Courtesy of KDWP

Courtesy of KDWP

Courtesy of KDWP

Tournament fosters young shooters; Sept. 15 entry date
KINSLEY — On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Kinsley Gun Club will host its Annual Kids Klassic trap shooting tournament for high school and junior high students. Each youngster will fire at 100 targets. A $20 entry fee will include a custom T-shirt, dinner, and a chance to win a door prize, including a new Beretta shotgun, a Beikal single-shot shotgun, or one of two Remington .22 rifles — all provided by area businesses and the shooting fraternity. The entry fee does not include shells.

Shooters will compete for trophies, Olympic-style medallions, shotgun shells, and other prizes in four age groups for individuals and five-person teams. Ten $100 savings bonds will be awarded by drawing, so everyone has a chance to win. A trophy and prize will be reserved for the top girl shooter, as well.

While everyone is welcome to attend, participants who enter must be strong enough to handle a shotgun safely and are expected to know the basic rules and etiquette of trapshooting. The shoot is not for beginners.

Entries (including T-shirt sizes and number of adults for lunch) must be received by September 15. To enter, receive an official program, receive more information, or find out where to practice close to home, phone O’Brien toll free at 1-888-324-5445, email franko@gbta.net, or write to Frank O’Brien, P. O. Box 351, Lewis, KS 67552.

Courtesy of KDWP

Migrating teal numbers similar to last year, well above long-term average

Teal are the smallest ducks, but they are popular among waterfowl hunters; they are the first waterfowl that hunters may pursue each year, and their numbers are generally high. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this year’s blue-winged teal estimated population of 6.6 million birds is similar to last year’s estimate of 6.7 million birds, 45 percent above the long-term average. The estimated population of green-winged teal is 3 million, also similar to last year and 57 percent above the long-term average. This should make for good hunting in the Sunflower State’s two September teal hunting zones.

In the Low Plains Zone (all of Kansas east of Highway 283), the season runs Sept. 13-28. In the High Plains Zone (west of Highway 283), the season runs Sept. 13-20. The shorter season in the High Plains is mandated by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act’s 107-day limit on total duck season days. Under the liberal duck season frameworks, 97 days are available for regular duck seasons in the High Plains Zone. When the two-day High Plains youth season (Sept. 27-28) is added, that leaves only eight days for an early teal season.

Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, near Great Bend — one of the state’s premier waterfowl hunting areas — reports that wetland vegetation has responded well since last year’s flooding. Bulrushes predominate in the open water portions of the pools while cattail, dock, smartweed, and some grasses can be found in the perimeter areas. This should make for a good teal season. Staff have begun releasing water from Pool 1 into the hunting pools, so water levels may be low for teal season.

Late-summer rains have left nearby Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in good shape and should provide good hunting, as well.

Good hunting conditions are also expected at Glen Elder, Jamestown, Webster, Hillsdale, Tuttle Creek, Texas Lake, McPherson Wetlands, Marion, and Neosho wildlife areas. The state’s reservoirs should not be overlooked, either, and standing water and ponds on private ground could be good, depending on local rainfall. Other areas of the state may improve as birds migrate south. Check the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) online waterfowl reports for updated information.

The daily bag limit is four teal with a possession limit of eight. All waterfowl hunters 16 and older must have a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, and all hunters who are required to obtain a license must also have a Kansas State Waterfowl Habitat Stamp and a Kansas Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp before attempting to take ducks, geese, or mergansers. (Those not required to have a Kansas hunting license include people hunting their own land, and residents 15 and younger or 65 and older.)

For more information, phone 620-672-5911.

Not only were my children (little animals) on the loose, we came across a bullsnake that happened to cross our path the same time my daughter was trying to cross.  It slithered right underneath her foot and ignored her loud scream of fright.    We walked all over the Wichita Zoo in the hot sun and realized that we should have gone sooner in the day………I’m including some pictures for you to view and share the fun experience that my family and I had.  They will have a new tiger plantation coming soon!!

Enjoy the outdoors!

Administration Office:  

Sedgwick County Zoo

5555 Zoo Boulevard

Wichita, Kansas 67212

t: (316) 660-9453

f: (316) 942-3781

Membership Office:  

Sedgwick County Zoo

5555 Zoo Boulevard

Wichita, Kansas 67212

t: (316) 266-8211

f: (316) 266-8263

www.scz.org

Courtesy of Kansas WIldlife and Parks
WICHITA — The votes are in, the judging complete, and the final design and layout completed for the Great Plains Nature Center’s (GNPC) second “Kansas Critters” book. On Saturday, Aug. 23, GNPC will honor the 223 young artists and authors grades K-8 whose 238 art and text entries comprise the second book in the series, Kansas Critters: A Wildlife Book Written and Illustrated by Kansas Kids. Four book receptions will be staged throughout the day to individually acknowledge each artist and author.

“This book is a result of Kansas kids learning about 26 kinds of birds,” says GPNC director Bob Gress. “Kids throughout Kansas accepted our challenge to research and then draw, paint, or write about their favorite birds. We received more than 3,200 entries and are proud to showcase this collection.”

