Norton Wildlife Area
Keith Sebelius Reservoir/ Norton Wildlife Area News
Norton Wildlife Area –Fall Hunting Forecast
Dove Management Fields
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Sunflower Fields
***Consult the 2009 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary for season dates and bag limits***
Waterfowl Waterfowl opportunities are looking good for this fall. Sebelius Reservoir is 10.41 feet below conservation pool, which is .92 feet higher than last year. Overall, habitat conditions look good this year. Above average rainfall and minimal irrigation releases have allowed reservoir levels to remain fairly consistent this year. The higher lake levels have brought water onto the flats, providing more shallow water and walk in duck hunting opportunities. Flooded willow trees and young cottonwoods in these areas provide excellent concealment for walk-in and boat hunters.
The reservoir is looking great for this falls waterfowl seasons, however the weather still plays a huge role in the migration. Generally, the first large flights of ducks can be expected in late October. Weather fronts in November usually bring more Canada geese and mallards to the area.
A seasonal waterfowl refuge is in effect from November 1 through March 1. During these dates the area designated as refuge is closed to all activities. Maps showing refuge boundaries are available at the Area Office and are posted at all of the information kiosks around the lake. Weekly waterfowl updates can be viewed on the agency’s website at www.kdwp.state.ks.us or call the Norton Area Office at 785-877-2953.
Pheasant & Quail Pheasant and quail numbers look good for the upcoming season. Last winter’s mild weather allowed for good survival, conditions this spring were good for nesting, and above average rainfall throughout the summer has resulted in some of the best habitat conditions in years. Pheasant harvest is expected to be good early in the season, and subsequent success to drop off with the exception of winter snows that concentrate birds in heavier cover.
Quail numbers can vary a lot from year to year, but are generally low. Most quail are harvested opportunistically while targeting pheasants. Expect to see more quail than in years past, however better quail opportunities occur as you travel east in the state.
Turkey Turkey numbers have been on a steady increase on the wildlife area. This year, turkeys had great nesting success. Fall Turkey season opens October 1st. Getting out early in the month of October should provide your best chances of harvest success. Later in the season turkeys are pushed off the area by increased disturbance and hunting pressure. Limited numbers of turkeys have wintered on the area since 2006. However most large winter flocks are located on private land.
Deer Deer numbers on the wildlife area have been increasing since 2001, mostly due to the availability of habitat with declining reservoir levels. The Wildlife Area is primarily home for white-tailed deer, some mule deer stay on the area during the summer but move off the property in the early fall. Expect light to moderate hunting pressure during the muzzle loader and archery seasons and high hunting pressure during the regular firearms season. All archery hunters are required to wear blaze orange if archery hunting during a firearms season, including muzzleloader season.
Rabbit Rabbit populations are high and should provide good opportunity for those who choose to hunt them. A cotton tail hunt after a fresh snow is a great way to introduce kids to hunting.
Coyotes & Furbearers Generally, hunting and trapping pressure is directly linked to local fur prices. Expect light to moderate trapping pressure this season. Calling for bobcats or coyotes can be good early in the year, before they become wary of the call, but pelts are usually not prime until later in the season. Raccoon and bobcat rate as the most targeted furbearer species on the wildlife area. Trapping and snaring are allowed on the wildlife area. Remember that you are sharing this area with other sportsmen, and use good judgment when selecting a site for a set.
2009 Youth Upland Challenge
The table is set
The 2009 youth upland season for pheasant and quail is the weekend of November 7 & 8. This is one of the greatest opportunities that Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism offers to young hunters, especially this year. Preliminary survey results, field observations by biologists, and farmer reports all point to the most promising pheasant season in years.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Past years participation in the youth upland seasons have been extremely low, especially on our state managed wildlife areas. The Norton Wildlife Area offers approximately 6,000 acres open to hunting and has only had a handful of youth participants in past seasons. Norton County also offers over 27,000 Walk-In Hunting Acres (WIHA) this year. With plenty of places to go, and plenty of birds in the field, there is little reason to stay home.
The Challenge!
I challenge any adult hunter that reads this to take at least one youth hunter into the field for at least a half day hunt during the youth upland season. The time invested is minimal compared to the rewards that you and your youth partner will receive. Most kids will jump at the chance to be taken on a hunt. They’re just waiting for you to ask. By mentoring a young hunter you will also be ensuing that our hunting tradition lives on to the next generation and is not lost to the anti-hunting movement. Take a moment to reflect on your hunting experiences as a youth. There was someone who took the time to mentor you. Shouldn’t you take the time to PASS IT ON?
Disclaimer
Youth hunters must be 16 years or younger. They must be supervised by an adult 18 years or older. The supervising adult may NOT hunt. The daily bag limit is half the regular season limit (2 cock pheasants & 4 quail). ALL youth participants and their mentors MUST HAVE FUN!!!
Be Safe-Wear Hunter Orange
It has long been required to wear hunter orange while hunting or assisting a hunter during all firearms deer seasons in Kansas. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism encourage all upland hunters to wear hunter orange, even though it is not a requirement. Swinging on game continues to be the number one cause of hunting accidents in Kansas. Studies have shown that wearing hunter orange reduces the risk of upland bird hunting accidents. Be Safe- Be Seen- Wear Hunter Orange!
Developing New Ways to Communicate with Our Customers
As technology has changed, so has our ways of conducting business. One thing has not changed. In order to be successful, you need to know who your customers are, and what they expect.
Starting this fall on the Norton Wildlife Area, Wildlife, Parks and Tourism officials will be recording KDWPT numbers from individuals during routine license checks and field contacts. This list of KDWPT numbers can then be used to contact individuals for voluntary surveys, to inform them of area news via newsletters, and to solicit input towards future area management.
Many wildlife areas throughout the state are already using this communication tool by obtaining KDWPT numbers from a free daily permit system which is required to hunt these areas. Locally, we hope to collect enough numbers through field contacts and license checks to begin conducting hunter surveys, which will help local staff to acquire accurate data for area management, and give us the ability to supply you with accurate information about the wildlife area, all through better communication.
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