Posted By: Sniper John
Latest on the Threatened Grouse - 05/12/14 05:37 PM
The Governor of Kansas signed the state sovereignty over non-migratory wildlife Bill related to Prairie Chickens, but it was watered down in the Kansas House removing the fine and arrest of Federal officers that may try to enforce it. In the end, I doubt Kansas will win the coming lawsuits.
http://www.kansas.com/2014/05/10/3449289/brownback-signs-bill-aimed-to.html
Because I have plans to hunt PC in Kansas next September I watched the podcast of the Kansas Dept of Wildlife meeting. Looks like the Southwest PC zone will be closed and there will still be an early season in the Northwest and Eastern zones. Take of Lesser PC will be allowed incidental to hunting Greater PC. They are working out details to have hunters turn in wings for DNA analysis to see were populations are at in that NW zone. I would not be surprised if we see the southern boundary of the NW zone altered after they get the results.
I am going to Colorado on the same road trip to hunt Sage Grouse. Greater Sage Grouse comes up for a listing determination September 2015. Considering the recent threatened listing of Lesser PC and decisions on Gunnison Sage Grouse and Lesser PC both having been postponed before final decisions I would put the final date of listing of Greater Sage Grouse as either threatened or endangered to actually be later than September 2015. I figure we will only have two more seasons before Greater Sage Grouse hunting is closed in the US if States do not close it earlier than that. All things considered I think the listing is going to happen and I doubt we will see Sage Grouse hunting come back within our lifetimes.
That is very adventuresome hunting for needles in haystacks on prairie and sage desert in September and not the best time for birds to be mounted, but since it is a farewell hunt, I do need to line up a good taxidermist in each area in case if I get a nice adult Lesser PC and Greater SG on the trip. I regret I did not do so last time.
http://www.kansas.com/2014/05/10/3449289/brownback-signs-bill-aimed-to.html
Because I have plans to hunt PC in Kansas next September I watched the podcast of the Kansas Dept of Wildlife meeting. Looks like the Southwest PC zone will be closed and there will still be an early season in the Northwest and Eastern zones. Take of Lesser PC will be allowed incidental to hunting Greater PC. They are working out details to have hunters turn in wings for DNA analysis to see were populations are at in that NW zone. I would not be surprised if we see the southern boundary of the NW zone altered after they get the results.
I am going to Colorado on the same road trip to hunt Sage Grouse. Greater Sage Grouse comes up for a listing determination September 2015. Considering the recent threatened listing of Lesser PC and decisions on Gunnison Sage Grouse and Lesser PC both having been postponed before final decisions I would put the final date of listing of Greater Sage Grouse as either threatened or endangered to actually be later than September 2015. I figure we will only have two more seasons before Greater Sage Grouse hunting is closed in the US if States do not close it earlier than that. All things considered I think the listing is going to happen and I doubt we will see Sage Grouse hunting come back within our lifetimes.
That is very adventuresome hunting for needles in haystacks on prairie and sage desert in September and not the best time for birds to be mounted, but since it is a farewell hunt, I do need to line up a good taxidermist in each area in case if I get a nice adult Lesser PC and Greater SG on the trip. I regret I did not do so last time.
