Populations of most species growing; wigeon and scaup still on decline The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has released its preliminary report on western breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys conducted in May. Overall, breeding duck populations increased 14 percent since last year with an estimated 36.2 million on the prairies. ... Read More

Dove season marks the beginning of fall for many hunters KDWP Managed Dove Hunting Areas The Kansas dove season opened statewide on Sept. 1, and the first segment runs through Oct. 14. The final segment is Nov. 1-16. It’s no wonder hunters look forward to dove season so much. The mourning dove is the most abundant game bird in North America ... Read More

Squirrels abundant in most of Kansas; season ends Feb. 28PRATT -- February 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.Actually, Kansas has two species of squirr ... Read More

October 18, 2012Fisheries biologists sample lakes to learn about sport fish populations
PRATT—Kansas bass anglers can get a sneak peek of where the best fishing hot spots are this year. The 2013 Kansas Fishing Forecast won’t be available until next March, but this fall’s test data on largemouth bass is already in. Each fall, Kansas fisheries bi ... Read More

September 27, 2012Chance for Thanksgiving wild turkey dinnerPRATT—The fall turkey season doesn’t have the tradition or build-up that surrounds the spring turkey season but only because it’s overshadowed by deer, waterfowl and upland bird hunting seasons. Kansas fall turkey hunters enjoy unsurpassed opportunities, in terms of season length, gene ... Read More

October 4, 2012Anglers and fish, alike, enjoy respite from summer heatPRATT—There may not be a better way to enjoy the cool fall weather than by casting a line in your favorite farm pond, state fishing lake or reservoir. For anglers, it was a long, hot summer, and the fall weather is a welcome relief. For fish, the cool water temperature signal ... Read More

PRATT – For those who don’t hunt, fall may officially start on September 23, the Autumn Equinox, but for hunters, fall starts on September 1 when dove season opens. The 2015 dove season is open Sept. 1-Oct. 31 and Nov. 7-15. Mourning, white-winged, Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves may be hunted. The daily bag limit on mourning and whit ... Read More

Sept. 20, 2012Nearly 300 Kansas special hunts are available by drawing for fall 2012; October 1 deadlinePRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Special Hunts Program offers a variety of limited hunts, many designed to introduce youth and novices to hunting in an uncrowded setting with opportunity for success. Abou ... Read More