By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The football official has a particular job and a particular way to do it. A rule is broken, a flag is thrown, and a penalty is assessed. It's not quite that easy out in the hunting fields of Kansas. Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Manager Jason Wagner was among those celebrating the opening weekend of pheasant and quail season. He described a disheartening amount of "unsportsmanlike conduct" out in the fields.
"These are all what I saw with my own two eyes in the last six days," he said. "That's just the little bit of time I was around. That's just what I witnessed. There was a lot of time I was not there. I don't know what happened beyond that. It's pretty frustrating."
Many instances involve hunters not respecting the rights of landowners or other hunters. Wagner said private means private, so cutting a corner through private land to access a deer stand or hunting spot on public land is still unacceptable. Likewise, standing on public land and shooting at game on private land is also trespassing.
Wagner reminded hunters to respect the space of other hunters. If someone else is on the land first, find another piece of land. "Blocking" is a term used when upland game birds are flushed toward a shooter. Never assume someone hunting on the land prior to your arrival wants your assistance.
"At the end of the road, you're coming up, and we're facing each other, and there are pheasants flying up between the two of us," he said. "That's what blocking is, and you shouldn't be doing that. Go back and observe. You're not helping anybody out when you're doing that."
As in other aspects of life, a little courtesy goes a long way. Be mindful that other hunters may not want to be approached by strangers with guns. Remember that not all dogs will get along. And the easy one: no littering.
"It seems like every year you're hearing more and more of these scenarios," Wagner said. "I don't know if it's just the disconnect people have with landowners, disrespect for the land, I don't know where this is coming from. But we need to strive to do better."