Wichita Eagle: Outdoors

Tuttle Creek Reservoir’s ups and downs don’t deter dogged angler

MICHAEL PEARCE — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:37 CDT

In the lake’s 50 year history, Jon Hawkinson has seen the highs and lows of Tuttle Creek Reservoir.

For most of last year and earlier this spring, he enjoyed it even though it was literally near it’s lowest of lows.

“That whole part of the marina over there was just sitting in the mud, and the rest might as well have been,” Hawkinson said shortly after launching his boat at the lake a few miles from his Manhattan home. “I think it was the second lowest the lake has ever been in history; the other time was many years ago.”

Outdoor notes: State extends Quivira public comment period

Michael Pearce — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:22 CDT

The public comment period for future wildlife and habitat management plans for the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge has been extended to May 31, according to Mike Oldham, refuge manager.

It was originally scheduled to close Monday.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is looking at options for operating the 22,000-acre refuge in Stafford and Reno counties for the next 15 years.

Outdoor schedules (May 19)

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:22 CDT

Archery

Today – 3-D Shoot, Ninnescah Bowhunters, 8-10 a.m. trickle start, www.ninnescahbowhunters.com.

Today – 3-D Shoot, Ninnescah Valley Archers, 835 Country Club Road, Pratt. 10 a.m., Call 620-770-0517.

Profile: Woodchuck

Sun, 19 May 2013 06:21 CDT

Marmota monax

Kansas’ largest member of the squirrel family appears to be spreading its range across the state.

The 1981 edition of “Mammals of Kansas” shows Greenwood and Cowley counties as about the furthest west locations into central Kansas for the 10-pound rodents.

Marion a popular rest stop for migrating turkey vultures

MICHAEL PEARCE — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:50 CDT

San Juan Capistrano has its dainty, graceful swallows, and Kearney, Neb., its famed migration of majestic sandhill cranes.

In Marion, it’s the returning turkey vultures that are largely welcomed each spring.

“Aren’t they something?” Pam Bowers said as she watched three vultures slowly circling high above the city park this week. “Most of us appreciate the chance to watch them. They’re so graceful.”

When boating Kansas lakes, beware what lurks below

RICK PLUMLEE and MICHAEL PEARCE — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:36 CDT

Boaters beware.

That’s always been the watch phrase for boating on Kansas lakes, because so many are filled with trees and rocks lurking just below the water.

But as warm weather beckons boaters, they need to know some of the state’s lakes are trickier than usual. And El Dorado Reservoir could be flat-out dangerous.

Kansas State succeeds in expanding sport of fishing

MICHAEL PEARCE — Sun, 12 May 2013 06:49 CDT

Tuesday morning, Lance Maldonado was a college athlete in training.

Up early, working hard and testing his body and mind, the 22-year-old junior was getting ready for a competition that will mean a 24-hour round-trip drive next weekend.

Such work helped him succeed at another contest last weekend.

Kids Fishing Clinic registration is open

MICHAEL PEARCE — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:52 CDT

Registration has begun for the 12th annual Wichita Eagle’s Kids Fishing Clinic on June 8. Children 12 and under are eligible.

The event is again held in conjunction with the Great Plains Nature Center’s Walk With Wildlife at Chisholm Creek Park, near 29th North and Woodlawn.

Registration forms can be found in the newspaper or at The Eagle’s front counter at 825 E. Douglas.

Fishing’s good at hunting-rich Flint Oak

Michael Pearce — Sun, 05 May 2013 07:29 CDT

Josh Butler stood in a boat floating amid enough standing timber to make it seem like a flooded forest.

In is mind was the recent memory of catching dozens of largemouth bass. In his fist was a wiper that stretched from his belt to well below his knees.

“It’s at least eight (pounds), it’s so thick and fat,” Butler said. “It seems like we get at least one of these every trip. There are bigger in here, though, for sure.”

Opinions vary on Quivira refuge regulations

MICHAEL PEARCE — Sun, 05 May 2013 07:27 CDT

Turnout was light, but some concerns and comments were fairly heavy when the public discussed future plans for the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge on Tuesday. About 15 people attended the meeting at the Great Plains Nature Center.

Mike Oldham, refuge manager, said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has spent about three years working on a plan for how the refuge would be managed over about the next 15 years. Some of the major considerations included continued tree removal from the 22,000-acre refuge, how hunting is managed when endangered whooping cranes are on the area, and the beginning of deer and wild turkey hunts on the refuge.

