BAND ON THE RUN



Clarissa Peterson holds a Canada goose gosling about to be fitted with a
leg band and released.  Information gathered from band recoveries will help
guide the future management of Canada geese in Kansas.
Photos Courtesy of Clarissa Peterson

 Fish and wildlife management can be interesting work.  Biologists gather field data and evaluate their findings to determine the best plan of attack for providing opportunities for wise use of these resources as well as goals for future management.  One way to gather data on waterfowl species like ducks and geese is to band them.  

Bird banding has been around since the 1800s.  A simple leg band is placed on a captured bird and released to live its life.  Band recoveries can provide information on movement, reproduction, harvest and a myriad of other data.  The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) currently has a couple bird banding studies underway now.  One focuses on doves and the other is looking at gathering information on resident Canada geese.  The latter is in full swing right now.

Canada geese adults are flightless as they go through a molt each summer.  It typically lasts several weeks and the birds don't venture far from water as it's their only means of escape during this time.  It's also the perfect time to round them up and do a little reasearch. 

Framed nets are laid flat on the ground in an octagon-like shape.  Adults and goslings are herded into the center and the frames are lifted and walked towards the middle to form an enclosure.  Both adults and goslings are fitted with a numbered, metal leg band issued by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  The bird is then sexed to determine its gender and this information is recorded and now corresponds to a specific bird.  It's released and other than some new "bling" and possibly a few ruffled feathers no worse for wear.  

More than 600 Canada geese were banded last week in the greater Wichita area.  About 8 KDWPT employees from several divisions took part in the effort.  It was a long day that started shortly before sunrise and lasted until about sunset.  It's a hot, sweaty job and geese aren't always friendly, nor do they smell good when they all get nervous and loose green tootsie rolls everywhere. 

It was interesting, though, and nice to know that efforts like these will help guide the future of Canada goose management in Kansas.      

SHINY AND NEW

The cool temperatures and fall trapping season are still many months away.  However, trappers are likely readying gear right now even when the mercury soars and approaches triple digits.  Sweat equity now will translate into a smooth transition once the season gets here and there's nothing left to do but lay steel.

Trap preparation is a critical component of success.  Using equipment that is proper and adequate for the job increases the likeliness of a catch.  Many old time trappers prefer to treat or coat some of their traps with dye and wax to keep them in good working order and lasting.  New products on the market in recent years allow trappers to coat their traps with other liquids mixed with gasoline or water.  Much of the choice is personal preference and some depends on target species. 

BEFORE SOAK

AFTER SOAK

Used or old traps can be readied by a good cleaning using a pressure washer.  Extensive rust can be removed by soaking traps in a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water for a day or two.  A light coating of rust is preferred before treating traps as it helps the dip stick better to the metal.  Hot days are perfect to dip traps as the heat helps cure and dry the traps quickly.  Most traps need several dips to get the desired results.

Once the traps are dipped it's simply a matter of checking their operation.  Pan tension can be adjusted and is personal to some extent and also depends on target species, too.  Traps should be in good working condition in order to facilitate a smooth transition to the field come fall.

Now is also a good time to check the rules and regulations concerning trapping  All traps must be tagged with either the owner's name and address or they can also use their KDWPT-issued license number as identification.  It's not a bad idea to read-up on what traps can be used where and which ones have restrictions.  Knowledge goes a long way in preventing conflicts with others using the outdoors and is good public relations for all trappers. 



     

RAT PATROL

Summertime means lots of things to different people.  But chances are there aren't many outdoor folks that have June 1 on their radar as an important date.  And I'm guessing most people couldn't tell you the significance of the date, either.  That's because it signals the opening date of one of the most overlooked small game species Kansas has to offer.  Squirrel season is open now and there's a good chance you'll have most any public area all to yourself.

I love squirrel hunting.  Or, more accurately, I love calling squirrels.  You can have the "go sit under a tree and wait," as that's not my style and I can't sit still anyway.  Calling squirrels is as exciting, on a relative scale of course, as bugling in a bull elk.  I like to refer to squirrel calling as the "Extreme" sport of the small game hunting world.

Calling squirrels relies on using a distress call.  Tree rats are territorial and overly protective.  Once they think a hawk or owl has one of their own they go absolutely crazy barking and often come running to check out the commotion.  I often joke about having to shoot the very first one I ever called in self-defense, but it wasn't far off.  He was ticked and coming down the tree trunk I was standing against.  Ten feet above my head he met his match.  Bright-eyed and mouth agape I was hooked.

I went out for the first time this season last Tuesday morning and witnessed a gorgeous Kansas sunrise.  I stepped into the woods at 6:05 a.m. and started calling.  At 6:55 a.m. I killed my last in a limit (5) of fox squirrels and was headed back to the truck.  I left several squirrels still barking at the last stop.    

Unusually successful?  Nope.  It often works that way in good habitat.  I don't know that I've ever done anything hunting-wise that worked as well as calling squirrels.  It's a great chance to beat the summer heat, introduce a kid to hunting or just enjoy a nice morning. 

Give it a try....it's a hoot!