Youth

Council Grove youth shotgun and archery clinic October 29

Youth age 11-16 are invited to a free shotgun and archery shooting and safety clinic on Saturday, October 29 at Council Grove Reservoir. This special event will provide participants with opportunities to enhance their firearm and archery shooting skills in a fun and safe environment under controlled instruction. The clinic will be led by certified firearm, archery, and hunter education instructors and all gear and supplies – including shotguns, shells, bows, arrows, targets, and eye and ear protection ­– will be provided. Participants must preregister for this event before Oct. 21 by calling Brent Konen, Council Grove Wildlife Area manager, at (620) 767-5900. Participants are not required to be hunter education certified, but certification is preferred.

The clinic will begin at noon at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) area between Marina Cove and Neosho Park, approximately 0.25 miles west of the COE office at the west end of the dam. Check-in and a free lunch provided by the Flint Hills Chapter of Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF), will begin at 12 p.m. Instruction will then begin at 12:30 p.m. and end at approximately 4 p.m.

Door prizes will be awarded, including a youth model 20-gauge pump-action shotgun and a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle.

This event is part of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) “Pass It On” Program. Event sponsors include KDWPT, the Kansas Hunter Education program, Archery in The Schools, COE, the Flint Hills QUWF, the Chisholm Trail Chapter of Safari Club International, the Bill Young Foundation, and the Morris County Hunter Education instructors.

Youth invited to hunt deer at Jeffrey Energy Center

Youth 12 and older with little or no deer hunting experience are invited to apply for a special deer hunting opportunity at Jeffrey Energy Center, courtesy of the Westar Energy Green Team. The center is located 7 miles north of St. Marys, and hunts will be held during the firearm deer season, Nov. 30 through Dec. 11, 2016. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 4 and successful hunters will be notified by November 11. To apply, contact Barb Cornelius at (785) 575-8125.

Successful applicants must be accompanied by an adult mentor. Hunts will be in the early morning or late afternoon. A limited number of slots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with priority going to those with little or no deer hunting experience. Hunting will be done from blinds, and participants will be led by volunteers, who are experienced hunters. Hunters are encouraged to bring their own rifle, but one can be provided if needed.

Every hunter must have a deer permit valid in Deer Management Unit 9, and hunters 16 and older must also have a hunting license and hunter education certificate.

An orientation session will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 19, when organizers will instruct youth hunters on general firearm safety, deer biology and assist youth with sighting in rifles.

The Green Team’s annual youth deer hunts are designed to encourage youth interested in learning about hunting to give it a try. The hunts provide safe and fun hunting experiences in an area where the odds of success are high due to the abundance of deer.

There’s still time to take Hunter Education

Fall hunting seasons may have started, but there’s still time to get into a Kansas Hunter Education class near you. October is chock-full of opportunities, and with Internet-assisted courses, finding one to fit your schedule has never been more convenient. The easiest way to find a class near you is to visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting,” then “Hunter Education.” Students must be 11 or older to be certified. However, hunters 15 or younger may hunt without hunter education certification provided they are under the direct supervision of an adult 18 or older. Otherwise, anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must be certified by an approved course before they can hunt in Kansas.

Class schedules are organized by format: traditional or Internet-assisted. Traditional hunter education courses are 10 hours long and are usually held over two to three days. Internet-assisted courses are designed to meet the needs of individuals with busy schedules by providing online classwork that can be done at home. After the Internet work is completed, students must attend a field day, which often includes live-fire, trail-walk and safe gun handing exercises before final testing and certification. Students must register for an Internet-assisted course (field day) before completing the online portion.

Classes fill up quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Sign up today and we’ll see you in the field!

Youth waterfowl seasons perfect introduction

There is something magical when a flock of ducks with wings set, sail into a hunter’s decoy spread. That sight will set even a veteran hunter’s heart to stuttering. Imagine what it can do to a young hunter. The Kansas youth waterfowl seasons provide the perfect venues to introduce young hunters to duck hunting, opening prior to the regular seasons in all zones: Oct. 1-2 in the High Plains and Low Plains Early zones, Oct. 22-23 in the Low Plains Late Zone, and Nov. 5-6 in the Low Plains Southeast Zone.

Youth 15 and younger may hunt under the supervision of an adult 18 or older, who may not hunt. Youth hunters may take ducks and geese, and daily bag limits are the same as those during the regulation duck and goose seasons.

