News

2009 Youth Turkey Hunt in Bloomington Park

Posted: 06 Jan 2009
This is a heads up that this years Youth Turkey Hunt will be on April 4th. Below is a rundown of the rules for the hunt. The application will be posted on this website by February 1st.

1. Participation in the Clinton Lake Youth Turkey Hunt is allowed by permit only. Permits and zone assignments will be issued through a lottery drawing on March 17th, 2009. Applications must be turned in to the Clinton Lake Corps of Engineers Project Office by 4:00 p.m. on March 16, 2009. Applicants will be notified by telephone if they are selected. A permit will allow the permittee and an adult Guide to participate in the hunt. Permit must be carried by permittee and the designated guide at all times and may be revoked by Corps of Engineers officials, Wildlife and Parks officials, and Douglas County Sheriff's officials at any time.

2. Shotgun hunting only. This hunt is intended for turkey management within the parks, and to promote ethical hunting to young hunters.

3. All State of Kansas game quotas and laws apply. Must show proof of state turkey permit, hunting license and hunter's education (if required) at mandatory meeting.

4. The Clinton Lake Youth Turkey hunt will be held from ½ hour before sunrise to Sundown on April 4, 2009. Lunch will be provided at 11 AM - Noon.

5. The youth turkey hunter and his adult guide will be required to attend a pre-hunt mandatory meeting on March 28, 2009, 11:00 a.m., at the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and Bloomington Maintenance Building at Clinton Lake. If the youth turkey hunter and his adult guide fail to attend the meeting, the permit will be revoked and given to the first available alternate hunter. We encourage all mentors to work with the youth hunters to pattern their shotguns prior to the hunt.

6. Hunters will be allowed to hunt in their assigned zone/area only, at no time will hunting be allowed outside of assigned zone. Blinds will be set up by personnel, prior to the hunt, and shooting will only be allowed through the windows of the blind. Only the assigned youth turkey hunter and his/her mentor will be allowed to hunt.

7. Parking will be permitted in designated areas only.

8. Shots resulting in turkey injury will need to be pursued, proceeding onto private property will be allowed with landowner permission only. Injured turkeys that leave the immediate area will not be searched for until 11:00 a.m. Selected applicants might seriously consider purchasing two turkey permits in the event they injure one bird and want to harvest another.

9. Hunters will need to report back to the Bloomington Maintenance Building, after the hunt to report on hunt success. On the day of the hunt lunch will be provided by the National Wild Turkey Federation.

10. Any permit holder violating any state or Corps of Engineer (COE) rule, regulation, or law will have their COE permit voided, be subject to a ticket and will be banned from future special hunts at Clinton Lake. Any person-to-person conflicts must be reported to the appropriate officials.

Eagle Days 2009

Posted: 29 Dec 2008
The 13th Annual Kaw Valley Eagles Day will take place on Sunday January 25, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Lawrence Free State High School.
The event will include nature exhibits with hands-on kid's activities and eagle viewing field trips.
There will be activities for kids of all ages. Come build a bird feeder, make an eagle, dissect an owl pellet and join many other fun activities in the exhibit area.
There will be eagle viewing field trips at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Those attending The field trips will gather at the Clinton Lake Corps of Engineers Project Office. There will be a short discussion on Bald Eagles at Clinton Lake, followed by a trip to view the eagles. The field trips will be short drives to areas we're likely to see Bald Eagles. Personal transportation will be used to conduct the tours. Historically, we've seen a minimum of two eagles per trip. For more information on Eagles Day, visit www.kawvalleyeaglesday.com, or call 785-842-0475. For additional information on the eagle viewing field trips, call 785-843-7665.

Winter is Here

Posted: 09 Dec 2008
The winter months are upon us at Clinton Lake. It is a great time of year to explore and enjoy the outdoors, however, it is also important to be safe during this potentially dangerous time of year. Please read these safety tips before you are on or near the water at Clinton Lake.

1. Check the Weather. The weather in the fall and winter can change dramatically with little or no warning. Always check the local forecast just before going out on the water.
2. Prepare a Float Plan. Leave a description of your boat (including registration number), the number of people on board, the area where you will be boating and the time you expect to leave and return with a friend or family member. If you are reported missing on the water, it is extremely helpful for rescuers to know what area of the lake you should be in. If your boat has capsized, time is of the essence. A good float plan could mean the difference between life and death.
3. Carry Emergency Supplies. A radio or cell phone, dry clothes, a flashlight with batteries, food and fresh water, matches in a water-proof bag and flares or a signal kit are all items that should be on board during cold-weather boating. Of course, the most important piece of emergency equipment on any boat is your life jacket. If you capsize or fall overboard during the cold-water months, your chances of survival increase dramatically if you are wearing your life jacket.
4. Know the facts about hypothermia. Cold water conducts heat out of the body approximately 25 times faster than air does. If you go overboard into cold water, your core temperature will begin to drop within 10 to 15 minutes. Focus all of your effort into getting out of the water as quickly as possible. Climb onto anything floating to get your body out of the water. If getting out of the water is impossible, remember these survival tips:
a) Don't take off your clothes; they trap air and help keep you afloat in addition to trapping body heat.
b) Cover your head and keep it above water if possible. In cold water, about half of your heat loss comes from the head.
c) Don't panic; draw your knees to your chest in the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (H.E.L.P), protecting the major areas of heat loss. If there are other people in the water with you, huddle together with one person in the middle of the huddle. Rotating the person in the middle allows everyone to benefit from the trapped body heat of the other members of the huddle.
d) Don't try to swim unless you can swim to reach a nearby boat, floating object or another person. Swimming releases the warm water trapped between your body and your clothing and causes "warm" blood to be sent to your extremities. As a result, swimming can actually reduce your survival time by as much as 50%.
e) Remain as still as possible, even if it's painful. Intense shivering and severe pain are natural body reflexes in cold water. They will not kill you, but heat loss will. When you are in the water in cold weather, remaining still gives you the best chance of survival.
5. Leave the alcohol at home. Drinking impairs both judgment and coordination and is often a major factor in boating accidents. If boaters do end up in the water during the cold weather months, judgment and coordination are critical factors in staying alive.