Hunting is the Excuse

An owl hoots in the distance
A squirrel barks alarm
The birds welcome me the morning
As the light of dawn begins to shine
The smell of pine and oak invade my sense
As the wind blows and sways through the treetops
Oh there's nothing like greeting a morning
Alone in the forest just me with nature

A bright male cardinal sings his melodies
Jumping limb to limb
While warblers and woodpeckers
Provide entertainment all their own
Squirrels provide false hope as they make
Noise similar to deer only to "reward" me
With a carefully dropped pine cone
Ensured to make the most noise possible
Birds fly by I cannot see
The flutter of their wings I hear
In the far distance the first sound of
Muzzleloader fire

Golden streams of sunshine
Filter through the pines
Patches of fog clouds hang
Low throughout the forest
A droplet of dew sparkles on a strand
Of a spider web silhouetted by the sun as it
Sits structured between two trees
Ready to snare some unsuspecting prey
A red-tailed hawk shrieks its
Magnificent call as it glides above the palmettos
And up to its perch high in an oak tree and
Off it goes again

Then complete silence if for only a second
Just to show it can
Still no sign of deer and yet I'm at peace
It's the joy of being one with nature
Listening to the crickets with their
Unending symphony
Watching the stars fade
The dark turn to day
The leaves fall from the trees
The smell of pine, oak, elm, palmettos...
The fresh air of nature
Hearing the owls, woodpeckers, crows, turkeys
And various songbirds celebrating the day
Is just incredibly awesome and breathtaking
It's what life is about.
Hunting is just merely the excuse to experience it.

S Pearson

Early June in the Woods and Tips to Prevent Ticks and Chiggers

It always amazes me how differently the places I hunt are in June as compared to late fall and winter. You might think that’s an incredibly “DUH!” statement but there’s more to it than that. I frequent the woods I hunt as often as I possibly can during the traditional hunting months of September through December/January and I know certain areas like the back of my hand. However, even with that knowledge it is a whole new world when it comes to scouting during the summer months.

I went out to some of my favorite haunts on Saturday and was reminded just how much things change. Nothing looks the same. Places that I easily traveled and had good vision through just months before are now laden with new limbs/bushes/trees, bright green leaves, grasses, vines, thorns, spider webs and mosquitoes. At least you can see those obstacles and insects—it’s the ones you can’t see that are generally the biggest problem. Normally this adventure would lead to a sure case of chiggers and ticks--after all, ‘tis is the season.

I’m sure many of you have had the miserable experience of a case of chiggers or a tick bite. I won’t say I have perfected the prevention of such misery but I can recommend a few things that have helped me during my outings. First, I use “Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent” for Clothing which “repels and kills ticks, chiggers and mosquitoes”. Apply it to your clothing (pants, shirt and socks) according to the manufacturer’s instructions before you go out. Be sure to thoroughly coat the waistband/cuffs/sleeves inside and out. Second, wear long pants such as jeans and tuck the pants legs into rubber boots (preferably ones that cinch at the top). Third, tuck your shirt in. I also spray a product containing DEET at possible “entry points” such as the top of my boots, waistband, arms, back of neck. Nothing is full proof but this helps me; hopefully it will help you too.

Advanced Hunter Education - Basic Wingshooting Class

We are excited to announce an advanced KDWP hunter education wingshooting class at Powder Creek shooting park in Lenexa again this summer. The purpose of this shotgun shooting class is to improve shooting skills thereby enhancing field success while hunting. Our simple goal is to help you shoot your shotgun better.

This class will be eight weeks in length beginning on Thursday 18 June and finishing 6 August. Anticipated starting time is 5:30 PM and ending time will be approximately 9:00 PM. Late arrivals are accepted, so feel free to show up as late as you wish. Sunday afternoon will probably be the "rainout" makeup day and will be decided on a weekly basis.

Pricing is: $7.50 / 50 targets; students will again furnish their own target ammo (no reloads). Students may bring their own firearms or use our Department guns. All shooters must wear suitable eye and ear protection and follow all requisite safety requirements. See attachment for Safety Rules.

All attendees must bring their hunter education certificate to be admitted. No exceptions.

Please print and complete the attached Waiver of Liability, Indemnification and Medical Release form (one form for each person) and bring it with you to the class—this will speed up the registration process.

We look forward to seeing you at class!