Northwest Kansas Hunting News
09-24-2003, 04:12 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Morland Kansas
Posts: 2
Northwest Kansas Hunting News
HEY-HO GOOD NEIGHBORS!!
The official Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks’ Upland Bird Forecast is in. And it’s good for us – very good in Graham County!
Opening pheasant weekend will be Nov 8 & 9 this year; quail starts the weekend of Nov 15th & rifle deer season runs Dec 3 through 14th. . .And note the Special Youth Upland Bird Hunt Nov 1 & 2. This is available for youth 16 and younger who are accompanied by an adult 21 or older. What a great way to pass on the hunting tradition!
Morland Kansas weather......:
Is still dry. But not as dry. Morland seems to miss out on the big rains – but I think our luck may finally be changing! Graham County, as a whole, seems to be doing ‘just okay’ with the moisture issue. Not as dry as it’s been, but we could use a lot more rain.
Last evening, Morland, and an area of about 15 miles around us, received nearly a half-inch of rain. . . and small hail. No damage done with the hail and rain was certainly welcome! The cooler temperatures have also helped vegetation and wildlife handle the dry conditions. First frost was a week ago. Once again, no real damage done – but the time is coming closer, eh?
For detailed current weather conditions in Graham County:
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/...st?query=67650
& to check out the Morland,(Hill City), Kansas almanac: http://www.weatherunderground.com/hi...lyHistory.html ************************************************** ***************
On the Home front:
B.U.W. got a few highway miles on it last week after a short-term breakdown. It’s running better than ever now, after ‘blowing out all the cobs’. Yes, you guessed it, Hubster was driving. I look at the situation as an excellent way to warm up the old ‘gal’ before she’s ‘put through her paces’ during hunting season.
We’ve been seeing a LOT of deer crossing Highway 24 here in Graham County. Well… there’s now one less crossing. Yep. I finally hit one – thank goodness it was a small one – a couple weeks ago. Hit it straight on with my beloved van. Why oh why didn’t I take the wagoneer?? Not a lot of damage was done, and no one was hurt – so that’s good.
Baza, our trusty Vizsla, is getting antsier – lots of pacing. She’s really enjoying the cooler temperatures, and is very anxious to go hunting. Though, she learned recently, skunks aren’t a good thing to ‘flush.’ She was very ‘fragrant’ even after several days and several baths. Moles are a much better prey – too bad the yard has to be dug up to to get them.
Wheat drilling is coming to an end here in northwest Kansas. Farmers had a very up and down year, with their crops, and are hoping for a more predictable, consistent harvest season(s) next year. Some good snow on that just planted wheat should guarantee that.
J-girl still target shooting – getting some practice in for her big deer hunt. She & Hubster have not made it out for any dove hunting – to their disappointment, but at least they’re getting some shooting practice in. J-boy is just so anxious for it be ‘his turn’ to enjoy the shooting and hunting sports. Soon, dear son. Soon.
************************************************** ***************
Upland Bird Outlook:
AWESOME! From Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, heeeere’s the overview for the entire state:
PHEASANT:
Kansas pheasant populations have experienced one of the best production seasons in many years, thanks to nearly ideal spring weather conditions. Pheasant production indices more than doubled compared to 2002 and, overall, hunters can expect the best populations since 1997. While almost all regions of the state have experienced significant pheasant increases, these improvements are not uniform across the Kansas pheasant range. Parts of extreme western Kansas have suffered from severe drought conditions for several years and, while improved this year, pheasant populations remain spotty in those areas. The greatest increases in pheasant numbers appear to have occurred in eastern sections of the northwest region and most of the northcentral region, but excellent production also occurred in the eastern half of the southwest region and several counties in the western part of the southcentral region. The high proportion of juveniles in the population should enhance hunter success.
BOBWHITE:
Bobwhite experienced generally good reproductive success this summer and populations have continued a second year of recovery from the low levels of 2001. This should prove to be the best year since 2000. The greatest improvement appears to have occurred in the southcentral region of the state, with more modest gains elsewhere. Survey data indicate that bobwhite numbers have come close to doubling in southcentral Kansas compared to 2002 and better than average hunting can be expected in that region. Other parts of the Kansas bobwhite range, while increased, will generally offer average or just below average quail hunting. The Flint Hills and Southeast regions will offer the next best Bobwhite populations after the southcentral region. Quail in the northeast showed a significant increase this year, but still remain below the long-term average.
PRAIRIE CHICKEN:
Greater prairie chicken populations were modestly higher this spring compared to 2002. Lesser prairie chicken numbers were significantly down following severe drought in western Kansas in 2002. It is difficult to monitor these species during summer. Weather conditions suggest that both species may have increased this summer.
And the regional summary for Northwest Kansas:
Pheasant populations increased sharply this year and current indices are about double the 5-year average. Very good pheasant hunting will occur in the eastern 2 tiers of counties. Pheasant numbers are much improved, but still spotty farther west. Bobwhite populations are thinly distributed in the northwest and, while slightly improved this year, population indices remain well below the 5-year average. The region’s best bobwhite hunting opportunities are available in the eastern 2 tiers of counties. September cover conditions were about average, with some locally good areas.
Go to http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/hunting/uplandbird.html for the entire report.
Also visit http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/hunting/...ihacounty.html
The 2003 upland bird & game hunting season WIHA atlas is now available.
Pass along the hunting tradition, take a buddy - make that buddy a kid!
Check http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us for more details.
HAPPY HUNTING!
Neighborly,
KSRobin
The official Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks’ Upland Bird Forecast is in. And it’s good for us – very good in Graham County!
