Council Grove Wildlife Area News

2011 Dove Hunting Outlook:

Three sunflower tracts (10, 10, 11 acres) and one wheat tract (9 acres) should provide fair to good dove hunting opportunities at Council Grove Wildlife Area. Portions of each of the sunflower fields will be mowed (if conditions allow) to enhance dove use and hunter access. The 9 acre wheat field is comprised of approximately 7 acres of wheat stubble and 2 acres of standing wheat that has been mowed and the entire field burned. Adjacent to this wheat field is a 10 acre weedy sunflower field. These 2 fields can be found just north of the eastern most parking area along the north side of Munkers Creek. Another 10 acre sunflower field is located about 0.3 miles north of the parking area and information kiosk near Gilmore Creek. The 11 acre sunflower field is located 0.5 mile east of the junction of 1200 Road and M Avenue. Please be courteous and aware of other hunting parties while using these fields! For a brochure and map of the entire wildlife area please visit the Council Grove Wildlife Area web page and click on the brochure tab at the top of the page. For more information please call #620/767-5900.

2011/2012 Upland Bird Hunting Outlook:

The fall hunting outlook for quail on the area is fair to good. Hunters should see quail numbers that are similar, to slightly reduced, as compared to last fall. Breeding populations this spring were again near average despite significant periods of cold and snow cover the previous winter. Periods of excessive heat and dryness beginning in July may have hampered production, and limited growth of fall populations however. Drought did limit crop production on many area tracts, but within most habitat areas, natural vegetation will provide adequate food and cover conditions for wildlife, including quail. Several coveys were observed on the area in late summer and early fall, including in areas where habitat developments have recently occurred.

Recently completed upland habitat improvement projects involving native grass planting and tree removal are increasing quail habitat on the wildlife area. Additional quail habitat enhancement projects are planned in 2012.

The wildlife area lies outside the primary range of ring-necked pheasant. Hunters occasionally encounter pheasants on the area, but numbers are low.

ZEBRA MUSSELS DISCOVERED AT COUNCIL GROVE AND MELVERN RESERVOIRS

EMPORIA – On Wednesday, June 29, 2011, officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that zebra mussels have been found in Council Grove Reservoir in Morris County and Melvern Reservoir in Osage County. Adding the twelfth and thirteenth Kansas reservoirs to the infested list disappoints KDWPT aquatic nuisance species biologist Jason Goeckler because he knows the spread can be prevented.

“We expected Council Grove Reservoir because zebra mussels naturally move downstream, and they were found in Council Grove City Lake last July,” Goeckler explained. “The Melvern infestation is a different story because it could have been prevented. I still think we can prevent further spread of aquatic nuisance species if lake users will follow a few basic precautions.”

All un-infested Kansas waters are under continual zebra mussel surveillance by KDWPT staff. A day after biologists found zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, while sampling Council Grove Reservoir, a lake user found a rock with a single adult zebra mussel attached. Within days, both veligers and adult mussels were found at Melvern Reservoir. Veligers are too small to see with the naked eye and suspend for several weeks in the water before sinking to the bottom and attaching to a hard surface. While they are suspended in the larval stage, zebra mussels can be easily transported in flowing water or water in boats, bait buckets and through other recreational activities.

Zebra mussels are native to the Black and Caspian seas in Europe. They are believed to have been transported to the Great Lakes in the ballasts of transoceanic ships. Since first being discovered in 1988, zebra mussels have spread quickly to other waters in the Midwest. Control is expensive and there is no way to eradicate them once they become established.

While an adult zebra mussel is only about the size of a dime, the species poses a threat to our native fish and aquatic animals. One adult female can produce up to 1 million eggs per year, and zebra mussel colonies quickly become quite dense, attaching to any hard surface, including native mussels, crayfish, turtles, boats, docks, as well as water intake structures. They even attach to other zebra mussels, creating layered colonies up to 6 inches thick. Densities of more than 1 million zebra mussels per square meter have been documented in Lake Erie. In addition to the threat they pose to our environment, native species and water recreation, zebra mussels will cost water suppliers, power plants and other water-related businesses $1 billion each year -- costs we all help pay.

Adult zebra mussels are filter feeders, and an infestation can dramatically disrupt a lake’s food chain by removing plankton native fish rely on. KDWPT biologists have documented decreases in body condition and abundance in several game fish species after zebra mussel infestations. Zebra mussel feeding habits may also increase the potential for blue-green algae blooms, which can be toxic to humans and animals. Dense colonies of zebra mussels make wading and swimming along shorelines dangerous because of their sharp shells. When zebra mussels die, the odor and shell fragments that wash up make any shoreline activities unpleasant.

