Council Grove Wildlife Area News

Annual Youth Spring Turkey Hunt a Success (AGAIN)!

The Council Grove 13th Annual Spring Turkey Hunt was conducted on Saturday, April 6. This year’s hunt sought to accommodate area youth ages 11-16. A windy spring morning did not hamper 12 eager area youngsters the morning of the hunt. By day’s end, all of the participants were fortunate to see or hear wild turkeys. Eight of the participants harvested a turkey while others enjoyed encounters with their quarry but were unable to harvest. For those fortunate to harvest, the event was memorable, particularly for the lucky seven youth who harvested their first wild turkey.

The primary goal of this hunt was to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for area youngsters, and to bring together individuals with an interest in spring turkey hunting. This event was designed to pair young hunters with knowledgeable and experienced adult volunteers, in an effort to initiate or further entrench participants into the enjoyable spring pastime of wild turkey hunting.

All participants enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to receive hands-on hunting instruction, turkey hunting gear, and meals. The hunters truly appreciated the efforts of all involved and volunteers were rewarded with many thanks.

Area Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism staff would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their assistance with another successful event:

Organizations: The National Wild Turkey Federation, The Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation, The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, The U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, American Eagle Outfitters, and JD Taxidermy.

Individuals: Randy Benteman, Marvin Peterson, Nadia Marji, Jon Zuercher, Brandon Houck, Jared McJunkin, Spencer Tomb, Allan Cashman, Mark Hawkins, Phillip Buttrey, Jim Evans, Jason Harris, Josh Patry, Kevin Ehrlich, Josh Ehrlich, Brad Richardson, and Josh Fields.

Special thanks must also be extended to numerous landowners for their generosity in allowing youth to hunt turkeys on their property and to 2014 hunt donors Dale Burnett and Jason & Dara Fillmore.

Volunteers interested in helping with next years hunts can contact: Brent Konen – Council Grove Wildlife Area Manager, #620/767-5900.

Are Our Outdoor Traditions Being Threatened by Exotic Species?

Imagine if you will, the excitement of a young angler being dashed as his efforts to pitch a bait into a favored locale go unnoticed. Or imagine if you will, a seasoned hunter, traversing across familiar habitats that in years past produced abundant game. Recent outings however have yielded little. All of us in the outdoor fraternity experience outings that bear less fruit. The harvest of fish and game should not always be the purpose for our time outdoors, but occasionally productive trips afield are needed by most of us to further our interest. Why, in the examples above, did these individuals conclude their day in our outdoors with an empty bag or creel? Public opinions to address the answer to such a question vary widely and often stimulate lively debate. One possible explanation that has garnered the attention of natural resource professionals, sportsmen, and the media, is the threat posed by exotic species.

Biologists recognize that modern declines of wildlife populations are often attributed to changes in habitat, and that many habitats, including those around us, are under siege by exotic species. Exotic species often become dominant within an area. They can out-compete native species for food or space and can reduce biological diversity or the assemblage of plants and animals within our native habitats. Exotic species such as zebra mussels (mollusk), asian carp (fish), white perch (fish), Eurasian watermilfoil (plant), sericea lespedeza (plant), purple loosestrife (plant), and emerald ash borer (insect), threaten to alter aquatic, grassland, wetland, and woodland habitats of which our wildlife species depend, including those species sought by anglers and hunters in Kansas.

Have you heard of these species? How is it that they can impact our outdoor traditions such as angling and hunting? Many of these species originated on other continents. Within their “home” environments they have natural controls such as disease, predation, and competition to keep them in check. When exposed to new environments where these controls do not exist, populations have the potential to expand rapidly, choking out other native species, offering less food and cover choices for other wildlife. Zebra mussels, asian carp, and white perch threaten to out-compete native fish within our states waters impacting recreationists and industry reliant on their activities. Plant species such as Eurasian watermilfoil forms thick, dense mats within aquatic systems threatening water recreation and aquatic habitats. Sericea lespedeza threatens native grasslands such as our beloved flint hills, while purple loosestrife threatens critically important and declining wetland habitats. Emerald ash borer has recently been discovered in Kansas and poses a genuine threat to all species of ash trees within our state. Natural resource managers charged with the control of such species must devote limited human and financial resources for control efforts thus reducing time and money that could be used to enhance other wildlife populations and recreational facilities for public enjoyment.

