Thank a Landowner Today

If you're a hunter, angler or wildlife watcher, the holiday season is an important time to extend thanks to landowners who share access to their land, says Troy Schroeder, Kansas Wildlife Federation President.

"Access to private land is a privilege provided to us through the generosity of the landowner," says Schroeder. "And with more than 95% of Kansas in private ownership, we need to make sure that these landowners really know how much you appreciate them allowing you access to hunt, fish or watch wildlife on their property."

A few ways to say thanks to landowners:

* Visit the landowner to express your appreciation, and, if possible, share some of your harvest or a favorite wildlife photograph from your time on their property.

* Send a personal note or holiday card to the landowner, thanking them for sharing their land.

* Send a gift basket or gift certificate to a local restaurant.

* Help them protect their property by documenting and reporting suspicious activities to Operation Game Thief at 877-426-3843.

* Offer to help with outdoor tasks, or to clean up and properly dispose of illegally dumped materials left on their property.

If you are mentoring a young hunter or angler, be sure to include them in thanking the landowner - it's a great lesson for them to learn!

Remember - the tradition of hunting in Kansas will only continue if we all follow the basic principle of landowner relations: Treat the landowner as you would like to be treated and treat their land as you would like yours to be treated.