MAY/JUNE 2003 $2.75 by Mike Hayden Wildscape At Work or more than a decade, the Kansas Wildscape state. Held in conjunction with Free State Park Foundation has provided outdoor recreation Entrance Days (May 3-4), our department is proud to Fand education opportunities to the people of play a role in this successful program. Kansas, emphasizing youth activities. In fact, The Annual Governor’s Fishing Classic invites Wildscape, a private non-profit foundation, has com- local, state, and national anglers and celebrities to pleted more than 30 projects and raised more than $5 participate in an annual fishing event for both enjoy- million for outdoor programs. In recognition, ment and competition. Each year, approximately 175 Wildscape was recently presented the William Penn youth from across Kansas receive fishing instruction, Mott, Jr., Award for Excellence by the National meet and talk with professional fishermen and other Society for Park Resources. celebrities, and, most importantly, have an opportu- With only three full-time employees, the relatively nity to catch fish. All money raised by the event is small Wildscape staff not only ensures that contribu- used to benefit Wildscape programs. Entries are still tions are put into actual programs, instead of sub- available for this year’s event (June 5 and 6). If you’re stantial administrative costs, it also allows this group not a fisherman (who doesn’t like to fish?), you can of dedicated individuals to remain focused on their still participate in the golf tournament. Please contact mission: “To conserve and perpetuate the land, the Wildscape at the number below for more informa- wild species and the rich beauty of Kansas for the tion. use and enjoyment of all.” Rather than resting on their success, Wildscape Hank Booth, a well-known radio broadcaster from has already begun private fund-raising efforts on Lawrence, became the new Wildscape executive behalf of the Cheyenne Bottoms Visitor Center pro- director last December and has hit the ground run- ject near Great Bend. The visitor center will include ning. Booth helped complete the fund raising and interpretive displays and an observation tower and coordination of the Milford Wetlands Project, which will truly showcase this Wetland of International will stand as the largest wetland in the northern-half Importance. With a nearly $2 million federal grant of the state. “Kathy George has played a major role awarded by the Kansas Department of as part of the Wildscape team in making this project Transportation, this project is off to a great start. happen,” says Booth. “The Milford Wetlands is a true Wildscape’s future success will continue to be federal, state, and private enterprise partnership. The dependent upon the number of contributing mem- results have been fantastic.” bers they are able to attract (all contributions are tax- Booth and the Wildscape staff are also providing deductible to the extent allowed by law). If the tenets opportunities for the youth of Kansas with two spe- of Wildscape appeal to you, I encourage you to join cial weekends: Outdoor Kansas for Kids Day (OK this Kansas conservation organization. Your gen- Kids) and the 7th Annual Governor’s Fishing Classic. erous contributions will provide more wild places for Simply put, OK Kids is about getting kids out- all of the people of Kansas to enjoy. doors. Held May 3, 2003, Wildscape and its program partners planned to teach thousands of Kansas kids For more information on Kansas Wildscape, call (785) about hiking, canoeing, fishing, biking, hunting and 843-9453, or visit their website at: birdwatching at Kansas State Parks, city and county www.kansaswildscape.com parks, and numerous private sites throughout the May/June 2003 Vol. 60, No. 3 1 On Point Wildscape At Work by Mike Hayden 2 Bird Underground The burrowing owl is a unique resident of the Kansas prairie. by Kevin Becker 8 Ghost Camp 2 Step back in time with tipi camping. by Mike Blair GOVERNOR 14 Gettin’ Chummy With It Kathleen Sebelius Smelly chum and smelly bait bring hungry channel catfish to COMMISSIONERS the boat. by Marc Murrell John Dykes, Chairman, Shawnee Mission Will Carpenter, Towanda 18 Small But Mighty John Mickey, Atwood Small, temporary wetlands provide big benefits to a variety of Tom Warner, Manhattan wildlife. by Jim Minnerath John Fields, Pittsburg Lori Hall, Salina 23 City Geese Dr. James Harrington, Liberal Canada geese have adapted so well to urban life that many ADMINISTRATION don’t bother to migrate. by James Lee Secretary Mike Hayden Ass't. Secretary/Admin. Richard Koerth Feeding The Fish 28 Ass't. Secretary/Operations Keith Sexson Fish feeders can increase the number and size of fish caught by Director of Administrative Svcs. Cindy Livingston anglers. by Leonard Jirak Director of Fisheries & Wildlife Joe Kramer Director of Parks Jerold (Jerry) Hover Wild Currents 33 Director of Law Enforcement Kevin Jones edited by J. Mark Shoup MAGAZINE STAFF 45 Backlash Chief of Information and Education Educating Ole Worthless by Mike Miller Bob Mathews Editor Mike Miller Associate Editor J. Mark Shoup Photographer/Associate Editor Mike Blair Illustrator Dustin Teasley Staff Writer Marc Murrell Editorial Assistant Bev Aldrich Circulation Barbara Theurer KANSAS WILDLIFE & PARKS (ISSN 0898-6975) is pub- lished by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 1020 S Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612. Address editorial correspondence to Kansas Wildlife & Parks Magazine, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124 (620) 672-5911. Send sub- scription requests to Kansas Wildlife & Parks Magazine, P.O. Box 8059, Red Oak, IA 51591. Subscription rate: one year $10; two years $18; and three years $27. Articles in the magazine may be reprinted with permission. Periodical postage paid at 15 Pratt, KS and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kansas Wildlife & Parks Magazine, P.O. Box 8059, Red Oak, IA 51591. Front Cover: A male bur- rowing owl brings a camel Editorial Creed: To promote the conservation and wise use of our natural resources, cricket to its nesting mate. to instill an understanding of our responsibilities to the land. Mike Blair filmed the Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs described herein is avail- moment with a 600mm able to all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or lens, set at f/8, 1/500th handicap. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to Office of the Secretary, Kansas sec. Back Cover: A father Department of Wildlife and Parks, 1020 S Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612. and daughter share a moment’s delight after Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks Website catching a big channel cat- www.kdwp.state.ks.us fish. Photo by Marc Murrell, magazine e-mail — [email protected] 28mm lens, f/11 @ 1/250th sec. BirdBird UndergroundUnderground

by Kevin Becker fish hatchery assistant, Pratt Hatchery photos by Mike Blair

2 Cowboys called them howdy birds for their habit of bobbing their heads as if to say “howdy.” Burrowing owls still live on the western Kansas prairie but are nearly as rare as the cowboys they once entertained.

3 wls, with their large for- ward-facing eyes, intense Ostares and nocturnal habits, have always been shrouded in mystery and misin- formation. In Greek Mythology, the owl was sacred to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, so owls have been called wise. Because of their secretive nighttime activ- ities, owls have been considered a symbol of death. However, the truth is that owls are exceptional nocturnal predators ideally equipped for preying on small rodents. Remarkably adapted for hunting at night, owls have broad, soft-feathered wings allowing silent flight. An acute sense of hearing with a flat face that functions like a radar dish Burrowing owls are most common in western Kansas where they often live in prairie enables them to pinpoint the dog towns, utilizing abandoned prairie dog burrows as their own.

4 Only 9 inches from head to tail, burrowing owls are small birds. Their diet consists of insects, lizards, scor- pions, small mammals, spiders and small birds. Below, a male delivers food to its mate at the burrow entrance. Young owls appear outside the burrow when they are three to four weeks old. They fledge a week later but require parental care for a while longer.

exact location of a mouse daylight. doned prairie dog burrow. moving through the dead leaves But if you really want to talk Imagine what legends surround on the forest floor. And of about lore, look at a unique little this little bird. The Hopi Indians course, owls have large, hyper- owl common on the Great consider the burrowing owl to sensitive eyes with extraordinary Plains. True to its name, the bur- be the god of the dead and light-gathering ability. And rowing owl lives underground. guardian of fire and all under- although they are colorblind, Although it can excavate its own ground things. The Dakota owls can see quite well in the burrow, it usually uses an aban- Hidatsa Indians saw the bur-

5 This owl clutches a sphinx moth in its talons. Burrowing owls hunt both day and night with dawn and dusk being prime times. Prey may be chased down on foot or caught in flight. The call is a rapid quick-quick-quick cackle and a two-noted, soft, coo-coo. rowing owl as a protective spirit catch insects. They might also Burrowing owls inhabit flat, for brave warriors. catch insects in flight, swooping open terrains associated with The burrowing owl differs from a perch or hovering above. shortgrass prairies, farmland, from other owls because it hunts The burrowing owl is small deserts, and even airfields. They both day and night. Dawn and compared to other owls and lacks can be found west of the dusk are peak activity periods ear tufts. It has distinctive long Mississippi River from southern when these owls feed on insects legs and a short tail. About the Canada to Mexico. They also and small mammals. Other prey size of a screech owl, the bur- occur in Florida and Central and include lizards, snakes, scorpions, rowing owl measures 9 to 11 South America. In Kansas, bur- spiders, and small birds, inches from head to tail. It has a rowing owls occur nearly depending on availability. round head, a white chin stripe statewide but are more common Burrowing owls use a variety and long white eyebrows. Upper in the western half of the state. of hunting techniques. During the feathers are sandy brown with They are usually present from day, they can be observed hop- buff-colored spots. The breast is a early March through late October ping, walking and running to dull white with brown barring. before migrating back to the

6 southern areas of their range. may take place from late March later but still require parental care Prairie dog towns are favorite through August, with birds in the for several days. residences of burrowing owls, northern ranges breeding later. In Fledging is a great time to view where they nest and live in aban- Kansas, most of the egg laying the owls as they are active and doned prairie dog dens. To some occurs in mid-May. can be seen near the burrow or extent, badger and fox burrows An average burrowing owl perched on nearby fenceposts, may also be used. burrow will measure 6 to 10 feet heads bobbing up and down in During the day, burrowing long and the nest chamber will be comical fashion. A burrowing owls can be seen standing in front approximately 2 feet below owl’s call is a rapid quick-quick- of the burrow entrance. Cowboys ground. The entrance and nest quick cackle and a two-noted, soft, named them Howdy Birds chamber are sometimes lined coo-coo. A unique distress call because they bob their heads as if with manure, food remains and sounds similar to a rattlesnake’s greeting one another. Other nick- other material. Three to 10 white rattle. names include billy owl, prairie eggs are laid by the female and Natural predators of the bur- owl, ground owl and prairie dog incubation lasts about 28 days. rowing owl include large raptors, owl. During incubation and the first coyotes and foxes. Burrowing In early spring, the courtship two weeks after hatching, the owls are also commonly hit by ritual consists of pairs flying male caters food to the female vehicles. upward, hovering, then fluttering and the young. After that, the The biggest concern for this back to the ground. Pairs will female resumes hunting. The unique little bird is loss of habitat. preen each other and nibble at young first appear above ground Its preferred habitat — native each others’ beaks while standing when they are three to four weeks prairie and prairie dog towns — outside their burrows. Breeding old. The owlets fledge a week is much less common today.

7

GhostGhost CampCamp

text and photos by Mike Blair staff photographer, Pratt

While it’s been years since the Plains Indians’ tipis dotted the Kansas prairie, a handful of modern campers are learning the art of tipi life. he morning sunrise the problem of transporting Its ventilation system allows the reflected on still water at poles, tipis proved more livable use of a small interior fire for TWoodson State Fishing for the modern hunters than warmth and cooking, while Lake as I slowly drove along the today’s finest camping outfits. effectively clearing smoke from perimeter road lined with In fact, Ramshaw discovered the living quarters. In summer, autumn color. Labor Day was that a tipi’s function outshines the same system draws air long-since gone, and given the that of modern tents in many upward and prevents heat expected weekday lull, the area ways. A tipi can be left up for buildup, cooling the tipi interior. was deserted except for birds weeks or months without fear of Ramshaw found that the tipi is and wildlife busy with winter wind or weather. Its liner and ideal as a hunting lodge or camp preparations. I stopped here and design help keep occupants dry for family outings. there to photograph plants and during prolonged rainy periods. Building his tipi necessarily animals, enjoying the solitude. It is well-lighted day and night. led to many discoveries about And then I saw the ghost camp. It was a scene from a painting – a single tipi nestled into the orange oaks, a tendril of smoke rising from its open flaps. No vehicle, no sign of life. No trash, no cooler, no noise within. I was drawn to the conical tent, primi- tive but natural in the wooded setting. Nothing broke a spell that might have spanned two centuries. I called out, but there was no answer. So I drove on, curious about the simple yet ele- gant camp in the autumn forest. Later, an inquiry led to Jerry Ramshaw, a Toronto resident who often bowhunts and camps from a homemade tipi. What I learned about his portable home proved there was far more than novelty to a structure normally associated with Plains Indians. Ramshaw first built the tipi as an interesting outdoor project but quickly learned the value and benefits enjoyed by early native Kansans. His enthusiasm grew, and soon other tipis were built within his circle of hunting com- panions. Modern camping gear was set aside in deference to the historical dwellings of Indians and mountain men. Aside from A tipi evokes wonder and curiosity among modern campers. Canvas has replaced hide, but the basic design remains as it was two centuries ago.

