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Outdoor Kansas

Covering outdoors topics.

Michael Pearce

Michael Pearce has been the outdoors writer/photographer at The Eagle since 2000. Before that, he was a full-time freelance writer/photographer for 19 years, with frequent contributions to Outdoor Life, the Wall Street Journal and other publications. He also did a regular outdooors page for the Hutchinson News.

Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 36 - 55 of 147 (Page 3 of 8)

Submitted by Bob Jones from Pratt, KS

Q: p14D, Sunday, September 21, 2008, feature article: "New season, new regulations" ends with the statement "All hunters have to be wearing orange." The next article "Young hunter and the one that didn't get away" depicts a color photo of a young hunter.....no orange visible(possibly photo-op adjustment). My question: Is the wearing of orange required throughout the rifle season(youth, muzzleloading, etc.) or only when bow hunters are afield? Thank you.

Answered 09/29/08 09:51:31 by Michael Pearce

A: Fair question. Orange is required for any deer hunter when there's a firearms deer season open. The orange requirement, however, ends when the deer is tagged because the hunt's then over. A lot of people don't like to have orange on when hunting photos are taken. Sometimes it reflects poorly with the camera. Also many, like me, just take it off as soon as it's time to get down to the work of processing the deer. Michael Pearce

Submitted by RAY from WICHITA

Q: You should submit your story about your wife snagging a snapping turtle while fishing to a national publication. The contortions you went thru to free it were so vivid because of your description. I nearly fell out of my chair at work visualizing that scene!! I am sure others would enjoy it as well.

Answered 08/27/08 12:18:13 by Michael Pearce

A: Thanks. I'll probably write a column about it sometime. Glad you liked it, and very glad you subscribe to the e-letter. Bests, Michael Pearce The Wichita Eagle

Submitted by Joe Breig from Wichita, Ks

Q: Could you put me on the list for the outdoor newsletter? I can't find the place to sign up. Thank you. Joe

Answered 08/25/08 09:26:21 by Michael Pearce

A: You need to do it yourself, Joe. It's easy. Go to www.kansas.com, scroll down the home page and you'll see a box that lets you sign up for e-mail newsletters. Hope you enjoy the e-letter. Please spread the word. We'd love to have more readers.

Submitted by Stuart Johnson from Wichita

Q: Michael- I keep seeing a single black cattle egret. Actually a very dark charcoal color. Acts the same as the regular white cattle egret, flies back to the rick in the evening. I'm certain he is an egret because his legs and wings are just like the white ones when he flies. I thought it was the angle of the sun causing him to look so dark, but now I have a photo of him at the little lake near my office. Seems to be a bit of an outcast, always alone or at the far end of the formation when flying. I tried to google black egret, and they don't seem to be common in the USA. My question: Is it a black egret, or some bird trying to act like one? Let me know if you want to see the photo, thanks.

Answered 08/07/08 11:07:51 by Michael Pearce

A: Look forward to seeing it. Send it to mpearce@wichitaeagle.com

Submitted by John from Lyons, Ks.

Q: Need to know what I need to do to get a striper/wiper tournament flyer put in the paper?

Answered 08/07/08 10:07:06 by Michael Pearce

A: The best way to contact me is at mpearce@wichitaeagle.com

Submitted by Karla Bennett from wichita ks

Q: Just wondering who Hank is. You mentioned him in the newsletter I received today, thursday, July 31st. you said he's 7, and you're trying to spend as many days afield with him as you can. A lab?

Answered 07/31/08 12:15:37 by Michael Pearce

A: Sorry, Karla. I've mentioned him so often I assumed most folks knew -- like Kathy is my wife, Jerrod is my son and Lindsey is my daughter. Yep, he's a black lab of about 90 pounds of pure muscle. Training dogs and watching good dog work has been a passion since I was in grade school. Thanks for the question. Michael Pearce The Wichita Eagle

Submitted by Dora from Wichita, KS

Q: I just wanted to update the Mississippi Kite information listed in today's paper. I have seen the kites preying on baby House Wrens in my neighborhood. They seem to act more like a raptor. I've seen the kites being chased by robins and other birds, to try to keep the kites away from their nesting areas.

