Outdoors Potpourri
Phil Taunton
Friday, April 20, 2007
Let me tell you, a vacation isn’t all that easy.
Sometimes it is flat hard work.
That’s what I tell Wifeus anyway! And I hope she appreciates all the little yellow flowers I am leaving in the yard for color; an accent some people might think of as dandelions.
Easter weekend’s frost and freeze took care of all the other pretties.
I’m on vacation now. Kicking back and relaxing my foot! I started this annual leave from my day job last week, and my feet haven’t touched ground since.
There’s turkey to match wits with and crappie to catch. Mother Nature tested my patience last weekend when I ran pointing dogs in Dodge City in pursuit of a National Championship. Ten inches of snow can put a damper on things.
We never placed but had a good time and made it home safe. That’s what life is all about.
With concerns to fishing and the annual crappie spawn, the ice and snow of last week dropped the water temperature as much as 15 degrees in some lakes. Fishing is picking up now, so get out and enjoy the pleasant weather.
Crappie are moving back to the spawning grounds and are readily taking minnows and plastic jigs.
I would like to forward you a couple of announcements from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks until I can get back into the swing of things. Hope to see you at Pomona State Park’s O.K. Kids Day on May 12.
Outdoor events
planned for kids throughout Kansas
The Kansas Wildscape Foundation will conduct its Annual Outdoor Kansas for Kids (O.K. Kids) events throughout Kansas this year. Events started April 13 and continue through the summer and fall. The O.K. Kids Program expects to attract more than 15,000 participants in 2007. The program encourages children, at least for one day, to become active and catch a breath of fresh air by experiencing Kansas outdoors.
Wildscape and program partners, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the Kansas Recreation and Parks Association, plan to lure thousands of kids into hiking, fishing, and birdwatching, as well as other events. Events are open to the public. Free O.K. Kids T-shirts will be given to each youth thanks to Duckwall-Alco’s support. The program’s founding sponsor, Bass Pro Shops, will provide participating youth with free gifts, as well as the opportunity to win some special prizes. In addition to prizes, kids will have the opportunity to enter a picture-drawing contest sponsored by Capitol Federal Savings. The theme for the picture is a favorite outdoor scene or activity.
“One of our programs Wildscape is most proud of is O.K. Kids,” said Mike Vineyard, a member of the Wildscape board of directors. “What a great way to get outside and have fun while learning something new and spending time with your friends and family.”
For details about O.K. Kids events and contests, as well as other Wildscape projects, phone Rebecca Reichenbach at Kansas Wildscape toll free at (866) 655-4377 or e-mail rebeccar@sunflower.com.
Adventure camp
connects kids to the outdoors
Co-sponsored by the Kansas Wildlife Federation and the K-State Cooperative Extension Service, the Outdoor Adventure Camp is a six-day summer camp for kids who either enjoy the outdoors or want to learn more about it. Now in its 19th year, the event will be held June 10-15 at the Camp WaShunGa area of Rock Springs 4-H Center near Junction City.
Kansas youngsters ages 10 through 12 will spend mornings exploring the grounds at Rock Springs with instructors, getting up-close experience with Kansas animals and plants. Session subjects include insects, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish management, wildlife management, wetlands, birds and stream ecology.
Afternoons will be spent learning about birds of prey, skins and skulls, bats, streams and more general topics, including ecology, wetlands, riparian areas and watersheds. Instructors from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas State University, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, county conservation districts, the Riley County Fish and Game, 4-H clubs and other organizations will be on hand.
Depending on the evening, participants might prowl for owls, star-gaze or watch bats gobble bugs. Evening swims are on the agenda, and participants will sit around a campfire, eat s’mores, and tell stories. One evening will feature a friendly fishing competition.
Other activities planned are scavenger hunts; swimming and canoeing; fishing; rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, archery, and pellet gun shooting; arts and crafts and horseback riding. A day-trip to the Milford Nature Center and Fish Hatchery will occupy one day.
Participants should bring a swimsuit, sleeping gear and clothes for a week. Sunscreen, insect repellent, a cap, a fishing pole and a water bottle also are recommended. Food, instruction and lodging are all included in the $225 price of the six-day camp. Sportsman’s clubs offer Outdoor Adventure Camp scholarships. KWF and the Outdoor Writers of Kansas offer scholarships through Kansas Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Space is limited, and the registration deadline is June 4.
For applications and scholarship information, contact Outdoor Adventure Camp, Theresa Berger, 406 S. New York Ave, Sylvan Grove, KS 67481. Checks should be made out to the Kansas Wildlife Federation. For more information, phone (785) 526-7466 or e-mail bergkwf@wtciweb.com.