PLAN NOW FOR FALL HUNTS

While it may be difficult to think about hunting seasons when the temperature outside is 105, it’s time to start planning for fall hunting. The dove season opens September 1, and there are some fantastic opportunities to get young hunters into high-quality hunting experiences through “Special hunts.” Visit the KDWPT website (www.kdwpt.state.ks.us), click on “Hunting” then on “Special Hunts Information,” and you’ll find a list of special hunts, many of which are geared toward youth hunters or youth/mentor pairs. These hunts allow limited access on specific dates to hunters who are drawn from a pool of applicants.

There are also some wildlife areas where certain dove fields are designated for youth hunting, and others open certain fields for youth or youth-mentor pairs for the first few days of the season. To find out more about wildlife areas with managed dove fields, go to “Hunting,” click on “Migratory Birds,” then “Doves” and finally “Managed Hunting Areas.” Wildlife area managers will often plant sunflowers, wheat or millet on these fields. If conditions are right, these fields can be dove magnets and provide excellent dove hunting with lots of action – the perfect situation for a mentor to teach a youth about wingshooting.

On the Special Hunts list, you'll also find opportunities during the the youth deer season, which is September 10-18. And in addition to the limited-access Special Hunts, some biologists, game wardens, wildlife area managers and park managers host special youth hunts in cooperation with local conservation groups. These hunts accept applications for a limited number of young hunters, who are guided by local hunters on either public land not normally open to hunting or private land. Watch the newspapers for notices and application deadlines or call your nearest Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism office for information.

Applications for any of the Special Hunts in September and October must be submitted by August 14. 

You can do a lot your fall hunting preparation on the computer from the air-conditioned comfort of your home, but make time between now and September 1 for a few outings to the local gun range. A little shooting practice is fun and will make a big difference when the seasons roll around.