Monthly Archives: April 2016

Buy fishing license online, get chance to win lifetime license

Hello, Phil Taunton here— with What’s in Outdoors Radio.

Goodness, the Kansas spring fishing season is starting to heat up (get crazy?) in our area lakes and reservoirs!

Walleye are moving onto the flats and crappie are moving into the shallows at Melvern Lake, big white bass are being caught at John Redmond, smallmouth bass are slamming the baits at Coffey County Lake.  And Council Grove is producing some real nice catfish and saugeye!

If you’re like me, you can’t wait to get back on the water, but don’t forget to buy your 2016 fishing license.

Purchasing your license couldn’t be easier. It takes just five minutes to get your fishing license if you go online at www.KSOUTDOORS.com/LICENSE and you could win a free Kansas lifetime fishing license.

For the next two months, if you buy your license online you will be entered into the sweepstakes to win a free Kansas lifetime fishing license.

Learn more about the lifetime license sweepstakes, purchase your fishing license and be entered to win a lifetime of fun and memories at KS OUTDOORS dot com backslash LICENSE.

Hope to see you on the water, please be safe and remember to “Take a Kid Fishing”– every opportunity!

Take time for downtime in Kansas

National Tourism Week is May 1-7, and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) urges Kansans to make time for a refreshing travel experience in Kansas. According to the U.S. Travel Association, Americans accrue 429 million days of unused leave annually and forfeit $52 billion in benefits each year. Forty percent of workers cite having to return to a mountain of work as the reason for not taking time off. Thirty-five percent of workers feel that nobody else can do their job, while 22 percent do not want to be seen as replaceable.

There is an upside to downtime, however. Taking a vacation lowers stress and helps build a healthy mind and body. Time off creates stronger bonds with family and friends, builds a productive workforce and helps cultivate a fulfilled life. Eighty-five percent of workers say time off makes them happier and 90 percent say time away helps them relax and recharge.

A Kansas vacation helps more than the intrepid travelers. Tourism is big business in Kansas and bolsters the state’s economy. Kansas hosted 34.8 million visitors in 2014, and they spent $6.2 billion in our state. Tourism has an annual economic impact of more than $9.8 billion and brings in $570 million in state and local government revenues. Tourism-supported employment represents 4.9 percent of all employment in the state.

So, celebrate your leisure time and boost the economy with some downtime in Kansas. Start your vacation planning with a click-trip through TravelKS.com, the website of the Kansas Division of Tourism. You’ll find plenty of ideas for things to do and places to eat, stay and shop. Visit KSOutdoors.com for more information on outdoor activities at Kansas state parks and other rejuvenating fresh-air opportunities.

Macey Hensley stars in Kansas tourism TV ads

Macey Hensley, Council Grove, is being featured in a statewide television ad campaign from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). The popular six-year old is shown visiting Exploration Place in Wichita and the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Childhood Home in Abilene. The commercials encourage family travel in Kansas and will run in the Kansas City, Pittsburg, Topeka and Wichita markets April 25 through May.

Last year Hensley was tagged as one of Kansas’ Finest by Kansas! Magazine. She has appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show seven times where she won the hearts of millions of viewers by demonstrating her in-depth knowledge of U.S. presidents from Washington to Obama. She will soon be visiting the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. D.C. courtesy of DeGeneres and is scheduled to appear on the show again on April 29, 2016.

The commercials and a short video of Macey visiting the Statehouse can be found at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKc4q7vy9wbVDp_0XN6slZbcMfKyZa87

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To plan your family travel visit TravelKS.com

Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission approves waterfowl seasons

The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission approved season dates and regulations for the 2017 dove and waterfowl hunting seasons at a public hearing in Wichita on April 21. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) staff have discussed migratory bird hunting regulations at previous meetings in January and March. In the past, these seasons were voted on in August, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service changed the timeframe for having seasons set this year.

The Commission approved dove seasons of Sept. 1-Nov. 29, 2016. This season is for migratory doves (mourning and white-winged) and exotic doves (collared and ringed turtle).  The season for exotic doves is Nov. 30, 2016-Feb. 28, 2017. The aggregate daily bag limit for morning and white-winged doves is 15 and the possession limit is 45. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit on exotic doves.

The Commission also approved the 2016 duck and goose seasons.

September Teal Season: Low Plains Zone – Sept. 10-25, 2016; High Plains Unit – Sept. 17-25, 2016.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: High Plains Unit – Oct. 1-2, 2016; Low Plains Early Zone – Oct. 1-2, 2016; Low Plains Late Zone – Oct. 22-23, 2016; Low Plains Southeast Zone ­– Nov. 5-6, 2016.