10 the history, use and design a local lowland creek- of these shelters. Indians bottom choked with trees used various sizes of tipis, competing for sunlight. depending on function. For This growing condition instance, hunting expedi- makes the trees grow tions called for 12-foot- straighter and taller than diameter lodges that were those in more open situa- fast and portable. tions. He cut straight Normally, though, the trees and removed all average Indian tipi was 18 limbs with a hand axe, to 20 feet in diameter, cutting “up” the trunk to requiring poles 21 to 25 keep stubs from splin- feet long. Even bigger tipis, tering. He then smoothed measuring 30 feet diameter the poles with a or larger, were used for drawknife until thickness council meetings and more was uniform and there Transporting long tipi poles can be a problem. Ramshaw permanent dwelling sites. lashes his 18-foot poles to the top of his pickup camper.The were no hard edges. He These required heavy poles best poles come from evergreen trees grown in dense stands. cut two extra poles to 35 to 50 feet long, which allow for occasional were hard to come by in the would be good for several years replacement, ending up with 19 open Plains, and also needed or more before needing replace- poles ranging from 16 to 18 feet more buffalo hides for their ment (depending on how often in length. This was tedious larger covers. The added weight the camp was moved.) But the work, requiring 40 hours to com- of large tipis was difficult to straight poles of local redcedar plete. However, given reason- handle for women who set up were used more often. Normally, able care throughout his the camp. Today, the problem of these limited construction to camping experience, they have transporting long tipi poles on smaller designs, since finding lasted eight years with no casu- modern highways usually con- tall redcedar poles was difficult. alties. Since modern tipi poles fines a tipi’s size to something in Ramshaw fashioned his tipi are carried rather than dragged, the 18-foot-diameter range, poles from redcedars collected at keeping pole length at 25 feet or shorter. Ramshaw designed a 12-foot tipi ideal for a solo hunter or family of three. Now, as then, the best tipi poles come from ever- green trees grown under dense stand conditions. This wood is light and strong, and due to its resinous sap, resistant to decay. Some Kansas Indian tribes sent traders to Colorado’s mountains for the premier poles of a species named for this pur- pose – lodgepole pine. Poles were dragged back to There is an art to setting tipi poles. Begining with a simple tripod twisted with rope at the top, Kansas by horses and remaining poles are added and wrapped together.

11 they have indefinite life if not were sewn to accidentally broken. the cover base Indian tipi covers gradually according to switched from hides to canvas as instructions. civilization encroached and buf- A secondary falo disappeared. Canvas was liner was con- lighter, required no tanning, and structed in was easier to sew, but had some similar fashion. drawbacks. It would not hold The tipi liner is without tearing when stakes an inner open were driven through it, and it cone slightly raveled when cut into fringes. smaller than Peg loops were introduced and the tipi diam- have since been used to anchor eter. It is tied to the tipi. the tipi poles Ramshaw made his tipi cover and supported Ramshaw sewed his tipi cover from canvas tarps in a semi-cir- cular pattern obtained from a book. from canvas paint tarps pur- by a series of chased at a home supply store. short liner poles. The liner pro- and away from occupants. It also Using plans illustrated in a book vides many of the tipi’s advan- keeps morning dew that nor- on tipis, he first calculated the tages over a tent. By creating an mally forms on outside walls size of cover needed for his 12- airspace between inner and from wetting the tipi interior. foot-diameter lodge. He then cut outer walls approximately half It is noteworthy that a tipi is the tarps into wide strips and the height of the tipi, it allows not a symmetrical cone, but sewed them together on a bor- active ventilation that does not rather a tilted cone that is egg- rowed industrial sewing disturb the living area. shaped in cross-section. It is machine, allowing him to cut a Depending on season, this heats steeper at the back with a smoke semicircular cover with a radius or cools the tipi and draws hole extending some distance of just over 13 feet. Peg loops smoke from a cooking fire up down the more gently sloping

12 front side. Thus configured, it acts like a chimney. Two smoke flaps flank the hole, and these are supported by tall, movable outside poles. Draft must be regulated depending on wind and weather conditions. Ramshaw quickly learned to vent his tipi by turning the smoke flaps away from the wind. This is done as easily as stepping outside and repositioning the flap poles. Once his tipi was completed, Ramshaw developed a system of transport. Since a tipi is bulky, it cannot be loaded into the trunk of a car, and this is its greatest disadvantage. To allow extra room for associated camping items, he built a small trailer Ramshaw and his companions often meet for hunting camp in homemade tipis. The from the bed of a pickup, which lodges are weather resistant and can be left for weeks as semi-permanent quarters. he tows with a small pickup Small internal fires warm a tipi and allow inside cooking (facing page.) topped with a camper. Tipi poles are lashed onto the tanned skins and furs. Backrests drained sites on high ground pickup/camper top, and or “lazybacks” made of willow when erecting his tipi. remaining gear is divided rods and covered with furs make Most years, Ramshaw and his between the pickup and trailer comfortable chairs. Just outside friends set up fall tipi hunting beds. Though most of his the door, a pole adorned with camps for a week or more, living camping is done locally, he has antlers and feathers holds a pair in the wilds and enjoying cama- taken his tipi as far as 200 miles of “knockers,” or hollowed-out raderie, outdoor cooking, from home. moose hooves that can be rattled archery with self-bows, and Ramshaw enjoys camping together to signal that a visitor occasionally, even hunting. But with his wife, Kristin, and teen- has arrived. as one of the hunters quipped as aged daughter, Jennifer, at least Nearly all of the Ramshaws’ I visited their camp, “nothing several times a year in nearby tipi experiences have been good can mess up the fun of a tipi Crosstimbers State Park. Their ones, but one memory from an camp as quickly as someone get- tipi camps are a familiar sight Oklahoma Outdoor Rendezvous ting a deer (that must be hauled near the water’s edge, where serves as a reminder about home to a cooler).” lake breezes help reduce prob- wisely choosing camp locations. It was only a joke, but it spoke lems with flying insects while Tipis shed water when properly volumes about the inherent fun keeping their summer lodges constructed and erected, so rain- of living in a ghost camp. cool. They are accustomed to storms are normally of little con- constant visitors and questions cern. However, at the For those interested in learning about their “primitive” tent. Rendezvous, storm runoff ran more or building a tipi, Ramshaw suggests an excellent book entitled Additional trappings com- under their tipi, soaking beds The Indian Tipi: Its History, plete the look of an authentic and clothing and creating a cold, Construction, and Use, by Indian camp. Inside the tipi is a miserable camp for the duration Reginald and Gladys Laubin, 343 waterproof ground cloth or of the event. Now Ramshaw is pgs, University of Oklahoma Press. “dewcloth,” covered with especially careful to choose well-

13 GETTIN’ CHUMMY WITH IT

text and photos by Marc Murrell manager, Great Plains Nature Center, Wichita

Fermented soybeans, a strong stomach, and a nasty-smelling concoction called bait are all that are needed to catch a bunch of big channel catfish.

ATFISHERMEN “No, not really,” I replied Chumming, widely thought NEED LOVE, TOO!” stating I didn’t have the patience to be illegal in Kansas, is the “C read the bumper for it. “But I’d like to try chum- process of putting out a large sticker on the truck in front of me. ming just for the heck of it. It’s amount of bait or attractant with “Do you ever fish for catfish?” getting more and more popular, hopes of attracting fish. Catfish asked my passenger as I so there has to be something to are most commonly chummed, laughed. it.” but it also works for species such

14 Soybeans are soaked in the hot Kansas sun until just the right odor is achieved. In reservoirs, anglers bait areas along drop-offs and creek channels to con- centrate feeding catfish. as wipers and stripers. Chum “holes” have been pop- ular at many Kansas reservoirs for years. And it doesn’t take GPS or other fancy equipment to figure out where they’re at. Just look for a flotilla of boats right after sunrise, and you’ve found the hole. “I’d heard about it already and there were a couple guys doing it out here,” said Warren Kreutziger of his near-daily trips to Marion Reservoir. “I’d rather fish for catfish than about any- thing else, so I started trying it and started catching fish.” Kreutziger is no stranger to fish tales as he’s heard his share since he’s been guiding fish- ermen since 1998. He also hears plenty more when people come into his Canada Bait and Tackle store near the lake for supplies. “Anymore, catfish are probably fishermen is rotten soybeans. “It used to be that walleye coming in right close to walleye However, any grain will work, was the biggest part of my busi- as far as popularity and people according to Kreutziger. ness,” Kreutziger said. fishing for them.” “I use soybeans just because But the success of they’re a softer grain and they chumming is no tale, get sour quicker,” he said. and the results speak “Wheat or milo will work just as for themselves. good if you soak it a day or two “It’s easier to fish longer.” that way than a lot And if you’ve never smelled of ways,” Kreutziger water-covered soybeans that said. “A lot of people have fermented in Kansas’ catch fish that way summer microwave for several who have never days, you’re in for a treat. If you caught fish before. have a weak stomach, beware as There are days that it the odor is distinct and truly dis- doesn’t work as well gusting. as other ways, but A 50-pound bag of soybeans most of the time it can be purchased for about $8. works a lot better.” Most “chummers” fill a 5-gallon Stink bait can take on many forms and recipes, but the The attractant of bucket about one-third full of one thing they all have in common is a putrid odor. choice for most cat- beans and add water until the

15 Generally, boats anchor above a commonly-baited spot, freshen up the chum, then set out stink baits. On a good day, dozens of channel cats will be caught. Marion Reservoir guide Warren Kreutziger usually starts fishing in late June or early July. bucket is about two-thirds full. any place on a lake as long as The bait of choice for many The next step is to let Mother you go where there’s some catfishermen who chum is some Nature do the cooking and let structure or anything where fish type of stink bait. the mixture sit in the sun for at normally hang out anyway,” “I use Sonny’s or Big Cat,” least four or five days. said Kreutziger. “It’s always Kreutziger said of his gooey dip “It doesn’t hurt if it sits there easier to attract fish that are bait preferences. “I use a a month or two but soybeans close. number 4 or number 6 treble only get so sour,” Kreutziger has “And I think the more often hook with a little plastic tube on learned. you go to them, the better it it just to hold the bait.” Kreutziger says fishermen gets,” he said. “The fish learn to Kreutziger doesn’t start can make their own holes and feed in there and you only catch guiding on the chum holes until the tactic should work in a lot of a fraction of them and, the rest about mid-summer after the cat- different places. of them just keep coming back fish have spawned, usually by “I think it will work about in there.” the end of June or first of July.

16 He continues fishing until the end of October. “I think later in the year you end up with bigger fish but not quite the numbers,” he added. I wanted to get a first- hand look at chumming so I hooked up with Kreutziger at 5:30 a.m. one morning last July. My 9-year-old daughter, Ashley, and fishing buddy Doug Duncan joined me on the trip. Despite launching at 5:45 a.m., we were the fifth boat in the water. We motored out toward the dam in Kreutziger’s Falcon boat as it began to get light. He eased past the four other boats already sitting on the break which went from nearly 20 feet of water up into 10 feet. He deployed one anchor from the front, and another from the back to keep us from swinging. Ashley plugged her nose as Kreutziger lifted the first of four buckets of rotten grain offered up to The chum can attract lots of fish, including some dandies like the one above. However, the author the catfish below. It was surprised at how lightly the big cats took the bait. Many more fish were missed than caught. wasn’t long until Ashley’s pole bent double and pound range. The most amazing according to Kreutziger, we still she boated a nice 3-pound thing about the process was how managed to catch about 20 fish channel catfish. lightly the fish took the stink bait by the time we decided to call it We didn’t stay long as other offering. Even fat 5-pounders bit a day at 11:30 a.m. All but the boats arrived on the spot and we like crappie and the slightest first five were released. headed up the lake. Another “tick” was reason to set the “It’s a pretty easy way for break that went from about 10 hook. Many more fish were people to catch fish,” Kreutziger feet of water into 5 feet was our missed than caught. The occa- said as we discussed chumming next stop. The action here was sional monstrous carp was on our way back to the ramp. steady and we boated several caught, too. “Once they try it, they’re usually nice channels in the 4- to 6- Although the day was slow hooked.”

