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Youth Shooting Camp

Geary County Fish and Game Association is putting together a Youth Shooting Camp on Saturday, September 8 at the GCFGA headquarters at 3922 K-244 Spur atJunction City (near Milford Reservoir). The camp will run from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Events include: shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader, archery and issues on conservation. Lunch will be provided. The camp is limited to 25 youth, ages 12-16, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pre-registration is required no later than August 30th. Call Dan Hammond at 913-240-3512.

Cedar Bluff Reservoir Largemouth Bass Tips


Largemouth Bass Tips at Cedar Bluff for Current Conditions from FISHINGNOTES.COM:
Largemouth bass fishing is going to be pretty slow at 84 degree water temperature. Bass will start moving much slower and feeding less aggressively until the water temperature starts to get back down to comfortable levels. When the water temperature is up this high, it’s time to get out fishing early and late in the day when the sun is not on the water. When you can get out for the entire day, it’s a great time to fish some deeper water. Many large bass are taken this time of year since bass fishermen typically gets out deeper and fish slower with larger baits. Like any other time of year, the slower you fish with bigger baits on the deep drops and river channels, the better chance you have at a lunker. This is a great time to catch a trophy. Good luck out there today!

2012 NWTF Kansas State JAKES Camp

The National Wild Turkey Federation will hold their 2012 Kansas State JAKES CampSeptember 15th & 16th at CampAlexander, near Emporia.  The cost of the event is $20 for JAKES members, $30 for non-JAKES members, and $20 for adults.  Youth 17 years of age and younger get to select from 15 activities to participate which includes fishing, first aid in the field, air rifle, small game animals, arts & crafts, nature hikes & birding, firearms handling & safety, shotgun live fire, turkey calling, archery, “World of Sporting Dogs,” GPS, JAKES Take Aim range, and “Calls of the Wild.” 

Ralph Duren, two-time Grand National turkey calling champion will present “Calls of the Wild” and will entertain campers later around the campfire Saturday night.  Youth attending can participate in the 3rd AnnualNWTFKansasState youth turkey calling contest Saturday evening.  Attendees may choose to tent campSaturday night or elect to commute both days.  Top-notch meals will be provided both days.  Last year’s Kansas State JAKES Camp was awarded the NWTF “Best State JAKES Event” at this year’s NWTF National Convention in Nashville, TN.

For more information or a registration form, contact Gib Rhodes at 620-437-2012.

House Leadership Pulls Extension of Current Farm Bill Vote

 

New Bill Being Prepared

Late Tuesday night, July 31, House leadership pulled a vote on extending the current Farm Bill for one year, in favor of working a disaster assistance bill to help farmers and ranchers hard hit by the nation’s drought. 

“My priority remains to get a five-year farm bill on the books and put those policies in place,” said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.). “But the most pressing business before us is to provide disaster assistance to those producers impacted by the drought conditions who are currently exposed. The House is expected to consider a disaster assistance package on Thursday.”

While the path of the new Farm Bill is less clear,  it appears that  Congress was increasingly uncomfortable heading home for the August recess without in some way addressing aide to drought stricken livestock and crop producers in their states. But now the door is left open for a House-Senate compromise bill to be worked before the current bill expires September 30.

Article provided by Kansas Rural Center

Westar Energy Youth Dove Hunt Sept. 1-3

 

Labor Day weekend event for youth 16 and younger; registration deadline Aug. 23

The Westar Energy Green Team will host a youth dove hunt at JeffreyEnergyCenter, north of St. Marys, on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-3. Hunts will be on wheat stubble or sunflowers, guided by volunteers in the early morning or late afternoon. Area staff report that the fields are in excellent condition and should provide excellent hunting.

These hunts are a great way for kids 16 and younger to learn dove hunting basics with plenty of birds flying at close range. Youth must bring their own shotguns, be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, and have a license and HIP stamp if age 16. Nontoxic shells will be provided.

Interested hunters or mentors should phone Barb Cornelius at 785-575-8125. Hunters will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and hunts will be scheduled as requests dictate and hunting groups can be formed. The registration deadline is Friday, Aug. 23.

Archery in the Schools Program Training Workshop July 31

Become an instructor for growing archery program

A training workshop for the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) program will be conducted at Kingman schools on Tuesday, July 31, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The workshop will be conducted by Bob Funke, Erika Brooks, and Jesse Gehrt of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). The program is free, and participants will receive Basic NASP Archery Instructor Certification.

            The workshop is sponsored by KDWPT and the Kingman school system. For more information concerning NASP, to pre-register for the workshop, or for information on how to obtain funding to establish this program in your area, phone Bob Funke at 620-431-9898, email[email protected], phone Erika Brooks at 620-672-0770, or email[email protected].

Kansas River Water Trail Dedicated

Kansas River Water Trail Dedicated

The Kansas River Water Trail was officially signed into the National Water Trail system by Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar on Saturday, July 14, 2012 in front of the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, Kansas. 

