Posted: 24 Sep 2008 03:32 PM CDT

$18,175 allocated for specific projects; another $30,000 for outreach and education

The Kansas State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) recently announced selection of the following Hunting Heritage Super Fund proposals for funding 2009 projects in the Sunflower State . These proposals had been evaluated and ranked earlier by the Kansas Super Fund Committee, as follow:

• Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), statewide, for additional acres of spring wild turkey Walk in Hunting Access -- $5,000 approved.
• KDWP, Kaw Wildlife Area, for herbaceous woodland opening restoration -- $1,000 approved.
• KDWP, Marion Wildlife Area, for native grassland restoration -- $1,500 approved.
• KDWP, Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area, for herbaceous woodland opening restoration -- $1,250 approved.
• KDWP, Clinton Wildlife Area, for woodland openings and grassland restoration -- $1,500 approved.
• Smith County Conservation District, to purchase prescribed burn equipment for newly-forming burn associations -- $1,100 approved.
• Ness County Conservation District, to purchase prescribed burn equipment for newly-forming burn associations -- $500 approved.
• Hillsdale Range and Training Facility, for construction of a new shooting range at Hillsdale Reservoir -- $2,500 approved.
• NWTF/KDWP/Kansas Forest Service, to conduct a two-day forestry and wildlife workshop for natural resource professionals -- $1,000 approved.
• Archery In the Schools Program, to provide archery kits for Phillipsburg and Logan high schools through the Western Kansas Chapter -- $2,000 approved.
• KDWP/Nemaha County Sheriff, to purchase a robotic deer decoy for use in wildlife law enforcement operations -- $825 approved.

These projects are in addition to more than $30,000 budgeted towards outreach and education designed to preserve the Kansas hunting heritage. These projects include 4-H Shooting Sports, JAKES (juniors), Wheelin’ Sportsmen (special needs), and Women in the Outdoors events.

Since 2002, the NWTF has funded more than $105,000 worth of habitat improvements on public land in Kansas . In addition, more than $36,000 has been spent on habitat and management equipment, and more than $20,000 has been spent on public hunting access to private lands (WIHA). Since 1985, NWTF has spent $157,000 on wild turkey research in Kansas . These project funds are generated by volunteers who organize and attend local NWTF banquets. For more information about these projects or to apply for funds, contact NWTF regional wildlife biologist Brandon Houck at 620-443-5906 or visit the Kansas chapter's website.

Through a cooperative agreement with the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), a three-year study is being conducted at Cedar Bluff, Lovewell, and Webster wildlife areas and surrounding private land. The study will focus on turkey movement and harvest on public and adjoining private lands to gain insight for future wild turkey management.

Several wild turkeys will be trapped and fitted with leg bands. Some of those birds will be equipped with radio transmitters to monitor harvest and survival. It will be important for hunters harvesting birds to report bands and/or transmitters to KDWP. Hunters may keep bands, but transmitters must be returned to KDWP.

In order to obtain necessary research information, free daily hunt permits will be required of hunters using these three wildlife areas this fall. Strategic locations around each property will supply permits and a place to return survey information after each day's hunt.

Prior to a hunt, hunters must pick up a permit, fill out the top portion, place it in the designated box, and carry the bottom portion of the permit with them while on the area hunting. When the hunt is finished, the bottom portion of the permit must be returned to the survey station with completed information on the day’s hunt. Hunter participation and cooperation is critical to the success of this study.

While this survey system is new to these properties, it has been used successfully for nearly a decade at other public hunting areas in Kansas to collect better wildlife management information. For more information, phone the KDWP Region 1 Office at 785-628-8614 or specific wildlife areas: Cedar Bluff at 785-726-3212, Lovewell at 785-753-4971, or Webster at 785-425-6775.