Blog

KWF Members May Submit Their Best Photos

The Kansas Wildlife Federation website will begin posting high quality photos submitted by its members in a special album in our Photo Gallery. Photos considered for posting must highlight wildlife, natural resources or recreational activities that characterize Kansas. Please submit your best photos in jpeg format to [email protected].
Photos may be submitted for consideration at any time; there is no deadline. We will begin posting them as soon as October 15th, 2012 and for as long as members wish to submit them. Each photographer will be given appropriate acknowledgement in the Members Photos Album in our Photo Gallery. We ‘re looking forward to seeing what you have photographed.

2012 Fall Forestry Field Day Friday, October 19th

This year the Kickapoo Tribe will host the Fall Forestry Field Day on their Pow Wow grounds located immediately west of Horton. The Tribe has been in its present area since the 1832 Treaty of Castor Hill. The reservation’s current size of 19,200 acres.

Since the reservation sits on a rock formation which blocks access to groundwater, water shortages have been an issue for the Tribe which uses the Delaware River as its water source. Consequently, a large focus of the Fall Forestry Field Day will be the important role trees play in sustaining water quality and quantity.

The day will begin with a welcome from Tribal Chair, Steve Cadue, followed by ceremonial prayer, and an overview of the natural resources management of the reservation by Curtis Simon. There are also rumors that Smokey Bear may make a personal appearance!

The Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Forestry Association, Kansas Tree Farm Committee, and the Kansas Chapter of the Walnut Council place a lot of value in recognizing woodland owners who are good stewards of their forest resources. At the field day, these landowner service-oriented groups will collectively recognize Paul Dean and his family as the 2012 Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year. The Dean’s have done an exceptional job managing the rangeland and woodlands on their Greenwood County Tree Farm through tree planting, timber harvests, timberstand improvement projects, and native grass buffer establishment. Paul has also milled logs left over from timber harvests, dried the lumber in a kiln he built, and utilized the wood in a variety of projects. Additionally, Paul has donated his legal expertise as a lawyer to assist the Kansas Forestry Association with their articles of incorporation as a non-profit. One of the great benefits of the field day is the venue it provides for woodland owners to swap information about successful projects, lessons learned, and experiences with forestry consultants, loggers, and all the players necessary for forest management.

Featured at the field day will be a successful streambank restoration project on the Delaware Riverwhere bank loss from erosion was threatening the Kickapoo Pow Wow grounds. This project reformed the “U” shaped stream channel to a gentler slope, placing rock at the toe (the point where the streambed joins the streambank). Rock “veins” were also built into the channel to deflect flow from the streambank and to trap sediment. Willow cuttings and some trees were also planted to assist with stabilization. Marlene Bosworth, Delaware River Water Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) Coordinator, and Phil Balch, a nationally recognized expert in stream restoration, will lead a discussion about stream restoration techniques, local water quality issues, and solutions for addressing them.

Knowing how to successfully plant trees and shrubs can save a lot of heartache and wasted resources. Luke Terry, Environmental Director of the Kickapoo Tribe and consulting forester, will lead a session on appropriate tree planting techniques and considerations.  

For many people, understanding the basics of tree identification is the first step to caring for woodlands and trees. Dr. Charles Barden, Kansas State University Research and Extension Forester, will walk participants through the woods while offering helpful tips on identifying Kansas trees.

Managing woodlands and grasslands to provide the best habitat possible for wildlife is often a primary goal for many woodland owners. Holly Wilkins, Pheasants Forever Biologist, will teach participants how to assess the quality of wildlife habitat and suggest practices that can make a better home for the animals they want to see.

Native Kansas trees are an underutilized resource. Portable bandsaws can produce a variety of wood products that might otherwise have little or no commercial value. Kansas Forest Service foresters will offer a sawmill demonstration, explain appropriate uses of Kansas native woods, and how harvesting can actually sustain the health of a forest.

Knowing how and when to market Kansas timber and the potential value of a standing tree are important considerations for woodland owners who are actively managing their forests. Foresters and loggers will lead discussions on evaluation of log quality, current market values, and methods of attaining fair market value for Kansas timber.

The location of the field day is about 40 miles north of Topeka. Turn east off of U.S. Highway 75 onto Kansas Highway 20 and drive 4 miles to 

Foxtail Road

 which enters the Pow Wow grounds on the north side

Thunder Alley BBQ from Horton will provide a hot lunch and a $12 registration fee is being requested to cover the cost of the meal, refreshments, and other field day expenses. A brochure and additional information may be obtained from the Web at www.kansasforests.org by clicking on Calendar of Events or by calling the Kansas Forest Service at 785-532-3300 or e-mail [email protected].

