Fairgoers can enter drawing for free state park cabin weekend The 2007 Kansas State Fair – Sept. 7 – 16 – offers a huge variety of sights, sounds, food, music and fun for fair visitors. This year, it also offers a chance for a free weekend at a Kansas State Park cabin. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks exhibit, located in the Eisen ... Read More

Prospects good, although flooded Cheyenne Bottoms has limited hunter access Teal are the smallest ducks, but they may be the most popular among waterfowl hunters. And this year, those waterfowl hunters are smiling. Heavy spring and early summer rains combined with large numbers of breeding teal in the prairie pothole regions of the northcent ... Read More

Open to general public, event designed to help landowners improve quail habitat CHANUTE -- The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has announced that the 2007 Southeast Kansas Bobwhite Symposium will be held in the Chanute Memorial Auditorium on Oct. 3. The event will be open at no cost and is designed for both experienced and beginning ... Read More

Conserving the most popular sportfish in Kansas is plan’s goal Largemouth bass have a lot of fans in Kansas. In fact, recent surveys reveal that largemouth bass is the most-sought species among resident and lifetime fishing license holders. To accommodate that angler preference and to help ensure a rich bass fishing future in the Sunflower S ... Read More

Chapter aims to improve local quail habitat and connect youth to outdoors MINNEAPOLIS -- Ottawa County residents have formed the state's seventh Quail Forever (QF) chapter, the Solomon Valley Chapter of QF. The chapter has targeted local quail habitat improvement and youth conservation education as its primary objectives. "It's not as i ... Read More

Annual event a big draw in northcentral Kansas WEBBER -- Lovewell State Park has scheduled its Free Park Entrance Days for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8-9. For those two days, vehicle permits are not required to enter Lovewell State Park, near Webber. However, those who plan to camp overnight in the park will still have to purchase a camping ... Read More

Tournament fosters young shooters; door prizes and saving bonds to be awarded KINSLEY -- On Saturday, Sept. 22, the Kinsley Gun Club will host its Annual Kids Klassic trap shooting tournament for high school and junior high students. Each youngster will fire at 100 targets. A $20 entry fee will include a custom T-shirt, dinner, and a chance ... Read More

Wildlife and Parks working with stakeholders to contain infestation; lake-user help essential The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has confirmed that zebra mussels have been found in Cheney Reservoir. During routine lake inspections, KDWP district fisheries biologist Jon Stein collected three zebra mussel adults. After the in ... Read More

Users can customize search to match their recreation preferences Looking for a place to hike, bike, or camp in Kansas? “Recreation Finder” is now online. This online resource allows users to search a database of more than 450 trails, 3,500 parks, and 12,500 recreation facilities across the state. Users can search for parks and facilities by ... Read More

Pleasanton physician's restored forest to host Oct. 5th event PLEASANTON -- Recognized as the 2007 Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year, Dr. Jay Allen, Pleasanton, has planted 25,400 trees on 107 acres and has improved the forest health on almost half of his 114-acre tree farm. He is also eager to help promote sustainable forest manage ... Read More

Event to support shooting sports, hunter education EMPORIA -- The Flint Hills Friends of the National Rifle Association (NRA) will hold its 2007 annual banquet on Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Anderson building on the Lyon County Fairgrounds. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of this event is t ... Read More

KDWP invites photos to display on agency website Bruce Barrett’s photo of a young screech owl is one of dozens of Kansans’ outdoor photos now on display at KDWP’s website. Barrett, a Salina resident, encountered the owl near Buhler. Anyone who has a great outdoor photo to share is welcome to email their digital images to KDWP. Instructions ... Read More

2007 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary correction noted PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks wants hunters planning to take part in firearms deer seasons in the Fort Leavenworth and Smoky Hill Air National Guard subunits to be aware that season dates listed in the 2007 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regula ... Read More

Events celebrate the contributions of hunters and anglers to conservation The 36th Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) -- designated by Congressional decree and Presidential proclamation -- will be held Sept. 22. The event is a nationwide celebration of hunters and anglers and their contributions to conservation. Honorary chairman ... Read More

Youth waterfowl season in High Plains Zone also on tap The Kansas youth/disabled deer season runs Sept. 29-30 this year and offers youngsters and disabled persons a low-pressure hunting environment designed to provide the highest opportunity for success. Hunters 16 and younger and those with disability permits are eligible. No special permit ... Read More

Classes will focus on upland bird, muzzleloader hunting The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is planning two advanced hunter education classes this fall. Each will focus on a specific aspect of hunting -- one on upland birds and the other on muzzleloader hunting. The upland bird course will be conducted Oct. 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 ... Read More

Event will cover national and international birds; open to public and professionals The 59th annual meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society will be Sept. 28-30 at Kansas State University in Manhattan. Brett Sandercock, associate professor of biology and host of the meeting, expects 100 to 150 participants, including professionals and th ... Read More

Conservation of water, pollution prevention to highlight Council Grove event The 2007 Twin Lakes Water Festival will be held on Sept. 25 near Council Grove and will educate more than 1,100 4th- and 5th-grade students on natural resources, while offering a hands-on approach to learning at structured, multi-sensory activity stations. Students ... Read More

For Sunflower State upland bird hunters, the prospects for hunting this fall are a mixed bag, thanks to Kansas’ unpredictable weather. “Due to one of the most severe winters in recent memory, the number of pheasants going into the nesting season was more than 30 percent lower than in 2006,” reports KDWP small game coordinator Jim Pitman. “Howe ... Read More