KANSAS DEER HUNTERS: TAG YOUR DEER PROPERLY

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Nonresidents should know laws regarding transport through other states, as well
PRATT — The regular Kansas firearm deer season is winding down, but archery season remains open the rest of the year, and several whitetail antlerless-only seasons will be held in January. After a deer is taken, hunters must dress the deer out, cool it down, and get it to a place for processing — all of which is hard work. But before moving the deer, the hunter must fill out his or her carcass tag and attach it to the deer. There is more to this than meets eye.
“Hunters need to make sure they attach the carcass tag securely,” says Mark Rankin, assistant director of Law Enforcement for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). “We have problems every year when hunters get to a locker or are stopped en route and there is no tag on their deer, but they say they have tagged it. Follow-up often reveals that they did have a permit, but the carcass tag had blown off in the back of the vehicle. In that case, we have no choice but to investigate. In some cases, a citation may be issued.”
The best way to tag a deer is to follow the directions in the 2011 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, Page 16, available at KDWPT offices and license vendors, as well as the KDWPT website,www.kdwpt.ks.us.
Another issue regarding tagging affects nonresidents who may want to have their deer meat processed in Kansas and shipped home, but they want to travel home with the head and antlers. Or they may want to donate the meat in Kansas and travel home with the head and antlers. Kansas law requires that the carcass tag remain attached to the animal until processed and remain with the meat.
“In these cases, we suggest that the hunter keep the top part of their deer permit with the head and antlers,” Rankin explains. “The carcass tag must remain with the carcass, but if the hunter keeps the top half of the permit with the head and antlers, he’ll be within the law.”
It’s not just Kansas law that’s at issue, however. Many states have adopted strict regulations to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Typically, these regulations do not allow the transportation of a deer head with brain tissue from a state with confirmed CWD cases (which includes Kansas). Hunters have been cited in other states and had their deer confiscated for not complying with the transportation laws of that state. Boned meat, as well a the cleaned skull cap and antlers, may be all that can be legally transported in some states.
Nonresident hunters should check the laws regarding transport of deer in all states through which they plan to transport any portion of a harvested deer.

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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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