17 SMALLSMALL BUTBUT MIGHTYMIGHTY Ephemeral Wetlands

by Jim Minnerath US Fish and Wildlife Service, Flint Hills NWR photos by Mike Blair

On closer look, these tiny, temporary wetlands are really important habitats to a variety of plants, animals and insects.

ustralian Aborigines call for 14 years. During this time, range in size from about 100 them “gilgai.” The term I’ve become fascinated with square feet to about 2,000 square Ameans “little water,” and these tiny, ephemeral wetlands. feet, with depths of 2 to 12 is as appropriate in Kansas as it They are easily destroyed by inches. “Little waters” is a very is Down Under. Tiny pockets of habitat alterations, but their appropriate description of these standing water appear in other- importance cannot be over- miniature wetland jewels. wise dry places during rainy stated. My interest has grown The land is full of potential seasons, nourishing a host of through involvement in a pro- micro-wetland sites in many animals and organisms. Then gram called Partners for Fish places, but manmade structures they vanish and wait for the next and Wildlife, which pays special prevent them from filling as wet cycle. attention to wetland micro- nature intended. I first observed I’ve worked as a biologist for depressions. Exact definitions do and understood this while the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service not exist, but generally, gilgai working with a University of

18 Missouri scientist studying particles, and builds gilgai on the Nature small berms over Conservancy’s 7000-acre time) that restricted Cheyenne Bottoms properties in the area’s normal Central Kansas. Dr. Leigh sheet flow. Frederickson investigated the Ultimately, this effect of sheet flow on micro- restored water to depressional wetland sites. Sheet many thousands of flow is the natural flow of water micro-depressional “sheeting” across the landscape wetlands and after a rain event. Historically, greatly improved water flowed uninterrupted the area’s wildlife down slope across large potential. It also expanses of land, filling existing caused more water depressions and widely distrib- to be absorbed into Frogs are among the first to occupy "little waters." uting moisture. In the Cheyenne the landscape, Tadpoles must develop quickly to beat evaporation. Bottoms study, Frederickson altering the plant directed the removal of key community on a large and favor- sheet flow on an ecosystem level. roads, berms, terraces and even able scale. Modifications such as roads, fence lines (blowing vegetation In the same way, present land ditches, railroad berms, flood catches on fences, collects soil usage nationwide interrupts control dikes and dams all

Gilgai are the first wetlands to warm in spring, providing food for early migrants. Found throughout the state, they can take different forms. This small pool is the result of an ancient buffalo wallow in Barber County

19 An amazing array of invertebrates may be found in gilgai, including (l-r) fairy, tadpole and clam shrimps. Dormant eggs of these strange creatures lie in dry depressions, waiting for wet conditions in which to hatch and thrive. directly reduce sheet flow and close together that water cannot unique topographical features effectively create drier environ- penetrate. This situation is are common. They were created ments. termed a “perched” water table, by forces such as drought, wind, Most modifications have and is unfavorable for the natural irregularities in topog- taken place within the flood growth of many plants. raphy, and flood scouring. plains of major rivers. Historical But some plants can thrive Historically, they filled through flood plains have generally been there. Historically, perched sheet flow and flood-stage converted to agricultural row water tables created vast “seas” hydrology, and were probably crops like corn, milo, and soy- of prairie cordgrass (Spartina enlarged by wallowing bison beans. These flood plains are a pectinata) across Kansas’ larger and elk. Variety in soil texture mosaic of soil types, dependent river flood plains. These habitats and structure played a roll to on historical river meanderings. were ecologically important, but create a mosaic of sizes, shapes, As a general rule, present river unfortunately, they are now vir- and depths to these flood plain courses and their subsequent tually gone due to agriculture. depressions. flood plains have two dominant Far less than one percent of orig- Individual gilgai, depending soil features. The first is a pri- inal cordgrass meadows remain. on their particular surface-to- mary river terrace. This natural Where present, cordgrass domi- volume ratios and watersheds, feature is built as the river leaves nates most other vegetation, held water for varying lengths of its banks during initial flood though such species as sneeze- time. How long surface water stage. Large and heavy soil par- weed (Helenium autmnale), remained for each depression ticles settle first, forming a ter- Western ironweed (Vernonia faci- was its “hydroperiod.” race that parallels the river. This culata), obedient plant Hydroperiod influenced how terrace is well drained and (Physostegia virginiana), rose plant communities and species nearly always timbered. Farther mallow (Hibiscus militaris), tall evolved. In essence, gilgai out lie areas of small particle indigo (Amorpha fruiticosa), but- allowed flourishing diversity in deposition. Here, backwaters are tonbush (Cephalanthus occiden- otherwise sterile habitat com- held in place long enough for talis), and others might co-exist. plexes. finer particles to settle and form Gilgai are important within Over time, gilgai created a clay soils. In some locations, clay this complex. Within historic much wetter community com- particles may be so small and flood plains, these small and posed primarily of sedges (Carex

20 Besides migrating birds which utilize ephemeral wet- lands for food, a host of vertebrate animals including snakes, frogs and salamanders rely on gilgai for homes and breeding sites. Each small pool has its own unique signature, depending on size, depth and plant complex. This creates diversity in species use, and helps explain why these tiny habitats are worthy of protection.

spp., Scirpus, and Cyperus) and pipers are attracted to shallow, supporting early aquatic inverte- rushes (Eleocharis). This resulted mudflat-type environments, brate activity often weeks ahead in higher usage by birds, mam- while teal and herons prefer of that in larger waters. Species mals, insects, and mollusks. deeper water that supports a such as snails, fingernail clams, There was a biological benefit to more varied food complex. scuds, crayfish, glass shrimp, various hydroperiods within a Also, avian migration is not water scavenger beetles, midges, given wetland system. No static. Depending on weather backswimmers, damselflies, wildlife species can find all of its and other conditions, geograph- dragonflies and others offer for- life requirements within one ical and timing shifts may occur, aging opportunity for early hydroperiod. so that widespread gilgai can migrant birds such as common The diversity resulting from accommodate migrating birds snipe, American woodcock, dynamic gilgai is important for that may alter normal travel blue-winged teal, and a host of many reasons. First, mixture of routes. Similarly, staggered shorebird species. size and depth creates various migration times allow various Like fingerprints, no two functional values and foraging bird species to take advantage of gilgai are exactly alike. Each tiny opportunities within given win- gilgais’ functional diversity. basin has its own unique shore- dows of moisture and time. A great advantage of micro- line shape, which may be Various water birds have dif- depressional wetlands is small amoeba-like, oblong, horse-shoe ferent depth requirements for thermal mass. This means gilgai shaped, or round. Each indi- foraging. For instance, sand- are first to warm up in spring, vidual basin also has its own

21 unique micro water- shed, providing slightly different water volumes after a given rainfall. Dynamics already dis- cussed come into play, creating tremendous diversity. Considering that historical flood plains had thousands of gilgai per square mile, one begins to compre- hend their importance to outdoor Kansas. The value of such complexity can be seen in the following typical situation. Two gilgai of roughly equal size and shape are situated on the landscape within a few feet of each other, yet they host dramati- cally different species. Due to different Shorebirds, waterfowl and wading birds eagerly take advantage of temporary pools. Here, high- hydroperiods, one is wet energy food is easily accessible on migration stopovers. long enough to produce emergent perennial vegetation, discing quickly smooth out the these subtle treasures is the key but the other is drier and grows depressions, leaving a field with to protecting them. Where gilgai only short annual vegetation.The little micro-topography. prosper, the land and its wildlife first is attractive to insects such Percentage of loss on a conti- are uniquely blessed. as dragonflies and damselflies nental level is probably higher which require emergent vegeta- than that of any other wetland Currently, micro-wetland tion to complete their life cycles. types. Even so, the future is get- development sites exist at This pool is full of predacious ting brighter for these tiny wet- Cheyenne Bottoms, the dragonfly larvae which eat tad- land treasures, as opportunity Marais Des Cygnes National poles, so there are no frogs. But abounds for restoration work. Wildlife Refuge, and on var- just a few feet away, the adjacent Programs under the USDA Farm ious parcels of private owner- basin with its shorter hydrope- Bill such as Continuous ship through the WRP and riod is loaded with amphibians Conservation Reserve Partners for Fish and Wildlife such as Western chorus and Program(CRP), Wildlife Habitat Programs. If you are inter- cricket frogs, which thrive due to Incentive Program (WHIP), and ested in developing or main- lack of insect predators. Wetland Reserve Program taining this important habitat Situations like this offer under- (WRP) all offer unprecedented element in your area, contact standing as to why wetland opportunity for a private the author at Flint Hills complexes are so valuable. landowner to gain both technical National Wildlife Refuge, 530 In spite of significant biolog- and financial assistance to W. Maple, Hartford, KS 66854; ical values, gilgai are readily restore this important missing or phone (620) 392-5553 ext removed by conventional component to the wetland 104; or email farming practices. Activities ecology of Kansas. [email protected]. such as plowing, harrowing, and In the end, understanding

22 hen I was a student, one of my professors Whated it when he heard someone say “Canadian CityCity goose.” There was even a penalty on a test for using it in an answer, unless you were specifically referring to a goose from Canada. The correct common name of Branta canadensis is “Canada goose.” That’s because while these geese Geese are associated with (and named after) the country that lies to our north, not all of them are actu- by James Lee ally from Canada. Many of them district wildlife biologist, Kansas City live year-round right here in Kansas, especially in and around photos by Mike Blair cities. Canada geese co-exist well Giant Canada geese were once thought to be with humans because they have extinct but have made a remarkable come- learned to take advantage of back. In fact, in some urban areas, the big habitats that we create. Geese birds have become a nuisance. love to eat well-fertilized, watered, lush grass — which is

23 easy to find around mals naturally fear cities. They like to have humans, but after a large pond or two to enough safe human relax in, and people encounters, they gain love ponds. They like to tolerance for contact be in open areas that with man. Humans often make it easy to spot reinforce this tendency approaching danger, with wild geese by which are how many feeding them, which fur- city places are land- ther encourages trust. scaped. If friendly Habituation works people willing to share both ways, of course. In their lunch are part of times past, Canada geese the picture, so much the were quick to learn to better (though feeding avoid humans when waterfowl causes prob- they were hunted for Goose “roundups” are commonly held in urban areas where popu- lems in the long run.) lations have grown beyond human tolerance. Equipment and man- sale in markets, and During winter, when power requirements make this an expensive control measure. modern geese are quick cold temperatures to learn when and where freeze most lakes and ponds and First, Canada geese have an they are safe in cities. Ask any force geese to find open water, exceptional ability to habituate, Canada goose hunter who’s man-made fountains and aera- or behaviorally adapt, to new hunted the special urban Canada tors provide this necessity. In things in their environment. goose seasons in September other words, if a goose could Habituation basically means (before migrating geese pass design its own home, it probably overcoming the initial wariness through Kansas,) about the wouldn’t look all that different that most wild things have when ability of Canada geese to learn. from a city park or golf course! they encounter something (or They seem to know exactly what Only a few decades ago, no someone) new. Most wild ani- fields or ponds are hunted and one would have predicted the success of Canada geese in our own backyards. Canada geese were, for many years, considered the epitome of wilderness. They bred in the north and spent their winters in secluded sanctuaries. During migration, they kept their distance from humans. The few geese that did not migrate (members of a subspecies called “giant Canada geese,” the ances- tors of resident geese that live in Kansas cities and towns today) were even thought to be extinct from the 1920s until they were rediscovered in the 1960s. A description of a few “personality characteristics” of Canada geese would help explain their success today and their residence in places exactly opposite to Roundups are conducted in early summer after adults have molted and can’t fly and wilderness. before young have learned to fly. Managers attempt to relocate the birds to rural areas.

24 Another trick up the sleeves this success has caused a few of Canada geese is a remarkable problems. Many people object to homing ability. Like many birds, the droppings that Canada geese Canada geese can migrate hun- leave behind. Though conclusive dreds or thousands of miles research is scarce, droppings on between breeding and wintering the ground or in water supplies grounds. They can find precise may be a human health problem. locations not visited for months. Grazing geese can destroy turf One of the main reasons why grass. And while defending their resident Canada goose popula- mates’ nests, ganders can be tions were so easy to restore is aggressive and often scare their that when goslings are provided human neighbors. safe surroundings and plenty of Since geese are large, attrac- A strong grip and a good laundry food, they will return to that tively-colored, interesting birds, detergent are roundup necessities. location in the future as long as many people enjoy and like all their needs can be met there. them. On the other hand, geese which ones are not. If geese are Geese relocated to Cedar Bluff can become a nuisance. When a caught in an area where hunting Reservoir (where they’re held for lot of these birds and a lot of is allowed, it doesn’t take long several months in pens) often people get together, there are for them to shift their activity to return to the Kansas City lake or bound to be problems. Some a safer place. pond where they were caught. people will demand that all Another important character- This homing ability helps the geese be destroyed, others will istic of Canada geese is long life. long-lived, quick-learning goose demand that all geese be com- They can become old-timers rel- remember the best places to nest, pletely protected, and in the ative to most wild animals, eat, find mates, or hide from meantime the geese will go attaining ages of up to 20 years. danger. about their daily business until In fact, many geese still live in Because of its nature, the gre- they decide that the grass is the Kansas City area that were garious Canada goose does very greener on the other side of the leg banded as adults in the early well in cities. Unfortunately, as is park. The fact that these birds 1990s. Long lives provide the usually the case whenever are protected by numerous state time to learn things about the humans and wildlife interact, and federal laws, and even an environment — where to find food, where safe places are, where to nest, and how to avoid hunters. Because geese are social, old and experienced geese share their knowledge with younger birds. And urban geese, with dependable food and water sources close by and with few predators to bother them, live even longer than their rural cousins. Researchers have found that about 80 percent of urban goslings survive to their first birthday. To put this in perspec- tive, until modern medicine reduced the human infant mor- tality rate to very low levels, Primary flight feathers may be clipped so that once relocated, birds cannot immedi- even humans would have a hard ately return to where they were caught. Even so, many eventually do return. time surviving this well.