Our human society has become nationally and globally connected. The mobility of our society is unprecedented. As our population grows, as our economies improve, and as technology advances, we as a people will move about more. When we do, we run the risk of introducing exotic species, whether intentional or not, into areas where natural controls do not exist. Once an exotic is introduced it becomes everyone’s responsibility to limit its spread. As our knowledge of these species is enhanced and as their populations expand, regulations may be enacted to assist with control. These regulations may often become controversial because they may change long standing traditions or impact how, when, or where we recreate. Regulations that impact cherished traditions are not enacted easily. They require input from many natural resource professionals including fisheries biologists, wildlife biologists, law enforcement officers, and park managers, as well as from a diverse group of resource consumers including anglers, hunters, boaters, and the industry that provides goods and services to serve that constituency. Regulations often reach beyond the need to control a single species, by regulating activities to control several or even a group of exotic species. Communities faced with one highly publicized exotic species may not currently understand the reason for a regulatory change designed to control the spread of additional species. A lack of understanding can then lead to noncompliance, which leads to the continuation of a potentially harmful practice, which can then lead to the ultimate spread of additional species and further harm. By following a few simple steps each of us can do our part to protect our cherished outdoor traditions from the threat of exotic species. Isn’t a little extra planning, or investment in time, or even expense, worth it?

To protect our aquatic habitats, follow these simple steps at every lake, wetland, and river, every time:

• CLEAN: Inspect and clean anything that came in contact with the water, including boats, trailers, equipment, clothing, dogs, boots and waders, etc. Remove any zebra mussels, other animals, mud, plants and other debris before leaving the area.
• DRAIN: Empty all water from engines, livewells, bilges, bait buckets, and every other conceivable space or item that can hold water before leaving the area. Dump live bait on dry land or at bait disposal sites, not into the lake or stream. Never move live fish between bodies of water or up streams.
• DRY: All equipment for 5 days before using it again. If you need to use it sooner, Wash It with 140 degree water (retail car washes are OK; so is a 10% water/chlorine solution or hot saltwater) before using your equipment in another body of water.

To protect our grassland habitats, follow this simple step:

• Utilize native plant species when planting mixtures of seeds for erosion control and for wildlife habitat. Ensure that noxious weeds are not included in the mix.

To protect our woodland habitats, follow this simple step:

• Don’t move firewood. When buying wood for your home, buy only locally grown and harvested firewood. When camping, buy your firewood near your destination and burn all that you bring.

Conservation Accomplishments and Goals at Council Grove Wildlife Area

As a public steward of Kansas natural resources, the mission of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is to 1.) Conserve and enhance Kansas natural heritage, its wildlife and its habitats, 2.) Provide the public with opportunities for the use and appreciation of these natural resources, 3.) Inform the public of the status of the natural resources of Kansas.

Using this conservation mission statement as an outline and for guidance, area staff have directed recent management plans, and those of coming years, to enhance area habitats and public use and appreciation of Council Grove Wildlife Area (CGWA). The following is a brief summary of the conservation achievements and goals for the area. It is provided as an incentive for all to visit the area to experience some of what outdoor Kansas has to offer!

The CGWA is comprised of approximately 2,000 acres of land surrounding Council Grove Lake. In 2002 only about 16% of the CGWA was grassland habitat, while about 25% of lands were used for agricultural production, with remaining lands (59%) largely wooded. Because of the value grassland habitats have for filtering run-off and for providing habitat for many wildlife species, including quail, area staff began to develop plans to enhance and develop grassland habitats on CGWA.

Beginning in 2004, and continuing to date, aggressive techniques such as tree shearing, burning, and woody spot spraying were employed to enhance existing grassland habitats. Several cooperative agreements with other conservation organizations such as Quail Unlimited (recently reorganized to form the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation - QUWF) and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) were completed to facilitate the removal of trees invading into area grasslands. Since 2004, nearly 175 hours of mechanical tree shearing has been completed. Prescribed burning and spot herbicide applications have since been implemented to remove remaining trees and maintain these important grassland habitats. Prescribed burning is utilized during spring and summer months and occurs on individual tracts every 2 to 4 years with approximately 6 to 10 tracts being burned each year. In addition to shearing and burning, staff spends approximately 70 hours spot spraying noxious weeds and 55 hours spot spraying young woody growth each year, in an effort to maintain grassland habitat values and productivity.