Answered 07/28/08 10:04:26 by Michael Pearce

A: Thanks, Dora. That's interesting. Kites do indeed occasionally take small birds. Several years ago my editor, Sherry Chisenhall, and I watched a kite feeding on an immature starling as it soared above Old Town. They're really fun birds to watch. Michael Pearce

Submitted by Ben from Wichita

Q: Why is it when the lake levels are posted in the paper they never publish Beaver Lake ? There are alot of Wichita people that own homes on beaver lake.

Answered 07/17/08 08:54:59 by Michael Pearce

A: You're right, a lot of people from this area spend a lot of time on Beaver Lake. It's gorgeous and the striper fishing can be amazing at times. Please understand that we can't cover all lakes within a day's drive of Wichita. We don't have the space to run all of the lakes and our correspondent who makes the lake level and fishing reports only has a limited amount of time. Our main goal is to cover what's happening within Kansas and an hour or so of our border. I'd think you could access Beaver's lake levels on-line, with ease. Sorry, Michael Pearce

Submitted by from

Q: I sure would enjoy a trapping (fur harvesting) article when winter rolls around. Have you ever considered writing one? I think a lot of people would be surprised to learn what Kansas offers the fur industry.

Answered 07/17/08 08:50:33 by Michael Pearce

A: I've done a couple of articles on furharvesting. One was on beaver trapping and the other on calling raccoons. But it is time to run another this winter. Please contact me at mpearce@wichitaeagle.com when the season opens and maybe we can come up with a good story angle. I enjoy running lines.

Submitted by Suzy Miller from Wichita

Q: Hi Michael. I found some baby robins on the ground the other day. What should I do to help them? Suzy

Answered 07/17/08 08:49:03 by Michael Pearce

A: Hi Suzy. Actually, most biologists say the best thing is to leave them alone and let nature take its course. Your chances of nursing them along enough to be healthy adults are very slim. It's also illegal to have any live wild animal in your possession without state-recognized licensing. That's to keep people from intentionally bringing things like fawn deer into their homes. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.

Submitted by Marcia from Wichita, KS

Q: Were you aware that there are buffle-head ducks in Wichita? Aren't they normally north, east or on the Gulf?

Answered 04/28/08 14:38:23 by Michael Pearce

A: Actually they migrate through annually, and can often be seen on the big sand pits when most lakes and ponds are frozen.

Submitted by Janis Roberts from Fall River, KS

Q: Michael - Not really a question for your column, just wanted to know if you would send me your email address again. Flint Oak is going to have a free Sporting Clays day on April 24th for the Sheriff's, KS Hwy Patrol, and KDWP in our area and wanted to know if you might want to attend. If you would like more info just email me and I'll get a letter sent to you. I'm going to try and get Jami V. to come out too if she can. Thanks, Janis

Answered 04/14/08 09:19:05 by Michael Pearce

A: mpearce@wichitaeagle.com...it's listed on the outdoors page every Sunday.

Submitted by David Thrush from Peck, Kansas

Q: Michael, How do I obtain either a printed copy of the "Outdoor Guide" the Kansas.com supplement or a PDF file? I tried to print it while I was looking at it on the web, it didn't turn out well. Thanks Dave

Answered 04/14/08 09:18:11 by Michael Pearce

A: Printed copies are waiting at several sporting-related businesses in Wichita. Most state park offices also have them. There are always some at our front desk, on the south side of The Wichita Eagle building. Michael Pearce

Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified

Q: In regards to the article on the continuing attack on feral hogs,I was wondering what happens to all the meat from the hogs that are killed?

Answered 03/03/08 15:50:51 by Michael Pearce

A: After they're shot, and the blood and tissue samples are taken, the hogs are loaded on a trailer and eventually wind up getting buried. To give the meat to someone poses several problems. Most landowners don't want anyone from the general public on their property during the gunning. There's also the liability issue should one of the feral hogs test positive for a disease. Also, since the pigs aren't field-dressed the meat spoils rather quickly. So I've been told by the feds. Michael Pearce

Submitted by george from newton

Q: Hi Michael, In reading your articles every week It is clear you love hunting ducks.My question for you is regarding C. Bottoms and Quivera NWR. I have never had a chance to hunt these places and woundered if you had any tips. I would be taking a boy with me. The way I like to hunt is with a dozen or so decoys and walk in. I have gone the route of carrying bags and bags of decoys but now would like to cut back due to age. Could I show a young boy a good hunt with ouly a few deeks at either one of these places?

