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Fort Scott to host Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission public meeting

The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Arts Center, Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton. Both sessions are open to the public. The afternoon session will begin at 1 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m. The evening session will convene at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend both sessions and time will be allowed at the beginning of each for public discussion of non-agenda items.

The afternoon session will feature Secretary Robin Jennison’s report on the agency and state fiscal status and a review of the 2016 Kansas legislative session. The General Discussion portion of the meeting will include a presentation by the Fort Scott Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, a summary of the local Community Fisheries Assistance Program projects, 2017 turkey regulations review, squirrel season discussion and a law enforcement program. The Workshop Session will include discussions of state park, fishing and threatened and endangered species regulations. The meeting will recess at 5 p.m.

The evening portion of the meeting will reconvene at 6:30 p.m. for the Public Hearing. The commission will hear final discussion before voting on revoking KAR 115-8-24, Guiding on Public Lands. In its final action of the night, the commission will hear recommendations for the Fort Riley deer season.

Time will be available during the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on non-agenda items. If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., June 24, to complete any unfinished business. Information about the Commission, as well as the April 21 meeting agenda and Briefing Book, can be downloaded at www.ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Upcoming-Commission-Meetings.

Live video and audio streaming of the meeting will be available at ksoutdoors.com. If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at (620) 672-5911.

The next Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commission meeting is scheduled for August 11, 2016, in Great Bend.

Kansas Bowhunters Association to hold carp contest

The Kansas Bowhunters Association (KBA) will hold a carp bowfishing contest at Melvern Lake on June 11-12, 2016. The group will headquarter at the Sundance Primitive Campground north of Lebo. Signs will direct archers to the area.

KBA members invite anyone who has an interest to attend. Whether you’re a seasoned bowfisher or a beginner who wants to learn more, the event is perfect. Members will have bowfishing rigs available for those who don’t have their own.

Bring your own food and drink and plan to camp. The KBA will serve pork steak on Friday evening. Participants will compete to see who can bring in the most pounds of carp. Only carp shot during the daytime count toward an angler’s total. Contact Bob Griffin, 785-806-1493, [email protected] for more information.

A Kansas fishing license is required, unless exempt by law, for anyone bowfishing. Arrows must have barbed heads and be attached by a line to the bow.

Lifetime fishing license sweepstakes

The Active Network is teaming up with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks (KDWPT) and Tourism to offer Kansas anglers a chance to win a lifetime fishing license. Anyone purchasing their fishing license online at www.ksoutdoors.com is automatically entered into the sweepstakes. If you already have your license, you can still enter the sweepstakes by filling out the online entry form and clicking on “Enter Sweepstakes.” But hurry, the Lifetime Fishing License Sweepstakes closes June 30, 2016.

You must be a Kansas resident and 18 years old or older to enter. Go to www.ksoutdoors.com and click on the “LIFETIME FISHING SWEEPSTAKES” button to learn more and enter.

Active Network is a leading global marketplace for activities and events, and contracts with KDWPT to manage and market license and permit sales.

Error causes some hunters to receive duplicate deer permits

Several thousand nonresident hunters who successfully drew Kansas deer permits from the April drawing received a surprise mailing in early June. Due to a printing error at a fulfillment service contracted to print and mail permits to the 21,225 successful applicants, nearly 3,260 hunters received duplicate mailings. 

A successful applicant should have received only one mailing with one set of permits, which included an either-sex permit and carcass tag and a whitetail antlerless-only permit and carcass tag. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) officials want to remind hunters that the law only allows them to have one permit that allows the harvest of an antlered deer, so only one set of the permits they received is valid. Duplicate permits may not be used or transferred to another hunter.

Hunters who received duplicate permits and carcass tags are asked to return duplicate sets to the KDWPT Licensing Section, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124. Department staff are working with the contractor to identify issues that led to the error and to ensure that all successful applicants received the correct permit, and that those who received duplicate permits are notified.

All applicants who were unsuccessful in the drawing should have received their refunds, and all successful applicants should have received their set of permits by now. Hunters can see their status in the draw at www.ksoutdoors.com and clicking on the “Nonresident Deer Permit Draw Results” button on the left-hand edge of the homepage. If you have questions, please contact Mike Miller at 620-672-0765 or Ron Kaufman at 785-296-2870.

