KDWPT COMMISSION APPROVES BIG GAME AND TURKEY REGULATIONS

(Photo credit: SLV Native)

WICHITA — The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission met at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita on Thursday, April 26. During the Public Hearing portion of the meeting, the commission approved recommended changes to the management units for fall turkey hunting season. The recommendation adds two units for a total of six, and will allow biologists to adapt hunting regulations and bag limits to better manage the state’s turkey populations.
In other action, the commission approved recommendations for the season dates and permit allocations for the 2012 antelope seasons. Archery season for antelope is Sept. 22-30, and Oct. 15-31. Archery permits are sold over-the-counter to residents and nonresidents, and all antelope management units are open to archery hunting.
The muzzleloader-only antelope season is set for Oct. 1-8, and is open to residents only. Twenty-six muzzleloader-only permits are authorized for Unit 2; 12 permits are authorized for Unit 17; and eight permits are authorized for Unit 18.
The 2012 firearm antelope season is set for Oct. 5-8 and is open to residents only. One hundred firearm antelope permits are authorized for Unit 2; 40 are authorized for Unit 17; and 10 are authorized for Unit 18.
The application period for resident antelope muzzleloader and firearm permits is May 8-June 8. All applications must be submitted online through the KDWPT website, www.ksoutdoors.com.
In final public hearing action, commissioners approved recommendations for the 2012-2013 elk hunting season. Archery season: Unit 3 (statewide except Fort Riley and Morton County) — Sept. 17-Dec. 31; Unit 2a (Fort Riley) — Sept. 1-30. Firearm Season: Unit 3 — Nov. 28-Dec. 9, and Jan. 1, 2013-March 15, 2013; Unit 2a, either-sex holders — Oct. 1-Dec. 31; antlerless-only permit holders – Oct. 1-31, Nov. 1-30 and Dec. 1-31 (one-third of the permits valid in each season segment). Muzzleloader season: Unit 2 and Unit 3 – Sept. 1-30.
Ten either-sex elk permits and 15 antlerless-only elk permits are authorized for Unit 2. Only residents are eligible for elk permits, and applications for limited-quota permits must be submitted online by July 13, 2012. An unlimited number of antlerless-only and either-sex hunt-own-land permits are authorized for Units 2 and 3. An unlimited number of the antlerless-only and either-sex elk permits are authorized for Unit 3.
The KDWPT Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for June 21 in Kansas City.

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KDWPT COMMISSION BIG GAME PERMIT APPLICATIONS DUE JAN. 1

October 6, 2011
Permits available to nonprofit organizations as fundraisers for conservation projects
PRATT — The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission is authorized to issue as many as seven Commission Big Game permits per calendar year. Of these, one may be an elk permit, one may be an antelope permit, and the remaining may be Either-Species/Either-Sex Deer permits.

These permits are only available to nonprofit organizations that actively promote wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage. Only one Commission Big Game permit may be issued to a qualified organization, but this limitation does not preclude more than one chapter of the same organization from being issued permits. Organizations’ chapters are not eligible to receive a Commission Big Game permit more than once in a three-year period. Organizations that oppose hunting and fishing are not eligible for these permits.

Organizations must provide a copy of their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, articles of incorporation, and their mission statement with application. Further documentation may be required to confirm qualifying status.

Organizations receiving Commission Big Game permits must market the permit to the public in order to receive the maximum financial benefit available to both the organization and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). Organizations awarded permits by random draw must pay KDWPT the price established by rules and regulations for the highest value for the type of permit awarded. For most organizations, at least 85 percent must be remitted to the department for use on jointly-approved projects. The remainder may be spent at the organization’s discretion.

The application deadline for Commission Big Game Permits is Jan. 1, 2012. To apply, write Sheila Kemmis, Commission Secretary, KDWPT, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.

On Jan. 5, 2012, the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a random drawing from the pool of applicants during its scheduled public meeting at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina.

Permits and prices are as follow:

• deer — Either-Species/Either-Sex permit, available to resident or nonresident, valid statewide during any season with legal equipment at a cost of $322.50;
• elk — Either-Species/Either-Sex Elk permit, available to resident or nonresident and valid anywhere within elk management units during any season with legal equipment, including Fort Riley during seasons and restrictions established by Fort Riley, at a cost of $252.50; and
• antelope — Either-Species/Either-Sex Antelope permit, available to resident or nonresident and valid anywhere in antelope management units during any season with legal equipment at a cost of $202.50.

Successful organizations will be issued a voucher signifying the type of permit awarded. The buyer must present the voucher to KDWPT’s Licensing Section, and a permit will be issued in the buyer’s name. After a Commission Big Game permit is issued in the name of the final recipient, it may not be transferred to any other individual for any reason. Any Commission Big Game permit is subject to the restrictions of the season, sex, equipment type, or hunt units issued on the permit.

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