25 international treaty, further com- course, geese often take advan- geese to an area, people should plicates matters. Fortunately, tage of their homing ability to be discouraged from feeding there are ways for people and return to where they were cap- them. Feeding doesn’t do geese geese to get along. tured, so relocation isn’t the only any favors, anyway. Usually, the When geese cause problems, way of managing nuisance food that people provide is it is often easy enough to relo- geese. nutritionally deficient, and as cate them to an area where they Altering the landscape may geese become more and more are desired. Adult geese cannot become an important way to dis- reliant on it, they can find them- fly during a few weeks each courage problems. Since geese selves in deeper trouble. summer while replacing their like short, fertilized, watered Eventually, geese that have no primary wing feathers, and at turf-grasses, replacing with tall, fear of humans must be relo- the same time, goslings are too unfertilized, unwatered native cated or even euthanized. immature to fly. It is usually a grasses can make an area unat- One tactic to move resident fairly straightforward matter to tractive to geese. Landscaping geese from high traffic human herd geese into large pens, load with natives is also better for the areas is the use of specially- them into trailers, and ship them environment and more econom- trained dogs. Especially around out to new homes. This is done ical in the long run. Since open larger cities nationwide, some nearly every year in Kansas City, views are important to geese (the businesses specialize in “goose Wichita, and Topeka, and often better to avoid predators,) guard” dogs that will herd geese in a few of the smaller towns as planting shrubs to break lines-of- away from protected areas until well. The relocated geese are sight is also helpful. “Safety” can the birds learn their new bound- usually kept for a few months in be interrupted by harassing the aries. At least one such business special pens located at Cedar geese with pyrotechnic devices now operates in the Kansas City Bluff Reservoir before being such as shell-crackers or bird area. released in their new homes. Of bangers. If artificial food draws Canada geese are well-estab- lished residents in many of our cities. That they have gone from near extinction to near-record levels in the past 80 years is a testament to their resilience and adapt- ability. The fact that they have managed to exploit some of the most artifi- cial, severely-altered habitats on the continent (such as urban and agri- cultural areas) is even greater proof of their ability to survive in the face of adversity. Hopefully, this inter- esting animal will con- tinue to entertain us and brighten our surround- ings forever.

Birds are turned out on a rural lake in hopes that they will take up residence. Urban areas are often more attractive because of the manicured lawns, open water and free handouts humans provide.

26 Canada Goose FACTS: •There are 10 subspecies of Canada geese, ranging in size from the 2- to 3-pound cack- ling goose to the giant Canada goose which may weigh up to 24 pounds — diversity rarely seen among a single species. •Giant Canada geese were rediscovered in 1962 after sci- entists presumed them extinct in the 1920s. These geese for- merly lived along big rivers in the Midwest and remained in the same general area year- round. When reestablished Goose throughout their former range, they quickly moved into cities. •Giant Canada geese can be Dog recognized by a white feather patch on the forehead or the text and photos by Mike Blair throat patch that extends high up on the neck, in addition to large size. •Geese of other subspecies oo” is part of a special force of dogs that helps solve wild have hybridized with urban goose problems within metropolitan areas. Giant Canada giant Canada geese in Kansas, geese, handsome birds that symbolize wilderness marsh- so most populations have indi- “B lands and migration, have in recent years acquired a taste for urban viduals with varying sizes and living. Though friendly and appreciated for their beauty, they cause a color patterns. variety of problems for urban dwellers. •Canada geese do not begin Most control measures are costly. This border collie provides breeding until they are 2-3 another alternative for keeping geese at bay in high traffic human years old. Adults maintain areas. The dog, owned by Marianne Lumpe of Kansas City, Mo., is pair bonds permanently but specially trained for urban goose control. Without actually harming will mate again if they lose a the geese, Boo harasses the birds to keep them out of selected areas. mate. Geese are chased into permitted zones or forced to leave altogether. •Geese normally lay 4-5 eggs Though they quickly return, periodic dog patrols can help the birds per clutch. Incubation takes reset their territories to a neighborly distance from human habitation. about 4 weeks. Presently, Boo is the only dog trained for this special work in •Geese will defend their nests Kansas City. She is available for use through “Peaceful Kingdom,” aggressively and have been Lumpe’s business based out of the Grandview area. Lumpe, along known to pursue and strike with trainer and co-worker Betty Seale, believe that Boo is a humane bald eagles that fly too close. and effective way to help keep the peace between man and animals. They will attack humans as “Where Boo works, the sidewalks are clean,” Lumpe says. “Geese well, but rarely cause injury. learn quickly to stay clear of places they’re not wanted.” •Much of what geese eat — pasture or lawn grass, wheat, To inquire further about urban goose management, contact alfalfa, and waste grain and Marianne Lumpe at Peaceful Kingdom, POB 480012, Kansas City, soybeans — is produced by MO; (816) 941-3940; or email [email protected] humans.

27 falo. However, this combination of species is not desirable to most anglers. Anglers want fish that are predators — fish that eat other fish. Every time a predator Feed The Fish fish consumes another fish, it increases its weight by only about 10 percent. So using com- text and photos by Leonard Jirak binations of predators such as district fisheries biologist, Hartford basses, crappie, and walleye reduces the total output of Fish feeding programs allow smaller lakes pounds which could be achieved using fish lower on the to support more and bigger fish, making food chain. Placing brush piles anglers happy in the process. and improving habitat can shift the fish population to more desirable sport fish, but it does ost fishermen evaluate and sunlight available. The total not have a large impact on the their fishing trips on biomass (pounds of aquatic life) total pounds of fish production. Mthe number and size of is a function of the utilization of In a recent catfish food and fish they catch — many would those nutrients and sunlight. growth study by the depart- prefer to catch more and bigger Fish managers can change the ment, it was determined that a fish. Since the 20th century pond output of fish production by fertile lake can produce about 50 and lake building era in Kansas, using different management pounds of bottom-dwelling anglers have been demanding schemes. insects per acre, per year for fish more production from their Changing fish species can forage. The growth of fish is fishing waters. have a dramatic impact on pro- directly related to food avail- However, a body of water has duction. To increase production, ability. The more fish competing only so much natural produc- biologists can use fish that rank for a food source, the less each tion capability. That potential is lower on the food chain, such as individual fish eats and grows. set by the amount of nutrients sunfish, catfish, carp and buf- This is why fisheries managers

28 cannot simply add more fish to a lake and create better fishing. Fish growers have been feeding fish for centuries. Carp, koi and goldfish have been bred and kept for pleasure as well as food since ancient times. During recent history, fish farmers have been growing fry and fingerling fish in hatcheries for stocking purposes. Fish feeding for human consumption has also increased dramatically during the past 50 years. Many species of trout, salmon, catfish and carp are now being grown on fish farms around the world. For centuries, anglers have fished to provide food for the

table. Today, the recreational Mike Blair photos value of fish is more important than food value. Fisheries biolo- Feeders allow small lakes to support large numbers of fish, increasing angler catch gists are adjusting their manage- rates. However, length and creel limits may be required so that fish reach trophy size. ment to include both food and recreational values of fishing. This new situation created a He formulated a diet that could This is called Optimum need to feed the fry. produce up to a pound of Sustained Yield, which relies Enter Dr. Otto Tiemier and channel catfish from two heavily on catch-and-release his students at Kansas State pounds of dry feed at a cost- fishing with certain species, and University. During the 1960s effective rate. From this informa- more harvest on others. One and 1970s, Tiemier was able to tion, a new world of fish culture species that fits the latter cate- experiment and determine a grew: the feeding of channel cat- gory and can be produced in proper diet for channel catfish. fish for human consumption. plenitude is channel cat- Many pond owners, as fish. well as hatchery man- Channel catfish have agers, began growing been among the most channel catfish in large sought-after fish in numbers and bigger Kansas because of their sizes. Armed with the abundance, table quality, new research, fisheries and aggressive behavior. biologists began to Kansas has served as the experiment with feeding classroom for several wild fish in public breakthroughs in warm fishing lakes. The first water catfish culture. research in Kansas was During the 1950s and done by fisheries biolo- 1960s, Seth Way and Bus gist Tommie Berger in Hartley developed 1977 at Pottawatomie methods to spawn and State Fishing Lake artificially hatch channel KDWP public lands employees assist fisheries managers, Number 2. Results catfish in large numbers. keeping feeders full and running during the feeding season. showed an increase in

29 the average size of bluegills began producing large num- and channel cats, along with bers of intermediate-sized a large increase in harvest. channels, stocking rates on all Using this information, I public lakes increased. inferred that feeding fish in a Natural production of public lake could produce channel catfish in clear lakes dramatic results. and ponds is rare because of Fish growth can be highly bass and sunfish predation, variable depending on food so all but the larger reservoirs and environmental condi- need supplemental channel tions. They can gorge them- catfish stockings. Knowing selves when conditions are that many pond owners who good or go with out food for fed channel catfish were long periods and live off growing more and larger fish, body tissue. For example in I surmised that I could do it the early 1970s extremely low on public waters. water levels at a western One of the first problems Kansas reservoir left sportfish was how to come up with the food supplies almost non- money to buy feed, since the existent. Growth rates deter- department had no budget mined from a large sample of for it. I began feeding several This photo shows the growth potential of both blue channel catfish spine showed catfish (on left and right) and channel catfish when a city lakes using private dona- it took seven years for them feeding program is maintained. tions and city fishing permit to reach 12 inches. Channel money. Results were very catfish under good conditions most biologists increased their good. Growth rates picked can grow up to 4 pounds a year stocking rates, but this in turn up, as well as angler interest. after their second year. Gridley slowed fish growth and But with increased fishing pres- city lake was rebuilt in 1995 and decreased quality. By the early sure, the catfish populations restocked with one-year-old 1980s, the average size channel were soon depleted. The channel cats in 1996. The city cat harvested from public lakes average size of the channels feeds from 500 to 1,000 pounds in Kansas weighed about one increased, but few big fish were of feed per acre per year. In 2002 pound. Fishermen wanting caught. channel cats over 20 pounds larger channel catfish went to To keep catfish numbers were caught. Two weighing the rivers and reservoirs. stable and to help fish better more than 25 pounds were When the state hatcheries reach their growth potential, I reported that fall. These exam- persuaded the cities to set length ples show the extremes, with limits and creel limits. I felt the normal growth being in anglers would accept these if we between. Bass, crappie and other could improve the quality of fish fish can have the same dramatic harvested. With a 15-inch length growth fluctuations when condi- limit and a two-fish creel, the tions warrant. average size of channel cat har- Traditionally, annual stocking vested went to three pounds of 10 to 20 intermediate-sized (8- (nearly four pounds at one lake), to 12-inch fish) channel catfish satisfying fishermen. per acre of water and trying to In 1996, the department's maintain acceptable growth fisheries budget included a new rates did not give anglers what program to purchase feeders and they desired from many lakes. Larger pellets are designed to increase feed for all state-owned fishing In order to increase catch rates, the feeding efficiency of big fish. waters. The budget also included

30 a program to cost-share feeders problems in the aquatic system. demand for MORE and BIGGER. on city and community lakes The current feeding program Other fish species benefit from under the Community Lake includes several side benefits. the feeding program, as well. Assistance Program. During the Many of the small lakes now pro- Bluegill will readily eat artificial same time, the department duce lunker- to trophy-sized commercial feed. In the past, included the option of reducing channel catfish. The largest many of our lakes produced channel catfish daily creel limits channel catfish in the state now bluegill only 5 to 6 inches long — and length limits on state-man- reside in smaller lakes rather too small for anglers to harvest. aged waters. Now, fish feeders than reservoirs. In some lakes, With a feeding program, bluegill are common at lakes across the channel catfish bigger than 20 can grow to the 7- to 8-inch state. They vary in size from pounds are not rare. There have range, which is much more desir- small feeders that hold 100 been undocumented reports of able to fishermen. An extra 2 pounds of feed, to larger ones channel cats as large as 30 inches can double the weight of a that hold up to 500 pounds. pounds caught in a couple of bluegill. Better-fed bluegills tend Fish feeders are usually placed lakes. The department’s fishing to produce larger spawns, which on floats and have solar panels to forecast, available on the depart- in turn benefit bass and other power the computer and motor. ment’s website predators. Also, feeding The feeders are set to feed sev- (www.kdwp.state.ks.us.) will increases fish waste which eral times each day and night in indicate where some of the increases the nutrient load in a various amounts. Fisheries biolo- largest channel catfish may be body of water, stimulating gists have the option of imple- found. I have noticed more than plankton growth and the amount menting several creel limits and one avid bass fishermen of food available at the lower end a 15-inch length limit, depending switching to trophy catfish. With of the food chain. on their management strategies. the feeding program, more cat- Feeders are most evident on Biologists now feed a mix of fish can be stocked which will smaller lakes, but they are used floating and sinking high-protein increase catch rates and the fish on large reservoirs. Here they are commercial pelleted feed. will be larger, thus filling the not intended to grow fish but Feeding rates vary from about 25 pounds of feed per acre annually to more than 500 pounds, depending on the desired results. Fish are usually fed when the water temperature rises above 60 degrees. The normal Kansas feeding season is April through October. Many of the feeding stations include circular floating retainer rings to keep the feed from drifting away on windy days before the fish can utilize it. If the management program calls for heavy feeding, lake managers may Mike Blair photo install an aeration system At reservoirs, feeders are designed to concentrate fish, making them more accessible to anglers. to avoid water quality Channel catfish are underharvested in most of our larger reservoirs.

