"This is definitely a year for preseason
scouting. Hunters need to visit the areas they plan to use this
fall," Zenner added. "No one wants to be one of those
hunters who shows up in the dark on opening morning and discovers
that the wetland they planned to hunt is bone dry."
Kansas
NESTING HABITAT IMPROVEMENT BOOSTS OVERALL DUCK NUMBERS
Populations of most species growing; wigeon and scaup still on
decline
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has released its preliminary
report on western breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys
conducted in May. Overall, breeding duck populations increased
14 percent since last year with an estimated 36.2 million on
the prairies. Habitat conditions were also slightly better than
last year, thanks to a warm winter and good precipitation.
One of the most important elements in duck-breeding success is
the amount of water present on the prairie breeding grounds.
When the survey was conducted in May, total pond counts for this
area of the United States and Canada combined showed 6.1 million
ponds, a 13 percent increase from last year's estimate, and 26
percent higher than the long-term average.
Conditions for improvement were set last summer and fall when
most areas in the northcentral U.S. and southcentral Canada had
at least fair precipitation. That left ponds in better condition
at freeze-up and also meant there was better-than-normal residual
nesting cover on most upland habitats. The increased populations,
along with timely precipitation this spring and summer, should
create good conditions for nesting and brood rearing this summer.
Although overall populations have risen, there were mixed results
among species of ducks. Mallard populations showed a smaller
than expected 8 percent increase in numbers, with an es |
timated 7.3 million mallards on the prairies
this spring, compared to last year's estimate of 6.8 million
birds. This is still 3 percent below the long-term average. But
the best news coming out of the survey this year is that pintail
numbers are up 32 percent although still 18 percent below the
long-term average.
Most other species increased this year as well. Blue-winged teal
jumped 28 percent from last year, with an estimated 5.9 million
birds, 30 percent above the long-term average. Green-winged teal
also increased 20 percent to 2.6 million birds, 39 percent above
the long-term average.
Other species include an estimated 2.8 million breeding gadwall,
boosting their population by 30 percent from last year, 67 percent
above the long-term average. Redheads increased 55 percent from
2005 with 916,000 birds, 47 percent above the long-term average.
Canvasbacks increased 33 percent from last year, with an estimated
691,000 breeding birds, 23 percent above the long-term average.
Northern shovelers multiplied to 3.7 million, 69 percent above
the long-term average.
Two species, however, suffered setbacks. Wigeon numbers dropped
2 percent, to 2.2 million birds, 17 percent below the long-term
average, and scaup dropped by 4 percent, continuing a long-term
pattern that has persisted for the last 20 years. Scaup are now
37 percent below the long-term average.
Throughout May and June, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the Canadian Wildlife Service surveyed from the main waterfowl
breeding habitats in the mid-continent area to Alaska. These
surveys serve as the scientific basis for many management programs
across the continent, including the setting of hunting regulations.
NEW REGULATIONS, STATUTES WILL AFFECT 2007 KANSAS HUNTING
SEASONS
Upland birds affected; crane ID test required; Department of
Animal Health bans hog hunting
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Several new regulations and statutes will affect the
2007 Kansas hunting seasons. Hunters should be aware of these,
as well as all other hunting regulations, which may be found
in the 2007 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary,
available Sept. 1.
The following is a list hunting of rules that are new in 2007:
Upland birds
· Pheasant season opens the first Saturday in January;
· quail season opens the second Saturday in January;
· quail units have been eliminated;
· quail season ends the third Sunday in January 2007;
and
· prairie chicken season opens the third Saturday in January,
as it did last year.
Minnesota
DNR seeks input on ruffed grouse plan
Ruffed grouse enthusiasts can offer their input on a Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) draft plan to improve
grouse hunting in the coming decade.
A presentation, survey and a draft of the plan have been posted
at www.dnr.state.mn.us.
The presentation guides viewers through the draft ruffed grouse
plan goal and collects input through a survey at the end.
"We'd like to know what grouse hunters want, whether it's
more access to lands, more management areas for grouse or anything
else," said Steve Merchant, DNR Forest Wildlife Program
leader. "We're open to any suggestions. It's important for
those who are keenly interested in ruffed grouse help us develop
this plan."
For several months, the DNR grouse management committee has
been assessing Minnesota's ruffed grouse habitat and populations
for the plan. The next step, Merchant said, is to gather public
input on how best to utilize existing habitat for the benefit
of grouse enthusiasts.
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