Draft plan, email comment form available on KDWP websiteThe Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks invites public review and comment on the draft “2009 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.”The plan serves as a guidebook to maintain and develop natural resources and recreation infrastructure in Kansas, and is a requirement of the Land a ... Read More

Work began Jan. 5 to remove trees, reshape dam
PARSONS -- Visitors to Neosho State Fishing Lake, located 8 miles northwest of Parsons, will likely notice a dramatic change in the landscape surrounding the lake. The lake, built in the late 1920’s, was the first state lake constructed by what is now the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (K ... Read More

KDWP awaiting lab results on more samples from 2008 deer seasonThree Kansas white-tailed deer taken by hunters during the 2008 deer season have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in analysis of tissue samples collected in recent weeks by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The three affected deer were taken in Decatur Co ... Read More

Printed copies available by mid-JanuaryThe 2009 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary is now available online at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) website and should be available at most license vendors and KDWP offices by mid-January. The booklet outlines several new regulations that took effect Jan. 1, as well as information on ... Read More

Annual survey a favorite of all bird watchersEach year, thousands of Kansas spend many a chilly day watch birds from the comfort of their homes. As snow, rain, and frigid winter temperatures entice finches, cardinals, juncos, woodpeckers, and a variety of other birds to backyard bird feeders across the state, birders can participate in the Kans ... Read More

Bargain days run from April through OctoberThe Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has announced its schedule for 2009 Free Park Entrance Days, when anyone may enter individual state parks without a vehicle permit. (Camping and other permits are still required.) These events differ from park to park and are usually associated with special e ... Read More

Fee increases and budget cuts on tableAs a result of reduced revenues, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has requested that all state agencies, including the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), cut their budgets by 3 percent in the current fiscal year (FY) and as much as 5 percent in FY 2010. However, budget cuts and revenues were on the table ... Read More

After five dry years, river flow returns to levels that support stockingIn 2000, above average river flows allowed the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) to experiment with seasonal rainbow trout stocking in the South Fork of the Solomon River above Webster Reservoir. Habitat was enhanced in three zones between the upper end of the ... Read More

Good duck hunting still ahead; goose seasons extend into FebruaryAvid Kansas waterfowl hunters never worry about the post-holiday blues. For them, January and February mean some of the best hunting of the year. Late-migrating mallards are often abundant when shallow waters freeze, and mallards concentrate on rivers and reservoirs. In much of th ... Read More

Reservations for this and other cabins can be made onlineThe Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced the opening of a new rental cabin at Atchison State Fishing Lake (3 ½ miles north and 2 miles west of Atchison). The cabin is available year-round. With a double bed, a double fold out futon, a single futon, and a Murphy bed ... Read More

Toxicology report of tissue samples provided to department Jan. 20thThe Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is investigating the recent deaths of several wild turkeys in Logan County. A report of toxicology testing of tissue samples received by KDWP Jan. 20 concluded that ingestion of zinc or alumnimum phosphide was the cause of the birds’ ... Read More

Winter cookout and campout a popular annual event; registrations due by Jan. 30Eisenhower State Park will conduct the fourth annual Polar Swine Invitational Barbecue Contest on Feb. 7 at Ike's Shelter House & Campground. The event is a nontraditional barbecue cook-off and campout for hardy souls willing to brave the winter cold to participa ... Read More

Learn to find and catch the big fishThink you know where the really big fish are? Do you have that burning question about your favorite lake? Maybe even a question about a fishing regulation that doesn’t make sense. Then the place for you to be is the “Third Annual Fish Night” at the Johnson County Community College, Carlsen Center Room 211, 12 ... Read More

Permits to be sold to raise money for conservation projectsSeven Kansas conservation organizations were awarded 2009 Commission Big Game permits in a drawing conducted at the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting Jan. 8 in Emporia. A total of 108 applications were submitted for the seven available permits.Winners of the permits include t ... Read More

Russell County man hopes to inspire others with 1,700-acre gift With a desire to see his 1,700 acres stay together and managed as a wildlife habitat demonstration unit,Wallace N. Weber, of Russell County, ended 2008 by donating the land to Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF). It is the single largest donation in the 26-year history of ... Read More

Regular season April 8-May 31; youth/disabled, archery seasons April 1-7The 2009 spring turkey season runs April 8-May 31, and hunters across the state are already making preparations. Turkey permits allow hunters to use a shotgun, crossbow, or bow throughout the regular season. Archery-only and youth/disabled seasons run concurrently, April 1- ... Read More

Claythorne Lodge, KDWP, local landowners provide opportunity for youngstersOSWEGO -- Five young hunters were drawn from more than 20 applicants for the first Youth Doe Hunt held Jan. 2. All five young hunters successfully harvested an antlerless deer. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks employees Jared Eatmon, Alan Midcap, Rob Riggin, James ... Read More

Summary and link to legislature’s website offer convenient access to informationInformation about the latest developments in the 2009 Kansas Legislature is just a computer click away. Legislation affecting the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is summarized in the agency’s online Legislative Update Report.The report provides concis ... Read More

Experimental spawning procedure could produce young bass earlier in the yearA new project at Meade Fish Hatchery, near Meade State Park, holds the promise of bass that may start growing earlier and get larger in their first year than bass hatched with traditional hatchery methods, or those hatched in the wild. Typically, bass in hatchery ponds ... Read More

Bald eagle and peregrine falcon recommended for delistingKansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff presented recommendations for additions and deletions to the Kansas List of Threatened & Endangered (T&E) Species and Species In Need of Conservation (SINC). Under state law, KDWP must review the list every five years. Any pers ... Read More