New Habitat First program offers wildlife habitat assistance

Habitat First is a new program developed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Wildlife Division for private landowners interested in developing or enhancing wildlife habitat on their land. Under the program, district wildlife biologists will deliver the following services to interested landowners:

-Technical assistance: planning, land management support, and habitat development tools

-Financial assistance: cost-share and sign-on incentives for habitat improvements

-Equipment loans: native grass drills, tree planters, fabric machines, prescribed burn equipment, and root plows

-USDA programs: assistance with Environmental Quality Incentive Program applications benefiting wildlife, Conservation Reserve Program enrollment, and management

Standardized practices and rates make the program easy to explain and understand. Habitat management plans can be tailored to the property and to landowner preferences.

Visit www.ksoutdoors.com/Private-Lands, call 620-672-5911 or contact the nearest KDWPT office to learn more.

Kansas Game Wardens recognized for exemplary service

The Law Enforcement Division of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism recognized officers and other individuals for work and services performed above and beyond the call of duty. The annual awards are presented in several categories, including Meritorious Work, Lifesaving, Natural Resource Education, Boating Safety Enforcement, Investigations, Cooperative Projects and Officer of the Year.

The Merit Award was presented to Capt. Dan Melson for his work in developing and maintaining the Game Wardens’ Facebook page and an application allowing the Law Enforcement Division to more efficiently record violations.

Game warden Jonathan Rather was awarded the Natural Resource Education Advancement Award for his work in implementing hunter education programs in the area school systems.

 The Boating Officer of the Year Award was presented to game warden Jeff Clouser for his extensive work in the area of boating safety enforcement, including dealing with stranded boaters, investigating boating accidents and enforcing boating under the influence laws.

Game warden Hal Kaina received the Lifesaving Award for his efforts in two incidents where individuals were facing life-threatening circumstances. In one incident, officer Kaina rescued a hunter who had broken through the ice. In another incident, officer Kaina aided in the rescue of four individuals, including children, after their boat had sunk in the middle of the reservoir. Game warden Cody Morris was awarded the Lifesaving Award for his assistance in rescuing a family adrift on a boat with a motor that would not start.

Lt. Rick Campbell and game wardens Jesse Gehrt and Travis Schulte received Lifesaving Awards for rescues they performed on the Kansas River. In one situation Lt. Campbell and officer Gehrt rescued a man whose canoe had overturned in the river. Later in the summer, a family who were floating the Kansas River became stranded on a sandbar after getting caught in a severe thunderstorm. Officers Gehrt and Schulte, along with a local emergency medical technician, got the family, which included a 4-month-old baby, to safety.

The Richard Harrold Memorial Award for Investigations was presented to game warden Josh DeHoux for his efforts investigating big game violations in his assigned area.

The Director’s Award was presented to a large group of game wardens, department staff and a private citizen for their work in hosting the conference of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Those recognized include: Major Dan Hesket, Capt. B.J. Thurman, Lt. Eric Deneault, Lt. Dave Adams, Lt. Jeff Sutton, Lt. Mike Peterson, Lt. Scott Hanzlicek, Lt. Bob Funke, game wardens Michael McGinnis, Cody Morris, Jesse Gehrt, Tracy Cikanek, Dennis Zehr, Jim Bussone, Matt Hanvey, Jon Entwhistle, Vince Wonderlich, Scott Leamon, Jeremy Stenstrom, Ross Uhrmacher, Glenn Cannizzaro, Mike Hopper, Greg Salisbury, Landen Cleveland, Ryan Smidt, Lance Hockett, Chris Stout, Daniel Howard, Aaron Scheve, Clint Lee, Jacob Greene, Lynn Koch and Jonathan Rather; Erika Brooks and Shelby Stevens of the Education Section; Jason Deal and David Jenkins of the Public Lands Division; Tony Reitz of the Parks Division; and volunteer, Jenna Scheve.

Game warden Jesse Gehrt received the Officer of the Year Award, a joint recognition by the Law Enforcement Division and the Shikar Safari Club International. Gehrt has performed his duties above and beyond what is normally expected, and is extensively involved in all aspects of being a game warden. Apart from his daily duties, ties to his local community, and many other contributions around the state, Gehrt is also a member of the division’s Honor Guard.

Application deadline for Antelope permit June 10

Among Kansas’ big game species, antelope, also commonly referred to as pronghorn because of their hook-shaped horns, are some of the most elusive mammals to hunt in the state. With vision that can span distances as far as three miles out, and top speeds that easily rival most interstate drivers, it’s a wonder how any hunter manages to fill a tag in the species’ preferred habitat: wide open prairie. For Kansas residents willing to take on the challenge, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is accepting firearm and muzzleloader permit applications for the 2016 antelope season through June 10. Huntable populations of antelope exist only in the western portion of the state, and a limited number of muzzleloader and firearm permits are available by a lottery draw.