The youth seasons provide mentoring opportunities under uncrowded and noncompetitive conditions, even on public lands because hunting pressure is light. And hunting waterfowl over decoys from a boat or blind is a very safe, controlled hunting method for a young hunter who may be just learning to handle a shotgun.

Take advantage of the youth seasons to get a young hunter hooked on hunting. They say there are no casual duck hunters; either you live for it or you don’t care for it. When a young hunter discovers how much fun duck hunting is, he or she may develop an outdoor passion that will last the rest of their life.

Find out more about the waterfowl seasons and regulations in the 2016 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, available wherever licenses are sold and online at KSOutdoors.com.

National Wild Turkey Federation Youth Camp Oct. 1-2

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will hold the 2016 NWTF Kansas State JAKES Camp, October 1-2 at White Memorial Camp, 6 miles north of Council Grove, off highway K177. The camp is open to youth 17 and younger and features fishing, arts and crafts, BB gun shooting, trap and target shooting, 3D archery, canoeing, flint knapping, and turkey calling with turkey hunting legend Ray Eye. Youth participants can attend up to six programs on Saturday, and on Saturday evening JAKES members can participate in the annual NWTF Kansas Turkey Calling contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top three places in two divisions: JAKES, age 12 and under and Xtreme JAKES, age 13 to 17.  Later in the evening, wildlife impersonator Ralph Duren will entertain everyone with his “Calls of the Wild” program.

On Sunday, Pastor Gary Cargill will start the day with a sunrise service. Activities on Sunday morning include a presentation by Mick Bowman on predator calling and a program by Ray Eye on youth turkey hunting.

The cost is $20 for JAKES members, $30 for non-JAKES members (which includes a JAKES membership), and $20 for adults. Attendees may tent camp (bring your own tent) Saturday night or commute both days. Attendees also have the option to stay in a cabin with bunk beds and a shared bath for an additional fee. Boys and girls will have separate cabins. There are also a few RV hookups. The cost includes lunch and supper on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, prepared by the White Memorial Camp kitchen staff. All youth participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt and win a drawing prize at the end of the event on Sunday. Some lucky youth will win a shotgun.

For more info and to register, contact Gib Rhodes at (620) 437-2012.

The NWTF Kansas State JAKES Camp was awarded the “Best State JAKES Event” in 2012, the “Best Special JAKES Event” in 2013 at the NWTF National Convention in Nashville, Tenn., and “Honorable Mention” in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Johnson County Pheasants Forever to host family fun day

The Johnson County Pheasants Forever (PF) Chapter is hosting the Outdoor Family Fun Day/Youth and Women’s Hunt on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Eckman’s Hunting Preserve, 988 E 1800 Rd., Baldwin City. Free activities include target shooting, wingshooting instruction with NSCA Level III Instructor John Francis, a casting challenge, archery, and pellet gun shooting. Lunch and snacks are provided and participants can win raffle prizes.

Hunting opportunities will be available for youth age 12-15 who have hunter education certification and are accompanied by an adult sponsor, and women who are novice hunters. All women participants must have a valid hunting license and be accompanied by a licensed mentor.

Hunters must reserve a spot in advance by calling (913) 636-3369 or emailing [email protected]. For more information, visit www.jocopheasantsforever.org.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center to host Butterfly Festival

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC), 592 NE K156 Hwy, Great Bend, will host a Butterfly Festival from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 17.

From making milkweed seed bombs to tagging monarch butterflies, kids and adults will find plenty to do during this free event. In addition to old favorites – monarch tagging, insect zoo, crafts and door prizes – kids and adults can view a honey bee hive exhibit and add their “hand art” to the butterfly mural.

Nets and tags will be available for those who want to capture and tag monarch butterflies. Participants will receive information about the tagging process before heading out with a tagging leader to search for Monarch butterflies.

Last year’s tagging efforts resulted in the return of nine tags from winter roosts in Mexico. The tagged monarchs were found on Feb. 4, 24 and 26 and March 6 and 7 at El Rosario and Macheros Cerro Pelon.

Weather permitting, a honey bee hive will be on display in the insect zoo in addition to giant walking stick insects, hissing and peppered cockroaches, butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalises. Plan to spend the morning at KWEC as door prizes will be presented just before noon, along with free milkweed plants.

