Slight modifications in duck zone boundaries have been approved by the Wildlife and Parks Commission.

A small area southwest of Great Bend was moved into the Late Zone to provide hunting opportunity on the Arkansas River. Also, a small area east of Dodge City was moved into the Early Zone to provide a better match with waterfowl use of playas wetlands in that area.

The Commission also approved hunting seasons for early migratory birds.

¢ Rail (sora and Virginia) – Sept. 1 through Nov. 9, with bag and possession limits of 25 and 25.

¢ Snipe – Sept. 1 through Dec. 16, 8 and 16.

¢ Woodcock – Oct. 14 through Nov. 27, 3 and 6.

¢ Teal (Low plains) – Sept. 9-24, 4 and 8.

¢ Teal (High plains) – Sept. 9-24 or Sept. 16-23 (depending on final USFWS frameworks), 4 and 8.

A September Canada goose season and unit was tentatively adopted, but the dates won’t be finalized until the late migratory bird season frameworks are provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service later this month.

Dove season had already been established in a separate regulation and will run Sept. 1 through Oct. 14 and from Nov. 1-16, with bag and possession limits of 15 and 30.

Fourteen meetings set on deer hunting

Fourteen meetings are scheduled around Kansas to seek public input on suggested ways to improve state deer hunting and the deer permit process.

Last January, a Wildlife and Parks’ deer task force presented recommendations to the Legislature that include some major changes in deer permit procedures and hunting regulations.

Wildlife and Parks has solicited public comment through its Web site, via e-mail and on the telephone. More than 300 responses have been considered. Next come the public meetings.

Beginning Aug. 1, task force members will present recommendations across the state and listen to opinions from those who attend the meetings. The recommendations are available on the Web at www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

The closest meeting sites to Lawrence are Aug. 15 at the State Historical Museum in Topeka and Aug. 16 at Cabela’s in Kansas City. Both meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Pittsburg man joins wildlife commission

Robert Wilson of Pittsburg is the newest addition to the seven-member Wildlife and Parks Commission.

Wilson replaces John Dykes of Fairway who spent 12 years on the commission. Only two commissioners have served longer than Dykes, who was appointed in 1994 and has served as chairman of the commission since 1995.

The other commissioners are James Harrington of Liberal, Kelly Johnston of Wichita, Gerald Lauber of Topeka, Frank Meyer of Herington, Doug Sebelius of North and Shan Wilson of Kansas City.

Bullfrog season lasts until Oct. 31

Now that July has arrived, many Kansans are beating the summer heat by hunting for bullfrogs.

Bullfrogs became legal game July 1 with the peak months in July and August. The season will end Oct. 31.

Bullfrogs can be found in just about any water, but small ponds and marshes usually have more concentrations. Streams and rivers are also good places.

Fancy equipment isn’t needed : just a flashlight, a cloth sack, an old pair of tennis shoes and access to a pond, marsh or shallow stream. Although bullfrogs can be taken by hook and line, gig, dip net, hand, or bow and arrow, the best method is to walk through the water after dark and shine a bright light along the bank.

Frogs are temporarily blinded and most of the time can be netted or grabbed easily.

Frog legs have a taste and texture similar to shrimp. Dip them in egg and milk, then roll them in a mixture of flour, corn meal, seasoning salt and pepper. Finally, fry them in about half an inch of sunflower oil.

A fishing license is required to take bullfrogs. The daily creel limit is eight frogs, and the possession limit is 24 after the third day.