Applications can be made online by visiting www.ksoutdoors.com and then clicking “Hunting,” “Fees, Licenses and Permits,” then “Antelope & Elk,” or by calling the KDWPT Pratt Operations Office at (620) 672-5911. Hunters may apply for either a general resident permit, a landowner/tenant permit, a youth permit, or purchase a preference point.

Pricing for 2016 (including application and online convenience fees) are as follows:

General Resident Application: $62.50

Landowner/Tenant Application: $37.50

Resident Youth Application (age 15 and under): $22.50

Nonresident Tenant Application: $97.50

Preference Point only: $11.50

Applicants who are unsuccessful in drawing a permit for the 2016 season will be given a preference point. Only one preference point may be obtained per year.

The 2016 Muzzleloader Season is Oct. 3-10, and the Firearm Season is Oct. 7-10. Archery permits are available online and wherever hunting licenses are sold from Aug. 3-Oct. 31, 2016. The 2016 Archery Season is Sept. 24-Oct. 2 and Oct. 15-31.

Tick Busters

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to tick prevention – the only guarantee is that ticks will be around – but a proactive approach can minimize the potential for lifelong health issues, and reduce these pests to a simple, minor annoyance.

Tick numbers usually peak in early June, but depending on spring temperatures, they can be common from April through July. If you spend time in the woods and in grassy areas, you’re going to attract ticks. And we know that in addition to being bloodsucking pests, they can spread serious blood-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. So how do you protect yourself?

Start by wearing light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants. Keep the pantlegs tucked into your socks. Do periodic checks and be sure to examine yourself after your outing.

Use a repellent. Most people who spend time outdoors are familiar with the ingredient DEET, contained in many commercial insect repellents. It can be sprayed directly on your skin, and repellents that contain 20 percent to 30 percent DEET will repel ticks for several hours. Permethrin is another option. Unlike DEET, which only repels ticks, permethrin causes muscle spasms, paralysis, and death for ticks if they touch it or consume it. Permethrin-based products currently on the market can also last up to six washes, making a bottle go a long way. And the best part? It’s odorless; however, because of its potent abilities, permethrin can only be applied to clothing and fabric.

Permethrin-based sprays can be purchased at most major retailers and is roughly the same price as popular repellents containing DEET. Look for a spray that contains at least 0.5 percent of permethrin. Pre-treated clothing containing permethrin is also available.

When treating clothing with permethrin on your own, be sure to read the instructions carefully. Apply the spray in a well-ventilated area, or outside. Then, let clothes air-dry by hanging them up on a line, or by leaving them out on a porch or outdoor table. Once dry, the treated clothing can be worn immediately.

The next time you embark on an outdoor adventure, make sure you’ve got the right spray, and prevent these tiny critters from creating big problems.

Learn to sail from the pros

Anyone 18 or older with an interest in “riding the wind” or gliding down a Kansas lake or reservoir in style is a perfect candidate for the Ninnescah Sailing Association’s (NSA) “Learn to Sail” program. Open to members and non-members, the program is led by experienced, certified U.S. Sailing instructors who will share their knowledge of basic boat-handling skills, sailing terminology, knot tying, and more.

The three-day course consists of an introductory classroom session, followed by two water days. After completing the classroom session, participants will receive sailing instruction on a Sunfish sailboat, hands-on keelboat training, and get to sail with experienced NSA keelboat owners and their crews. Both days of sailing on the water will include brief periods of onshore demonstrations and classroom work.

The cost to participate is $250 per non-member, and $195 for NSA members. Life jackets, course materials, use of sailboats, and safety equipment are provided. Graduates of the class interested in joining NSA will have their initiation fee waived and pay half-price on their first year of membership.

For information, visit www.ninnescah.org, or contact Kent Carter at (316) 655-4993 or [email protected].

Walleye study at El Dorado, Cheney relies on anglers

Fisheries biologists with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism will conduct a study during the month of May at Cheney and El Dorado Reservoirs examining the age and sex of angler-harvested walleye. Windshield cards will be placed on vehicles at the two reservoirs during the month of May, asking anglers who harvest walleye to contact the phone number during the survey time period provided on the card. An on-site clerk will then quickly collect information from the harvested fish before returning them back to anglers.

Apart from feeling good about providing critical information to fisheries staff, participants can also walk away with a walleye research team hat in exchange for their cooperation.

Fisheries staff expect the information collected will be helpful in gaining a better understanding of harvested walleye sex ratios, as well as aid in the management of walleye statewide.

For more information on this study, contact Fisheries regional supervisor Sean Lynott at [email protected].