31 Mike Blair photo With the proper length and creel limits, a feeding program can dramatically improve fishing opportunities at small lakes. The average weight of channel catfish caught improved from 1 pound to 4 pounds at one lake. rather to concentrate fish for har- mouth and smallmouth bass and of weight gains. Fish convert vest. In most large reservoirs, cat- yellow perch have been trained food to flesh much more effi- fish are underharvested on artificial feed. ciently than other livestock In recent years, fisheries pro- Historically, predator fish such because unlike warm-blooded fessionals have discovered that as bass were reared and grown mammals, they don’t have to predatory fish can be trained on to large sizes on live fish diets. spend energy maintaining body feed and that they will retain this However, it takes about 10 temperature. To grow fish even feeding behavior. Wipers are pounds of minnows to increase a faster, some managers are now easily trained on feed. They can bass’s weight by a pound. At $4 feeding larger-sized feed. It is not live in small or large bodies of per pound, it would require $40 very efficient for a ten-pound cat- water and will travel long dis- worth of fatheads for a bass to fish to chase down pea-sized pel- tances to feed on an artificial gain 1 pound. By contrast, it lets. Instead, pellets up to the size diet. This makes them a great takes about 2 pounds of dry feed of ping pong balls may be used. management tool on many lakes. to increase the weight of the bass That’s the story of fish feeders Raising wipers on dry feed by a pound. Dry feed costs about in Kansas. Now, when you see a reduces the cost and allows biol- 30 cents per pound — only 60 fish feeder on a lake, you can be ogists to stock them at sizes large cents to produce the same weight sure that biologists are at work to enough to ensure survival. gain. Why the difference in effi- provide Kansas anglers with Wipers help control gizzard shad ciencies? Minnows are 90 percent better fishing opportunities — and small sunfish numbers, grow water and the feed is only 10 per- more and bigger fish. Be sure to to large sizes, and provide one of cent water. Thus, the feed is far take advantage of them. the best fights of any warm- more energy efficient (and much water fish. They can grow up to less expensive). 15 pounds in small impound- Catfish feed is about 20 cents a ments. Recently, even large- pound with the same conversion

32 Send letters to the editor by e-mail to [email protected] letters

Edited by Mark Shoup near future so that we can answer this would be magical to see them bounding question. over the prairie here. With the success WHERE ARE RIOS? I do know this: our turkeys roost in of the deer and turkey such a thing trees, gobble, strut, and come to a hen must be tried. Editor: yelp just like any other turkey. Randy Johnson I have a couple of questions. I plan on Seriously, if you come to Stockton Salina turkey hunting in Kansas this spring at you will be limited to one tom unless an outfitter. After that hunt, I would like you are then willing to travel to either Dear Mr. Johnson, to go to hunt on public ground. I know central or eastern Kansas. In response to your question, KDWP this is a tough question, but if I wanted —Marc Gray, wildlife has stocked pronghorn in Kansas in a to kill a Rio, what specific places would biologist, Plainville number of locations over about the you suggest. past four decades. In 1964, pronghorn Also, can you give me the general were stocked in Wallace and Sherman geography of where the different turkeys WHAT’S A SLAB SPOON? counties. Pronghorn were released in (Rio, eastern, Merriam) meet. The reason Chase County in the Flint Hills in 1978 Editor: I ask is that the outfitter says he has all and 1979 and again in 1991 and 1992. I have a question on fishing lures. three in his area near Stockton. He said Reintroductions also took place from What is a slab spoon? Last winter, it they have Merriams that have moved 1978 through 1983 in Barber amd was mentioned several times at Cedar down through Nebraska and that the Comanche counties, Ellsworth and Bluff that crappie were biting on them, Rios and easterns are also both there. He Saline counties, Clark County, Gove but Cabela's and Brass Pro books don't said the birds generally commingle in the County, and Morton County. show anything along the line of slab area and we could kill any of the three. These efforts have had varying suc- spoons. Would appreciate your help. Kevin Tepen cess. The western Kansas reintroduc- Gary Peters Jerseyville, IL tions have generally been successful, Dodge City with about 1,500 to 2,000 pronghorn Dear Mr. Tepen: ranging in the westernmost two tiers Dear Mr. Peters: Last winter, numerous turkey flocks of counties. The largest population is “Slab spoon” is kind of a generic throughout the state were sampled for in the Wallace/Logan county area. term referring to lead jigging spoons. DNA testing. We have yet to see the There are a few pronghorn left down in There are lots of them out there — results from these samples. the Barber County area, and maybe 30 most of what you'll find in catalogues The Stockton area does not have any or so in the Flint Hills, which was tra- are geared for bass fishing and will be pure eastern or Merriams turkeys. I ditionally the eastern edge of the called peanut spoons or Hopkins seriously doubt there is any Merriam pronghorn range in the U.S. None spoons. If you'll look in the icefishing blood in any turkeys around this part remain in the Ellsworth/Saline county sections of fishing gear catalogues, of the state. We did sample birds north area. you'll find smaller jigging spoons that of Stockton on the Nebraska border As the landscape becomes more will work better for crappie. Local bait where we would most likely expect to intensely developed and modified, it shops in Kansas usually carry a variety find some trace Merriam blood. The becomes more and more difficult to of locally-produced lead jigging spoons, outfitter is misinformed if he believes find room for larger animals like such as Joe's Slabs, or Spencer all three subspecies are located around pronghorn, and landscape changes Spoons. And I've caught plenty of the Stockton area. such as loss of the native prairie (to white bass and crappie jigging Turkeys in this part of the state look agriculture, urbanization, and tree Kastmasters. Hope this helps. and act like Rios. The original stock- growth resulting from fire suppression) —Miller ings were often mixed Rios and east- have not been favorable for pronghorn. erns because the intent was to have a As a result, the amount of good Rio/eastern hybrid. I suspect the DNA FLINT HILLS ANTELOPE pronghorn habitat is limited in testing will yield a trace of eastern Kansas, and even areas like the Flint blood in some of the turkeys tested in Editor: Hills and parts of central Kansas that this part of the state. I am unsure at I was wondering if there are any might appear suitable for pronghorn this time how prevalent pure strain plans to try a restocking of antelope in are generally not, as evidenced by the Rios are in this area. Hopefully, we will many of the suitable grassland and pas- disappearance of the reintroduced ani- be getting some information in the ture areas with this wonderful animal. It mals.

33 We do have healthy pronghorn popu- Accipiter hawks such as the Cooper's Verdigris River. If so, they would have lations in Kansas and will make every are far more likely predators on quail had to go at least 25 miles over land effort to conserve them in the future, but were uncommon to rare on our (the distance between Coffeyville and but they are and will likely continue to study areas during our project. We also Chetopa). be generally restricted to the west. have good circumstantial evidence that The Neosho and Spring rivers meet —Matt Peek, pronghorn great horned owls were taking quail and form the Grand River (hence Grand research biologist, Emporia during the night. For lack of specific Lake) near the Twin Bridges State Park identity on diurnal avian kills, we list in northern Oklahoma. The Verdigris HAWKS & QUAIL the big three hawks as far as numbers runs on down into Oklahoma and I go. Let me know if you have further assume, eventually, into the Arkansas Editor: questions. I can supply the original sci- River, not the Neosho. I very much appreciate the article by entific material if you would like to Perhaps a small point, but I thought Applegate and Williams in the most receive it. I’d give you a holler. Great magazine! recent Kansas Wildlife and Parks mag- —Roger D. Applegate, Garry Porter azine (Sept./Oct. 2002, Page 14). As a small game biologist, Emporia Wichita Kansas landowner with an intense inter- est in game birds, I find the information Dear Mr. Porter: helpful and appreciate the scientific WRONG RIVER Thanks for the correction. Not being approach. I did question one statement too familiar with Oklahoma geography, on Page 16 where they noted "day hunt- Editor: I had to consult my atlas. I see that the ing raptors, mostly red-tail hawks...etc." In the March/April issue of Kansas Verdigris River flows into the My reading indicates that buteos are Wildlife and Parks magazine (Page 34), Arkansas, or rather both rivers join at much less likely than accipiters to take there is an interesting letter from a Ft. Gibson Lake, in Oklahoma. As you game birds. Thinking back over my reader regarding eels in Kansas. I, too, mention, the Neosho flows into Grand own experience, I have never seen a red- have occasionally caught them out of Lake, which, if I read the map cor- tail hawk make a quail or pheasant kill. I Kansas streams over the years, including rectly, outflows through a chain of have observed northern harriers making small tributaries of the Ninnescah River other lakes into Ft. Gibson, as well, kills on several occasions. I would be in Sedgwick County. How they got and Robert S. Kerr lakes. All these very interested in knowing how many there, I don’t know. waters release again into the larger confirmed kills the author recorded for However, I must take exception with Arkansas River. redtail hawks. some of the geography described by the Indeed, the Verdigris River does not Gary E. Vaughn, MD writer. I was raised in Cherokee County flow into the Neosho River or Grand Beaumont, Texas and have spent much time around Grand Lake. Thanks for the correction; it Lake. The article in question mentioned gave me a chance to bone up on Dear Dr. Vaughn: that the eels might have come out of Oklahoma geography. Thanks for your query on the bob- Grand Lake, up the Neosho, into the — Shoup white article. The reference on page 16 to red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, and northern harriers is in WAY oouuttssiiddee reference to daytime mortality of bob- by Bruce Cochran whites by predominately diurnal rap- tors. We had no specific confirmation of the species of raptor killing a bob- white; the reference is to the fact that these three species were the most abundant of those seen in raptor counts conducted on the study areas during the research. Of the diurnal raptors species on the areas, the redtail was definitely the most abundant. However, I would agree that the harrier is a more likely candidate for taking quail than the redtail. My personal experience is that I have never seen a quail taken by a raptor but have seen raptors take pheasants and prairie chickens.