Let’s Restore Recess – Take Our Survey

                                     Recess for School Children
The National Wildlife Federation is planning a campaign to restore school recess and they need your help! Did you know that 9 million kids don’t have daily school recess? Recess is a daily gateway to nature for children-opportunities to go outside during the school day, feel the sun and wind, and listen for birds!

Please take a few minutes to take this survey to tell us what you think about recess and help us to name the campaign. Go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FXR232R  

Kansas Fall Turkey Season Opens October 1

Chance for Thanksgiving wild turkey dinner

The fall turkey season doesn’t have the tradition or build-up that surrounds the spring turkey season but only because it’s overshadowed by deer, waterfowl and upland bird hunting seasons. Kansasfall turkey hunters enjoy unsurpassed opportunities, in terms of season length, generous bag limits and odds of success.

The fall turkey season opens Oct. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2013, closing during firearm deer seasons. Hunters may hunt with shotguns, 20 gauge or larger using shot size No. 2 or smaller, and archery equipment. There are six Turkey Management Units established for the 2012-2013 season. In the past, the state was divided into four units; however biologists felt that new unit boundaries would allow more precise turkey population management and enhanced hunting opportunities. Unit 4 (southwest) is closed to fall turkey hunting. Hunters may obtain one turkey permit, valid in Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, and hunters who possess a turkey permit may also purchase up to three turkey game tags, which are valid in Units 2, 3, 5 and 6. The turkey permit and turkey game tags each allow the harvest of one hen or tom turkey. Consult the 2012 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary for more information, as well as a map showing the new Turkey Management Units.

Last fall, just more than 8,000 hunters pursued turkeys in Kansas, and more than 30 percent of them took at least one turkey. All units provide excellent hunting opportunities, and the good news is that after several years of poor production and declining numbers, the population in southeast Kansas is rebounding. Many public lands managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, as well as Walk-In Hunting Access lands hold turkeys, so hunters have a variety of choices.

Hunters also have several choices when it comes to the way they hunt fall turkeys. In the spring, only tom turkeys are legal, and most birds are taken when they respond to hunters’ calls imitating a hen. In the fall, there is no breeding activity, so hunters usually stalk birds or set up a point of ambush and hunt from a blind. However, calling can be effective in the fall. A popular hunting technique in regions with more fall turkey hunting tradition is to use a dog to scatter turkey flocks. Once dispersed, the hunter and dog hide quietly for a time. There is safety in numbers for turkeys, and the urge to re-flock is strong. Birds will use a “kee-kee-run” call to regroup, and the hiding hunter can imitate this call to bring a bird within shotgun or bow range. Dogs are not allowed during the spring season.

Whatever the technique, fall turkey hunting can be a break from the more traditional fall pursuits, as well as an exciting adventure. And those who’ve tried it will testify that roasted wild turkey is a welcome addition to the Thanksgiving table.

Monster Blue Catfish Certified as Kansas Record

New record blue cat betters old record by more than 8 pounds

After the required 30-day waiting period, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has officially recognized a 102.8-pound blue catfish as a new state record. Rob Stanley, ofOlathe, caught the fish, which bests the former state record blue by more than 8 pounds.

When Stanley hooked into a blue catfish while fishing the Missouri River on August 11, he was pretty sure it was bigger than most he’d caught. Stanley had taken a 70-pounder from the Kansas Riverearlier in the summer, and this fish was showing his heavy tackle surprising power as it bulldogged in the big river’s muddy current.

After a 40-minute battle that required pulling anchor to follow the fish downstream and prevent it from taking all of Stanley’s 80-pound-test line from his reel, Stanley and his boat partner, Brad Kirkpatrick, realized the fish wouldn’t fit in their over-sized net. They wrestled the monster fish into the boat and immediately weighed it on a digital scale. When it “bottomed-out” the 100-pound scale, Stanley and Kirkpatrick knew they had a special fish.

After calling KDWPT fisheries biologist Andy Jansen, Stanley kept the big cat in an aerated tank near the river. After weighing the fish on certified scales and species confirmation by Jansen, Stanleyreleased the fish back to the Missouri River.

Stanley caught the new state record blue catfish at 5 a.m. using cut bait (Asian carp caught from the river). The fish was 56.75 inches long and had a girth of 39 inches.

