Monthly Archives: August 2013

2013 Duck and Goose Seasons Set

Goose daily bag limits increased; possession limits for ducks and geese increased

 

The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission listened to department staff recommendations and comments from waterfowl hunters before approving the 2013 duck and goose seasons during a public hearing held in YatesCenter on August 1. Summer breeding bird surveys show most species well above long-term averages, and with good to excellent nesting habitat conditions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provided liberal season frameworks. Waterfowl hunters may be surprised to learn that the daily bag limit for teal during the early teal season was increased from four to six, the daily bag limit for Canada geese was increased from 3 to 6 and the daily bag limit for light geese was increased from 20 to 50. Possession limits for ducks and geese were increased from twice the daily bag limit to three times the daily bag limit. The Commission approved the following waterfowl hunting seasons:

High Plains Duck Zone: Oct. 5-Dec. 2, 2013 AND Dec. 21, 2013-Jan. 26, 2014. Youth: Sept. 28-29, 2013

Low Plains Early Duck Zone: Oct. 5-Dec. 1, 2013 AND Dec. 21, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014. Youth: Sept. 28-29, 2013

Low Plains Late Zone: Oct. 26-Dec. 29, 2013 AND Jan. 18-Jan. 26, 2014. Youth: Oct. 19-20, 2013

Low Plains Southeast Zone: Nov. 2-3, 2013 AND Nov. 16, 2013-Jan. 26, 2014. Youth: Oct. 26-27, 2013

Duck bag limit: Six ducks, including no more than 5 mallards, of which only 2 may be hens; 2 redheads; 3 wood ducks; 3 scaup; 2 pintails; and 2 canvasbacks. Possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

White-fronted geese: Oct. 26-Dec. 29, 2013 AND Feb. 1-Feb. 9, 2014. Daily bag limit: 2. Possession limit is 6.

Canadageese: Oct. 26-Nov. 3, 2013 and Nov. 6, 2013-Feb. 9, 2014. Daily bag limit on Canadageese: 6. Possession limit: 18.

Light geese: Oct. 26-Nov. 3, 2013 and Nov. 6, 2013-Feb. 9, 2014. Daily bag limit: 50. No limit on possession

Light Goose Conservation Order: Feb 10-April 30, 2014. No bag or possession limit.

To view a map of duck zones and to see all 2013 hunting seasons go to www.ksoutdoors.com, click on “Hunting” then “When to Hunt.” 

Kansas BASS Nation 2013 Youth 2man Team State Championship

The top eight youth teams showed up at CouncilGrove CityLakeon July 28 for the Kansas BASS Nation Youth 2man Team State Championship. From the first Qualifying tournament held on Cedar Valley Lake near Garnett, Kansas were Robert McNutt and Tate Galloway; Nick Luna and Cole Miller (Cole could not make the State Championship); Austin Clements and Clayton Gerbranct; and Logan Folse and Cole Tullis. From the second Qualifying tournament held on Wilson Reservoir were Andrew Almquist and Daniel Wiens; DaltonRoberts and Ethan Fulmer; Zach Vielhauer and Travis Eckstrom; and Connor Nimrod (fishing by himself).

While July can be a hot, humid month, the day of the championship saw a cold front move through. The high temperature of the day was 68 degrees. Couple that with rain the entire day long, and it seems the fish just did not know what to do. Another issue for the anglers was the fact that the lake has a 13” to 18” slot limit. Only fish shorter than 13” or longer than 18” could be brought to the scales.

At the weigh in it was evident that the weather and the slot limit made for a tough day; although all the teams did get to bring fish to the scales. The top four places all got medals; the winning team also got plaques and will receive KBN Youth State Champion jackets. In addition there was a Big Bass Award, and a Second Big Bass Award.

In fourth was the team of Robert McNutt and Tate Galloway with 2.84 pounds. Third place went to Austin Clements and Clayton Gerbrandt with 3.63 pounds. Second place, fishing by himself, was Connor Nimrod with 4.24 pounds.

The Kansas BASS Nation 2013 Youth 2man TeamState Champions are Nick Luna and Cole Miller. Even though Cole couldn’t make the tournament, his partner Nick Luna won the event with 4.80 pounds.