Answered 02/21/08 18:15:23 by Michael Pearce

A: George, A lot depends on the conditions -- water levels, habitat conditions, migrations, how far you're willing to walk... Yes, I think you could. Cheyenne Bottoms even has an area reserved for young shooters. Also, don't over-look the McPherson Wetlands.They're close and the dike system makes them easily accessible. Don't forget the special youth weekends that come before every regular opening day. Sure, only the kids can shoot but ol' waterfowlers like us mainly just want to be along to watch the birds and work our dogs. Good luck! Michael Pearce

Submitted by simon from Wichita, KS

Q: I thought the great outdoor photo contest was to be pictures taken in Kansas. I have never seen redwoods in Kansas.

Answered 02/21/08 18:10:04 by Michael Pearce

A: That's never been part of the rules during the seven years of the contest. The public voted a shot of redwoods as the winner one year. The criteria is "Anything that depicts the beauty and/or enjoyment of the great outdoors." Thanks, Michael Pearce

Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified

Q: Enjoyed your article Sunday on Cheney reservoir, spring can't get here fast enough. In your newsletter last week you mentioned fly fishing in clear Flint Hills streams. I was wondering where these streams are and are they public fishing?

Answered 02/13/08 13:58:49 by Michael Pearce

A: Most of the streams are privately-owned, but there are some public stretches. The upper ends of Toronto and Fall River Reservoirs have some nice streams. Wildlife and Parks annually leases several miles of clear streams in their FISH program. When military scheduling allows, Wildcat Creek on Fort Riley is another good alternative. Have fun. Michael Pearce

Submitted by Anonymous from Wichita, KS

Q: Where would I go west of Medicine Lodge to get a good chance of seeing the blue birds there during this winter time of the year?

Answered 01/07/08 15:16:48 by Michael Pearce

A: West of town there's a scenic loop that should take you through enough cedar pastures to get a view, though I understand numbers are down a bit this year. Also, there should be some birds right in town. Michael Pearce The Wichita Eagle

Submitted by Patrick Murphy from Wichita, KS

Q: Mr. Pearce, You may already know this, but the Upland Season survey is now complete. The results show a strong preference by hunters and landowners for the traditional opening weekend for pheasant on the second Sat. of Nov. It shows a preference for an opening for quail and pheasant on the same day and for ending quail on the 31st of Jan. Most importantly, it shows non-residents do not have a preference for an early pheasant opener. That was Mr. Hayden's faulty reasoning for the change, i.e. because other states moved their opening weekend, we must move ours so that non-residents will come to Kansas. The issue is currently not on the agenda for the January meeting of the Commission. Mr. Johnston, the Chair, tells me the economic study is not done and they will take up the issue later. Can you please report on the results of the survey and keep track of this issue?

Answered 01/07/08 15:15:46 by Michael Pearce

A: Hi Pat, I did an article on last year's survey last spring. This year's is still on-going. From what I read last year, though, a lot depends on how you want to read the sizable percentage that really doesn't care when the upland bird seasons open. Discussion of upland season changes is not on the KDWP list for Thursday's commission meeting. I've spoken with two commissioners, though, who want an update. Michael Pearce The Wichita Eagle

Submitted by Rusty Whitcher from Hesston, KS

Q: Michael with the advent of pheasant season, followed by quail season almost upon us, what will it take for the season to be moved back to the original starting point of the second weekend in November? I'm a huge pheasant/quail hunter, but even I think the season needs to go back to the way it was. Any thoughts?

Answered 10/30/07 14:11:58 by Michael Pearce

A: Rusty, The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission is expected to address the issue again next year. KDWP is also supposed to conduct a survey of hunters. I'd suggest contacting all of the commissioners on the issue, possibly every few months. You can find their contact information at www.kdwp.state.ks.us

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