            Blue catfish are native to eastern Kansas rivers, and there are historical records of fish weighing more than 100 pounds. However, interest in catching blue catfish has been growing in recent years afterKansas biologists began stocking them into reservoirs. Milford Reservoir, near Junction City, received its first blue catfish stocking in 1990 and has gained a reputation for producing blue cats weighing more than 50 pounds. Some anglers believe the next state record is already swimming in Milford. Other reservoirs stocked with blue catfish include Tuttle Creek, El DoradoClinton, Perry, Melvern, Wilson, Cheney, John Redmond, Kanopolis, Lovewell and Glen Elder. It’s too early to tell if blue cats will thrive and grow in other reservoirs the way they have in Milford, but if they do, anglers better hang on to their rods.

Kansas Forest Service’s 125th Anniversary Open House Oct. 4

 Earlier this year the Kansas Forest Service turned one-hundred twenty five years old. In honor of that milestone event, the Agency is hosting an open house at 

2610 Claflin RoadManhattanKS

 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm Thursday, October 4.

            Planned educational activities and demonstrations include:

♦ experiencing a 75-year-old Ponderosa Pine plantation,

♦ updates on pine wilt and emerald ash borer,

♦ touring the greenhouse and shade house seedling production operation,

♦ seeing a tree planter and weed barrier fabric machine used to plant tree seedlings,

♦ getting an up-close look at a wildfire engine and a wildfire tender truck,

♦ seeing the conversion of logs to lumber via a portable sawmill,

♦ viewing woody biofuels (pellets and bricks), and unique tree species in the Agency’s memorial and honorarium garden,

♦ learning how to properly care for your trees, and

♦ touring a unique hardwood paneled office building,

            Demonstration, tour and discussion start times are 2:30, 3:15, 4:15 and 5:00.

NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant Applications Due October 15

$5 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants Available

for Development of Novel Agricultural Practices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Eric B. Banks, reminds private individuals, tribes, local and state governments and non-governmental organizations that applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are due October 15, 2012.  Apply electronically at www.grants.gov/ or contact the NRCS National CIG office at (703) 235-8065.

Banks said that up to $5 million in grants are available to evaluate and demonstrate agricultural practices that help farmers and ranchers adapt to drought.  NRCS is taking applications for CIGs to help producers build resiliency into their production systems so they can adapt to climatic extremes, such as the historic drought impacting the nation.

            NRCS is offering the grants to partnering entities to evaluate innovative, field-based conservation technologies and approaches.  These technologies and/or approaches should lead to improvements such as enhancing the water-holding capacity in soils and installing drought-tolerant grazing systems, which will help farms and ranches become more resilient to drought.

            “Severe drought conditions across the U.S. have greatly impacted the livelihood of our farmers and ranchers,” said NRCS Chief Dave White.  “Conservation Innovation Grants allow us to generate and deploy as soon as possible cutting-edge ideas that help farmers and ranchers run sustainable and profitable operations.”

            Funds will be awarded through a competitive grants process for projects lasting for one to three years.

            NRCS is especially interested in projects that demonstrate:

♦ Cropping or grazing systems that increase resiliency to drought through improved soil health

♦ Increases in available soil water-holding capacity by enhancing organic matter with reduced tillage, cover crops, and organic amendments

♦ Improvements in water use efficiency for agricultural production

♦ Coordination with NRCS Plant Material Centers in using drought-resistant plants and practices

♦ Recommendations for appropriate nutrient management following an extended drought

♦ Analysis on a regional basis of how agricultural production and conservation systems faired during drought conditions

♦ Agricultural approaches that flourished in low-precipitation areas

♦ Traditional/historical production practices that have proven effective in dealing with drought

♦ Alternative feeding systems for confined animal operations that incorporate novel drought-tolerant feedstocks

♦ Alternative housing or cooling systems for improved energy efficiency and better climate control in confined animal operations

♦ Technologies that reduce water use in confined animal operations

View the complete Announcement of Program Funding at www.grants.gov orhttp://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cig/ NRCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Quail Initiative Field Day

If you are a landowner or land manager interested in improving your property for quail, you should attend the Quail Management Field Day October 20th at the Melvern Wildlife Area shop at Reading. The event starts with a breakfast being served at 8 am. Presentations will include quail biology and management, habitat improvements in the field, and cost share programs available to put quail habitat on your land. There also will be a demonstration of a tree saw and clipper. The event should end around noon.

