For Sunflower State upland bird hunters, the prospects for hunting this fall are a mixed bag, thanks to Kansas’ unpredictable weather.

  "Due to one of the most severe winters in recent memory, the number of pheasants going into the nesting season was more than 30 percent lower than in 2006," reports KDWP small game coordinator Jim Pitman. "However, the deep snow that fell across much of Kansas last winter provided much-needed moisture after several years of drought."

  That added moisture created good cover conditions for nesting pheasants, which commonly nest in green wheat. The moderate weather across much of the state this spring and summer delayed wheat harvest, allowing pheasant hens more time to hatch and rear their young. As a result, pheasant production more than compensated for last winter’s loss of birds, creating much better pheasant hunting prospects, especially in southwestern Kansas. Pheasant hunting in most of the other regions of the state will be similar or somewhat improved from last year.

  Pheasant season runs Nov. 3 through Jan. 31, 2008, with a daily limit of four roosters. Again this year, hunters 16 and younger may hunt pheasants and quail during an Oct. 27-28 youth season. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a supervising adult 18 or older, who may not hunt. The bag limit for the youth season is half of the normal season bag (4 quail; 2 pheasants).

  The prospects for quail hunters this fall aren't as optimistic as for pheasant hunters, especially in two regions of the state that experienced some weather extremes during the past year. In addition to the loss of quail due to snow and ice storms last winter, the heavy rain and flooding that occurred this summer in southeast Kansas coincided with the peak hatching period for bobwhites. Northwest and southeast Kansas were the hardest hit regions. While quail prospects are down in those two regions, quail hunting in other areas of the state is expected to be similar to last year and somewhat improved in certain areas. Quail season opens Nov. 10 and runs through Jan. 20, 2008, with a daily bag limit of eight.

  Prairie chicken numbers should be similar to last year. Lesser prairie chickens were subjected to a combination of severe drought during the summer of 2006 and severe winter weather across most of their western Kansas range. However, good nesting conditions this summer probably helped offset those weather-related losses, and lesser prairie chicken numbers should have rebounded somewhat.

  Spring surveys of greater prairie chicken numbers in north-central Kansas and the northern Flint Hills showed numbers similar to 2006, while numbers were down slightly in the southern Flint Hills. Nesting conditions for chickens were favorable in the northern Flint Hills and north-central Kansas but poor in the southern Flint Hills. Greater prairie chicken numbers will likely be down somewhat from last year in the southern Flint Hills but similar to last year or somewhat improved throughout the rest of their range.

  Early prairie chicken season (east of U.S. 281 only) is Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The regular prairie chicken season in eastern and northwest units (north of I-70 and east of U. S. 281) is Nov. 17 through Jan. 31, 2008; the season in the southwest unit (south of I-70 and west of U. S. 281) is Nov. 17 through Dec. 31.

  For more information on upland bird hunting prospects and other hunting in Kansas visit their website at: www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

  Once again it’s time to clean out the files and pass along all of the hunting tips we’ve collected over the past year that haven’t made it onto our site or into a issue of The Bullet. We apologize to everyone for not using their tips sooner but as they say, “better late then never”. Enjoy.

  * When hunting, try to cover your body outline with baggy camouflage and wear a green cloth around your face like a cowboy would. - Conner Killick

  * When you see a deer coming into an opening, draw back your bow and nail him in the lower chest as he steps out. Never make eye contact with a deer because when they see your eyes he'll try and get you to move if he can’t smell you. Also use onions for scent cover but don’t rub them on your chest or hat as your eyes will burn. - Donnie VanWinkle

  * When hunting deer, find a deer scrape. Then put you some buck urine on it and hunt the spot in the next day or two. - Dakota Case

  * While deer hunting always keep an open ear for a sneezing deer. All deer, like us humans, sneeze quite often. This is especially helpful while hunting thickets and heavy cover that have minimum visibility. - Andy Adsmond

  * When turkey hunting, never stalk noises or follow the sound. It could be another hunter. - Gerald Kelley

  * Don't go buy an expensive hauling handle and sled. Make your own from a 3/4" thick sheet of plywood that is eight feet long. Use the entire 4 foot width or cut it down if desired. Drill two 1/2" holes in the middle of one of the short ends about one inch from the edge and/or two sets of holes one toward each edge if you will have two people dragging it. Then tie a length of rope through each hole. At the other end of the ropes tie a piece of 1-1/2" inch dowel rod of any length. This will save you the money and the hide of your game. - Matt Mitchell

  * When you go into the woods, always carry a knife. One example where you might need one is if you forgot your cover scent. You can cut a couple of cedar branches to use. You can also stuff some needles in your pockets or pin small branches to your body to break up your shape. Then leave them at your tree stand, blind, etc. A healthy cedar branch will release scent for months. - Jayson Armstrong