34 law

LAWS? WHAT LAWS? Trapped In Own Snare n November of 2001, conservation officer Three days before the start of the 2001 firearms deer season, the Jeff Goeckler, Wakefield, and I were travel- Operation Game Thief hotline received a call from a landowner in western I ing down the back roads of Dickinson I Lyon County claiming that a man had been poaching deer near the area of County when we noticed a vehicle parked par- Fruitland Cemetery. The landowner said that he was working in his yard, tially in the roadway. As we slowed, we noticed had heard shots, and immediately went down the road towards the sound of two people, one of them carrying a firearm, the shots. coming out of a pasture that contained a large There, he saw a local man standing next to a pickup parked on the edge pond. When the man carrying the firearm saw of the roadway. The landowner also saw a buck deer just standing out in a us, he threw the firearm into the tall weeds, and field less than 100 yards from the man. The deer acted strangely because it just stood there, hoping that we would continue just stood there and didn’t attempt to run away. The landowner confronted to drive on by. At this point we knew something the man about shooting the deer, but he claimed that he was an employee wasn’t right. with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and that he did not As we stopped our vehicles, the man who had shoot at the deer but shot at a coyote that ran off. He then got in his truck thrown the firearm into the weeds, picked it up and left the area without searching for the coyote or the deer. and began to run for the trees. He did not make The landowner went towards the deer, and it ran a short distance, it very far before CO Goeckler caught him and stopped and lay down. Not wanting to disturb the deer further, the escorted him back to the road where I was wait- landowner went to a phone and called the Operation Game Thief. ing with his buddy. The deer was found dead near the area and a small caliber bullet was We then asked the two men what they were recovered. The suspect was interviewed later that evening and initially doing, and the one carrying the firearm con- claimed that he was a trapper and not a hunter. He was identified as 43-year fessed that he had been shooting at ducks on old David K. Trent of Strong City. He was not an employee of Wildlife and the pond. The other man said he had not shot Parks but did hold a KDWP nuisance animal damage control permit, which at anything yet. We then asked the two men if allowed him to trap out of season. He also held a furharvester license, a they had permission to be on this property, and hunting license, migratory bird stamps, and an archery deer permit. they said “no.” We then asked if they knew that He initially denied shooting the deer and gave several conflicting stories duck season was currently closed and that it of shooting at a coyote. When pressed for the truth and confronted with the was illegal to us a .22 rifle to shoot waterfowl, evidence, Trent confessed that he did shoot the deer and gave a written and once again they said “no.” We asked the statement admitting it. He was charged with hunting during a closed sea- man who did the actual shooting if we could son, hunting without a valid permit, failing to tag big game, and wanton see his hunting license, and he confessed that waste of big game. he had not purchased one. The next day, Trent recanted his story and claimed yet another version of We seized the .22 rifle and issued eight cita- shooting at a coyote. He hired an attorney and began to contest the tions to the man that had done the shooting. charges, but when he failed to pay his attorney, the attorney withdrew from The citations were for attempting to take migra- the case. Trent then hired another local attorney, and a hearing was held in tory birds by illegal means, criminal hunting, an attempt by the defense to throw out Trent’s written confession. Judge having no hunt license, having no federal duck Lee Fowler ruled that the Mirandized confession was admissible and the stamp, having no state waterfowl stamp, having case went before a one woman, five-man jury. no harvest information program (HIP) stamp, Trent claimed again on the witness stand that he was shooting at a coy- having no hunter education card, and attempt- ote. Under cross examination by the prosecuting attorney, assistant Lyon ing to take waterfowl during a closed season. County Attorney Mike Halleran, Trent’s story fell apart, and Trent became The other man was not issued any citations, but emotional on the stand. he did have a warrant for his arrest and was Judge Fowler called a recess to give Trent time to compose himself. The transported to Dickinson County jail. trial resumed, and the case was sent to the jury for deliberation. The jury In December of 2001, the man was found took about an hour to find Trent guilty as charged. The deer poaching guilty on all eight counts in Dickinson County “trapper” was sentenced to 30 days in jail for each charge, $59 court costs, District Court. He paid $1,300 in fines, $54 in a $150 KBI forensics lab fee, a $45 processing fee, a $510 prosecution fee, court costs. He also served 30 days in the $200 restitution for the deer, and $700 in fines. His hunting privileges were Dickinson County jail and forfeited his 22 rifle. suspended for one year, and all other licenses were suspended until his —Lance Hockett, total bill of $1,664 was paid. conservation officer, Abilene —Dave Adams, conservation officer, Reading

35 issues Questions, Questions The Department of Wildlife and Parks often receives questions about what the agency is doing or how to take advantage of our many programs. Here’s just a few commonly asked questions. If you have questions, visit our website at www.kdwp.state.ks.us or email [email protected]. (All license and permit issuance fees will go up 50 cents beginning July 1, 2003.) Why are nonresident deer permits so cheap (or How do I go about hunting wild hogs in Kansas? expensive)? It is difficult to monitor feral pig populations. To the best of A nonresident pays $276 to hunt deer in Kansas — $205.50 our knowledge, we have wild pig populations in Comanche, for the permit and $70.50 for the nonresident hunting license. Barber, Kiowa, Riley, and Crawford counties. All are on private That price is similar to what other Midwest states charge for land except Ft. Riley. They are not considered wildlife and may nonresident deer hunting. therefore be taken any time with landowner permission. The Department of Wildlife and Parks does not regulate them, so a I lost my hunting (fishing) license. What do I do? hunting license is not required. Depending on where you bought it, either the vendor or your county clerk will have a copy of the license. Once a copy of Hawks are killing my chickens. What can I do? your license is located, the vendor (or county clerk) will fill out All birds of prey are protected by federal law. Contact the U.S. a duplicate application form. It is a two-part form that is valid as Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services in Manhattan, your license for 10 days. Return one copy to the Pratt office (785) 532-1549. Tell them what the problem is, and they may with $10.50 and a duplicate will be issued. For more informa- come out and assess the situation. They may suggest non-lethal tion, phone (620) 672-5911 and ask for Licensing. alternatives and offer shell crackers and other methods first. If this does not work, they may refer your case to the U.S. Fish Can I keep native fish in my aquarium? and Wildlife Service agent in your area. You can collect and keep native fish with either a fishing license or a scientific collector’s permit. You may not have in pos- What does purple paint mean on posts or trees? session any threatened or endangered species or any illegal-size Land marked with purple paint is considered legally posted in fish (those protected by length limits). Any fish kept must have the same way as land posted with signs that state “Hunting, been taken by legal means. Fishing, and Trespassing by Written Permission Only.” The advantage of such posting is that conservation officers may How do I become a hunter education instructor? check hunters on private land and immediately know whether The basic requirements are to be a graduate of the Kansas or not they have permission to be there. hunter education course, submit an application to become an From the statute, K.S.A. 32-1013 (b): "Each paint mark shall instructor, pass a background check, attend an orientation class be a vertical line of at least 8 inches in length, and the bottom and assist in teaching a hunter education class. Send your of the mark shall be no less than 3 feet nor more than 5 feet address and your Kansas hunter education certificate number high. Such paint marks shall be readily visible to any person (if you have one) to KDWP, Hunter Education, 512 SE 25th approaching the land. Land posted as provided in this subsec- Ave., Pratt, KS 67124, or phone (620) 672-5911, and we will tion shall be considered to be posted by written permission only send you an application. as provided in subsection (a)." How can I stock upland birds to help the populations Where can I hunt prairie dogs? on my property? All prairie dog hunting in Kansas is on private land. Contact the History and decades of research have proven that stocking pen chambers of commerce or the Farm Service Agency offices in raised birds is actually counter productive. Hand-reared birds do Rawlins, Cheyenne, Decatur, Norton, Meade, or Gray counties. not get the opportunity to learn how to survive in the wild (gained Prairie dog hunting is year-round, no bag limit. You need a Kansas from the adults) that wild birds get at a very early age. As a result, hunting license — $70.50 for nonresident, $18.50 for resident. when hand reared birds are released, most are typically killed by predators in a very short period (a few weeks) although a few may I live a long way from a state park. Where can I buy survive longer. As a result, predators learn to key on whatever permits? species is released, further endangering wild populations. In addition to state parks and other offices of the Department of If there are too few birds in a given area, it is probably a defi- Wildlife and Parks, we have worked to develop a number of alter- ciency in the habitat available, possibly combined with poor native vendors where you can purchase your permits. County weather patterns (as is the case the past couple of years). It is clerks and Dillons stores carry state park vehicle permits. Other far more effective to begin developing habitat. If you are inter- vendors may be authorized through the county clerk. If you are ested in this, email [email protected], and we will put unable to get your permit from either of these vendors, you might you in contact with your local wildlife biologist, who can help call the county clerk to see what other vendors are available. You you with a plan. may also call (620) 672-5911 and ask for Licensing. —Shoup

36 DONKEYS PETA president Ingrid British government have stay in the program or actu- OVER PEOPLE Newkirk wrote the letter that both used animals in ally have multi-year con- was faxed to Arafat's head- hideously cruel biological tracts, and we’re not going Last winter, a letter was quarters in Ramallah, accord- weaponry tests. We watched kick them out of the program dispatched from People for ing to the Washington Post. on television as stray cats in for doing what they had to the Ethical Treatment of “Your Excellency, we have your own compound fled as do make a living.” Animals (PETA) to received many calls and let- best they could from the Another concern that Palestinian Liberation ters from people shocked at Israeli bulldozers. If you have hunters have expressed is Organization leader Yasser the bombing. All nations the opportunity, will you that some WIHA land is Arafat. The PETA folks were behave abominably in many please add to your burdens planted to green wheat. upset because of a Jan. 26 ways when they are fighting my request that you appeal “We had many tracts that bombing that took place in their enemies, and animals to all those who listen to you included green wheat — but Jerusalem. Were they dis- are always caught in the to leave the animals out of were not exclusively green turbed by the death and crossfire. The U.S. Army this conflict?” wheat — because it is easier destruction that terrorism of abandoned thousands of When Newkirk was asked to square up a tract,” this type causes? Well, sort loyal service dogs in why she didn’t try to get Mitchener explains. “Like of. Apparently, a donkey died. Vietnam. Al-Qaeda and the Arafat to quit blowing up every year, we also had some innocent civilians, women, tracts that were leased for and kids, she responded, “It's goose and crane hunting Purple not my business to inject opportunities. We put the myself into human wars.” species most likely to be Plains Eater —Newsmax.com found on a tract in the atlas index. Hunters who didn’t There would be plenty of outraged citizens if someone tres- WIHA HABITAT see what looked to be good passed and degraded several hundred thousand acres of habitat for what they were native rangeland in the Flint Hills. But during the last several During the fall of 2002, hunting needed to check the years, sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), a perennial the Kansas Department of index if they wondered why a legume native to Asia, has done just that by invading our Wildlife and Parks received a particular piece of property prairies and out-competing and displacing native prairie number of questions about was enrolled.” plants. Sericea lespedeza, a statewide noxious weed, may well the quality of habitat in the Other comments from be the number one threat to the biological integrity of the department’s Walk-In Hunter hunters involved apparent tallgrass prairie region of Kansas. Area program (WIHA). destruction of habitat, such Sericea lespedeza was originally introduced into the United Some areas were not as as discing milo stubble States in 1896 for use as forage for livestock and as an ero- productive as in the past, before the contract is up or sion-control plant. While sericea lespedeza remains an impor- partly due to low bird num- other unapproved practices. tant forage crop in several southeastern states, it is an inva- bers and partly due to poor Such violations can result in sive weed in the tallgrass prairie. Sericea lespedeza aggres- weather. A large percentage loss of payment to the sively competes with native prairie plants and can result in a of WIHA land is also in the landowner. “In some cases, substantial reduction of native grasses and broadleaf plants. federal Conservation Reserve the agency does cut pay- Controlling this invasive weed will take education, research, Program (CRP). However, ments to cooperators who and the creation of partnerships that bring together private severe drought last year violate the contract,” and public entities to help land managers keep this noxious prompted release of CRP Mitchener continues. “For plant under control. grasslands for emergency the most part, however, we —Plains Keeper haying or grazing. Haying or try to work with the grazing occurred on some landowners and keep hunters WIHA tracts throughout the happy, as well.” state. By early fall, cover on Department biologists will other WIHA property in continue to work with willing drought-stricken regions cooperators to improve habi- were already reduced. tat on land they enroll in the “Many of our cooperators WIHA program. The 2003 simply had to graze or hay deadline for enrollment is in their CRP this year just to July although the exact date keep their heads above has yet to be set. Phone water,” says WIHA program (620) 672-5911 for details. coordinator Mike Mitchener. —Shoup “Most of these folks want to

37 hunting

to view and print it. The range will open for shooting from KDWP PUBLICATIONS Brochures in PDF will download auto- 9 a.m. until dark. Lunch will be served at ONLINE matically when clicked. Some large or noon followed by awards. color publications are available only by Phone (620) 672-5911 and ask for While most hunters these days are mail. Additional PDF publications are Hunter Education to enroll. A $15 computer savvy, some may not know being added when they are completed. If deposit will be required at enrollment and that many of the hunting-related publica- a title is not underlined, it must be refunded when the participant checks in. tions offered by the Kansas Department ordered by phoning (620) 672-5911 or No-show deposits will be used to help of Wildlife and Parks can be downloaded emailing [email protected]. There is fund the event. free from the agency’s website, a five-brochure limit for mail requests. After 30 years, the Hunter Education www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Just click —Shoup Program has good reason to celebrate. “Hunting” on the home page and Before the program began in 1973, “Brochures” on the hunting page, and 30TH HUNTER ED hunters averaged 38 accidents per year, the following publications are available NTER with an average of five fatalities. In ANNIVERSARY U ED by the click of a mouse: H U 2000, 19 accidents and no fatalities Hunt by Written Permission Only On May 17, the S C were reported. Similar numbers A A

signs, Hunter Referral Program, Kansas Kansas Department T have been reported for several

S

I

Harvest Information Program, Public of Wildlife and N O years.

