Daily Archives: February 8, 2016

Participants needed for Great Backyard Bird Count

In lieu of conducting the Kansas Winter Bird Feeder Survey this year, bird watchers around the state are asked to participate in the national Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) taking place Friday, Feb. 12 – Monday, Feb. 15. The GBBC is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all skill levels in counting birds from any location for as little as 15 minutes on one or more days of the event. Bird watchers can then report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org.

It’s free, fun and participants can feel good about playing an important role in the management and conservation of numerous bird species. Each submitted checklist provides valuable data to researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, as well as experts in other conservation organizations, who interpret those results to learn more about how birds are doing and how we can better protect them and their habitats.

For more information, visit www.birdcount.org.

Enjoy prime land access for Spring Turkey through Special Hunts

 

It’s hard to beat hunting turkeys during the spring season in Kansas. Weather has warmed up, birds are active and on the move, and it’s the start of a new hunting season. But what if there was a way to top this? There is. Try adding special access to quality lands not normally open to hunting, and it wouldn’t cost you a penny. If you think this sounds like a pipe dream, chances are, you aren’t familiar with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s Special Hunts Program. Special Hunts provide access to public and private lands that are not open to unrestricted public access. There’s no fee to apply, the draw is open to residents and nonresidents, and opportunities abound, with 160 individual permits and 79 special hunts available for spring turkey this year. Applications are being accepted through 9 a.m. on Feb. 29. To apply, and to obtain detailed information on all available hunts, visit ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Special-Hunts-Information.

 

Out of the 79 hunts available, 29 are open hunts (open to all), 19 are mentor hunts (both beginner and mentor may hunt), and 31 are youth hunts (youth hunt only). These hunts will occur on nine separate land parcels spanning five counties, five wildlife areas, two city and county properties, one state park, and one national wildlife refuge.

 

Successful applicants will be notified shortly after the random drawing has occurred. Special Hunts only provides access, so hunters must still purchase all licenses and permits required by law.

 

For information on other spring turkey hunting opportunities, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting” and “Turkey Information.”

Become a Certified Angler Instructor

Most of us have had a mentor at some point in our lives who inspired us, taught us, and delighted in our successes. It’s a wonderful thing, but not everyone is so lucky, especially when it comes to having an outdoor mentor. By becoming a volunteer certified angler instructor through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s Angler Education program, you’ll not only have an avenue for sharing your passion for angling with others, but you too, could be someone’s mentor. To get you started, a certification course will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Feb. 20 at Flint Hills Technical College, 3301 W 18th Ave., Emporia, in conference rooms A, B, and C. There is no cost to participate.

Topics covered will include current fishing regulations, species identification, fishing ethics, equipment, knot-tying, casting, fish habitat, aquatic nuisance species, and conservation practices. In addition to becoming certified, anglers will also receive sample curriculums and tips for preparing a class.

To register for this class, and to learn more, visit fishingsfuture.org/node/459/register or contact Phil Taunton at (620) 794-5373 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Participants must be 18 years old and pass a background check.

National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic

Kansas City Convention Center – February 19-21

Whatever your passion – whether it’s pheasants or quail, conservation, bird dogs, shooting, cooking, wild game, or passing on our hunting heritage to the next generation, 2016 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic has something for you.

Space is filling up fast! Purchase your All Access Pass Today and receive:

  • Show badge for full weekend admission to show floor and seminars
  • Friday’s Bird Hunter’s Banquet with live entertainment from top rated Johnny

Cash tribute artist Gary West

  • Saturday’s Convention Lunch with featured speaker Howard Vincent,

President & CEO of Pheasants Forever, Inc & Quail Forever

  • Saturday night’s Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic Banquet featuring Dot

Records recording artist Drake White

Go to www.PheasantFest.org for full details of the event and purchase your tickets.