With these latest discoveries, KDWPT will increase local outreach efforts through signage and information materials in an attempt to educate lake users about the dangers of spreading zebra mussels. All lake users are asked to help stop the spread of zebra mussels to another water body. Goeckler reminds all anglers and boaters to remember three simple rules: CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY. Inspect your vessel for any zebra mussels before you leave the boat ramp area. (Zebra mussels are on the prohibited species list, which means they can’t be possessed alive. Having a live zebra mussel attached to your boat is a violation.). Drain all water from the boat’s livewell, baitwell and sump area (Drain any bait buckets, as well – never pour live bait into the lake, dispose of it on land.) Dry the boat and trailer for at least five days before putting them in another lake, or wash the boat and trailer with 140-degree water.

“It’s important that lake users take the threat of aquatic nuisance species seriously,” Goeckler added. “If their spread is allowed to continue, our water-based recreation opportunities may be changed forever.”

Zebra mussels are just one of several invasive species that threaten our waters. Prevent their spread by following the CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY procedures and never move water or fish from one body of water to another. For more information about aquatic nuisance species, go to www.kdpwt.state.ks.us and click on the “STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS” window on the lower left of the Homepage.

Outdoor Youth Event a Success:

The Council Grove 8th Annual Outdoor Youth Event was conducted on Saturday, September 24th at Council Grove Lake. Fifty-one youngsters attended this year, and appeared to enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon afield. This special event provided participants with a free opportunity to enhance shotgun, air rifle and archery shooting and safety skills, ultimately encouraging them to spend additional time in Kansas great outdoors! The event is part of Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism's (KDWPT) “Pass It On” Program, designed to recruit and retain Kansas hunters, particularly youngsters.

The afternoon began with a hearty lunch provided by the Flint Hills Chapter of Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF), followed by a brief orientation of the event. Participants were then divided into four groups and allowed to visit each of the four different stations for nearly one hour. Designed to provide as much hands-on instruction as possible, visitors to each station received a brief orientation by a certified instructor, then jumped right in to actual shotgun, air rifle, and archery skills development training. Two of the stations provided students with opportunities to learn fun wing-shooting techniques with youth model 20 gauge shotguns and flying clay targets. A third station provided opportunities to develop or enhance their skills at shooting youth compound archery equipment at life-sized Kansas game animal targets. The final station provided students with opportunities to shoot air rifles at swinging metal targets.

Event organizers were pleased with how all of the kids conducted themselves during the event. All participants were responsible, improved their shooting and safety skills, and most importantly had fun! Many individuals were awarded door prizes, provided by QUWF, to encourage them to take what they had learned one step further and do some hunting this fall.

Gear and supplies, including shotguns, shells, bows, arrows, targets, and eye and ear protection were provided by KDWPT’s “Pass It On” Program. This program is designed to reverse the declining trend of hunting participation in Kansas. The program encourages youth to spend time afield by introducing them to shooting sports and hunting. Its goal is to ensure that every youngster, or person that has an interest in hunting, is provided with an opportunity to experience this treasured pastime.

Area KDWPT staff would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their assistance with this successful annual event:

Organizations: Flint Hills Chapter of Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ace Hardware, S&S Outfitters, Ray's Apple Market, and KDWPT’s “Pass It On” and Hunter Education Programs.

Individuals: Mike Miller, Wayne Doyle, Kent Barrett, Jesse Gehrt, Randy Benteman, Rick Sellers, Mike Lowry, Neal Whitaker, Rick Haug, C.L. Henton, Don True, Faron Adams, Chris Myers, Dennis DeLay, Allan Cashman, and numerous parents.

More Upland Habitat Enhancement Completed in 2011 With Help From the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (AGAIN!):

The Flint Hills Chapter of Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF) have stepped to the plate again to assist with on-going efforts to enhance upland wildlife habitat at Council Grove Wildlife Area. This spring, approximately 18 acres of former croplands in 3 tracts, were converted to native grasses and forbs. QUWF provided financial assistance to apply herbicide prior to planting and agreed to provide use of their no-till drill at no cost to KDWPT. Area game and non-game species should benefit from these changes funded by this partnering organization. Since 2006, approximately 86 acres have been similarly enhanced in 14 different tracts. QUWF has annually assisted with upland habitat enhancements on this wildlife area since 2004. Thanks QUWF!