The Second Big Bass Award went to the team of Dalton Roberts and Ethan Fulmer with 2.59 pounds. They received a selection of soft plastics and their boater/coach received a gallon of Mercury oil.

The Big Bass Ward went to Connor Nimrod with 3.80 pounds. He received a collection of items donated by Cabela’s, including two spools of Cabela’s Pro line monofilament, six Cabela’s Pork Chop crank baits and two packages of Cabela’s Go-to plastic worms. Connor’s boater/coach received a gallon of Mercury oil and a bottle of Eagle One Wax-as-U-Dry.

Once again thanks go to the McPherson youth bass club for providing the tournament staff with a nice meal of hamburgers, beans, chips and brownies.

Thanks also go to Joel Porter, the KBN Tournament Director, and KBN State Team Member Matthew Waller for their help with the weigh in.

Thanks to all this year’s anglers, parents, family, youth leaders, volunteers, and boater/coaches. Without all your support none of this could be possible.

Don’t forget the KBN Open Youth Team Tournament on September 8 at Wilson Reservoir. Go to the Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation’s website at www.ksbassnation.com to learn more about the organization and Open Youth Team Bass tournament.

STEVE HARPER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

One of the best-known Kansans of his time, Steve Harper left his mark on Kansas through photographs and words. During his career, he was a photojournalism instructor at WichitaStateUniversity, the Wichita Eagle’s photography editor and eventually, the newspaper’s outdoors writer and photographer.

            Steve’s trademark works were photographs and articles working together on the natural beauty of Kansas. His series in the Eagle on Kansas day trips led to the publication of his popular book, “83,000 square Miles, No Lines, No Waiting,” His outdoor page was several times voted the best of its kind in the nation.

            Sadly, Steve died of cancer on February 6, 2000, at the age of 55 in the same Newton house where he had grown up and raised three daughters.

            The Harper Memorial Scholarship was started at the suggestion of Governor Bill Graves, among others, as a way to honor Steve’s dedication to Kansans and serving the Kansasoutdoors.

            The scholarship is sponsored and funded by the Outdoors Writers of Kansas, a group of Steve’s friends and assorted journalists, photographers and artists dedicated to sharing the greatness of the Kansasoutdoors through print, broadcast and online markets. For more information on the group, go to www.outdoorwritersofkansas.com. The Kansas Wildscape Foundation is also assisting with the funding and administration.

            As Steve would have wished, the scholarship is presented to Kansas youth pursuing wildlife or nature-based careers at Kansas colleges, with Kansas-based career goals.

            An excellent judge of character, Steve put as much stock in a person’s initiative and accomplishments as academic successes. The scholarship committee will give equal  consideration to all three qualifications.

            Eligibility –

            Scholarships are available to any graduating senior enrolled in a Kansas high school that plans to attend a four-year college or university in Kansasand study wildlife or nature-based curriculum including outdoor journalism. Also eligible are university students enrolled in a wildlife or nature-based curriculum.

            Scholarship award recipients are selected without regard to race, color, religion, or sex.

Applicant chosen as the recipient of this scholarship will be required to show proof of full time enrollment (minimum of 12 credit hours) in order to receive the scholarship funds.

            The Kansas Wildscape Foundation will be assisting in the scholarship administration where scholarship application and additional information can be requested from Debbie Brandt, Director of Administration, at [email protected]or 785-843-9453. Michael Pearce, Outdoors Writer for the Wichita Eagle and Chairman of the Steve Harper Scholarship Committee for the Outdoor Writers of Kansas, can be reached at [email protected]with further questions.

            Applications for the scholarship are available at Kansas’s high schools on or before March 1 of each year. The completed application and supporting documents must be returned to on or before April 15 to the following address:

KansasWildscape Foundation

Attn: Outdoor Writers of Kansas Steve Harper Scholarship

2500

W. 6th St.

, Suite G

Lawrence, KS66049

            A letter of recommendation must accompany the application. The letter of recommendation may be from a teacher, counselor, coach or employer. Those hoping for careers writing about or photographing wildlife or nature should send examples of their work.