Outdoor Adventures
Phil Taunton
Friday, July 25, 2008
Last Sunday found me
and Wifeus at the Marion Country Club chasing a paltry white pill around the golf course.
The things I do for that woman!
We have played in Marion’s couples tournament for several years. It is always held the same weekend of the British Open. July in England is quite different than what we experience in Kansas, I guarantee you. Watching the pros shiver and fight the elements last weekend while we were sweltering in the sun can attest to that.
One of the things I enjoy most about the Marion tournament isn’t golf, but the steak dinner that follows and listening to all the quail whistle and call to their brood while we are on the course. Last weekend, I neither heard nor saw a bird. And, I can assure you, searching for my errant golf shots led me deeper into their habitat than I care to go this time of year. I have the chigger bites to prove it!
So how is the game bird hatch going this year? Jim Pitman, the small game coordinator of Kansas Wildlife and Parks (342-0658), hasn’t gotten all his reports in yet, so it is too early for him to make a prediction. At Marion, I never heard any birds, but Jim has received reports that there are excellent numbers of birds calling there and in nearby McPherson County.
Heavy rains and cooler weather might have hindered survival of the young. Gamebird chicks can't regulate their own body temperature until they are about two weeks of age. If they get wet during these first two weeks and stay wet for any extended period of time, they can easily succumb to hypothermia. It really doesn't have to be very cold for this to happen. A chick’s normal body temperature is 102-104 degrees. It’s difficult for them to maintain that temperature when wet, even when they are in brooders.
You might assume the greatest impact of heavy rain is drowning. Yes, chicks can drown and flooding can destroy nests, but hypothermia is certainly an issue.
2008 Quail Unlimited National Convention
Jim will be at this year’s 2008 Quail Unlimited National Convention in Springfield, Mo., July 31- Aug. 3, where presentations will be given on how quail are doing and what successes have been achieved in increasing their numbers throughout the country.
Another hot topic will be “Nest Predators and Their Impact on Quail Populations,” where Dr. Bill Palmer, of Tall Timbers Research Center, will give a talk on their multi-year predator study. This study will change the way many land owners will manage for quail in the future! For more information about this year’s convention and its agenda contact Bob Peterson, Central Plains Regional Director at (417) 388-4217, or visit www.qu.org.
Let’s flip the coin and talk turkey. Brandon Houck, the National Wild Turkey Federation’s regional biologist for Kansas and Nebraska, 340-5019, believes wild turkey reproduction this summer will be spotty due to the extremely wet spring and early summer we had. Also, people began cutting brome late this year and discovered lots of nests in mid-to-late June, so hens were still trying to incubate eggs then.
Brandon mentioned wet weather is hard on turkey reproduction because predators and egg robbers can find wet hens and wet nests more easily. Perhaps wet birds and nests give off more scent. Extended wet, cold weather is hard on young turkey poults same as quail. Wet weather also discourages insect production and insects are the primary food of these young birds. On the plus side, all the rain has produced a lot of nest and brooding cover this year. Many turkey hens will renest at least once if their first nest is lost. A few broods have been seen, but it’s hard to get a handle on if there was a successful hatch until late August when poults are large enough to be easily seen and hens are more apt to bring them out in the open. Some hens will continue to nest through mid August. Contrary to what many people have heard, a wild turkey hen will only raise one brood per year.
The 2008 upland bird and fall turkey seasons are as follows:
F Pheasant — Nov. 1, 2008 through Jan. 31, 2009
F Quail — Nov. 8, 2008 through Jan. 31, 2009
F Prairie chicken — Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 (early season, east of U.S. 281 only); Nov. 15, 2008, through Jan. 31, 2009 (northwest and east units)
Fall turkey season, both archery and shotgunning, runs from Oct. 1 through Dec. 2, Dec. 15 through Dec. 31 and Jan. 5 through Jan. 31.
Opportunity to learn
Lyon County 4-H Shooting Sports and all the other programs offered through the Kansas State Extension Service with focus on Head, Heart, Hands and Health provide knowledge for life and involve activities families can enjoy together. Participants in the shooting sports have an opportunity to become part of a proud sporting heritage. They are taught responsible behavior and safety while handling firearms, not to mention the fun they have while doing so. More than 100 kids are currently enrolled in the Lyon County 4-H Shooting Sports program. More qualified instructors also are needed.
A shooting sports brochure can be picked up at the Lyon County Extension Office, 2632 W. Highway 50 in Emporia or by calling 341-3220 for more information concerning 4-H clubs and programs. Or better yet, come on out to the Lyon County Fairgrounds and see these kids participate in their ribbon shoot competitions this Sunday at the Anderson Building.