Daily Archives: April 14, 2016

Free entrance at Kansas State Parks April 23

Soak up the sun, hike a trail, build a craft, enter a 5K, shoot some archery – whatever floats your boat, chances are you’ll be able to enjoy it at a Kansas state park on April 23 during the 2016 Open House event and the best part is, it may only cost you the gas it takes to get there.

In an effort to showcase the many exciting and fun times that can be had at Kansas state parks, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will host a free entrance day and open houses at all state parks on April 23. Visitors do not need to pay to enter the park on that day, and staff will be available to answer questions and give tours.

For details on what will be offered at each park, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “State Parks,” then “State Park’s Open House.”

Events are still being added, so be sure to check www.ksoutdoors.com  again at a later time for the most up-to-date information.

Kansas Bowhunters Association seeking volunteers for Conservation Day

Hunters understand the vital role quality habitat plays in the conservation of Kansas’ wildlife, and while Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism staff work diligently to provide the best habitat possible, partners are always appreciated. That’s why members of the Kansas Bowhunters Association invite anyone with an interest in improving our wildlife areas to join them for a Conservation Day at Milford State Park, Saturday, April 16. Volunteers from across the state will work together to complete a variety of outdoor projects to benefit wildlife, sportsmen and outdoor recreationalists, alike.

Volunteers are asked to wear clothing appropriate for working outdoors, bring food and drinks, and pack any garden tools or equipment they feel might be helpful.

The group will be camping near the Eagle Ridge Shelter. For information on camping, contact the Milford State Park office at (785) 238-3014.

If event is cancelled due to weather, it will be rescheduled for Saturday, April 23.

For more information, contact Greg Babcock at (785) 531-1829 or [email protected].

Volunteers do not have to pay a state park entry fee to participate.

Kansas Herpetological Society to host field trip at Clark State Fishing Lake

Members of the Kansas Herpetological Society (KHS) will be spending a weekend at Clark State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area, 8 miles south of Kingsdown, to conduct a hands-on survey of reptiles and amphibians. Anyone interested is invited to participate in this fun and educational event. The field trip will take place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 and pick back up from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Sunday, May 1. While some KHS members may gather as early as Friday evening, participants are welcome to stay for as much or as little as they desire. KHS membership is not required to participate.

Everyone attending should meet at the Clark State Fishing Lake group campsite (signs will be posted) at 9 a.m. While most specimens observed and counted during the KHS field trip will be released, select specimens will be collected by individuals with current Kansas Scientific Collecting Permits and kept for deposition in research collections at accredited institutions. Field trip participants wishing to assist in this research effort are encouraged to donate their specimens to those individuals qualified to receive them.

For more information on this event, visit the KHS Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/ksherp/, or contact Travis Taggart at (785) 650-2445 or [email protected].

Have fun, learn, and win at Great Migration Rally

Fly over to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center’s (KWEC)Great Migration Rallyfrom 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 30 to learn about migratory birds. Oh yeah, there will be prizes and food, too. Starting at KWEC, visitors will choose a card featuring a migratory bird worth points for prizes. They will then set off on their “migration,” driving through Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve, visiting various stations. At stops along the way, participants will receive situational cards, describing hazards or advantages encountered by “their” bird that subtract or add points. Several area businesses, artists and organizations have generously donated great prizes for those who migrate the most successfully with the highest point totals.

“It’s an event to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day,” said Curtis Wolf, KWEC manager. “The concept is to provide information about hazards birds face during migration with a fun and entertaining approach.”

This year’s Rally features Falconer Nate Mathews and his golden eagle, Isaiah. Mathews, currently the only falconer in Kansas hunting with an eagle, will share the remarkable story of Isaiah’s capture, training, loss and recovery.

Top prizes for adults are a WASPcam action-sport camera, Jansport backpack and binoculars and for the kids, a two-person tent, a pair of binoculars and fishing kit. Additional prizes include, sleeping bags, tent chairs, fishing poles, artwork, lanterns, head lamps and gift certificates from restaurants, hotels and other businesses.

Attendees will also be treated to a research drone demonstration, see Kansas birds of prey up close, make crafts, get a bird tattoo and learn about bird banding.

At two stops in Cheyenne Bottoms, visitors may use binoculars and spotting scopes to view migrating birds and discover the food they eat at a sampling station. Saints Peter and Paul Church will open for tours as the third stop on the “migration.”

At the migration destination, Camp Aldrich, Mathews and Isaiah provide their presentation, and dinner will be served before prizes are awarded.

Tickets are $5.50 for adults, $3 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under age 5. Pre-register online at wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu or by calling the KWEC, 1-877-243-9268, by April 22.