Nature’s way
Phil Taunton
Friday, June 1, 2007
“Mommy, Mommy, come quick. I found a baby bird in the yard! It’s hungry. What can we feed it? Can I keep it?”
What would you as a responsible parent advise your child?
This time of year it is quite common to find young, wild animals in the city and out in the country. Young birds, ducks and geese are everywhere. And we all know rabbits, squirrels and even opossums have found a haven in most neighborhoods.
Please do the “seemingly abandoned” young of the year a favor and simply leave them alone.
Last week, I got calls from two families asking what they could have done for young birds found in their yards. The young birds were given the best of care, but they both died.
It would have been better to just leave these young critters in the wild, to the wild. Most of the time, wildlife mothers aren’t too far away from their young in a search for food.
The young bird or animal isn’t really abandoned. The young are still under the parents’ care and they will return once you get out of the area.
If a bird has fallen from its nest, if possible, just return it to the nest. If you can’t find the nest, try and herd the fledgling to some thick shrubbery or protected place in the yard. Also, for added protection keep all your cats and dogs penned up or in the house. This would allow the adults to care for their young.
You also must remember that wild animals, though cute and fuzzy, might also be carriers of disease, even rabies. For the most part, they don’t make good pets and would prefer to stay in the wild.
It also must be emphasized that picking up and trying to care for these young animals — under any circumstances — is against the law. Both the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have regulations against such activity. Fines can be as much as $1,000.
So please, just do the wild babes a favor, observe and enjoy your good fortune for having seen them for just a bit. And simply leave them alone if you really love them!
Fishing report
The $64 question: Is there life after spring turkey season? The Kansas spring season ended Thursday, and no doubt many an outdoorsman will go into withdrawal unless they plan on traveling to another state.
What do you do with your spare time now?
I guess there is always gardening and yard work. I’m sure the garage, basement and the outdoor room needs straightening up, also. Just be sure for the next couple of weeks you don’t trip over your lip.
I guess to make matters worse but to save grace at home, I can always go golfing with Wifeus. And I thought the turkeys gave me a bad beat!
Post-spawn walleye are on the prowl and fishing for this species should get better. While down at the lake last weekend, I showed the grandkids how to bait up the poles for fishing during the night using sunfish to entice a catfish into the frying pan. A 5-pound walleye fell for the offering, and what a fish fry we had. Walleye fishing
heating up
As table fare, walleye are at the top of most anglers’ lists. They not only are tasty, but they grow large enough that a few fish can provide a family meal (The state record walleye is more than 13 pounds).
And right now, as the water and the air warms up, is the best time to catch them. Walleye move over shallow points, flats and underwater roadbeds to feed in May and early June. Breezy days are better than calm ones.
Post-spawn walleye often are aggressive and can be caught trolling with crank baits or drifting a jig and nightcrawler combination. Fish also can be caught by anglers wading the windy side of the Lake.
Jig size varies depending on the amount of wind and water depth, but usually a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jighead will do the trick. Popular lure colors include chartreuse, red, orange, pink and white.
Many of Kansas’ 24 reservoirs provide good walleye fishing. Much of this success can be attributed to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) aggressive walleye stocking program. In addition, length limits allow walleye to grow to reproductive age, and in some reservoirs, prime habitat produces excellent walleye populations year after year.
Anglers should keep in mind that conditions for walleye fishing can change daily. For weekly fishing reports throughout the season, visit the KDWP Web site at www.kdwp.state.ks.us.