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.

Study examines wealth of information to improve existing trails and plan future ones
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced guidelines for improvement of existing trails and development of more trails throughout the Sunflower State. Entitled Kansas State Trails Plan 2008 , the 103-page document will serve as the primary planning resource to guide those who build and maintain recreational trails, their partners, and other decision-makers in efforts to provide the public with high-quality trail-use experiences.

The plan identifies needs for both existing and future trails based on review of existing plans from Kansas and across the nation, current trail facilities, as well as various studies on the subject. New reports were studied in depth and incorporated into the plan as they fit the need for better trails in Kansas. Multiple state agencies, foundations, and professional organizations were also consulted.

Kansas State Trails Plan 2008 is also intended to bring Kansas into compliance with statewide planning requirements outlined in the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), administered by the Federal Highway Administration. In Kansas, the RTP is administered by KDWP’s Parks Division.

The RTP uses federal transportation funds to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail users. RTP funds are apportioned to states from motor fuel excise taxes collected on non-highway recreational fuel use, such as that used by a variety of off-highway recreation vehicles.

To download a complete version of Kansas State Trails Plan 2008 , go the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, click on “State Parks” at the top of the page, then ” 2008 Trails Plan” in the left-hand column.
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(photo on left-Tracy Galvin of KDWP displaying actual mountain lion shot)

For years in and around KS people have been seeing mountain lions in the state of KS.   According to the KS Wildlife and Parks that is a hoax to them.  If you call the KDWP and report a sighting of a mountain lion in KS, you will be told there are no mountain lions living in our state.  You may be even asked to take a picture for verification and evidence.  There have even been stories of a mountain lion that had a chip in it and was used by the KDWP for research.  That cat was actually shot in KS and was put in a deep freezer until the KDWP tracked it down.  As the story goes mind you………….

Local ranch owners and farmers have seen deer hanging from trees, mares with huge claw marks on their hinds from being taken down, huge paw-prints left in impressionable material and visuals have been talked about for years.  Did you know that according to KDWP mountain lions in KS just pass through our state?  They have dinner reservations in the other states like Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.  I guess we don’t offer enough roadkill here to satisfy the cravings of a mountain lion.  So when they are walking through our tall grass, watching our ample supply of deer, drinking and playing in our vast streams and jumping from tree to tree…………….they have decided that KS just isn’t the state for them and they should press on. 

Multiple stories have been written about a local man shooting a mountain lion in Barber County, KS in March.  He called the KDWP and was told there are no big cats here and that he probably saw a bobcat not a mountain lion.  So he shot it and took it to Texas to have it mounted.  Authorities have now captured the pelt and are DNA testing it to see if it was a captive cat.  Samples from South American DNA would suggest captivity, however, if North American samples are matched then the evidence would prove to be wild.  I have never in my life heard of such research done nor all the uproar mountain lions have established in the great state of Kansas.  I don’t know if the KDWP are afraid if they admit to mountain lions here they would be subject to hunters and outfitters wanting to harvest them.  Right now our law states that it is illegal to shoot a mountain lion for just his presence.  However, you are allowed to kill this animal if you or livestock is in danger or there is property damage.  The last stated and documented proof was in 1904 in Ellis County, KS.  So over 100 years this will be the first evidence that is tangible and documented.   To think this was just a lone incident and we don’t have room for mountain lions here in KS.  Because lets face it Motel 6 in Oklahoma left the lights on !!!!

 Anyways no charges have been filed on this incident and lots of people have been commenting and writing stories.  You are welcome to view the story at www.hutchnews.com, www.pratttribune.com or the www.gyphillpremiere.com.  Please feel free to comment.  I would love to hear your stories and comments!!!

As Always

Camo Girl