Welcome to KDWP Info

Mussels found by diligent boater
PRATT — After a day on Milford Reservoir Nov. 16, a diligent boater was following the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) "clean, drain, dry" protocol for fighting the spread of zebra mussels when he discovered a few of the aquatic nuisance species (ANS) on his boat. He imm ... Read More

Former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius issued an executive order to form the Kansas Coalition for Children in Nature last April. The purpose of the coalition is to create opportunities for children to experience nature, working with state agencies and other organizations. Research has shown that time in nature improves a child’s academic performanc ... Read More

Applications available at KDWP website
PRATT — Active members of the Kansas Army and Air National Guard who are Kansas residents may obtain free Kansas hunting and fishing licenses, as well as free state park entrance permits. To receive free licenses and permits, Kansas guardsmen apply through the Kansas Department of Wildlif ... Read More

Twenty-eight animals to be auctioned at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will conduct a public buffalo auction on Nov. 18, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Maxwell Wildlife Area corrals, 6 miles north and 1 ¼ miles west of Canton. Twenty-eight buffalo will be offered, including five ... Read More

Rare birds flew into Kansas evening of Nov. 4; hunting limited at Cheyenne Bottoms, closed at Quivira NWR
PRATT — Twelve endangered whooping cranes were spotted by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, near Great Bend, the evening of Nov. 4. Central Kansas is one of the most po ... Read More

Kansas deer-vehicle collisions peak in November
PRATT — In Kansas, deer-vehicle accidents are common in November. Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) statistics show that November is the month when the highest number of deer-vehicle collisions occur. Motorists are encouraged to be on particularly high alert in the weeks ... Read More

First official documentation of live wild mountain lion in state
WAKEENEY — Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff have verified that a mountain lion was photographed by a deer hunter northwest of WaKeeney. The sighting is the first ever live wild mountain lion documentation in Kansas although many other reports ... Read More

Early teal seasons expected to allow 16-day season; dove seasons set; peregrine falcon and bald eagle removed from state threatened and endangered species list
COUNCIL GROVE – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission tentatively approved early teal seasons, set dove season dates, and passed state threatened and endangered spec ... Read More

Public cautioned to leave young wildlife alone; mother is almost always nearby

Twenty years ago, the term "Bambi Syndrome" was circulated frequently in the press, and while you don't see the term much these days, the problem still persists: well-meaning Kansans see deer fawns or other wildlife by themselves and ... Read More

Vandalism, violence cited as reasons for ban
LA CYGNE -- For the past 30 years, La Cygne Reservoir, a Kansas City Power and Light cooling lake, and the adjacent Kansas Departmen ... Read More

More than 100 advocates from 30 states urge lawmakers to protect endangered species
WASHINGTON, DC -- As part of the 8th Annual Teaming With Wildlife Fly-In Day, more than 100 conservation leaders from 30 states recently met with their lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The conservationists were there to discuss the importance of new ... Read More

Trash, altercations, vandalism among reasons cited

Following a trend that goes back several years, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has banned all alcohol -- including 3.2 percent malt beverages -- from state fishing lakes in many parts of the state. Intoxicated drivers, trash, vandalism, fights, and rowd ... Read More

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks launched a new daily video program March 2 called Kansas Outdoors Today. Kansas outdoor news and resource information will be covered in all aspects by short, news-style video clips on the Kansas Wildlife and Parks website, Read More

Kansas to receive more than $11 million for 2009 conservation projects

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced the distribution of more than $740 million to 56 state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to fund fish and wildlife conservation efforts, boat access, shooting ranges, and hunter education ... Read More

Permits to be sold to raise money for conservation projects

Seven Kansas conservation organizations were awarded 2009 Commission Big Game permits in a drawing conducted at the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting Jan. 8 in Emporia. A total of 108 applications were submitted for the seven available permits.

Read More

Application materials for the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) are now available from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). The SWG is a federal grant program, which is funded in part by CFDA 15.634 Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior and administered in Kansas by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The ... Read More

Donations used to protect nongame species

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' (KDWP) Chickadee Checkoff Program has funded hundreds of projects for nongame wildlife through the years. Project costs range from $500 to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most larger projects and current efforts use Checkoff funds to o ... Read More

Child-support debtors may not purchase KDWP licenses, permits

Parents who are delinquent on court-ordered child support payments are not eligible to purchase license or permits issued by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks.

A law approved by the 2007 Kansas Legislature and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (House ... Read More

KDWP, irrigation district agree to ten-year contract establishing ‘minimum pool’

The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks and Almena Irrigation District have agreed to a contract that will help maintain recreational use of Keith Sebelius Reservoir. The ten-year contract allows use of water for agricultural irrigation ... Read More

Open for reservation year-round, cabins are comfortable accommodations
for anglers and hunters

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced the opening of two new rental cabins, one at Read More

A few precautions can help control their spread

Most boaters, anglers, and other lake users are aware that zebra mussels are thriving in El Dorado Reservoir and the Walnut River in Kansas, as well as Winfield City Lake. Other lakes in the region are also infested with zebra mussels, including Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri ... Read More

Eurasian watermilfoil found; capable of choking out native species

For several years, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has warned the public about the dangers aquatic nuisance species (ANS) pose to native aquatic wi ... Read More

Available free, video shows value of playa wetlands, how they may be conserved

Most people have never heard of, or seen, a playa wetland, but they are the most abundant and ecologically important wetlands in the southern High Plains. They recharge aquifers and help sustain wildlife and croplands. Despite these benefits, pl ... Read More

Ephemeral wetlands critical to Ogallala Aquifer recharge

Playa lakes, sometimes referred to as buffalo wallows or lagoons, are naturally-occurring depressions in western Kansas and other parts of the Great Plains. Many landowners often see them as wet spots that flood crops from year to year, often producing little or no ... Read More