The event is presented by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Registration is required so they have enough food! Call 620-342-0658 by October 16 for reservations.

The event is mostly designed to introduce landowners within the KDWPT Kansas Quail Initiative northern focal area to this new program. However, presenters will discuss general quail biology and management and also look at some of the practices used at Melvern Wildlife Area to improve quail habitat, so area constituents may be interested in attending.

Sponsors of the event include: Emporia Chapter of Upland Wildlife FederationNeosho Valley Chapter of Quail ForeverNatural Resources Conservation ServiceOsage County Conservation DistrictCoffey County Conservation DistrictLyon County Conservation DistrictMelvern Lake Watershed Restoration & ProtectionNational Wild Turkey FederationFlint Hills NWR – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and Reed Company LLC of Lebo.

October 1 Deadline for Fall/Winter Special Hunt Applications

Nearly 300 Kansas special hunts are available by drawing for fall 2012; October 1 deadline

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Special Hunts Program offers a variety of limited hunts, many designed to introduce youth and novices to hunting in an uncrowded setting with opportunity for success. About 300 special hunts are available.

The application period for November, December, and January special hunts runs through 9 a.m. on Oct. 1, with drawing results emailed by Oct. 5. Special hunts will be conducted in all regions of the state on both public and private land. The hunts are located on KDWPT managed lands, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed lands and some WIHA properties.

Not all special hunts are for youth or novices. Many are open to all hunters, and each special hunt targets specific game species, including doves, upland game, waterfowl, and deer. Hunts on public lands are typically on refuges and state parks where access is limited to a few opportunities each year.

Specifically, there are three categories of hunts: open, youth, and mentor. Open hunts are available to all hunters. Youth hunts require parties to include at least one youth 15 or younger who must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Some youth hunts may have more specific age requirements, and adults may not hunt. Mentor hunts are open to both youth and/or inexperienced hunters who are supervised by a licensed adult 18 or older (mentor). A mentor is a licensed hunter 18 years or older who supervises and/or participates in a hunt restricted to youth or novice hunters. Some hunts require the supervising adult to be 21 years or older.

Many veteran hunters find new satisfaction in serving as mentors, introducing a relative, friend, or neighbor to the wonder of the hunt in a wildlife-rich setting. Parents or grandparents may take children or grandchildren who have never hunted but show an interest. Mentors and novices do not have to be related.

Hunter Education is not required for youth 15 and younger accompanied by an adult 18 or older. However, persons 16 and older who do not have hunter education may purchase a one-time-deferral apprentice hunting license, which exempts them from the hunter education requirement through the calendar year in which it is purchased. All hunters 16 and older need a valid Kansas hunting license.

For more detailed information or to apply, go online to ksoutdoors.com. Click “Hunting/Special Hunts.” Those who do not have computer access may apply by telephone at 620-672-0791.

Drought Affects Kansas Trees

Extreme drought causes early onset of fall color; resource damage expected

The Kansas drought is impacting all native habitat elements, including those normally most resistant – trees. Currently, more than 88 percent of the state falls into “extreme” or “exceptional” drought, causing visible damage and unusual conditions in timber resources. Onset of fall color is at least a month early, and many weakened trees may die over the next few years.

Katie Dhungel, District Forester based in Iola for the Kansas State Forest Service, is receiving numerous calls about residential and forest trees. “The color we’re seeing right now is an indication that trees are suffering. It’s actually somewhat muted compared to real fall color. Some trees are simply scorched with leaves turning brown. In others, drought has caused an abnormal early shutdown, so that secondary leaf pigments are simulating fall color.”

Making matters worse, recent rains have reversed this confused growth cycle in some locations, so that new leaves are actually shooting out. New growth may not have time to mature and harden against coming cold weather, which will further weaken the trees.

A return to more normal precipitation will help, but drought-damaged trees will be vulnerable to insect and disease problems. Tree mortality will certainly occur, with native trees like hackberry, maples, and oaks on sunny, exposed hillsides most at risk. Should the drought continue, tree damage will be worse.

“I expect a lot of calls early next year,” says Dhungel. The worst drought-stricken trees will probably try to leaf out and then die in early summer.”

All of Kansas is affected, though current tree problems are most noticeable in the state’s eastern third, where trees are abundant. Hardest-hit areas are the southern half of this region, with slightly-better soil moisture conditions occurring north and east.