A Hunting Areas of Kansas, Trophy Deer Parks (KDWP) will N The success of the Hunter

Application, Trophy Turkey Application, celebrate the 30th K 30 years Education Program makes one and WIHA Habitat Improvement. anniversary of its 1 thing very clear: hunting is one of the 97 03 Seasonal publications are also available, Hunter Education 3 - 20 safest pastimes in the state. There are at times of the year they are valid, Program. The event will be approximately 170,000 licensed hunters including the 2003 Kansas Hunting held at La Sada Sporting Clays, 3 1/2 in Kansas. This does not count hunters Regulations Summary (available in miles south, 2 miles west, and 1 mile who are younger than 16 or older than September), the Public Hunting Guide, south of Russell from I-70 on U.S. 64 because they don’t need licenses in the 2003 Special Hunts Information Highway 281. Kansas. Multiply an estimated number of (available June), and the Fall Walk-In All Kansas certified hunter education hunters from these figures by any conser- Hunting Areas Atlas (available in instructors are invited to participate in a vative estimate of the number of hours September). number of activities. The KDWP hunter each hunter spends in the field in a year, Many wildlife area brochures may also education program will provide one and a picture of just how safe hunting is be downloaded by clicking “Brochures” round of sporting clays (50 targets), one quickly emerges. on the KDWP home page. round of 5-stand (25 targets), and three Hunter education volunteer instructors Most files are in portable document boxes of shotgun shells. Participants across Kansas spend thousands of hours format (PDF). To view and print the doc- should bring their own shotguns. Guns of their own time training young people ument, you must first download the free and ammo also will be provided for a in the safe handling of firearms, conserva- Adobe Acrobat Reader by clicking the muzzleloading rifle turkey shoot. tion ethics, wildlife management basics, link to the Adobe download site. Be sure Side games will also be available. and other topics. Their efforts have paid to download the proper version for your Possible games include an old-fashioned off over the years, nurturing not only computer’s operating system. Once you turkey shoot, make-a-break, long-bird, and safer hunters but hunters who are more have downloaded and installed Acrobat others. Shooters will pay for targets and aware of the needs of all wildlife. Reader, click on the pertinent document provide their own ammo for side games. —Shoup

1955, the USFWS and U. S. Census female participation in hunting in the Women, Hunting, Bureau have conducted comprehensive U. S. comprises about 10 percent of Demographics surveys of Americans to determine a total hunting participation (1.19 million variety of information about their out- female hunters, 11.85 million male A good source of information on fish- door recreation activities. hunters). ing, hunting, and wildlife watching Anyone can view, download, and Visit the website listed above for recreation in the U. S. can be found in print any or all of that survey informa- more details. It contains a variety of the 2001 Survey of Fishing, Hunting tion online at http://federalaid.fws.gov. information, both nationwide and state- and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, pro- Among other demographic information, by-state, on outdoor recreation partici- duced by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife participation by women in these activi- pation. Service (USFWS). Every five years since ties is listed. According to this study, —Mathews

38 UNDER CURRENTS crawling back. I grab a broom from the closet, walk out the back door to a position right beneath the window, and squash the spider with the end of the broomstick. Now my stomach’s really queasy. I wipe the end of the broomstick in the grass and return to the kitchen. My by Mark Shoup egg is cold, but I take a bite, then gaze back through the window and almost am just six years old when my big -- all smooth and black and fat, little cot- choke. An awful mass of fuzz and legs sister takes me to a movie about a tony white egg sacks with hundreds, and yellow mush is blotched across the Itarantula that grows bigger than a even thousands of baby black widows in screen. house. When we get home, my uncle is them. Don’t black widow females eat Paralyzed, I just stare at the Thing on visiting. As I head downstairs to bed he their mates? Oh, man! My thoughts are the screen. It’s worse dead than alive; tells me to be careful of the spiders in worse than the movie. I’ll never stop thinking about it! I grab the basement tonight; they might just Suddenly, I feel something crawling my books and rush out the back door grow. Even though I know Unc is teas- on my leg. If I move, it will bite for to school. ing, sweat beads off my forehead. sure. I can’t stand the tickling anymore Just to be safe, I get dad’s flashlight and throw the covers back, beat my leg, *** out of the furnace room and hide it and shine the light all over the bed. under my pillow. When Mom comes Nothing there. A few weeks later, summer rains have downstairs to tuck me in, I ask her to I get up and turn the light on. pecked most of the crusted, flaky Thing leave the light on. I want to say it’s Nothing. I pull the sheet and covers away from the screen, but I keep a men- because spiders are afraid of light, but down and shake them. Maybe it was tal record of its progress. she says that there’s nothing to be nothing, but if that tickle was a spider, The green beans have sprouted, as afraid of. “I shouldn’t have let your sis- it might still be between the sheets. I have many tasty things Dad grows in ter take you to that stupid movie,” she can’t sleep on the floor; that would be the garden. Along with baseball and says. even more dangerous. I can’t leave the swimming, the garden is a special sum- I try to tell her that it has nothing to light on long, either, or Mom will be mer thing, except when I have to weed. do with the movie, but she just gives down here. I tiptoe back into the fur- One morning, hoe in hand, I’m hacking me a kiss and turns out the light. nace room and snatch a can of bug crabgrass between rows of beans when Now I feel trapped in the darkness spray from Dad’s workbench. I notice a spider web stretched between and lie there, afraid to move. Heart Back in my room, I put the spray on a corn stalk and a row of horsemint. It’s thumping, I slide under the covers and the nightstand then pull the sheet up, a bright, perfectly-shaped net gleaming snatch the flashlight from under the pil- turn out the light, and lie on top of the in the sunlight. A gentle dew reflects low and switch it on, searching the bed, pulling the blankets up tight. I color off its strands, like oil on water. room. hold the flashlight again, trying to think In the web, packages of potato bee- What’s that on the wall? Nothing. I of baseball, but I keep seeing a taran- tles, moths, flying ants, flies, and mos- scan the room but see only shadows. tula crawling out of a hole in the quitoes are neatly wrapped, and a red Covers up to my neck, I hold the flash- pitcher’s mound. But then the baseball and yellow garden spider rests in the light against my chin. rolls back to mind, it’s summer, and I’m middle of the orb. I take a closer look. I remember a big wolf spider I chased swimming and riding my bike. Its abdomen is too big for its skinny down a hole on the playground earlier legs, I think. As if they are one, both this spring. That spider looked just like *** web and spider vibrate slightly in the the tarantula in the movie, green eyes morning breeze. “Cool,” I whisper. staring out of the hole. And its hairy It’s morning! All clear. I jump out of Soon, I’m back weeding and finished body! I stuffed a tree limb down its hole bed, dress, and go upstairs for break- before I know it. I’m hungry and run to as deep as I could get it. fast. Facing the east window, I tear the house with cinnamon toast and milk Now all my spider memories are rac- toast in pieces and mash it with a boiled on my mind. Sitting at the table, the ing through my mind. A friend’s mother egg to kill the taste. milk goes down cool and sweet. I set once told us to stay out of their crawl I have just taken my first bite when I down the glass and stare out the win- space because of black widows. Their notice a fat, hairy jumping spider on the dow, never noticing that the screen is neighbor had been bitten by one once outside of the screen. The egg and toast finally washed clean. and almost died. She said his whole clogs in my throat, and I look away neck had swelled up as big as his head. quickly, then back. The spider just stays Black widows give me the creeps, too on the screen, moving a little, then

39 fishing

pound test monofilament. Cast as far as Free Fishing Days Crank It! possible. Hold the rod tip down to the June 7-8 water’s edge. Use a moderate retrieve. A How can you make a deep-running fast retrieve will not allow the lure to Whether you’re a novice fisherman or crankbait reach its maximum depth? The reach its deepest potential. a seasoned angler who just hasn’t had factors that govern depth include length Six and one-half foot, one-piece rods time to fish this year, the Kansas of cast, speed of retrieve, position of rod are popular for these deep-running lures. Department of Wildlife and Parks will tip, and size of line. — Humminbird Fishin’ Tips have just what you’re looking for on the First, choose 10- or no more than 12- weekend of June 7-8. Those are the dates set aside as the 2003 Free Fishing Days, YOU SAY CRAWDAD, where they attach. one of the greatest outdoor entertain- Eggs stay on the tail for at least four ment bargains in the state. I SAY CRAYFISH weeks or more, depending on water For two days, Kansans will be able to It’s neither a daddy nor a fish, but no temperature and other variables, such fish without having to buy a license. This matter what you call it, the crayfish is as food and water quality. As water tem- traditional weekend coincides with an interesting and useful critter. Often peratures rise, the small juvenile cray- National Fishing and Boating Week, called the freshwater lobster, this crus- fish hatch and swim away to eat (or be June 1-8, sponsored by the Recreational tacean makes great fish bait and great eaten). Boating and Fishing Foundation and human food, as well. Crayfish feed on aquatic vegetation, state conservation agencies across the Bass are particularly partial to cray- dead fish, aquatic insects, and just country. fish, as are white bass, walleye, catfish, about anything they can catch. As they The weekend — and the entire week — and drum. Crankbaits made to look like feed and grow larger, they shed their is geared toward youth, but anyone can crayfish are very effective lures for “skins,” called exoskeletons, repeatedly participate simply by going fishing or by these species. Drifting live crayfish every few weeks during the warmer participating in one of more than 2,000 across the bottom of a lake or pond months of the year. After shedding, the fishing clinics, tournaments, and other also works well. exoskeleton is quite soft, rendering the special events scheduled nationwide. Crayfish are cold-blooded, so they crayfish more vulnerable to predation “This gives us thousands of opportuni- don’t really emerge from their winter and forcing it under rocks or other hid- ties to cultivate a love of fishing in burrows and crevices until the water ing places until its shell hardens again. young and old alike and to inspire in warms to 50 degrees or more. They are Common throughout Kansas, cray- them a renewed respect and appreciation often among the first prey that fish eat fish may be found in most waters. for our aquatic resources,” says Kansas in the spring and are commonly found Fishermen hook the entire crayfish on Department of Wildlife and Parks in the stomachs of bass and catfish. or sometimes just use the tail. Secretary Mike Hayden. The life cycle of the crayfish begins Crayfish are excellent table fare. Wire Kansas has one of the most diverse in the late summer. In the mating mess baskets filled with chicken parts systems of reservoirs and waterways in process, males place a sperm packet or other bait can yield large numbers. the country. The variety of Kansas sport- (resembling a cotton ball) on the under- Boiled with cajun spices, these little fish is wide, too. Black bass, bluegill, side of the female's belly. She curls her crustaceans taste much like their channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish, tail and lays the eggs, passing them marine cousin, the lobster. striped bass, walleye, white bass, and through the sperm down on to her tail, — Shoup wipers can be found throughout the state. For those who have been wondering about these resources in Kansas, Free Fishing Days is the perfect opportunity to explore them. It’s also a great time just to get the kids out and enjoy family time. For information on Free Fishing Days or Free Fishing Week events in your area, contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks office nearest you or visit www.waterworkswonders.org. — Shoup

