com.