Kids, and adults who want to be kids again, can play in the mud and make a take-home seed bomb, composed of clay, compost, water and native flower seeds. Visitors can also get some practice in by slinging premade milkweed seed bombs into KWEC’s prairie area using giant slingshots.

Find your inner insect by taking your photo at monarch butterfly and caterpillar photo boards. Create a butterfly, then paint your hands in the pattern and apply it to the butterfly mural. Refuel with light refreshments and drinks. Temporary tattoos, games and other activities round out the morning’s activities.

Milkweed plants, with growing instructions, will be available free to those who would like to encourage monarchs to their yards and gardens. Information on butterfly-friendly plants and other attractants will be available and visitors may also walk through the wildflower/butterfly garden to view examples of butterfly-friendly plants.

For more information, contact KWEC at 1-877-243-9268 or visit wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu.

Youth invited to hunt doves at Glen Elder Wildlife Area

The Osborne County Pheasants Forever Chapter and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) invite hunters ages 10 to 16 to participate in an opening-weekend dove hunt at Glen Elder Wildlife Area on Saturday, Sept. 3. This hunt is open to youth with limited dove hunting experience, and those who have not hunted before will be given preference to participate. All hunters must be strong enough to handle their guns in a safe manner. After the hunt is finished, participants can enjoy a free lunch. Hunters must preregister by calling the Glen Elder Area Office at (785) 545-3345. Deadline to sign up is August 30. Spots are limited, so hunters are encouraged to register early.

Plenty of shooting action is expected as the birds flock to a managed crop field on the wildlife area reserved exclusively for this youth hunting event. Hunters will meet before sunrise on the morning of the hunt at the Glen Elder Wildlife Area shop in Cawker City to organize and pair up with adult mentors before heading to the field.

Some shotguns can be provided upon request, and 12 and 20 gauge shotgun shells will be provided for all youth hunters. All dove hunters must use non-toxic (steel) shot. Hunters 16 and older must have a hunting license and HIP stamp prior to hunting.

For more information, or if you would like to assist with this event, please contact Chris Lecuyer at (785) 545-3345 or John Cockerham at (785) 346-6527.

Youth learn outdoor skills at unique fair in Osborne

There’s no better place for kids to learn outdoor skills than the Annual Northcentral Kansas Outdoor Youth Fair in Osborne on Sept. 10. And there may not be anything like this one-day, fun-filled event, which is free of charge and open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to youth ages 17 and younger (all those 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult).

Activities include archery, wingshooting, flyfishing, rifle and muzzleloader shooting, canoeing, dog handling, trapping, whittling, biking and many others. Youth must be registered by 11 a.m. the day of the event to be provided lunch and an opportunity to win door prizes, including a lifetime hunting license, hunting and fishing trips, and a weekend at an area lake cabin.

Archery hunters 14 and older are invited to bring their bows for tune-ups. All other equipment and supplies are provided at no charge.

The Northcentral Kansas Outdoor Youth Fair is made possible by the Osborne County Pheasants Forever Chapter, Osborne Gun Club, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Nex-Tech, and the Keith Hahn Memorial.

For more information, contact Cleo Hahn at (785) 346-4541, John Cockerham at (785) 346-6527, or Chris Lecuyer at (785) 218-7818.

Register for mentored dove hunt on Clinton Wildlife Area

The Jayhawk Chapter of the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) invite youth age 16 and younger to register for the 9th Annual Youth Dove Hunt. The Sept. 1 opening-day hunt will take place at Clinton Wildlife Area west of Lawrence and will begin at 3 p.m. Mentors will accompany all participants, but non-hunting family members are encouraged to attend, as well.

Non-toxic shells, and eye and ear protection will be provided to participants, who are encouraged to dress in camouflage or dark-colored clothing. Shotguns may be provided upon request.

Participants age 16 must have a Kansas hunting license, unless exempt by Kansas law, and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit. For more information, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Services / Education / Hunter.”

For more details and to register, contact Dr. John Hill at (785) 841-9555 or (785) 550-5657, or by e-mail at [email protected].

The 2016 hunting season for mourning, white-winged and exotic doves (Eurasian collared and ringed turtle) is Sept. 1-Nov. 29. The season for exotic doves only is Nov. 30, 2016 – Feb. 28, 2017 for the exotic dove season. For information regarding migratory bird hunting regulations, license and stamp requirements, legal methods of take, non-toxic shot and more, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting,” “Hunting Regulations,” then “Migratory Birds.”