40 nature

comprised 44 percent of the bird’s diet. Crustaceans and Hooded Merganser aquatic insects comprised 56 percent. Two gizzards from The hooded merganser is days. The incubation period, tion of the nest and preda- ducklings six to seven weeks one of the more beautiful from the time the last egg is tion from snakes, raccoons, old contained mostly remains birds found at Cheyenne laid to hatching, ranges from and starlings. of crayfish, frogs, and drag- Bottoms Wildlife Area, near 29 to 37 days. Nest success The food habits of the onfly larvae. Great Bend. It is a wary and in natural cavities is largely hooded merganser appear to Hooded mergansers usu- reclusive duck usually found unknown, but one study be more diverse than the ally arrive at Cheyenne in singles, pairs, or small reported a 74-percent success common merganser. One Bottoms in the fall, after pud- flocks of five to 10 birds. rate. Another study revealed study, examining the stom- dle ducks but before cold They tend to fly low and that failed attempts at nest- ach contents of hooded mer- winter weather. exceedingly fast. ing can be attributed to sev- gansers from across the —from the Cheyenne The hooded merganser’s eral factors, including deser- United States, found that fish Bottoms Newsletter breeding range extends from southern Nova Scotia west and northwest across Canada to Alaska. However, nests have been reported in Idaho, North Dakota, Kansas, and as far south as Louisiana and Mississippi. Sixty-one percent of the wintering hooded mer- gansers occur in the Mississippi Flyway, 22 per- cent in the Atlantic, 11 per- cent in the Pacific, and only 6 percent in the Central Flyway, which includes Kansas. State Flower, and Cousins The youngest nesting birds found have been two years id-summer to fall, one cannot help but notice the abundance of sunflowers along old. They return to the same roadsides in prairies, so it is no surprise that Kansas is called the Sunflower area to nest each year. Males MState. The official state flower is the annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus), a promptly disappear from nest ubiquitous plant that grows abundantly all over the state along roadsides and disturbed areas when their mates start sites. The annual sunflower has given rise to numerous cultivated varieties grown for to incubate. seed, oil, dyes, and ornamental flowers and foliage. In range and habitat, their One of the most interesting sunflowers is the willow-leaved sunflower (Helianthus salici- requirements are similar to folius). The willow-leaved sunflower is a perennial, rhizomatous (spreads from the roots) those of the wood duck, as is plant that grows 5 to 7 feet tall and produces abundant small flowers from August through demonstrated by their fre- October. While the flowers are pleasant, the foliage is spectacular all season. Established quent use of wood duck nest plants produce mounds of fine-textured foliage in the form of abundant, small leaves. boxes. Like wood ducks, Ashy sunflower (Helianthus mollis) produces abundant flowers on 2- to 4-foot plants hooded mergansers also nest from July through October. Also rhizomatous and slowly spreading, several plants in one in tree cavities in southern spot can grow into large colonies when cultivated and produce a broad mass of attractive swamps, river bottomlands, gray-green leaves. Ashy sunflower prefers drier soils and full sun. beaver ponds, and along The most invasive sunflower is the Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliannii), but wooded streams and lakes. it produces the most beautiful leaves and provides excellent food for wildlife. The 3- to 6 Hooded mergansers lay foot tall Maximilian sunflower spreads vigorously from rhizomes or seed and will thrive in clutches of four to 21 eggs, dry or wet soils, sand or clay. While not a garden plant, it is excellent in wild areas. with an average of 10 eggs While sunflowers provide food for wildlife and are quite beautiful in wild areas, with per clutch. One egg is discretion, they can also be desirable in a flower garden. deposited every two or three —Prairie Window

41 notes

The Dyck Arboretum is open to the As an incentive for anglers to return public from dawn to dusk, 7 days a the tags, they will be given a hat with a MUSSEL SEASONS week, for a suggested donation of $2. crappie logo and “KDWP Crappie CLOSED Special collections include the following: Research Team” embroidered on the front or a tee shirt with the same logo. Mussel seasons have been closed for a • trees, shrubs, grasses, and flower- Tagging began in early April for the 10-year moratorium (2003-2012) so that ing perennials and annuals, native to spring fishery, and will continue in late populations can rebuild. However, there Kansas are emphasized; also included October and early November for the fall- may be instances where KDWP issues a are horticultural plants that are adapt- winter fishery. To receive a reward, salvage permit for shells that are able to the southcentral Kansas envi- anglers will be asked to complete a stranded due to low water. Salvage per- ronment. Open areas depicting the report card showing the approximate mits will be issued by recommendation plains are also maintained; location they caught the tagged fish and of the local fisheries biologist and con- • Great Plains Wildflower Garden how many other crappie they harvested. servation officer, and a salvage condition boasts five planting beds dedicated to Data collected will be used to determine will be advertised locally. People wishing different regions of the Great Plains. the movement of tagged fish and help to to harvest shells during a salvage condi- Only taxa native to the different determine their populations. tion will need to obtain a free salvage regions are grown in each bed; Report cards and rewards will be avail- permit that will detail the area and time able at park offices at the five reservoirs, frame open to salvage. • 45 taxa of tallgrass prairie wild- the Hays and Topeka regional offices, flowers; —Tom Mosher, aquatic the Kansas City Office, and the Emporia research biologist, Emporia • 20 taxa of northern mixed-grass Office. Cards can also be mailed to the prairie wildflowers; KDWP, Emporia Research and Survey • 39 taxa of southern mixedgrass Office, P. O. Box 1525, Emporia, KS prairie wildflowers; 66801. For additional information, phone Tom Mosher at the Emporia PLAINS • 20 taxa of shortgrass prairie wild- CELEBRATION Office (620) 342 0658, email flowers; [email protected]), or write Mosher On May 17-19, Hesston College’s Dyck • 32 taxa of woodland edge wildflow- at the Emporia Office. Arboretum Of the Plains will conduct its ers; and —Tom Mosher, aquatic fifth annual celebration of native Kansas • much, much more. These beds are research biologist, Emporia flora. The theme for this year’s event, only a portion of the Great Plains wild- held at the Arboretum’s Visitor and flower taxa located at the Arboretum). Education Center, is “A Garden For All Seasons.” Presentations will encourage In addition, 66 taxa of trees and NEW MINED participants to enjoy natural Kansas shrubs thrive at the Dyck Arboretum. LAND ASSISTANT year-round. For more information about the The event will offer the only plant sale arboretum and the “Garden For All David Jenkins has been selected the in Kansas featuring hard-to-find native Seasons” event, phone (620) 327-8127 new Mined Land Wildlife Area assistant perennials, shrubs, and trees, plus enter- or email arboretum@ hesston.edu. manager. Jenkins started March 30. taining “gardenabilia.” Classes, demon- —Shoup Jenkins earned a degree in biology strations, and tours conducted by profes- from Pittsburg State University and has sional botanists will be held on May 17. worked as a seasonal employee for the Donations are requested for admission. CRAPPIE Farlington Fish Hatchery for two sum- Located at 177 West Hickory Street in STUDY mers. He had also worked for the city of Hesston (about 30 miles north of Weir as public works superintendent Wichita), the Dyck Arboretum is the Beginning this spring, the Kansas and as a seasonal employee for wildlife only public garden in Kansas with the Department of Wildlife and Parks biologist Tom Glick at Mined Land, and mission of educating people about the (KDWP) initiated a crappie exploitation assisted public lands staff on various benefits of preserving and using native study to determine the population and duties. Jenkins grew up in the area and and adaptable plants. Established in movement of crappie in five Kansas will bring a wealth of knowledge to the 1981, the facility has more than 600 reservoirs. Approximately 500 crappies assistant manager position. types of wildflowers, shrubs, and trees, per reservoir were marked with blue tags —Doug Blex, Region 5 Public each labeled with their common and and released in Cedar Bluff, Clinton, Lands supervisor, Independence botanical names. Hillsdale, Melvern, and Perry reservoirs.

42 nature's notebook

by Mark Shoup

f you like to play in the wild waters of Kansas streams and ponds, Individual I keep your eye out for some zooids strange-looking “moss animals.” Called bryozoa by biologists, moss animals are colonies comprised of There are more than 4,000 species of thousands of tiny critters (called bryozoans. Most of them live in the zooids) joined together to look like ocean, but about 50 species are one creature — much like ocean coral. freshwater. The largest is called Unlike coral, however, moss animals gelatinous bryozoa (Pectinatella mag- look and feel like balls of jelly rather nifica). It can grow to the size of a than rock. They are sometimes mis- softball or even a soccer ball. taken for masses of fish or frog eggs. Gelatinous bryozoa are found in quiet While moss animals may look like ponds, lakes, and slow-moving aliens from a bad horror movie, these streams, usually peculiar invertebrates are common to attached to Kansas lakes and ponds, and they twigs, logs, are harmless. rocks, or boat docks. bryozoan They also can colony become unattached and found floating. Moss animals are most abun- dant in summer. Sometimes, they can become so numerous that floating masses of them clog water intakes of power plants. Moss animals prefer ponds and lake bottoms with high densities of

43 fed by a stream? The primary mode is when stato- bryozoan colony blasts — the eggs — hitch a ride on another animal. The feet and feathers of waterfowl and the fur of mammals provide the per- fect means of transportation. Some eggs can even survive passage through the digestive system of organic matter rather than clearer waterfowl, turtles, and frogs. water with sandy bottoms, which Because moss animals prefer fer- they avoid because they are sensitive tile, uncontaminated water, some to direct sunlight. This may scientists see them account for the fact that they as indicators of are not often seen. water quality. And Amazingly, each member of because they are the moss animal colony feeds ancient creatures, independently. The thousands moss animals are of zooids in a moss animal very important to have tiny protrusions with a paleontologists when mouth and tentacles that filter they study the fossil food particles from the water. record. And each individual zooid, as This summer, if you well as the whole colony itself, find one of these is held together inside a slimy strange-looking crea- covering called a zooecium. tures in your favorite Adult moss animal colonies pond, don’t be usually die when the water alarmed. Examine it cools in the fall, but this closely. You’ve just doesn’t mean they won’t be discovered one of the back next year. Many species most fascinating form extremely hardy eggs that animals in creation. can last through the winter and hatch in the spring. These Pennsylvanian eggs are called statoblasts. bryozoan fossil So how do moss animals get Archimedes into ponds or lakes that aren’t

44 Backlash by Mike Miller

Educating Ole Worthless

ecently, Lennie and I were sitting on his deck dis- “snatch” the fish up when it bites. But we knew there cussing the finer points of doodlesocking. I was had to be a better way. Rmaking a point about the ideal water depth while “Then we saw this old guy at Kanopolis back in ‘94. Lennie wrestled the lid off a jar of salsa when a voice He was working the same flooded treeline behind us. came from the bushes. Lennie’s neighbor, Roger Now, we’d caught several respectable crappie that Wirthlow, or Ole Worthless as Lennie likes to call him, morning, but this guy was stringing slab crappie one had been eavesdropping. after another. “After listening to you two ninkampoops babble, I “So we figured this guy was using minnows or some- think I know what ‘droolhocking,’ or whatever you call thing magic. We couldn’t accept that his technique was it, is. But what I want to know is, why you call it that. Is that much better. But this guy was using a 1/16-ounce that just a stupid name you guys made up, or is it a term white marabou jig -- nothing special at all. We knew used by real anglers?” right then we were in the presence of a Master — one It was obvious Worthless didn’t know the first thing who graciously offered to teach us the art of doodle- about crappie fishing. He was, after all, a city boy. socking.” “Oh boy, Worthless,” Lennie sighed. “I’m not sur- By now I was trying to remember this guy. prised you’re confused, you bein’ a city boy, and all. It’s “What’d this guy look like, Lennie? Was he the one doodlesocking, as real anglers like to call it. You’d hate it with the scraggly beard . . .” because it requires wading through flooded brush and “Shuttup, Miller. I’m trying to help Worthless,” weeds, dodging snags and big water snakes — not your Lennie cut me off. cup of tea.” But Worthless had had about all of Lennie’s smoke he “On the contrary, Lennie boy,” Worthless snorted. could handle, so he called his bluff. “For years, I’ve been catching crappie at Toronto Lake “All these years, I’ve been catching crappie with an just the way you’re describing. I just never called it inferior technique. I’ll go get my flyrod, and you can dooblestocking. In fact, I caught my biggest stringer ever show me how to diddlesnook, Lennie.” last weekend — 14 fish that weighed just an ounce over “Hold your horses, Worthless. I couldn’t begin to 26 pounds. How’s that for dribblesmacking?” teach you to doodlesock here on the deck. But I did “Ha!” Lennie fired back. That’s all, just “Ha!” then he promise the old Master I’d share the discipline with looked at me dumfounded. Neither of us knew Ole fellow anglers I met along my travels,” Lennie added Worthless was a fisherman, and we’d never caught a doing his best imitation of the blind Shaolin priest from stringer that heavy — of any kind of fish. “Kung Fu.” I expected him to call Worthless “For the last time, it’s doodlesocking, and we never “Grasshopper” any minute. weigh our fish,” I chipped in trying to save face. “With “What say we meet you at your favorite crappie spot experience, we’ve learned to guess the weight of crappie. at — Toronto, was that it?” Lennie queried as if he hadn’t Now I’d hate to say what the stringer actually weighed, been paying attention earlier. “I’d take you to my but once Lennie had to release four or five fish before he favorite spots, but the water’s up pretty high right now.” left the water. His stringer was just too heavy to lug up “Fat chance,” Worthless grunted. “You’d have the bank to the truck.” everyone in town there before next weekend. My tech- I left out the part about Lennie’s stringer snagging on nique works just fine.” that log and Lennie nearly falling down. They were big Lennie leaned forward to scratch his shin and sud- fish, though. I remember Lennie’s eyes tearing up as he denly, the sprinkler next to Lennie’s hedge came on. looked at the empty stringer clips that had popped open. “Ahhhhhhhh . . .” Worthless’ voice trailed off as he Lennie came back in a last-ditch effort to save our rep- thrashed out of the bushes in the dark. utations. “Sorry, Worthless. That sprinkler’s on timer,” Lennie “It’s called doodlesocking because that’s exactly what yelled back chuckling. it is,” he said poker faced. “We started out dab- “You don’t have any sprinkle timers,” I said. “You blesnatching, a similar technique. ‘Dabble’ because you don’t even water your lawn. dabble your jig in and around likely looking spots, then “Shuttup Miller. Have some salsa.”

45