Opening pheasant weekend will be Nov 8 & 9 this year; quail starts the weekend of Nov 15th & rifle deer season runs Dec 3 through 14th. . .And note the Special Youth Upland Bird Hunt Nov 1 & 2. This is available for youth 16 and younger who are accompanied by an adult 21 or older. What a great way to pass on the hunting tradition!
Morland Kansas weather......:
Is still dry. But not as dry. Morland seems to miss out on the big rains – but I think our luck may finally be changing! Graham County, as a whole, seems to be doing ‘just okay’ with the moisture issue. Not as dry as it’s been, but we could use a lot more rain.
Last evening, Morland, and an area of about 15 miles around us, received nearly a half-inch of rain. . . and small hail. No damage done with the hail and rain was certainly welcome! The cooler temperatures have also helped vegetation and wildlife handle the dry conditions. First frost was a week ago. Once again, no real damage done – but the time is coming closer, eh?
For detailed current weather conditions in Graham County:
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/...st?query=67650
& to check out the Morland,(Hill City), Kansas almanac: http://www.weatherunderground.com/hi...lyHistory.html ************************************************** ***************
On the Home front:
B.U.W. got a few highway miles on it last week after a short-term breakdown. It’s running better than ever now, after ‘blowing out all the cobs’. Yes, you guessed it, Hubster was driving. I look at the situation as an excellent way to warm up the old ‘gal’ before she’s ‘put through her paces’ during hunting season.
We’ve been seeing a LOT of deer crossing Highway 24 here in Graham County. Well… there’s now one less crossing. Yep. I finally hit one – thank goodness it was a small one – a couple weeks ago. Hit it straight on with my beloved van. Why oh why didn’t I take the wagoneer?? Not a lot of damage was done, and no one was hurt – so that’s good.
Baza, our trusty Vizsla, is getting antsier – lots of pacing. She’s really enjoying the cooler temperatures, and is very anxious to go hunting. Though, she learned recently, skunks aren’t a good thing to ‘flush.’ She was very ‘fragrant’ even after several days and several baths. Moles are a much better prey – too bad the yard has to be dug up to to get them.
Wheat drilling is coming to an end here in northwest Kansas. Farmers had a very up and down year, with their crops, and are hoping for a more predictable, consistent harvest season(s) next year. Some good snow on that just planted wheat should guarantee that.
J-girl still target shooting – getting some practice in for her big deer hunt. She & Hubster have not made it out for any dove hunting – to their disappointment, but at least they’re getting some shooting practice in. J-boy is just so anxious for it be ‘his turn’ to enjoy the shooting and hunting sports. Soon, dear son. Soon.
************************************************** ***************
Upland Bird Outlook:
AWESOME! From Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, heeeere’s the overview for the entire state:
PHEASANT:
Kansas pheasant populations have experienced one of the best production seasons in many years, thanks to nearly ideal spring weather conditions. Pheasant production indices more than doubled compared to 2002 and, overall, hunters can expect the best populations since 1997. While almost all regions of the state have experienced significant pheasant increases, these improvements are not uniform across the Kansas pheasant range. Parts of extreme western Kansas have suffered from severe drought conditions for several years and, while improved this year, pheasant populations remain spotty in those areas. The greatest increases in pheasant numbers appear to have occurred in eastern sections of the northwest region and most of the northcentral region, but excellent production also occurred in the eastern half of the southwest region and several counties in the western part of the southcentral region. The high proportion of juveniles in the population should enhance hunter success.
BOBWHITE:
Bobwhite experienced generally good reproductive success this summer and populations have continued a second year of recovery from the low levels of 2001. This should prove to be the best year since 2000. The greatest improvement appears to have occurred in the southcentral region of the state, with more modest gains elsewhere. Survey data indicate that bobwhite numbers have come close to doubling in southcentral Kansas compared to 2002 and better than average hunting can be expected in that region. Other parts of the Kansas bobwhite range, while increased, will generally offer average or just below average quail hunting. The Flint Hills and Southeast regions will offer the next best Bobwhite populations after the southcentral region. Quail in the northeast showed a significant increase this year, but still remain below the long-term average.
PRAIRIE CHICKEN:
Greater prairie chicken populations were modestly higher this spring compared to 2002. Lesser prairie chicken numbers were significantly down following severe drought in western Kansas in 2002. It is difficult to monitor these species during summer. Weather conditions suggest that both species may have increased this summer.
And the regional summary for Northwest Kansas:
Pheasant populations increased sharply this year and current indices are about double the 5-year average. Very good pheasant hunting will occur in the eastern 2 tiers of counties. Pheasant numbers are much improved, but still spotty farther west. Bobwhite populations are thinly distributed in the northwest and, while slightly improved this year, population indices remain well below the 5-year average. The region’s best bobwhite hunting opportunities are available in the eastern 2 tiers of counties. September cover conditions were about average, with some locally good areas.
Go to http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/hunting/uplandbird.html for the entire report.
Also visit http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/hunting/...ihacounty.html
The 2003 upland bird & game hunting season WIHA atlas is now available.
Pass along the hunting tradition, take a buddy - make that buddy a kid!
Check http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us for more details.
HAPPY HUNTING!
Neighborly,
KSRobin
10-13-2003, 01:10 PM
#3
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Morland Kansas
Posts: 2
RE: Northwest Kansas Hunting News
TWC -
In my neck of the woods - it' s not the dogs who are chomping at the bit - but the *hunters*!
Just have to make it through 25-1/2 more days - then let the feathers fly!
In my neck of the woods - it' s not the dogs who are chomping at the bit - but the *hunters*!
Just have to make it through 25-1/2 more days - then let the feathers fly!
