Prey and Play
Hunting and Wildlife Watching Along the Byway
For thousands of years, Native Americans relied on this region's wildlife for sustenance. Early settlers, too, depended on bison, deer, and birds drawn to the region's reliable water and forage.
As settlements expanded, unregulated hunting took its toll-by the early 1900s, market hunters were harvesting tens of thousands of ducks, geese, and shorebirds annually from local marshes. New game laws curtailed commercial hunting, and private hunting clubs became established-as many as seventeen in and around what is now the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. In 1955, the federal government purchased much of this hunting club land to form the Refuge.
Hunting, particularly for waterfowl, remains an important way of life along the Byway. In recent years, though, hunters have been joined by an increasing number of people who enjoy wildlife through viewing and photography. All these wildlife-related activities have a huge economic impact on local businesses and communities.
Recreation and Conservation
Dollars generated by hunters and anglers through excise taxes, licenses, and permits fund important local conservation work through state and federal agencies. The Nature Conservancy and other non-governmental organizations assist in habitat restoration and land acquisition. Their efforts assure a fertile future
this page online
Motion and Change
More than 70 million Americans explore nature through watching birds. There's no better place to celebrate birds and birding than on our Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway, the nation's first Birding Byway! This region's on-going conservation commitment helps keep the Byway area a haven for wildlife and wildlife watchers.
Erected by Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway, Kansas Dept of Transportation, and Federal Highway Administration.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.
Location. 38° 31.309′ N, 98° 37.362′ W. Marker is near Claflin, Kansas, in Barton County. Marker is on State Highway 4, 0.2 miles east of NE 80th Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway Pullout, Claflin KS 67525, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wings Over the Water (here, next to this marker); Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway (approx. 4.6 miles away); Settling the "Great American Desert" (approx. 4.6 miles away); Robert E. "Bob" Vohs Tribute
Also see . . .
1. Cheyenne Bottoms. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 17, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. "Natural Kansas" entry; links to brochures and checklists. (Submitted on December 17, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Bird Watching at Cheyenne Bottoms, Kansas Wetlands Education Center. (Submitted on July 10, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 379 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on July 11, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
