Prairie Drifter
Well-known member
I'm retired! Thus, I am no longer restricted by the job on expressing my concerns on topics, so here goes! KDWP manages much of what goes on with the sport we come here to discuss. As such, they have significant control of what affects us every day. So, it is imperative that WE stay informed on what the agency is doing and also what the legislature is doing or not doing. Sure, it is easy to stay out of the fray and hunt as we have for decades, BUT, there are many things going on that WE need to let the folks know whether we do or do not support!!! Some of these expedited my retirement. I had worked for 5 years to get a wetland grant. It was to build up to 4 additional new wetlands on the area I managed that is less than 1 hour from 1/2 million people and the heavy hunter pressure you would expect there. I finally got the grant in 2025 only to have the Secretary divert those funds to research! Second instance-I tried 3+times over 20+ years to get 3/4 section of ground adjacent to our north boundary purchased from a willing (~) seller. The third or fourth time it came up for sale we got Pheasants Forever to purchase it to hold until we could finance the purchase. The legislature isn't in favor of us owning ground and between them and the new secretary, that seems to be under their thumb, (opinion) I've heard that Pheasants Forever will probably be selling that ground to the highest bidder. That one purchase would have added almost 100 acres of crop ground, 300+ acres of grassland, and 3+ ponds to my management. That alone could have increased our pheasant numbers significantly, added wetlands for 3-5 additional waterfowl groups, provided additional room for bobwhite and other grassland obligate species! Folks, we are needing to push politics, not be crushed by it!!! We need to get our heads out of that dark place and insert it where it will do more good! We need to do it as a large group, not as 1 individual. If you don't want your limited wildlife management $ spent on buying and releasing pen-reared birds as was in a recent senate bill, we need to push. Guides and outfitters are pushing and getting their way far too often. They often represent a minority, not the majority! We all have lost private acres to hunt since the leasing for deer has hit the state. My old supervisor used to say we are no longer managing for the bobber fishermen and bunny hunters, and If we ignore them, who will we recruit to replace us. A 180 class whitetail shouldn't be a 7 year olds first hunting experience! I started walking from town a mile to the Prairie Dog creek to fish, hunt, and trap. I trapped at 4a.m. before weights and school. I went again after practice and hunted bunnies on the way home along the RxR. Getting the simple start can lead to a lifetime of outdoor experience. Let's help the next generation by putting better minds in the majority influencing our state's management. This sure includes our Out-of-state hunters as well! You have a stake in this fight!!!