WILDLIFE AND PARKS COMMISSION TO MEET AUG. 6 IN MEDICINE LODGE

Late migratory bird seasons top agenda
TOPEKA -- On Aug. 6, the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing at the People's Bank Sunflower Room, 117 S. Main in Medicine Lodge. The meeting's afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m. The evening public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend all sessions of the meeting.

Discussion items scheduled for the afternoon session include the following:

  • petition to list the lesser prairie chicken as "threatened" in Kansas;
  • big game permanent regulations;
  • Shawnee Mission Park deer management update;
  • elk and deer commissioner permits;
  • wind energy update;
  • hunter/angler recruitment efforts; and
  • introduction to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at the same location at 7 p.m., beginning with proposals for future regulation that include the following workshop items:

  • K.A.R 115--25-6 -- spring turkey season, units, bag limits, permits, and game tags;
  • K.A.R 115-2-3A -- cabin fee regulations;
  • fishing regulations under consideration; and
  • legal equipment for dove hunting.

After the workshop session, the commission will conduct a public hearing for approval of regulations on the following topics:

  • late migratory bird seasons (Actual frameworks provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were not available at the time of this writing, but officials expect them to be similar to last year.);
  • KAR 115-5-1 -- furbearers and coyotes, legal equipment, taking methods and general provisions;
  • KAR 115-5-2 -- furbearers and coyotes, possession, disposal and general provisions;
  • KAR 115-6-1 -- fur dealers license, application, authority, possession of furs, records, and revocation.

Time will be set aside in both the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on topics that are not on the agenda. If necessary, the commission will recess on Aug. 6 and reconvene Aug. 7 to complete any unfinished business.

If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, phone the Kansas Commission For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the commission secretary at 620-672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2009, at the VFW, 610 Walnut, Sedan, KS.
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