Outdoor Adventures
Phil Taunton
Friday, September 12, 2008
Cool, misty September mornings make me think of the times I spent hunting fast-flying teal from a blind of willow branches built just before daybreak on a Republican River sandbar.
We would often hear the flocks before we saw them as they whizzed by our setup in the dim light of early morn.
Teal, though small in stature, are quite sporting and a popular species for waterfowl hunters to pursue. Due to their early migration, they are the first ducks for which there is a season. Kansas Wildlife and Parks reports migrating teal numbers are similar to last year for the opener, and populations are well above a long-term average.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this year's estimated population of blue-winged teal is 6.6 million birds. The estimated population of green-winged teal is 3 million. With these numbers in mind, good hunting during the September season in the two teal-hunting zones of Kansas looks very promising.
In the Low Plains Zone, which includes all of Kansas east of Highway 283, the season runs Sept. 13-28. In the High Plains Zone, the part of the state west of Highway 283, the season runs Sept. 13-20.
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, near Great Bend — one of the state's premier waterfowl hunting areas — reports wetland vegetation has responded well since the floods of last year. Bulrushes are predominant in the open water portions of the pools, and while cattail, dock, smartweed, and some grasses can be found in the perimeter hunting areas. These habitat conditions should make for a good teal season in that area.
Good hunting conditions are also expected a little closer to home at the Hillsdale, Marion and Neosho wildlife areas. Matter of fact, none of the state's reservoirs should be overlooked. Standing water due to the recent rains and ponds on private ground could be good, and other areas of the state may improve as birds migrate south. It pays to thoroughly scout the area you wish to hunt.
Don Patton, wildlife manager at Melvern Wildlife area, reports the Sundance East waterfowl pool was filled with water just the other day, but the Willow and the Three Duck pool won’t be filled until later after the refuge is closed to hunting.
For the most current information on what areas are holding waterfowl, hunters can check the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) online waterfowl updated information site at www.kdwp.state.ks.us.
Limits, stamps
and licensing
Hunters can harvest a daily bag limit of four teal with a possession limit of eight. All waterfowl hunters 16 and older must have a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, and all hunters who are required to obtain a license must also have a Kansas State Waterfowl Habitat Stamp and a Kansas Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp before attempting to take ducks, geese, or mergansers. People hunting their own land and residents of Kansas 15 years of age and younger or 65 and older are not required to have a Kansas hunting license.
Dove-hunting update
Gerry Goll of Emporia reports he and fellow hunters have been having success hunting doves over fallow harvested wheat fields and by using decoys. Until the recent cold and wet spell, Gerry was seeing two, maybe three times as many doves this year compared to last. Gerry also reports the doves seem to be flying a lot faster. How true... and it might just have something to do with us being a year older. I know my grandkids can take flight and scamper off in record speed. They are very elusive at times and seem to be a lot faster afoot than my daughters were!
Outdoor Adventures is interested in your stories, outdoor experiences and wild game recipes. Please share your adventures with us. Phil Taunton can be reached by e-mail at sports@emporiagazette.com.
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