Monthly Archives: March 2013

Trout Stocking Program Provides Variety for Anglers

Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of special trout program

In an effort to provide unique winter fishing opportunities, The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) provides trout fishing opportunities by stocking Kansas waters with thousands of harvestable-sized trout each year. From Nov. 1-April 15, anglers can catch this non-native species at 36 locations throughout the state.

Funded by state trout permit and federal aid dollars, the KDWPT trout program stocks as many as 180,000 rainbow trout and more than 3,500 brown trout annually.

Type 1 trout waters require a trout permit ($12.50) whether anglers are fishing for trout or not, while Type 2 waters require a trout permit for anglers fishing for trout. In addition to a trout permit (where required), residents 16-74, and non-residents 16 and older, must possess a valid fishing license.

The daily creel limit is five trout and the possession limit is 15. Youth 15 and under may keep up to two trout per day without a trout permit, or up to five trout per day with a permit. After April 15, anglers can trout fish without a permit anywhere in the state, excluding Mined Land Wildlife Area Unit #30 (Cherokee County) which requires a permit year-round. Season daily creel and possession limits will still apply after the season is closed.

Consult the 2013 Fishing Regulations Summary for a list of Type 1 and Type 2 trout waters.

Local governments may have their own trout stocking programs and may require a separate permit. Anglers are encouraged to contact their local city and county recreation departments for details.

For more information on the KDWPT trout program, including stocking locations and schedules, visitwww.ksoutdoors.com and click “Fishing/Special Fishing Programs for You/Trout Fishing Program.”

Anglers, Walleye Benefit from Artificial Spawning

Artificial spawning practices produce abundant fish populations

Spring marks the beginning of spawning season for several fish species, but it also marks the start of artificial spawning for walleye. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) biologists and culturists will work tirelessly this season artificially producing walleye to stock state reservoirs and lakes.

This highly-prized sport fish naturally spawns during March and April when temperatures reach around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Female walleye will typically lay their eggs in a rocky area during the night, secreting upwards of 300,000 eggs. Although females produce eggs in abundant numbers, less than 5 percent of their young will successfully hatch in the wild due to various environmental factors.

When conditions are right, fisheries biologists will work long hours at select Kansas lakes to capture spawning walleye. Eggs are taken from ripe females, fertilized, then delivered to the Pratt and Milford fish hatcheries where employees work around the clock to ensure the success of the walleye young.

A non-native species to Kansas, walleye were first introduced to Kansas waters in the 1960’s through the KDWPT walleye culture program. In addition to walleye, KDWPT also artificially produces bluegill, channel catfish, crappie,largemouth bass, redear sunfish, sauger, saugeye, smallmouth bass, striped bass, and wipers.

KDWPT also operates hatcheries located at Farlington and Meade, as well as a rearing pond at Woodson StateFishing Lake. These hatcheries produce approximately 39.5 million fry, 3.5 million fingerlings, and 385,000 intermediate fish each year.

For more information on KDWPT hatcheries, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Fishing/Hatcheries.”

Spring Turkey Hunting Atlas More than Maps

2013 Spring Turkey Hunting Atlas features information valuable to all hunters

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) 2013 Spring Turkey Hunting Atlas is now available. In addition to maps, the 66-page atlas will also feature area contact information, sunrise-sunset tables, cabin locations, and information on Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) areas, making it a must-have for all hunters.

“Nearly 200,000 acres are currently enrolled in the spring WIHA program, so public hunting opportunities abound in Kansas this spring,” said KDWPT private lands coordinator Jake George. “In addition, the spring hunting atlas will look considerably different to those who recall the format used in previous years.”

The new layout will also be used in the Spring 2013 Fishing Atlas and Fall 2013 Hunting Atlas. The long-overdue changes include the addition of a shaded relief backdrop, county road names (where available), stream names and much more.

“It is our hope that the new atlas will make it easier for hunters to get out, locate, and utilize these WIHA tracts,” said George.

Hunters can download an electronic version of the atlas from the KDWPT website, and file downloads that can be loaded onto Garmin GPS units. There are also file downloads for Android and iOS devices that can be used with Google Earth.

The 2013 spring turkey season will begin with the archery and youth/disabled season April 1-9, followed by the regular firearm season April 10-May 31.

2013 Spring turkey permit for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 are available online or at any license vendor through May 30.

Hunters who drew a Unit 4 (southwest Kansas) spring turkey permit earlier this year may also use their Unit 4 permit in adjacent Units 1, 2 and 5.

National Wildlife Week, March 18-24, Celebrates "Branching Out for Wildlife"

Children Learn About the Value of Trees for Wildlife

02-19-2013 // Mary Burnette
Diagram that shows how to assemble the Mega-Poster for National Wildlife Week 2013
National Wildlife Federation (NWF) will be helping children get to the root of things during the 75th annual National Wildlife Week, March 18-24. Families, youth organizations, and communities will be coming together to celebrate the many ways trees help sustain local wildlife and enhance the environment. With a theme of “Branching Out For Wildlife,” the week, sponsored by NWF, will also provide opportunities to restore habitat and re-build communities by planting trees where they can do the most good.
School and youth groups can apply to host a tree plantingwith NWF which will provide native trees adapted to the local climate. The National Wildlife Week website provides a guide to help organize an event by giving step-by-step instructions to ensure that the planted trees grow and thrive. More than 100 events are already being planned across the country including several in the New York metro and New Jersey areas in an effort to restore wildlife habitat destroyed by Superstorm Sandy last year.
NWF’s goal is to plant 75,000 trees to mark the 75th anniversary of National Wildlife Week.
Students and teachers will benefit from the many online resources developed by NWF to celebrate the week, including lesson plans, posters, trading cards and after-school activities.
“Children love learning about wildlife and their habitat. National Wildlife Week will inspire educators and caregivers to take their kids outdoors to explore the natural world, plant trees, and learn the important ways trees contribute to a healthy environment,” said Kevin Coyle, VP of Education and Training for the National Wildlife Federation.