KDWPT continues to work in partnership with QUWF to enhance habitat for upland game birds on CGWA by periodically light disking some area grassland and retired agricultural tracts. This management activity is designed to enhance plant diversity on these acres and improve year-round habitat for game birds. Treated acres are allowed to grow to annual grasses and forbs in an effort to enhance brood-rearing habitat and native plant seed (wildlife food) production. Recent management treatments have involved disking of 14 strips within 5 planted grassland tracts and 11 acres within 3 recently retired agricultural tracts. Additional treatments are being considered for other tracts in coming years.

Beginning in 2006, and concluding in 2011, efforts were employed to create additional perennial grassland habitats. The primary challenge with developing additional grassland habitat at CGWA however, is that much of the area is frequently inundated when lake levels rise. Newly developed perennial grass stands would be lost during flood events unless they were planted in upland areas away from flood zones. Flood events occurring in 2004 and 2005 provided some indication of where new grassland habitats should be planted. Working again with conservation partners such as QUWF, NWTF, and the Twin Lakes Water Quality Project, 14 agricultural tracts comprised of approximately 86 acres have been retired and converted to native grasses and forbs within each of the drainages entering Council Grove Lake. This project was designed to provide multiple benefits, including those to enhance water quality, wildlife habitat, and associated recreation.

In addition to these efforts, all agricultural fields adjacent to creeks or rivers on the CGWA have been reviewed and portions of some fields have been removed from production if zones or strips of permanent vegetation that serve to stabilize banks and filter run-off were deemed too thin. These areas are being allowed to grow into annual grasses, forbs, and trees as nearly all of these areas are prone to flooding. A minimum of 100’ of permanent vegetation will become established between the bank edge and where agricultural production begins. Approximately 9,000 feet of edge has been widened within 15 agricultural tracts with an additional 5,250 feet having been widened within 8 retired agricultural tracts recently planted to native grass. The total treated area then involves approximately 14,250 feet or 2.7 miles within 23 tracts! Again, water quality and wildlife habitat are enhanced.

Work has also begun to enhance wildlife habitat in woodland dominated areas of CGWA. Beginning in 2011, and utilizing the expertise of a district forester with the Kansas Forest Service, area staff has initiated several projects designed to utilize timber stand improvement (TSI) principles. Work is designed to promote burr oak (primarily), walnut, and hickory stature and nut production by girdling and applying herbicide to nearby competing and less desirable trees. TSI work completed in 2011 included 3 woodland tracts totaling 42 acres. In 2012, similar work was completed within 2 tracts totaling nearly 70 acres and along the 2.7 miles of recently retired creek and river edge mentioned previously. More TSI work is planned in 2013. This work should increase habitat diversity and enhance these areas for deer, turkey, quail and other wildlife species.

Several special events that were initiated in 2003, have become annual events at CGWA, and have enhanced outdoor recreation opportunities for many that may have otherwise not participated. Each spring, KDWPT in cooperation with 5 other organizations and an array of local volunteers, conducts a spring turkey hunt. This event has evolved from initially providing opportunities for disabled and women hunters to the current emphasis of involving area youth. In addition, each fall, KDWPT in cooperation with several other organizations and businesses, conducts its annual outdoor youth event. Participants receive hands-on instruction of shotgun, air rifle, and archery shooting techniques. Since 2003, partnering agencies and volunteers have helped to serve 20 disabled sportsmen, 31 women, and 83 youth during our spring turkey hunts, and 402 youth participants during our fall outdoor youth event. These events help to ensure our hunting heritage and enhance appreciation of our natural resources!

CGWA staff are excited about recent improvements, and future plans, to enhance area habitats and recreational opportunities. Take some time and visit Council Grove Wildlife Area, you might be surprised at what you have been missing!

Hunters Reminded of New Public Lands Regulations:

In June of 2012 the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission approved new regulations relating to hunting on public lands. Designed to provide hunters with equal opportunities on limited public lands, the following regulations have been enacted:

• Baiting is illegal on public lands. Bait is considered any grain, fruit, vegetable, nut, hay, salt, sorghum, feed, or other food or mineral capable of attracting wildlife. Liquid scents and sprays are not considered bait.
• Only two portable blinds or tree stands are allowed per hunter on public lands.
• Portable blinds and tree stands must be marked with the owner’s name and address or KDWPT number. Portable blinds may not be left unattended overnight on public lands.
• Decoys may not be left unattended overnight on public lands.
• Commercial guides must have a permit to guide on public lands. The permit is free and must be specific to the land where guiding takes place.