THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies will begin taking aerial surveys on March 16 to count lesser prairie chicken numbers in five states, including Kansas.
The aerial surveys will run through mid-May and are designed to document population trends and determine how birds are responding to management strategies, according to a news release from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
The helicopter surveys will take place in randomly chosen locations in Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Colorado. In previous years, the survey has prompted phone calls, which is why the department is looking to get the word out about the count.
“We’ve established a consistent methodology for these aerial surveys, working closely with the wildlife agencies of each of the states involved,” said Roger Wolfe, WAFWA’s lesser prairie-chicken program manager, in the release. “We’re documenting population trends over time that will allow us to see how various management strategies for the bird are working on the ground.”
Results from this year’s surveys will be available on July 1 via www.wafwa.org.
The helicopter surveys will take place in randomly chosen locations in Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Colorado. In previous years, the survey has prompted phone calls, which is why the department is looking to get the word out about the count.
“We’ve established a consistent methodology for these aerial surveys, working closely with the wildlife agencies of each of the states involved,” said Roger Wolfe, WAFWA’s lesser prairie-chicken program manager, in the release. “We’re documenting population trends over time that will allow us to see how various management strategies for the bird are working on the ground.”
Results from this year’s surveys will be available on July 1 via www.wafwa.org.
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