Limited to 35 women, participants must pre-register as soon as possible
CHANUTE — On May 30, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Lil Toledo Lodge, the Kansas Wildlife Officers Association, and the Kansas State Rifle Association, the Women of the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the Kansas Bow Hunter Association will join forces to conduct the area’s fourth Women on Target Shooting Skills For Women shooting clinic.

The event will be held at the Lil’ Toledo Lodge, southeast of Chanute. Activities will run from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.. Lil’ Toledo Lodge sets along the banks of the Neosho River providing an esthetic setting in the outdoors. The grounds are covered by native oak and hickory trees, and mowed walking trails allow wildlife to be viewed in a natural setting.

This event is for women only and is designed for women who may have never handled a gun. Women who have some experience are also encouraged to attend. Each participant will learn to shoot a variety of guns and bows and enjoy fellowship with other women. The event will give participants the opportunity to shoot shotguns, revolvers, semiautomatic handguns, small-caliber rifles, big bore rifles, and black powder rifles, as well as longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows. Participants will also have the opportunity to use the Laser Shot shooting simulator. Activities are conducted so that each woman can participate at her own pace and at her own experience level. This shooting clinic will also reinforce safe gun handling techniques, the mechanics of loading and unloading guns, and how to use bows and tree stands. In the shotgun shooting portion of the event, all women will be consistently breaking targets in the air before the day is over.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided by Lil’ Toledo Lodge, where women will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the other women about the experiences that they had in the morning events and what they have to look forward to in the afternoon. Women will also have an opportunity to ask questions of the instructors and trainers. There will also be a drawing for items that have been donated by local businesses.

The registration fee is $30 per person, which helps cover the cost of shooting supplies and targets. This event will be limited to the first 35 women who register and pay the fee. All women must be 18 years old. Participants do not need to bring guns or ammunition. All guns and equipment and supplies will be provided. However, participants may bring their own 20-gauge shotguns if they wish. All guns must be checked by the person in charge of the training before they are used.

To participate in the Shooting Skills for Women event, contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Pratt Operations Office at 620-672-5911. Ask for Stacy in Hunter Education to pre-register. The event is first-come, first-served, so those wishing to participate should pre-register as soon as possible

Courtesy of KDWP

In 2000, above average river flows allowed the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) to experiment with seasonal rainbow trout stocking in the South Fork of the Solomon River above Webster Reservoir. Habitat was enhanced in three zones between the upper end of the reservoir and the Damar Blacktop (2 Road) to help hold trout in place, and fish were released in these locations in February and March of that year. Fort Hays State University Biology Department staff and students assisted with an environmental assessment of this pilot project. Results were favorable, and trout were again stocked in the river in the winter and spring of 2001 and 2002.

Dry conditions returned after the third year of the program, and river flows were considered too low to support a trout fishery in 2003. (A rate of flow exceeding 30 cubic feet per second is considered adequate for supporting a seasonal trout fishery in this stretch of river.) Drought was prevalent from 2003 through 2007. Then wet conditions throughout most of 2008 within much of the Solomon River Basin rejuvenated river flows. As a result, KDWP biologists are planning to stock rainbow trout in the river this year with the first release tentatively scheduled for Jan. 26.

This year’s program, in response to budget and manpower limitations, will be a reduced version of the previous efforts. For 2009, habitat will be enhanced in a single zone that can be accessed at the N Road low-water crossing just west of 5 Road. This will be the only site stocked this year. Anglers should be able to find the best concentrations of trout within a zone ranging approximately ½ mile upstream and ½ mile downstream of the crossing. This site will likely be stocked again in March, and possibly in February, depending upon flow and the amount of angler use and harvest.

The stretch of the South Fork of the Solomon River lying between the Damar Blacktop and Webster Reservoir is a Type 2 designated trout water, meaning that during trout season — which runs Oct. 15-April 15 — a trout permit is required for anglers fishing for or possessing trout except that youth under 16 years of age may fish without a permit with a reduced daily limit of two trout, or they can keep five per day if they possess a permit. In addition, all residents 16 through 64 years old and nonresidents 16 and older must have a valid fishing license. Anglers fishing for or possessing only species other than trout in this stretch of river during trout season are not required to have a trout permit. All anglers may fish for and possess trout without a permit once the season ends April 15.

The following map describes the stocking locations or view an enlarged map HERE:

Courtesy of KDWP
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced the opening of a new rental cabin at Atchison State Fishing Lake (3 ½ miles north and 2 miles west of Atchison). The cabin is available year-round. With a double bed, a double fold out futon, a single futon, and a Murphy bed, the air conditioned and heated cabin will sleep six. Renters must provide their own bedding, pillows, towels, and toiletries. A hot shower, complete kitchen, refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave will make a stay as comfortable as home.

Atchison State Fishing Lake includes a lake that covers approximately 66 acres with 182 acres of land adjoining the lake. Of this, approximately 136 acres and the lake are open to hunting. The wildlife area is comprised of native grass and timber. Wildlife watching is a popular activity on the area, as well. The east side of the lake from the shoreline to the east property line is closed to hunting.