Ducks: High Plains Unit – Oct. 8, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 20-29, 2017; Low Plains Early Zone – Oct. 8-Dec. 4, 2016 and Dec. 17, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017; Low Plains Late Zone – Oct. 29, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 21-29, 2017; Low Plains Southeast Zone – Nov. 12, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 7-29, 2017.

Daily bag limit is six ducks with the following restrictions: five mallards (no more than two may be hens), three scaup, three wood ducks, two redheads, two pintails and two canvasbacks.

Dark Geese: Oct. 29, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 4-Feb. 12, 2017

Daily bag limit is six dark geese (Canada or brant)

White-fronted Geese: Oct. 29, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 21-Feb. 12, 2017

Daily bag limit is two white-fronted geese.

Light Geese: Oct. 29, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 4-Feb. 12, 2017

Daily bag limit is 50 light geese (snow geese and Ross’ geese) no possession limit.

Possession limit on migratory birds is three times the daily bag limit.

Dodge City team wins second straight state archery competition

Kansas Archery in the Schools hosted its 7th Annual State Archery Tournament,  Saturday, April 9, at Clearwater High School. Three hundred and fifty-five students from 16 schools vied for the state title and a chance to compete nationally. The top 10 male and female competitors from each grade division at the state tournament qualified to compete at the 2016 National Archery in the Schools Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, May 12-14.

The 16 schools represented at the Kansas state tournament included: Chapman Middle School, Heritage Academy (McCune), Service Valley Charter Academy (Parsons), Clearwater, Norwich Elementary and Middle Schools, Southeast Junior High School (Cherokee), Dodge City High School, Straight Up Archery (Clay Center), Erie Arrows (Erie), Jackson Heights (Holton), Pittsburg High School, Prairie Trail Middle School (Olathe), Chaparral High School (Anthony), Greeley County Schools (Tribune), and Rose Hill.

Divisions include Elementary School (grades 4-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and High School (grades 9-12). Each competitor shoots 30 arrows over three rounds. A round consists of five arrows from 10 meters and five arrows from 15 meters. A bullseye scores 10 points, so a perfect score would be 300. A team is made up of 12-24 shooters, and the team score is the sum of the top 12 scores.

Team standings by division:

Elementary School

1st Place – Clearwater Team No. 1: 2,799

2nd Place – Clearwater Team No. 2: 2,017

Middle School

1st Place – Chapman Team No. 1: 3,182

2nd Place – Clearwater Team No. 1: 3,176

3rd Place – Service Valley Carter Academy: 3,063

High School

1st Place – Dodge City Team No. 1: 3,166

2nd Place – Pittsburg Team No. 1: 3,102

3rd Place – Erie Arrows: 2,888

Individual standings by division and gender:

GIRLS

Elementary – Kalea Gooch, Clearwater: 252

Middle School – Avery Schill, Clearwater: 269

High School – Jasmin Havens, Pittsburg: 277 *Top girls’ score

BOYS

Elementary – Bryson Snell, Clearwater: 251

Middle School – Zachery Ferris, Chapman: 280

High School – Justin Ostrom, Dodge City: 287 *Top boys’ score, top overall score

If the name Ostrom appears familiar, Justin’s older brother, Jhett won state last year with the top score of 279. Justin secured the top score this year using the first place awarded Genesis bow that Jhett won last year!

Operating under the umbrella of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) and the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) program, the Kansas Archery in the Schools program promotes international-style target archery among students in grades 4-12. Program coordinators introduce archery as a fun, lifelong activity to young people who may have never taken up the sport otherwise.

A 3D archery range was also set up as a separate activity for the students to take their archery skills to another level. The 3D animal targets are made of high density foam and show scoring rings that are anatomically placed over the animal’s vitals. The 3D challenge was added by NASP to show students just one of the many options to grow in archery after NASP.

For more information, visit ksoutdoors.com or email Aaron Austin at [email protected].

Float the Kansas River

July 16, 2016 8am-noon

Float the Kansas River in a canoe or kayak! Depart from the boat ramp at Linear Trail Head at 9am and arrive at St. George around 1pm. Hot dogs & t-shirts included!

Bring your own vessel or rent one. Lifejackets are required. Free bus rides available back to vehicles from St. George dock to Linear Trail Head parking.

$10 Bring your own vessel

$15 Rent single person kayak (lifejacket & paddles include)

$30 Rent two-person kayak or canoe (lifejackets & paddles included)

The float is sponsored by the Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau. Register deadline is July 8. Register with Marcia Rozell at 785.776.8829 [email protected]. You can also get your Kayak Raffle Tickets when you register! $5/ticket $20/5 tickets

Agroforestry Field Day, May 12th, Ness County

Agroforestry is the integration of trees and shrubs into farming and ranching operations to maximize conservation benefits while simultaneously providing economic benefits for the overall operation.  Windbreaks and riparian buffers, are the most common agroforestry practices in Kansas.  Other examples include silvopasture and alley cropping. 

