Photo by Larry Caldwell
Former Gov. Mike Hayden, now Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, answers a question Thursday afternoon at a Wildlife & Parks hearing in Emporia.
A large group gathered at the Rodeway Inn and Suites Thursday afternoon and evening for a meeting of the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Commission and a public hearing. During the meeting, commissioners recommended dates for this year’s deer seasons.
Hunting regulations and an increase in fees were among the items on a lengthy agenda. The commission discussed an increase in fees for hunting, fur harvesting and fishing. The proposed fee scale ranged from no increase in resident and non-resident fishing licenses to a $120 increase in a combination license that includes fur harvester, hunting and fishing licenses. The fees, which are proposed for calendar year 2010, would be expected to bring a revenue increase of $2,730,872.
In an earlier conversation, Wildlife & Parks Secretary Michael Hayden told commissioners that a decline in the number of licenses issued will cause a steep decline in the wildlife fee fund between fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2010. By 2011, he said, the fund will be in the hole.
In FY 2001, the department issued 136,960 resident hunting licenses and 230,541 resident fishing licenses. In FY 2010, the department estimates that 107,000 resident hunting licenses and 200,000 resident fishing licenses will be issued. Hayden said more money will have to be raised or programs cut to make up the deficits in revenue.
Much of the concern around the increase in fees centered on putting the burden on the hunters. Commissioner Shari Wilson expressed concern about raising fees, saying that it would drive away even more people from purchasing licenses.
During the evening’s public-comment time, several issues were raised, including the question of stopping coyote hunting during deer season.
“... It’s a nightmare,” said Gale Windle, an Olpe resident. “We spend the whole deer season fixing fence, catching cattle .... It’s not just me ... I can go get you a list of 17 or 18 guys. Something needs to be done, whether you get more law enforcement, change the permits or whatever. ...”
Commission members said they will consider Wendell’s ideas.
Randy Smith of Americus told commissioners that a year ago, a friend of his was shot and killed by a man who claimed to be coyote hunting. Smith suggested taking away the use of motorized vehicles in coyote hunting.
“Please consider that,” Smith said.
Commissioners drew names to issue permits to organizations to hunt restricted game. The organizations then can auction or sell the permits to raise money. Eighty-five percent of the proceeds have to be sent in to be used on approved projects. After those projects are approved, the money is sent to the organization. The remaining 15 percent can be used however an organization wishes.
This year’s drawing included 107 organizations. One elk permit, seven deer permits and one antelope permit were given. The winners were: Friends of the NRA Tallgrass Chapter, elk permit; Friends of the NRA, Southwest Kansas, deer permit; Colby Community College Conservation Program, deer permit; Ducks Unlimited Northwest Kansas Chapter, deer permit; Pheasants Forever No. 445, deer permit; Ducks Unlimited Kaw River Chapter, antelope permit; and Pheasants Forever, Smokey Hill Chapter, deer permit.
Commissioners discussed hunting regulations, season bag limits and permits for turkey, antelope, elk and deer and big-game regulations. No changes were suggested for turkey and antelope regulations. Several recommendations were made for elk season, including season dates on Fort Riley and outside Fort Riley. The commission recommended that elk permits be available statewide except Morton County. The permits would be available only to Kansas residents and categorized into military and non-military.
Recommendations for deer seasons hunting for 2009 and 2010 were: youth and disability, Sept. 12 to Sept. 20; early muzzleloader, Sept. 21 to Oct. 4; archery, Sept. 21 to Dec. 31; early firearms, Oct. 10 to Oct. 18; regular firearms, Dec. 2 to Dec. 13; extended white-tail antlered only, Jan. 1 to Jan. 3, 2010; and extended archery, Jan. 4 to Jan. 31, 2010.
In other matters:
F The commission voted to support the Children in Nature Campaign, which was adopted by the National Park Service and the National Association of State Park Directors in 2007. The mission of the Children in Nature Campaign is to connect youth to the outdoors. Jerry Hover spoke about the campaign and said parents have to be actively involved in the program as well. The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights also was developed out of this campaign.
F The commission discussed several changes in public-land regulations. Among the changes under consideration are changing the definition of a novice hunter to anyone from 18 years of age or younger.
F Commissioners discussed the 2009 Kansas Free Fishing Days. This year’s free fishing days will be June 6 and 7. People can fish on those days without a fishing license.
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