Beginning Monday, Aug. 25, complimentary copies of Kansas Critters: A Wildlife Book Written and Illustrated by Kansas Kids will be available free in the Owl’s Nest Gift shop at the GPNC, 6232 E. 29th Street North in Wichita. For more information, phone 316-683-5499

Courtesy of Kansas Wildlife and Parks

Printed copies of the 2008 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary will be available at Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offices and license vendors around the state soon, but hunters can view or download the summary now from the KDWP website.

This year’s booklet contains several changes, in both format and new regulations. A few of the more significant new regulations include the following:

• Annual hunting and fishing licenses are available at no cost to honorably discharged resident veterans with certified service-related disabilities of 30 percent or more, effective Jan.1, 2009.
• A season for Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves will run Nov.20 through Feb.28.
• Resident Any-Season Whitetail permits will be valid statewide during any season with equipment legal for that season.
• Resident Either-species/Either-sex Archery permits will be valid statewide.
• No big game permit may be transferred to another person.
• Big game or turkey permits for residents younger than 16 are half-price.
• Special Hunt-Own-Land deer permits may be issued to a landowner’s or tenant’s siblings and lineal family members and spouses, regardless of residency.
• Nonresident deer hunters are restricted to two adjacent deer management units.
• Nonresident hunters are required to select one season (archery, muzzleloader, or firearms) at the time of application.
• Scopes are allowed for early muzzleloader deer season.
• Knapped broad heads allowed during the archery deer season.
• Crossbows are allowed for deer hunting in the firearm season.

The most significant change in format this year involves the way the public hunting areas section is presented. Each KDWP-owned or operated property is listed, including size, directions to the area, and special regulations that apply to that area.

As always, most season dates have changed to some degree, and other regulations are covered in this indispensable booklet. Printed copies of the 2008 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary will be available in September at department offices and license vendors around the state.

Six-day camp teaches youngsters outdoor skills

and just plain fun

PRATT — The Kansas Wildlife Federation (KWF) and the K-State Cooperative Extension Service are sponsoring the annual Outdoor Adventure Camp (OAC) June 8-13 at the Camp WaShunGa area of Rock Springs 4-H Center, near Junction City. Youngsters who enjoy the outdoors and want to learn more about it are encouraged to attend.

Kansas youth ages 10 through 12 will spend mornings exploring the grounds at Rock Springs with instructors, experiencing Kansas animals and plants close-up. Session subjects include insects, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish management, wildlife management, wetlands, birds, and stream ecology.

Afternoons will be spent learning about birds of prey, skins and skulls, bats, streams, and more general topics, including ecology, wetlands, riparian areas, and watersheds. Instructors from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas State University, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, county conservation districts, the Riley County Fish and Game, 4-H clubs, and other organizations will be on hand.

Depending on the evening, participants may prowl for owls, star-gaze, or watch bats hunt bugs. Evening swims will be followed by campfire stories and snacks. One evening will feature a friendly fishing competition.

Other activities include scavenger hunts; swimming and canoeing; fishing; rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, archery, and pellet gun shooting; arts and crafts; and horseback riding. A day-trip to the Milford Nature Center and Fish Hatchery will occupy one day.

Participants should bring a swimsuit, sleeping gear, and clothes for a week. Sunscreen, insect repellent, a cap, a fishing pole, and a water bottle are also recommended. Food, instruction, and lodging are all included in the $225 price of the six-day camp. Sportsman’s clubs offer Outdoor Adventure Camp scholarships. KWF and the Outdoor Writers of Kansas offer scholarships in cooperation with Kansas Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Space is limited, and the registration deadline is June 4.

For applications, camp, or scholarship information, write Outdoor Adventure Camp, Theresa Berger, 406 S. New York Ave, Sylvan Grove, KS 67481; phone 785-526-7466; or e-mail bergkwf@wtciweb.com.

Youth artists to be honored at State-Fish Art Expo July 19-20

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Wildlife Forever has announced Kansas winners of the group’s 2008 State-Fish Art Contest. In the 7th- through 9th-grade category, Evan Pflugradt of Olathe took first place. Audra Miller, of Halstead, won Kansas honors in the 10th- through 12th-grade category.

In addition to having their artwork displayed online at www.statefishart.com, these winners will join young artists from across the country at the State-Fish Art Expo July 19-20 at Mall of America’s Central Rotunda in Bloomington, Minn. All winning artwork will be on display, and an awards ceremony will recognize the winners before a large mall crowd. Each winning artist who attends the expo will receive a blue ribbon, fishing rod and reel, a gift certificate for art supplies, and other prizes.

National awards to be announced at the expo include Best of Show honors for the top three pieces of artwork in each grade category from across the United States. The national Best of Show winner in grades 10-12 will receive a $2,500 scholarship to The Art Institutes International Minnesota. The first runner-up in grades 10-12 will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college.

One outstanding piece of artwork will win the Art of Conservation Stamp Award and be reproduced as a conservation stamp. Proceeds from the stamp will be used to fund conservation education and aquatic restoration projects across America.

Expo participants will enjoy a Saturday fishing event at Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge. The winning artists and their families will also receive free entry to the July 20 Minnesota Twins game and participate in a special pre-game recognition ceremony on the playing field of the Metrodome before the Twins face the Texas Rangers.

For more information, visit the State-Fish Art Contest website, www.statefishart.com, phone Pat Conzemius at 763-253-0222, or email pconzemius@wildlifeforever.org.
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