Late winter offers plenty of hunting; snow geese may be taken through April 30PRATT -- Abundant numbers of Canada, white-fronted, and snow geese are keeping many waterfowl hunters afield this February. Morning and evening, avid hunters may be found in cut grain fields, decoys arrayed, waiting for giant flocks of geese to leave their daytime re ... Read More

Missouri River Bottoms area rich in flora and faunaATCHISON -- Benedictine Bottoms is a 2,112-acre wildlife area located along the Missouri River near Atchison. Three habitat types existed in the area before development — timber, native grass, and wetlands — and the area is managed for all three to this day. During construction in 1993-94, mor ... Read More

2009 statewide summary helps anglers find best spots to fishEach year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) prepares a tool that answers every angler's most pressing question: "Where can I find the best fishing?" Called the Kansas Fishing Forecast, this indispensable tool forecasts fishing prospects in public waters thro ... Read More

National and state prizes awarded for students grades 4 through 12BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. -- Wildlife Forever has announced that the deadline for entry in its 11th Annual State-Fish Art Contest is March 31. Through the contest, students across Kansas and the United States have the opportunity to win national recognition and prizes while learnin ... Read More

Kansas Forest Service taking orders; shipping begins in MarchThe Kansas Forest Service’s Conservation Tree Planting Program offers tree and shrub seedlings, as well as other items for use in conservation plantings. Plantings may function as wildlife habitat, windbreaks, woodlots, timber plantations, Christmas tree farms, or other approved plant ... Read More

Kansas Wildscape and Kansas Park and Recreation Association present awardsSeveral Kansas state parks and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) employees received awards at the annual Kansas Recreation and Parks Association (KRPA) Conference held late January in Hutchinson. Charlie Black, executive director of Kansas Wildscape, presente ... Read More

Awards banquet honors 2008 winnersThe Kansas Wildlife Federation (KWF) has announced the winners of the 2008 Conservation Awards Program (CAP) honors. Eleven Kansans and two organizations were honored for their work on conservation of the state’s natural resources at the KWF annual meeting and awards banquet March 7 in Manhattan.Dave Hilley, Ki ... Read More

Program designed to expand hunting opportunities; most hunts geared toward youthThis spring, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will conduct a number of special turkey hunts on public and private lands, as well as state parks. These hunts will offer a more controlled environment with less crowding than might otherwise be found o ... Read More

Fishing prospects, techniques, and locations revealed to anglers who attendTo learn how to catch more fish, attend one of several events hosted by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) in late February. Called "Fishing Information Nights," the events will feature experts on fishing and focus on fishing prospects, techniqu ... Read More

Season runs through Nov. 1; firearms may not be possessedAlthough beaver trapping season runs through March 31, all other Kansas trapping seasons are over for the winter. However, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks reminds hound enthusiasts that the furbearer running season begins March 1. This is the time for furbearer hunters and the ... Read More

All aspects of shooting sports to be covered; event limited to 45 womenOn Saturday, May 9, the Friends of Fancy Creek Range, Inc., will conduct a National Rifle Association Women On Target program, a shooting event for women ages 16 and older. The event will be held from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. at the Fancy Creek Range in Tuttle Creek State Pa ... Read More

Participants to explore prehistoric sites in revival of 1975 first-ever programOnce named by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of the country's 50 top state parks, Scott State Park is known to many Kansans as a place of astounding beauty. For others, it is a place of great historical and archeological significance, particularly the p ... Read More

Squirrels abundant in most of Kansas; season ends Feb. 28February is a down time for many hunters, but one often over-looked game species is abundant and active in Kansas -- the squirrel. But the season ends Feb. 28, and time is running out for those who want to hunt this elusive tree-dweller.Kansas has two species of squirrels -- the fox squir ... Read More

Shotgun, other gear, two-day guided hunt go to essay winner; March 14 deadlineThe Flint Hills Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is challenging youngsters to write a story and win a two-day guided spring turkey hunt and a new turkey shotgun. In 500 words or less, entrants must answer the question, “If you could intro ... Read More

All novice turkey hunters are welcome; registration deadline March 12On March 28, the Flint Hills Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Hunter Education Program will conduct its 8th Annual Spring Turkey Hunting Clinic. The event will take place at Camp Alexander, near Emporia, fr ... Read More

Lake will be partially drained; summer vegetative growth in lake bed should improve fish habitatDuring the summer of 2009, visitors to Shawnee State Fishing Lake (8 miles north and 4 miles west of Topeka) will notice a big change. Beginning March 1, local contractors will begin renovating the dam, which is approximately 50 years old and has rec ... Read More

Atlas includes maps of all public-access fishing areasAnglers looking forward to warmer weather will find welcome news in the 2009 Kansas Fishing Atlas, available for viewing and download from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' (KDWP) website. Printed copies will be available soon at most KDWP offices and license vendors or by emailin ... Read More

Regular season April 8-May 31; special hunts application deadline March 16The 2009 spring turkey season runs April 8-May 31, and hunters across the state are already making preparations. Turkey permits allow hunters to use a shotgun, crossbow, or bow throughout the regular season. Archery-only and youth/disabled seasons run concurrently, April ... Read More

KDWP awaiting lab results on more samples from 2008 deer seasonFive more Kansas white-tailed deer have been confirmed positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), bringing to eight the total number of CWD incidents from the 2008 Kansas deer seasons.The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is still awaiting final lab results on about 100 more ... Read More