Safety key to successful holiday on packed lakes To ensure enjoyable summer outings, boaters are reminded that life jackets play an important role in keeping them safe in the water. In 2005, approximately 70 percent of all boating fatalities were drownings. Approximately 87 percent of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket.
Accide ... Read More

Thirty-two percent decline rangewide, but wet spring could mean good reproduction
PRATT -- Each spring, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) conducts a survey of pheasants throughout their range in the Sunflower State. As the mating season approaches, roosters increase crowing, and KDWP staff driving routes, stopping at establ ... Read More

Independence Day fireworks highlight early-July events
PRATT -- 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 even ... Read More

Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area game tag use, Fort Riley deer seasons, cabin fees also approved in public hearing
The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission approved 2007 early migratory bird seasons at their June 21 public hearing in Salina. Approved seasons include the following:
• Rail (Sora and Virginia) – Sept. 1 through Nov. 9, bag and posses ... Read More

Thirty-two percent decline rangewide, but wet spring could mean good reproduction Each spring, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) conducts a survey of pheasants throughout their range in the Sunflower State. As the mating season approaches, roosters increase crowing, and KDWP staff drive prescribed routes, stopping at establi ... Read More

Independence Day fireworks highlight early-July events Each month, Kansas state parks 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 events, including ... Read More

Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area game tag use, Fort Riley deer seasons, cabin fees also approved in public hearing
The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission approved 2007 early migratory bird seasons at their June 21 public hearing in Salina. Approved seasons include the following:
• Rail (Sora and Virginia) – Sept. 1 through Nov. 9, bag and posses ... Read More

A few precautions can help control their spread Most boaters, anglers, and other lake users are aware that zebra mussels are thriving in El Dorado Reservoir and the Walnut River in Kansas, as well as Winfield City Lake. Other lakes in the region are also infested with zebra mussels, including Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri; Skiatook, Oologah ... Read More

Fish and Wildlife Service to protect eagles upon delisting The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced that the bald eagle will continue to be strongly protected by federal law under a series of actions designed to govern management of eagles should they be removed from Endangered Species Act protection. The Service finalized mo ... Read More

Healthy landscapes, profitable enterprise are objectives In August, the Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition, Inc. (KGLC), will host two rangeland management schools -- one for eastern Kansas at Flint Oak in Elk County and one for western Kansas at Camp Mennoscah in Kingman County. The schools will feature principles of rangeland management, inclu ... Read More

2006 survey gauges Americans’ outdoor participation, expenditures America’s passion for wildlife and the outdoors continues to be a major engine of the nation’s economy, according to a preliminary survey released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). In 2006, more than 87 million Americans age 16 and older hunted, fished, or observe ... Read More

Nature, history on display at KDWP area near Garden City On Saturday, June 16, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will host the second semi-annual Buffalo Days at Sandsage Bison Range and Wildlife Area, 1/2 mile south of Garden City on Business Highway 83. The day-long event will begin at 9 a.m. and feature buffalo-viewing to ... Read More

Games, auction included in fundraiser; all proceeds used locally On June 23, the Flint Hills Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will hold its 12th Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet and Superfund Auction at the American Legion Post No. 5, 2921 West 12th Avenue, in Emporia. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for registration and ... Read More

Special may also be viewed online; DVDs available A film entitled "The Playas: Reflections of Life on the Plains," will be aired on Wichita's KPTS Television on Thursday, July 12, at 7:30 p.m. The film was produced by the Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV), a nonprofit conservation organization, to raise awareness of the need to cons ... Read More

Landowners, general public invited to learn hands-on habitat improvement techniques
Quail Unlimited (QU), in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), will conduct a Habitat Techniques Demonstration Day on Wednesday, July 18, at 8:30 a.m. The event will be held at Hillsdale Wildlife Area, near Paola, on U.S. Army ... Read More

Upland bird, dove, waterfowl, deer hunts available Each year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offers a number of special hunts on KDWP land. Hunters looking for a high-quality hunting experience are encouraged to apply for these special hunts. Dozens of specially-planned, limited-draw hunts for upland birds, doves, waterfow ... Read More

Public invited to all sessions The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing June 21 in Salina at Kansas Wesleyan University, Room 201, Peters Science Hall. The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m.; the evening public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. The afternoon meeting will begin with reports from dep ... Read More

Only flathead catfish may be taken; other restriction apply The first-ever handfishing season in Kansas opened June 15. At a November 2006 meeting of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission, a regulation was passed allowing handfishing for flathead catfish. While Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff do not expect many angle ... Read More

Urges all Kansans to enjoy the state's natural resources Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has expressed her appreciation for the state's natural resources with an official proclamation urging all Kansans to get outdoors and enjoy them. The proclamation reads as follows:

WHEREAS, Kansas state residents have a proud tradition of both safegua ... Read More

Shooting, prizes, youth events, lunch and dinner highlight event On Saturday, June 16, the Geary County Fish and Game Association (GCFGA) will host the Kansas Muzzleloading Association State Championship Muzzleloading Shotgun Shoot. The event will be held at Sportsmen's Acres Range, on Highway K-244 Spur near Milford Reservoir. The shooting ... Read More

Kansas Native Plant Society celebrates native flora of the Sunflower State The Kansas Native Plant Society (KNPS) was established in 1978 as a nonprofit organization known as the Kansas Wildflower Society. Since then, KNPS has not only changed its name, it maintains a website featuring a wide variety of native plant information, offers educa ... Read More