Welcome to Trophy Buck News
Hunts designed for youth who have never harvested a turkey
PRATT — April 1-18, the Westar Energy Green Team will guide youth who have never harvested a turkey at its Jeffrey Energy Center, about 45 minutes northwest of Topeka. Assisted by experienced volunteer guides and hunting from stationary ground blinds, youngsters 12-17 years old will hunt accompanied by an adult mentor in prime fields closed to the public until the youth hunters are through. An adult mentor is required.
The Green Team is looking for both youth and mentors with little or no turkey hunting experience. The hunt is designed for those who have minimal access to turkey hunting areas, as well. They will hunt from enclosed blinds, so no camouflage is needed.
The youth must provide their own turkey permits for Unit 2 and, if they are 16 or older, have a valid Kansas hunting license. Youth are encouraged to bring a shotgun, but guns will be provided for those who don't have access to one. Everything else will be provided, including blinds, non-toxic shells, decoys, and calls.
Turkey densities are high in this area, so chances for a close shot are excellent. Hunts will take place primarily in the morning and on weekends, but weekdays and afternoons are possible based on volunteer guide availability. Registration will be open through Friday, March 26 or until all slots are filled. Applications for the limited number of slots will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with preference for inexperienced mentors. For more information or to apply, contact Brad Loveless at 785-575-8115 or email brad.loveless@westarenergy.com.
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Youth, youth-mentor, open hunts available on 4,775 acres of private land, four public areas; application deadline March 19
PRATT — To enhance the 2010 spring turkey hunting experience, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is joining with private landowners to offer special spring turkey hunts. Special hunts will be offered in 12 counties (Chase, Clay, Douglas, Ellsworth, Greenwood, Leavenworth, Osage, Ottawa, Reno, Riley, Sumner, and Wabaunsee), opening up 4,775 acres for 118 special hunt opportunities. In addition, special hunts are being offered at Benedictine Bottoms Wildlife Area, Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake #2, Eisenhower State Park, and Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.
These special hunts range from youth-only and youth-mentor hunts to open hunts. All special hunt opportunities are available by online application and a random drawing. Those applicants who are drawn for a hunt will be notified by email with additional hunt information and their special hunt permit for accessing the property. The online application and hunt information is on the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Click "Hunting" at the top of the page, then "Special Hunts" in the left-hand column. The application deadline is Friday, March 19. Special hunt permit recipients must also possess required hunting licenses and turkey permits.
Access to lands enrolled in these special hunts will be limited to foot traffic only, unless posted otherwise. Each property will have special restrictions for dates allowed and type of hunt that will be listed on the application. For more information regarding the special hunts program or applications, phone Jake George at 620-672-5911.
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Leoti resident Dean Wiegers receives 2009 statewide award
PRATT — With a record low number of hunting accidents in 2009, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff are celebrating. So are volunteer hunter education instructors. In a timely announcement, the volunteer Hunter Education Advisory Committee to KDWP's Hunter Education Program has named Dean Wiegers, Leoti, the 2010 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.
Wiegers has been an active instructor since the program began in 1973. He is a master instructor and has received the program's Order of the Buffalo for extraordinary service twice. He was also honored in 1993 by the Kansas Wildlife Federation with the Outdoor Skills Instructor of the Year award. Wiegers was one of the first instructors in the state to offer female-only classes, while extending a welcome to women and girls to attend any of his classes. In 37 years, he has never missed a hunter education class in Wichita County. A leader in promoting youth shooting and hunting events, Wiegers started the 4-H Shooting Sports program in Wichita County.
"Dean uses local doctors, EMTs, law enforcement officers and Wildlife and Parks officials in the classroom and on the shooting range," said fellow instructor Jerome Luebbers, Leoti, in making the nomination. "He is especially good with kids, teaching them respect while encouraging them to ask questions."
In addition to Wieger's award, exceptional instructors in KDWP's five regions were named Regional Instructors of the Year. These instructors are listed below, along with quotes from their nominations.
Region 1 (northwest Kansas)
Roy Folk, Holyrood (nominated by Ray Fisher, Claflin) — "Roy is always ready, willing, and able to assist with a class. He has been from one end of the state to the other with our trailer, setting up and conducting trail walk, shotgun, and rifle venues."
Region 2 (northeast Kansas)
Shannon Luthi, Solomon (nominated by Steve Britt, Abilene) — "Shannon has always been an excellent instructor. He keeps the students involved, and you never see him standing in one place during the class. He circulates throughout the classroom and really keeps the students' attention."
Region 3 (southwest Kansas)
Dennis Sharp, Holcomb (nominated by Anthony Luebbers, Garden City) — "Dennis has recruited instructors, trained new instructors, assisted with classes across southwest Kansas, and was on the Hunter Education Advisory Committee for one year. In 2005, he also received KDWP Law Enforcement Division's first Natural Resource Education Advancement award."
Region 4 (southcentral Kansas)
Noel Pollard, North Newton (nominated by Larry McAdow, Halstead) — "Noel is a very, very good instructor who quietly goes about the business of getting people involved. He teaches a class a month at Gander Mountain in Wichita, helps with one of the largest hunter education events in North America at Lake Afton, and was active in formation of the Kansas Hunter Education Instructors Association. Noel often helps other instructors without credit."
Region 5 (southeast Kansas)
Michael Schainost, Garnett (nominated by Ben Rockers, Garnett) — "Mike is an excellent instructor and mentor, dedicated to improving and upholding the hunting tradition. He is the backbone of the Hunter Education Program in the Anderson County area. Mike can teach in any capacity that he is asked with skill and knowledge of the subject. His enthusiasm is contagious, and his instruction easily understood."
Wiegers will receive a CZ side-by-side shotgun with his award, and the regional honorees will each receive Henry Golden Boy .22 caliber rifles.
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