Daily Archives: September 17, 2014

2014 Dove Hunting in Kansas

Kansas hunting license and HIP permit required to hunt doves

Dove season is almost here and with more than 45 locations across the state with public dove hunting sites available, there’s no shortage of opportunities for hunters. From Sept. 1 – Oct. 31 and Nov. 1-9, hunters can hunt mourning, white-winged, Eurasian-collared, and ringed turtle doves with a valid hunting license and Kansas HIP permit.

This year, 39 wildlife areas will have fields managed for public dove hunting. Dove fields are often planted with sunflowers or other dove-attracting crop and can be teeming with doves on opening day. Locations include the following:

Region 1

Brzon, Cedar Bluff, Glen Elder, Jamestown, Norton, Webster, and Wilson.

Region 2

Kansas River Wildlife Area, Perry, Clinton, Milford, Clay/Dickinson County WIHA, Hillsdale, Rutlader, Elwood, Benedictine Bottoms, Oak Mills, Bolton, Jeffrey Energy Center, and Tuttle Creek.

Region 3

Concannon, Cheyenne Bottoms, SandsageBisonRange and Wildlife Area, and TexasLake.

Region 4

Byron Walker, Cheney, Kaw, Marion, McPhersonValley Wetlands, El Dorado, and Council Grove.

Region 5

Berentz-Dick (Buffalo Ranch), Fall River, Hollister, Mined Land, Toronto, ElkCity, Melvern, and Woodson.

Special rules may apply to the aforementioned properties. For more detailed information on each location, visitwww.ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting/Migratory Birds/Doves.”

Wildlife areas and dove fields designated as “non-toxic shot only” require the use of non-toxic shot, such as steel. For a complete list of non-toxic shot only sites, consult the 2014 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary.

The daily bag limit is 15 and applies to mourning and white-winged doves, single species or in combination. There is no limit on Eurasian collared and ringed turtle dove, but any taken in addition to a limit of mourning and white-winged doves must have a fully-feathered wing attached during transport for identification purposes. Possession limit is 45.

Electronic Daily Hunt Permits Required at Some Wildlife Areas

Free hunt permits help managers optimize opportunities

Beginning Sept. 1, 2014, hunters using select Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism-managed wildlife areas will be able to get their free daily hunt permits electronically. Kansas hunters are accustomed to obtaining free daily hunting permits at some public wildlife areas around the state. The cards, which were available at parking lot kiosks, provided area managers with valuable information about hunting pressure, harvests and hunter preference. The information helps managers maximize hunting opportunities on our limited public lands. However, filling out the top portion of the card in the dark before an early-morning hunt and remembering to fill out and return the bottom portion after the hunt wasn’t always convenient for hunters.

The new electronic daily hunt permit system, hosted by iSportsman, will be in use at the following wildlife areas beginning Sept. 1: Jamestown, Lovewell, Clinton, Elwood, Kansas River, Milford, Cheyenne Bottoms, TexasLake, Isabel, McPherson Wetlands, Slate Creek Wetlands, Neosho, Melvern and Lyon. A similar system is already in use at FortRiley.

The Kansas iSportsman system is open now, and hunters planning to hunt any of these areas can register for an account at any time by logging on to https://kdwpt.isportsman.net. Upon completing the registration, hunters will obtain their General Access Permit. Once a hunter has registered and obtained a General Access Permit, he or she can log on or call in before they plan to hunt to “check in.” After they’ve finished hunting, the hunter logs on or calls in to report harvest and “check out.” Hunters can check in and out from any computer, smart phone, cell phone or landline.

This new system will be more convenient for hunters and provide harvest information in a much more efficient manner. Information gathered will continue to be used by managers to provide high-quality opportunities for hunters and manage public lands responsibly. For more information call (620) 672-5911 or visit https://kdwpt.isportsman.net.

Crawford State Park to host country music jamboree Sept. 27

Live music begins at 3:30 p.m. and will continue through the night

Camping, chili, and country music – what more could you ask for? Thanks to the Friends of Crawford State Park, all this and more will be part of a one-night event, Sept. 27 at CrawfordState Park’s Oak Point Campground. CrawfordState Park is located just nine miles north of Girard on K-7. The first event of the day will be a chili cook-off beginning at 12 p.m. with a cook’s meeting, followed by cooking from 12:30 to 4 p.m., judging at 4 p.m., tasting session at 4:30 p.m., and awards at 5:30 p.m. There is a $20 entry fee for anyone wanting to enter the chili contest.

Following the cook-off, an “end of the season” campers’ pot luck will take place at 6:30 in the back of the campground amphitheater. Those interested in staying are asked to bring a covered side dish as spaghetti red (chili) will be provided.

Apart from good eats, park goers can also enjoy the park’s Country Music Jamboree beginning at 3:30 p.m. and running through the night. A host of local musical acts including The Duling Band, Jeff Simpson, Kinley Rice, and Jason Richison will perform.

The Duling’s are a local legend and part of a musical family that have entertained for over 50 years. The variety they bring to the stage is sure to please young and old.

Jeff Simpson, a resident of Cherokee, has been performing blues and jazz harmonica for the past 17 years. He is a regular with several area country, bluegrass, and classic rock bands.

Kinley Rice, a 15-year-old country singer from FortScott, is currently a regular on TV’s “Kelly’s Kountry Junction.” Her musical influences are Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Hank Williams, and many other country legends.

Jason Richison, another FortScott resident, will perform classic country music with energy and an edgy guitar. He is also a member of the Fort Scott Jubilee Hot Band and lead guitarist for Kelly’s Kountry Junction television program.

Campsites will be available and can be reserved by visiting ReserveAmerica.com.

For more information on the chili cook-off, contact Kevin Smith at (620) 362-3237, or by e-mail at[email protected].

To reach the CrawfordState Park office, call (620) 362-3671.