Reserving KDWP cabins more is convenient than ever. From the KDWP home page, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, click “Cabin Reservations” in the top right-hand corner. Select the desired state park or wildlife area and cabin from the onscreen list, and a list of cabins will appear. Select your destination, and information on securing reservations will appear. All cabins offer secure online payment with a credit card. Users must log into the system and set up an account to complete a transaction. In addition to complete written instructions detailing the reservation process, an instructional video provides an overview of the online reservation system.

Many than 60 cabins are available at 22 locations in state parks and wildlife areas. Most cabins feature amenities such as bathrooms, kitchens, refrigerators, stoves, heating and air conditioning, and ADA accessibility.

Courtesy of KDWP

Avid Kansas waterfowl hunters never worry about the post-holiday blues. For them, January and February mean some of the best hunting of the year. Late-migrating mallards are often abundant when shallow waters freeze, and mallards concentrate on rivers and reservoirs. In much of the state, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has established a Jan. 17-25 duck season, so hunters can take advantage of this late migration.

The Jan. 17-25 duck season runs in the High Plains Zone (west of U.S. Highway 283) and the Late Zone (most of eastern and central Kansas). To understand the exact boundaries of the Late Zone, a copy of the 2008 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, which contains maps outlining waterfowl boundaries, is required. Booklets are available at most KDWP offices or other places where licenses are sold. They also may be downloaded from the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

Ducks aren’t the only waterfowl abundant in mid- to late winter. Geese are plentiful at this time of year, too. Canada goose season runs through Feb. 15 statewide. White-fronted goose season is currently closed, but it re-opens Feb. 7-15. Light geese (Ross’, snow, and blue) may be hunted through April 30.

As of Jan. 13 the reported number of waterfowl in Kansas included 672,000 geese and 117,000 ducks statewide, but those numbers vary greatly depending on weather.

Currently, the top three areas for geese are Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) with 152,000; Glen Elder Wildlife Area (WA) with 89,000; and Webster WA with 20,000. (Cheyenne Bottoms WA reports fluctuations of 30,000-300,000 geese.) The top three areas for ducks are Glen Elder WA with 89,000; Neosho WA with 15,000; and Webster WA with 10,000. (These numbers are approximate and can fluctuate daily.) Other areas are holding solid duck numbers; check the nearest KDWP office for the latest information. Updated waterfowl reports may also be found on the KDWP website.

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 Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp before attempting to take ducks and geese. (Those not required to have a Kansas hunting license include people hunting their own land and residents 15 and younger or 65 and older.)

Waterfowl and HIP stamps purchased during the fall 2008 seasons are valid through the winter and spring of 2009.

Courtesy of KDWP

Courtesy of KDWP

Kansas deer-vehicle accident rate still lowest in Midwest
PRATT — Since 1998, the trend in deer-related vehicle accidents in Kansas has been stable or declining. Still, late October and November are when deer are most active. As a result, this is also the time when most deer-vehicle accidents occur. This is the mating season, called “rut,” and while deer are generally nocturnal, they may move at all times of day and night during rut, paying little attention to motorists.

While activity begins to pick up in late October, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) statistics show that November is the month when the highest number of deer-vehicle collisions occur. Motorists should be on high alert during the week or two before and after Nov. 17 — historically the day deer-vehicle collisions peak. This peak coincides with the average peak of deer rut activity.

In addition, deer widen their forage range as they build up fat reserves for the winter. In late November and December, they often migrate from one forage range to another, exposing themselves on highways. A reduction in daylight hours also contributes to increased deer-vehicle collisions because of deer’s nocturnal nature.

In 2007, there were 9,417 deer-vehicle collisions in Kansas, up slightly from the previous year. Five of these collisions were fatal, and 298 resulted in injuries. Deer-vehicle collisions occurred in every Kansas county. Counties with the highest human populations usually record the most deer-vehicle accidents. Johnson County had the most accidents with 375, followed by Sedgwick County with 357 and Butler County with 296.

Motorists should observe the following tips to avoid deer collisions:

• be especially watchful at dawn and dusk when deer are particularly active;
• deer seldom travel alone, so if one deer crosses a road, there may be others nearby;
• reduce speed and be alert near wooded areas, green spaces such as parks or golf courses, agricultural fields, and water sources such as streams or ponds;
• don’t swerve to avoid a collision with a deer. The most serious accidents occur when motorists are taking evasive action;
• watch out for deer crossing signs and always wear a seat belt; and
• use bright lights, watch for reflections from deer eyes, and slow down whenever deer are spotted.

State Farm Insurance Company has compiled data that compares the risks of deer-vehicle accidents across the nation. A chart comparing each state may be found online at www.statefarm.com/_pdf/deer_chart.pdf. A map comparing each state may be found online at www.statefarm.com/_pdf/deer_map.pdf. These charts and maps reveal that the risk of drivers in Kansas having an accident with a deer are lower than in any other state in the Midwest.

For more information on deer-vehicle accidents, phone the Kansas Department of Transportation toll-free at 1-877-550-5368.

Courtesy of KDWP

Courtesy of KDWP