Oldham said all were mentioned as concerns by some of the public who attended meetings in 2010. Current public input will also be considered in the final decision making process in coming months.

Outdoor schedules (May 12)

Sat, 11 May 2013 18:52 CDT

Archery

Today – Southfork Archers, Byron Walker Wildlife Area, 8-10 a.m. trickle start. Call 620-532-6745

Saturday-Next Sunday – 3-D Shoot, Ninnescah Bowhunters, 8-10 a.m. trickle start, www.ninnescahbowhunters.com.

Discussion set for long-term plans at Quivira wildlife refuge, including hunting

Michael Pearce — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:34 CDT

Discussion and public comments on long-term habitat and wildlife management plans at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge are planned for Tuesday evening at the Great Plains Nature Center.

Mike Oldham, refuge manager, said topics will include proposed tree control plans, changes in public use of wetlands when whooping cranes are present and allowing deer and turkey hunting for the first time at the refuge.

Oldham said the refuge is holding the 5 to 7 p.m. meeting as part of its 15-year conservation plan. The process began about four years ago and has resulted in a 300-plus-page plan for how the refuge should proceed in the future.

Profile: Western Kingbird

Sun, 05 May 2013 07:26 CDT

Tyrannous verticalis

Western kingbirds have probably been a part of the Kansas countryside for thousands of years, but life is probably much easier now..

Two centuries ago, they nested in the rare cottonwood along a prairie stream or river, several pairs sharing the same tree if needed.

Outdoors Calendar (May 5)

Sun, 05 May 2013 07:29 CDT

Archery

Sunday – 3-D Shoot, Ninnescah Bowhunters, 8-10 a.m. trickle start, www.ninnescahbowhunters.com.

Next Sunday – Southfork Archers, Byron Walker Wildlife Area, 8-10 a.m. trickle start. Call 620-532-6745

Hunter passes it on

Brent Frazee — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 06:58 CDT

When Phil Taunton follows a bird dog through a field or casts a line into his favorite fishing lake, it always brings back fond memories of time spent with his dad.

Thanks to his father, Taunton grew up with a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Whether it was walking in his dad’s footsteps hunting quail where Milford Reservoir now sits, or setting cane poles for catfish on creeks, father and son were immersed in nature.

Maybe that’s why Taunton felt a void when his father passed away in 1995.

Five parks to create short-term parking areas

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 06:55 CDT

Five state parks in western Kansas will have short-term parking created so customers can leave campers at the sites instead of hauling them home before returning the next weekend.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners voted to create the fenced parking areas at Thursday’s meeting in the Great Plains Nature Center. Parks receiving the parking areas are Glen Elder, Meade, Kanopolis, Scott and Webster.

Mike Miller, public information officer for Wildlife and Parks, said the areas were created for parks where there are not private vendors offering the same service. Cost for parking will be $50 a month.

Kansan’s website approaches fishing from a real-world perspective

Michael Pearce — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 06:40 CDT

With what looks like a small solar panel on the bill of his cap, Clay Dixon is easy to notice on the water.

In these days of 20-foot, monster motored, $50,000 bass boats, Dixon’s also unique in a tiny plastic craft that cost $800, including the trailer and low mousepower outboard.

Each side of the small boat reads www.kansasfisherman.com.

Fish ladder update regulation discussions on commission agenda

Michael Pearce — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:32 CDT

An update on the state-of-the art fish ladder and canoe chute at Wichita’s Lincoln Street bridge is scheduled for Thursday’s Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission meeting at the Great Plains Nature Center.

Discussion and possible vote on a variety of state park, hunting and fishing regulations are also scheduled.

Jessica Mounts, Wildlife and Parks fisheries biologist, will make a presentation on the fish ladder shortly after the meeting’s afternoon session begins at 1:30 p.m.

Hunting with heroes

Michael Pearce — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 06:35 CDT

Roger Dakin was a happy man early Saturday morning.

To the east, a classic Kansas sunrise was painting pastels on scattered clouds.

From the east and the west, wild turkey toms were gobbling protests at each other, the calls of turkey hens, crows, owls and about any other noise on the dead calm morning.

Outdoor schedules (April 21)

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:32 CDT

Archery

Sunday – 3-D Shoot, Ninnescah Bowhunters, 8-10 a.m. trickle start, www.ninnescahbowhunters.com.

Sunday – 3-D Shoot, Ninnescah Valley Archers, 835 Country Club Road, Pratt. 10 a.m., Call 620-770-0517.