On Thursday, May 12^th Kansans will have the opportunity to experience agroforestry first hand at the 2016 Agroforestry Field Day scheduled for Thursday, May 12^th just east of Ness City. The field day will be hosted on Marvin and Twylia Sekavec’s 400 acre farm. 

The Sekavec’s have planted over 10,000 trees and shrubs over the last 20 years representing   over 30 different species.  These plantings have been designed as part of a holistic natural resource management system.  These plantings include windbreaks, wildlife habitat, and riparian buffers of bald cypress that improve water quality, reduce wind erosion and provide energy savings. 

Grassed terraces, waterways and multiple cover cropping systems all contribute to this model conservation landscape.  Special shrub and vine plantings around the house site attract a variety of song birds, butterflies, other critters. 

This setting provides a variety of hands-on educational opportunities that will be offered at the field day by a variety of natural resource professionals with wildlife, forestry, range expertise.  It is also an opportunity for farmers, ranchers and landowners to share their conservation project successes and projects. 

Marvin and Twylia Sekavec will kick off the field day providing an overview of their property and accomplishments.  Sessions on landscaping the farmstead, attracting songbirds, a tree planting demonstration, renovating old windbreaks, treating tree pest problems and controlling woody invasives are just a few of the topics that will be covered. 

The Sekavec’s farm is located 7.25 miles east of Ness City on HWY 96; then 3 miles north on County Road Z; then west 0.25 mile on County Road 160.  Their address is 25656 160 Road, Brownell, KS  67521.

Lunch and refreshments are provided as part of a $7 dollar registration fee.  Participants may register by mailing a $7 dollar check made out to the Ness County Conservation District, 18635  140 Road, Ness City, KS 67560-6196 or calling at 785-798-3614.  A brochure and registration are also available on the Web at www.kansasforests.org by clicking on News & Event and the calendar. 

Great Plains Nature Center to host O.K. Kids Day May 7

The Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. N., Wichita, will host an O.K. Kids Day (Outdoor Kansas Kids) on Saturday, May 7, 2016. There will be a variety of outdoor/nature-related activities available for kids from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participation is free, but lunch will be available for $2.

This year’s theme is “D.I.Y. Nature (Do It Yourself)” where guests can learn how easy it is to be involved and active with nature. There will be games, crafts, displays, archery and fishing clinics, as well as live animal presentations.

O.K. Kids is a statewide program coordinated by the Kansas Wildscape Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving and perpetuating the land, the wild species, and the rich beauty of Kansas for the use of and enjoyment of all. O.K. Kids events are conducted around the state to get kids outside learning about nature and enjoying outdoor activities.

Join the fun at the Great Plains Nature Center and experience new things, gain some new skills, and enjoy nature!

For more information, call Breanna Sayers at (316) 683-5499, ext. 105.

Women On Target at Fancy Creek Range

The Friends of Fancy Creek Range are hosting a Women On Target event on Saturday, May 14. The shooting range is located at the Fancy Creek area of Tuttle Creek State Park, approximately one-half mile east and one-half mile north of the junction of U.S. Hwy. 77 and K-16 on county road 893, near Randolph.

This is a women’s-only event designed to provide shooters with instruction on basic handling and shooting skills for handguns, rifles, muzzleloaders and archery in a safe and comfortable environment. Beginners are welcome. Enrollment deadline is April 29, and there is a $50 registration fee, which includes lunch, eye and ear protection, loaner equipment, ammunition and instruction.

For more information and to register, contact Marci Ritter, (785) 293-4406, or [email protected]. Space is limited so register early.

Women On Target is one of the National Rifle Association’s programs for women shooters. For more information, visit www.women.nra.org.

Little Apple Pedal event at Tuttle Creek State Park

Tuttle Creek State Park invites families to attend the Little Apple Pedal, on Sunday May 1, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at the River Pond area. The day will include a bike rodeo for kids, a 6-mile slow ride through the park, bike safety instruction with the Riley County Police Department, free helmets for kids, and t-shirts for all registered participants.

Sponsored by the City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau and State Farm Insurance, the event will also feature a visit from Smokey the Bear and the Blue Township Fire Department.

Riders must pre-register online by April 26 at www.mhkprd.com/register. Fees are $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more information, call Ryan at (785) 587-2768 or email [email protected].