Public Hunting Land in Kansas
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is a cabinet-level agency under the jurisdiction of a Secretary appointed by the Governor. KDWP provides access to state parks and other designated acreage so the general public can enjoy the plants, fowl, and wildlife indigenous to Kansas. This includes public hunting land. Kansas law requires all sportsmen or women over the age of 14 to possess current permits, licenses, or stamps to hunt or fish.
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Wildlife Areas
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Wildlife areas are managed by the Kansas Division of Wildlife and Parks and includes land usually adjacent to state parks. Although wildlife areas are primarily for the protection of animals and fowl, the wildlife areas also give the various species an opportunity to procreate successfully. Some wildlife areas are opened up for public hunting during hunting season or for special hunts.
Corp of Engineer Land
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The Kansas Corp of Engineers oversees hundreds of linear miles of reservoirs, flood control areas, dams, and bridges along with the extensive river system that crisscrosses Kansas. This is public, not private land, and it is open primarily for deer and turkey hunting during hunting season. Having aerial and topographical maps to supplement the Corp of Engineer and state maps is a good idea.
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The Kansas Walk-In Hunting Access Program
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In 1995, Kansas began promoting the states hunting heritage through a walk-in open access program. Landowners are paid a stipend, with the amount determined by the acreage enrolled and the length of the contract period. Contract dates can be established from Sept. 1 or Nov. 1 through Jan. 31 of each year. The majority of the land provides excellent gaming bird and water fowl for hunting, although some areas provide good deer hunting.
Special Hunts
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Kansas holds some special hunts, including the spring and fall wild turkey hunts. There is also the annual Riley County Fish and Game Association and the Tuttle Creek Lake Corps of Engineers annual youth/handicapped deer hunt. This special hunt is open to children ages 11 through 16 and to anyone with a certified disability. Participants need a deer permit, and may also be required to have a Kansas hunting license and have attended an approved hunter education course. Some scholarships are available.
Kansas Endangered and Threatened Species
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Anyone engaging in recreational or sporting activities including camping, hunting, or fishing in the state of Kansas must be cognizant of the United States Department of the Interior's list of endangered and threatened species and the Kansas Counties' endangered and threatened species list. This list can be accessed on the KDWP website.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Flock of wild turkeys image by CSimmins from Fotolia.com