To learn more about National Wildlife Week, download the Branching Out poster or access lesson plans, Visit
http://www.nwf.org/National-Wildlife-Week.aspx

K-16 Teacher Workshop: World Environment (Workshop)

Registration required: [email protected] Join KU International Area Studies Centers for a day of education, activities, and curriculum development featuring lectures on environmental issues from around the world. This opportunity is FREE for educators. The afternoon activities will include: Using Art in conversations about global environmental concerns with the Spencer Museum of Art, and How to use the panorama at the Natural History Museum to teach about a wide range of environmental topics from water to climate change.
Contact: 4-4248, [email protected]
Department: Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies

Happy Birthday, National Wildlife Refuge System!

Happy Birthday, National Wildlife Refuge System! Scores of national wildlife refuges will host open houses and public celebrations in honor of the Refuge System’s 110th birthday on Thursday, March 14.

On this date in 1903, President Teddy Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge on Florida‘sPelican Island to protect wild birds from bounty hunters. Today, the Refuge System’s 561 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts provide vital habitat for thousands of animal and plant species.

Use the “Find Your Refuge” feature on the Refuge System homepage to see if your local refuge has an event scheduled. Go to http://www.fws.gov/refuges/.

Kansas State Parks to Host Saturday (March 9th) Open Houses

Free entrance at all Kansas state parks, along with special events for the family

On Saturday, Mar. 9, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will host a free entrance day and open houses at all state parks. Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of events at most parks.

During the open houses, park visitors can take advantage of low, off-season camping permit prices. Mar. 31 is the last day annual camping permits are priced at off-season discounts. On Apr. 1, the prices increase to their regular prime-season levels. Visitors can purchase annual camping permits and make cabin or campsite reservations during the open houses, as well. For pricing information, or to purchase permits online, go to the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com. For online permit purchases, click the License/Permits icon. For campsite and cabin reservations, click the Reservations icon.

Kansas motor vehicle owners can now buy an annual park vehicle permit as part of their vehicle registration process. The permit – called a Kansas State Parks Passport – will cost $15.00 (county treasurers can elect to add a $0.50 service fee). This lower-price, non-transferable permit will be available only during the vehicle registration process at a motor vehicle registration office, through the online vehicle registration site atwww.kswebtags.org or when registering by mail. The Kansas State Parks Passport will expire when the vehicle registration expires a year later.

Park entry is free on March 9, but persons who would like to buy an annual park permit before they register their vehicles can do so at any KDWPT office, Kansas license vendor or through the KDWPT website, and then request a pro-rated refund for the difference in cost after purchasing their Kansas State Parks Passport.

For more information, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “State Parks.”

Paddlefish Spawning Season Offers Big Angling Opportunities

Warmer temperatures give way to a special snagging season

A much-anticipated season for Kansas anglers draws near as paddlefish begin their annual spring spawning run. From Mar. 15-May 15, paddlefish permit-holders can snag up to six of these gentle giants from designated areas on the Neosho and Marais des Cygnes Rivers.

Paddlefish permits, which include six carcass tags, are $12.50 for anglers 16 and older, and $7.50 for youth 15 and younger.

Paddlefish may be taken inside Chetopa and Burlington city parks on the Neosho River, on the Neosho River at Iola downstream from the dam to the city limits, on the Marais des Cygnes River below Osawatomie Dam downstream to a posted boundary, and on the Marais des Cygnes River on the upstream boundary of Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area downstream to the Kansas-Missouri border.

Paddlefish may be snagged using pole and line with not more than two single or treble hooks. Barbless hooks must be used in Chetopa City Park.

Catch and release is allowed in Burlington, Chetopa, and Iola except that once attached to a stringer, a fish becomes part of the daily creel limit. The daily creel limit for paddlefish is two, and the season limit is six. On theMissouri River (season: March 15-April 30), there is a 24-inch minimum length limit. On the Marias des CygnesRiver there is a 34-inch minimum length limit.

Immediately upon harvest, anglers must sign a carcass tag, record the county, date and time of harvest, and attach the tag to the lower jaw of the paddlefish.

Paddlefish caught out of season or in non-snagging areas may be kept only if they are hooked in the mouth.

During this special season, nonsport fish (carp, drum, grass carp, threadfin and gizzard shad, goldfish, gar, suckers including carpsucker and buffalo, goldeye, and bowfin) may also be snagged in waters posted open to paddlefish snagging. There are no limits on nonsport fish.

For information, consult your 2013 Kansas Fishing Regulation Summary, or visit www.ksoutdoors.comand click “Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Paddlefish-Snagging.”

Practice Makes Perfect for Hounds During Running Season

No-kill season allows runners and their dogs to sharpen hunting abilities

Mar. 1, opening day of running season, marks the start of an eight-month-long race as hound enthusiasts and their dogs perfect their furbearer-chasing skills. Through Nov. 1, hunters and their dogs can chase – but not take – bobcats, opossums, raccoons, red fox and gray fox.

Hunters can run furbearers 24 hours daily during running season. A furharvester license is required for all runners.

Because no furbearer may be legally killed or taken during running season, it is illegal for runners to possess any firearms or weapons while pursuing furbearers, however certain exceptions apply.

For additional information on furbearer regulations, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting/Hunting-Regulations/Furbearers.”

Ted Beringer Awarded KWF President’s Award

Ted Beringer is presented the President’s Award by Troy Schroeder for exceptional service as a Kansas Wildlife Federation board member in Development & Management of the KWF Web Site.

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