  * To make a goose/duck call, cut a water balloon in two about 3 inches from where you would blow it up. Then just blow like you do on a call. - Chris

  * When out hunting squirrels, look near the bottoms of pine and willow trees. Use a .22 rifle with subsonic bullets and after you shoot don’t go get the squirrel as more will come out because they will be curious to what the noise was. Squirrels also drink syrup out of holes in maple trees. - Rex

  * Shoot until it falls. - Raw

  * When getting ready for hunting season, use scent free shampoo/condition and styling products continuously for a least 1 month prior to season (and during). Your hair will hold a lot of smell especially if you have a lot (girls). - Demetria Westbrook

  * Don't get bored while hunting. Hang a bird feeder near your deer hunting stand. Not only will it keep you from getting bored it also catches the deer’s attention and less likely to catch you in your stand. Trust me it works and its fun. - Bucky Farlee

  * When coon hunting if there are more than one coon in the tree, take the lowest one. Chances are it’s the boar unless all are sows. - Raymond "Coon Tail" Allen

  * While hunting for deer make sure of your target and what’s beyond it. - Gerald Kelley

  * If you plan on using a brand name cover scent when deer hunting, try not to use too much, because it does have a slight scent of its own. Use about 3-4 sprays over your upper and mid body, and a slight spray on each foot. - Aj Luimes

  * On deer stands, duct tape all the hooks and latches on the doors so they don’t bang against the side or tree when getting in and out. Also glue some foam to the door so it doesn’t bang against the side or tree when getting in and out. Any noise coming from wood banging against itself is a killer in the woods. - Larry Gene Pate

  * Apple sauce is a thing that deer really love! - Sheldon Hice

  * Try using an old bicycle inner tube as a bow string silencer. Cut up a small piece of the tube, 2" x 2". Cut the section into strips and tie a granny not in the middle. Place through your bow string and your ready to shoot. - John

  * When deer hunting/scouting always spray the bottom of your boots. Also try to buy some rubber boots. They do not produce as much scent. - Dan Groth

  * While rabbit hunting you should wait behind the dog never in front. Also don’t rush because the dog can miss rabbit. - Rickie Williams

  * While hunting in a stand, make sure you stay quiet and still and use a cover scent because deer can smell good. - Michael

  * A great way to attract bears, deer, coyotes, foxes and many other animals is to mix a 50/50 vanilla and water mixture together. Place in spray bottle and if you spray it on trees. Animals love this stuff and come lick it off. Spray a little in the air too. - Cameron Harris

  * While practicing with your bow for the upcoming season try to pick a groove that works for you and stick with it. Try to mirror every shot to the last one, stance, loose grip and placement of the release on your wrist are all important for consistent shooting. Also try to set the bow up to fit your facial structure with a peep sight and or kisser button. - Mike Szymanski

  * Never drink when in the stand or before hunting. Not only can they smell it you don’t need to dull your senses when you need then the most. - Tyler

  * When shooting squirrels with an air gun, try to use the sharpest pellet you can get. They go through the skin easier. - Joe Sacch.

  * When shooting grackles, shoot them in the head and make them bleed. - Rodney

  * When squirrel hunting I've taken an acorn and tapped it on the stock of my gun. I've got three that way. I just picked it up, tapped it several times and they just popped out! - Josh Smith

  We as sportsmen have an opportunity to help people that are less fortunate then us. I'm talking about donating some or all of your harvested game to hunger relief programs around the country. The programs work like this. You harvest an animal, take it to a participating game processor and they will process it and distribute it to local hunger relief programs. Some places will do the processing free of charge, some of them split the cost with you and then others have you foot the entire bill yourself. The small cost you may incur by paying for the processing only helps to relieve funds for other worth while programs.

  There are several great organizations that spearhead such programs year round. One of them is Sportsmen Against Hunger. This program was started over fifteen years ago by members of Safari Club International and has grown every year since. A few years ago they launched an on-line database that features over 1300 affiliated game processors and hundreds of hunger relief organizations across the country. To find the nearest place to donate your meat, visit their web site at: www.safariclubfoundation.org/humanitarian/sah or call 800-377-5399.

  Another organization that has helped in this fight against hunger is Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. They operate in over half of the 50 states including a lot of the heavily hunted ones so it shouldn't be hard to find a participating processor. One great thing about FHFH is that if you donate all of your deer they will pay the cost of the processing. Not a bad way to go. Visit their web site at: www.fhfh.org or give them a call at 1-866-GET-FHFH for details.

  The beauty of these and other programs is that the donated meat stays in the local area helping out local families who need a little assistance. According to a recent study as many as 30 million Americans annually cannot get enough food to meet their dietary recommendations. There is a need world wide for hunger relief so let’s pitch in and help those here at home fill their bellies with nature’s bounty. You'll be glad you did.