The Friends of the Kaw and Kansas Riverkeeper worked hard to help realize their goal to make the Kaw a 170 mile linear park.  The Kansas River was the latest to be included in the National Water Trails System that was unveiled by Interior Secretary Salazar in February of 2012. This event may help focus attention on the Kaw that has been included in the top ten list of America’s most endangered rivers by the American Rivers organization. To read comments by Jessie Thomas-Bate the Coordinator of Most Endangered Rivers visit http://www.americanrivers.org/newsroom/blog/jthomas-20120531-making-the-right-decision-for-the-kansas-river.html

Lovewell Fun Day Aug. 4

Run/walk race, mud volleyball, disc golf, log races, much more fun awaits LovewellState Park visitors; pre-registration for many events required

Lovewell State Park staff and Lovewell Marina will conduct the annual Lovewell Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 4. New this year is a 5K run/walk at 7 a.m. Race participants must pre-register by 6:45 a.m. the day of the race. The race will begin at the mud volleyball pit area near Walleye Point. No entry fee is required, and certificates will be awarded for winners in several divisions.

The second event of the day is a disc golf singles tournament at Pioneer Day Use Area. Eighteen holes will be played beginning at 8 a.m. Competitors need to register at the Pioneer Day Use Area by 7:45 a.m., when a $5 entry fee is due. The entry fee will be returned to the first place winner in each of two age divisions: youth (15 and younger) and adult (16 and older).

A co-ed, double-elimination mud volleyball tournament begins at 10 a.m., with a $20 entry fee per team, 10 team limit. Pre-registration for the mud volleyball tournament is requested at the Lovewell State Park Office by Wednesday, Aug. 1. All teams must report at the mud volleyball pits at 9:30 a.m.

Another new event this year is a Kids Sand Pile, for youth ages 10 and younger. This event begins at 11 a.m. at the Pioneer Day Use Area, near the sand volleyball pit. Within a 10-minute time limit, kids will dig in a sand pile for hidden change. Two age divisions — five and younger and six through 10 — will participate.

Also added this year is a rock, paper, scissors tournament at noon near the mud volleyball pits. Participants must pre-register by 11:45 a.m. the day of the event, which is limited to 64 people of all ages. The entry fee is $1, which will be returned to the winners.

In addition, an open water slide will be set up from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pioneer Day Use Area. All ages are invited to play on the slide. At 2 p.m. at the Pioneer Day Use Area, log races, the final event of the day, will be held.

For registration and more information on the events, phone Lovewell State Park at 785-753-4971. A vehicle permit is required to enter the park. Daily permits are $4.20, and annual permits are $24.70.

Hays Organizations Plan Youth Outdoor Festival

Shotgun, rifle, archery shooting, casting and furharvesting demonstrations highlight event

On Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hays area conservation groups, businesses, and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will offer a free day of target shooting and outdoor activities for youth ages 17 and younger. The 15th Annual Youth Outdoor Festival will be held at the Hays City Sportsmen’s Club, 1/4 mile north of I-70 off Exit 157.

All targets, shooting materials, and equipment will be supplied for the event. Trap, skeet, archery, air rifle/BB gun, muzzleloader, small-bore rifle, computerized laser shot target, and paintball shooting will be offered. Furharvesting demonstrations and a kids bass casting competition will complement the event.

This is an excellent opportunity to introduce youth to the world of shooting sports, hunting, and furharvesting. Hunter education certification is not required, but youth participants must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers specializing in their fields of shooting will closely supervise youth at each station. Registration for the event will be completed on site, and participants can enjoy a free lunch.

In addition to the free shooting opportunities and lunch, several door prizes, guns, fishing tackle, and other outdoor equipment will be given away. For more information phone Kent Hensley at 785-726-3212, email [email protected], or phone Troy Mattheyer at 785-726-4212.

Kansas Frog Gigging Season Through Oct. 31

It’s already been a hot summer in the Sunflower State, and those who love outdoor activities are beating the heat during bullfrog season, which began July 1.

Bullfrog hunting, or “frogging,” as many people call it, is a great way to beat the oppressive summer heat. With days sweltering close to 100 degrees through much of June, the freedom of summer nights beckons with the call of the bullfrog. At this time, shorts and a T-shirt are all that’s needed to cool off in the water and pursue this popular quarry.

Froggers can enjoy a season that runs July 1 through Oct. 31 although most frogging activity is in the hotter months of July and August. The daily creel limit is eight, with a possession limit of 24. While bullfrogs may be taken by hook and line, dip net, gig, bow and arrow, or crossbow (firearms not allowed), many froggers prefer to take them by hand. All that’s needed is a flashlight, a sack, an old pair of tennis shoes, and some stealth. The only other necessary ingredient is access to a local pond, lake, or stream. A valid fishing license is needed, if required by law.

The best method is to walk quietly through the water at night and shine a bright light along the bank until a pair of glowing eyes appear. Temporarily blinded by the light, frogs can be grabbed or netted.

The fruits of this effort are not only fun times but good food. Frog legs are regarded as a delicacy and have a taste and texture resembling a cross of shrimp and fish. A popular way to cook them is to dip the skinned legs in egg and then into a mixture of flour and corn meal, seasoning salt, and pepper. Then the legs are fried to a golden brown in oil. This gourmet meal is a bonus to a great summer evening that both kids and adults will always remember.
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