Scott State Park, Cheyenne Bottoms among 24 finalists Voters have until Dec. 31 to decide on the top eight attractions in Kansas. The Kansas Sampler Foundation announced 24 finalists in June. More than 16,000 votes have been cast. Two Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks recreation areas are among the 24 nominees – Scott State Park and ... Read More

Events held across Kansas; open to all bird enthusiasts Snow and ice storms have resulted in postponement of several Kansas Christmas Bird Counts. Organizers will try to reschedule when possible, depending on personal schedules and travel conditions. To keep track of the revised bird count scheduling, visit the Kansas Ornithological Society ... Read More

Currently illegal in Kansas, fishing technique allowed in three of four neighboring states Should jug fishing be allowed in Kansas? That’s the latest question posted on the KDWP blog. Interested persons are invited to comment. Kansas offers a variety of fishing techniques and opportunities, but some anglers have expressed interest in jug fis ... Read More

Funding cuts for agency to limit testing sites; hunters encouraged to report sick deer Due to a funding cut to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' (KDWP) chronic wasting disease (CWD) budget, the agency is scaling back CWD testing in eastern Kansas. Testing will continue as usual in western Kansas, where the risk of CWD is highest. ... Read More

Editors: The KDWP news package dated 12/6/07 contains three errors in the article CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS DEC. 14-JAN. 6. The second group of bird count sites -- that begins with "Halstead/Newton" -- should be dated December 15, not 16. The December 17 site listing should be "Olsburg." not "Jeffrey Energy Cen." The ... Read More

Project aimed at restoring Arkansas River in western Kansas Acting U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Chuck Conner has announced a new $22.7 million conservation project with the state of Kansas that will enroll approximately 20,000 acres of cropland in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to help improve water qu ... Read More

Christmas light display expected to draw large crowdCedar Bluff State Park is drawing attention and getting folks in the Christmas spirit with its second annual Holiday In Lights event. On the nights of Wednesday Dec. 10, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Dec. 12-14, viewers can drive through the park’s Bluffton Area, on the north shore of Ceda ... Read More

Changes include reduced fees, changes to methods of take, much more Printed copies of the 2008 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary won't be available until early January, but anglers should be aware of several new regulations that take effect Jan. 1, 2008. The most welcome changes should be reduction of youth trout and paddlefish fees, as wel ... Read More

Songbirds most vulnerable to ice-coated landscapes As icy landscapes begin to thaw, songbirds celebrate with a meal. The recent storms that encased much of Kansas in ice illustrate the challenges wildlife face each winter. Songbirds are especially vulnerable to ice storms since the seeds and buds they rely on for food are ice-encrusted and i ... Read More

Magazine, early license sales, free video feed among many offerings This Christmas, start the season off right by taking advantage of Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) services, including many bargains. A perennial favorite of outdoor enthusiasts is Kansas Wildlife & Parks magazine. Each issue is packed with the latest infor ... Read More

State parks open for use but some park offices closed during holiday period All Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks offices will be closed Dec. 24 -25 for the Christmas holiday, as well as Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. While all state parks will be open for visitation and use, some state park offices will also be closed Dec. 26-28 and Dec. ... Read More

1-877-426-3843 makes reporting wildlife crime easyEach year, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) natural resource officers (NROs) check approximately 60,000 hunters in the field, and about 96 percent of these are found to be law-abiding sportsmen and women. Although the vast majority of hunters are ethical, they have to deal with the ... Read More

Once endangered, magnificent national symbol thriving Soaring bald eagles were once a rare sight in Kansas, but not anymore. Today, it’s common to see these majestic birds around large reservoirs and even open waterways in large cities, especially in winter. Aggressive protection from habitat destruction, pesticides, and poaching has lifted ... Read More

Easement conserves land in Chase County Ranchers Bill and Maggie Haw, Shawnee Mission, recently donated a conservation easement on 3,120 acres of native rangeland to The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The conservation easement protects land located south of Cottonwood Falls in Chase County, in the heart of the Flint Hills. Last year, the Haws als ... Read More