May 2007

Kindergarten through 8th grade entrants invited Wichita's Great Plains Nature Center (GPNC) is looking for young writers and artists. Art and literature creationed by Kansas students from kindergarten through 8th grade will be featured in a book scheduled for publication in 2008. The book -- Kansas Critters: Birds -- will focus on 26 species ... Read More

Deadline July 1; payments have increased; additional prairie signup offered Landowners interested in the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ Walk-In Hunting Access Program (WIHA) are reminded that the deadline for enrollment is July 1. The WIHA program, which began in 1995, grew to a million acres in 100 counties in 2006. Lease payments ... Read More

Repairs needed on 20-year-old facility The Milford Fish Hatchery will shut down for eight months beginning July 1 for much-needed repair. Milford is one of the few warm-water, intensive-culture fish hatcheries in the country. However, like most working facilities, time and wear take their toll. Such wear and tear is to be expected from a hig ... Read More

Lone young wildlife usually have an unseen mother watching nearby Every spring and early summer, hundreds of “orphaned” wild animals are picked up when they would do perfectly well left alone. In most cases, the intended “rescue” results in a death sentence. If the animal does end up in the hands of a professional wildlife rehabilitator, its ... Read More

Special events, free park entrance days to be held at many parks Each month, Kansas state parks (SP) conduct special events, some 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 entertainment. Each park sets its own dates for these ev ... Read More

Surveys help monitor health of waters statewide Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) stream survey crews will survey streams and rivers throughout Kansas this summer, adding information to a database that helps assess and monitor the overall conditions of these waterways. Two five-man crews, led by stream biologists Ryan Waters and ... Read More

Application deadline is June 8 for firearms, muzzleloader permits Applications for permits to hunt antelope in 2007 are due June 8. Applications are also available on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website and for the first time applications may also be filed online. The application deadline is June 8 for muzzleloader and firear ... Read More

Draft plan, public comment form available online The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) invites public review and comment on a draft plan to guide future management of catfish in the state’s waters. Interested persons can download and view the plan online, as well submit comments, at the KDWP Blog. The plan is being developed to ... Read More

No fishing license required; time to explore a great sport The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced Free Fishing Days -- one of the best outdoor entertainment bargains in the state. On June 2 and 3, anglers of all ages may fish without a fishing license. This is the ideal time to introduce youngsters to a healthy, cha ... Read More

Conservation programs have significant effects on nation's fisheries As fishing seasons open across the Midwest, Pheasants Forever (PF) reminds anglers of legislation that will have a direct impact on fishing and other recreational water activities for years to come: the 2007 Federal Farm Bill. "The Farm Bill's Conservation Title and it ... Read More

Chapter's habitat work to aid southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri; fundraiser at Claythorne Lodge May 23 Quail hunting enthusiasts along the Missouri-Kansas state line have formed the newest chapter of Quail Forever (QF), known as the MO-KAN Chapter of QF. The chapter will focus its work on quail habitat creation and restoration in Cra ... Read More

Scott Lake’s Camp Lakeside set for ‘Women’s Outdoor Adventures’ June 8-10 The best way to learn a new skill is hands-on instruction, under the guidance of an expert. That’s the premise for “Women’s Outdoor Adventures,” a weekend workshop planned at Scott State Park June 8-10. Sponsored by the Santa Fe Trail Resource Conservation & Develo ... Read More

Six-day camp teaches youngsters outdoor skills and just plain fun Co-sponsored by the Kansas Wildlife Federation (KWF) and the K-State Cooperative Extension Service, the Outdoor Adventure Camp (OAC) is a six-day summer camp for kids who enjoy the outdoors and want to learn more about it. Now in its 19th year, the event will be held June10-15 ... Read More

23rd Annual ‘Walk With Wildlife’ is June 9 Interested in getting an up-close, personal look at all kinds of Kansas wildlife? Want to hold a live snake? Do you want to discover the differences between hawks and owls? Anyone interested in learning more about wildlife is welcome at the 23rd Annual Walk with Wildlife at the Great Plains Nature C ... Read More

Thirty-six youth learn fish ID, fishing and boating techniques Lovewell State Park hosted an Outdoor Kansas For Kids (OK KIDS) Day on Saturday, April 21, at the park's Southwinds Group Shelter. Thirty-six youngsters registered for the event, and t-shirts and Bass Pro pins were given to each participant. Approximately 15 adults also particip ... Read More

Issue features a complete guide to Kansas state parks The May/June issue of Kansas Wildlife & Parks magazine is on newsstands now. With an additional 32 pages, this issue includes a comprehensive state park guide. The guide has individual maps of all 24 state parks, as well as information about facilities, cabins, and trails. Other artic ... Read More

New apprentice license to be made available for older teens and adults Kansas has passed a law that will create an apprentice hunting license for older youth and adults. On April 18, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed SB 192, a revision of Kansas hunter education requirement that will allow the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) to es ... Read More

Child-support debtors may not purchase hunting, fishing licenses A bill recently signed into law by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will ensure that delinquent child support debtors are not issued licenses or permits by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. House Bill 2393 requires the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services to maint ... Read More

“Safe Boater Kit” among rewards for completing instructional course With the growing number of recreational boaters on Kansas waters, the advantages of boater education have never been more apparent. As our lakes and rivers become busier and the types of boats more varied, it is increasingly important for boaters to learn safe boating techni ... Read More

Four approved bills enact a variety of outdoor recreation changes The 2007 Kansas Legislature and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius have approved several new laws affecting the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and outdoor recreation in the state. Following are summaries of the bills approved in this year’s legislative session.
House Bill 2046 ... Read More

Rainfall helps, but much more needed The past five or six years have not been good ones for lakes in the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' (KDWP) Region 1, the northwest portion of the state extending from Salina in the east to Scott City in the south. Drought has plagued the area, and many lakes have been so low that boat ramps are s ... Read More

Kansas Conservation Coalition to lobby congressional delegation In an effort to help build support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) programs in the next federal Farm Bill, environmental, civic, and landowner organizations, along with several state agencies and private businesses, ha ... Read More

Insurance company offers monetary, personal help with events State Farm Insurance Company has approved a $20,000 grant to support Kansas Wildscape Foundation’s Outdoor Kansas for Kids (O.K. Kids) Program. The O.K. Kids program is a growing statewide effort with approximately 50 event locations where youth can participate in a variety of outd ... Read More