October 2006

2005 stats reveal lowest number since 1995 In Kansas, deer-vehicle accidents are common in November. Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) statistics show that November is the month when the highest number of deer-vehicle collisions occur. Motorists are encouraged to be on particularly high alert about Nov. 17 -- historically the day de ... Read More


Fewer services in winter months, but uncrowded conditions prevail Oct. 1-March 31 mark the off-season months for Kansas state parks, although some people prefer the uncrowded conditions available through fall and winter. During this time, many state parks cut down on services, although all remain open. Although hours and services vary from par ... Read More


Solid bird numbers offer chance to "Pass It On" The 2006 youth quail and pheasant season runs Oct. 28-29 this year, and bird populations in much of the state look very good. This provides a formula for mentors to take youngsters afield and pass on the hunting tradition. Wildlife areas and Walk-In-Hunting Access (WIHA) areas offer ... Read More


Gov. Sebelius keynote speaker for Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area event The public is invited to join Gov. Kathleen Sebelius at a ground-breaking ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27th to celebrate the development of the Kansas Wetlands Education Center near Great Bend. The event will take place across from the KDOT rest area on Highway K-1 ... Read More


Quail Unlimited memorial hunt in Brown County The Brown County Chapter of Quail Unlimited (QU) will hold its first annual Stan Boos Memorial Youth Hunt on Saturday, Oct. 28. Participants will assemble on the parking lot of the Army National Guard Armory, 108 N. 1st Street in Hiawatha at 7 a.m. After check-in, they will proceed to the event l ... Read More


Cool water brings fish up from the deep Hot summer temperatures push fish into deep water and make them sluggish, but as fall cools the air and the water, fish are back on the move. This can be one of the best times to dust off the fishing gear and head to the lake. As water temperatures drop into the upper 60s, sport fish such as white bass ... Read More


Low water levels may spell poor waterfowl season Both ducks and waterfowl hunters are likely to be disappointed when they arrive at southeast Kansas waterfowl areas this fall. At Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area , near Pleasanton, prolonged drought has nearly dried the Marais des Cygnes River, preventing wildlife area staff from pumping water ... Read More


Anglers can post their own fishing reports to complement KDWP's The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has provided fishing reports to anglers for more than 25 years. What started as a weekly mailing has evolved into electronic reports posted on the agency's website. While this technology makes it possible for agency staff to upd ... Read More


Halloween critters, hayrack ride, and "monster" myth-busters play host Oct. 14 "Monster Myths by Moonlight" is the theme of an Oct. 14 event at Milford State Park . The event will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and include a hayrack ride and exploration of the nature trails by moonlight. Biologists will man the nature trail ... Read More


Sixteen kids take 14 deer FORD -- Sept. 23-24 was the annual youth deer season (open to youth 16 and younger) in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) organizes several youth deer hunts each year, and the annual hunt on the Arkansas River near Ford is becoming an eagerly-anticipated event for everyone involved, from the ... Read More


Growing in popularity, fall turkey hunting offers chance to bag up to four birds When it comes to fall hunting in Kansas, most hunters think of upland birds, ducks, or deer. But fall turkey hunting is becoming increasingly popular, with a long season and the opportunity to bag as many as four of these large birds. In addition, the fall seaso ... Read More


Precautions taken to treat disease occurrence in bison herd The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has cancelled its 2006 buffalo auction, which was scheduled for November 15 at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. The cancellation was deemed necessary due to a very recent occurrence of a Mycoplasma bovis-induced pneumonia and arthritis among some ... Read More


Later turnover of stilling basin temporarily impairs water quality Poor water quality conditions at the Cedar Bluff Stilling Basin have prompted Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) officials to delay the start of the annual trout season at Cedar Bluff.
With the season opening Sunday, Oct. 15, at designated areas, the Webster Stil ... Read More


Celebrations taper off in fall, but several remain Each month, Kansas state parks conduct special events designed to provide new opportunities to park-goers. Some events are held in conjunction with Free Park Entrance Days, some to celebrate a special historical event or geological attribute of an individual park, and others just for enterta ... Read More


Special event designed to encourage youth participation in shooting sports Council Grove area youth are invited to attend a free shotgun and archery shooting clinic on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Council Grove Reservoir. Controlled live-fire instruction and a computer hunting simulator will teach safe, responsible, and fun shooting techniques. The ... Read More


Lakes statewide to be stocked with trout through April 15, 2007 The Kansas trout season begins Oct. 15 and runs through April 15, 2007. During this cool period of the year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks stocks rainbow trout in designated waters throughout the state. Anyone fishing for trout in these waters must purchase a $12.1 ... Read More


De Soto to Edwardsville float on the Kansas River offers unique outdoor experience The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and Friends of the Kaw are co-sponsoring a float trip on the Kansas River Saturday, Oct. 14. Participants in the float from De Soto to Edwardsville will meet at 8 a.m. at the boat ramp at Woodend Road and 9th ... Read More


Find water, find waterfowl The Kansas duck season opened in the High Plains Duck Zone west of U.S. Highway 283 on Oct. 7. Waterfowl hunters in the rest of the state are anxiously awaiting the opening of duck seasons in the Early and Late zones later this month, as well as youth seasons. While migrating waterfowl numbers appear to be high thi ... Read More