Migratory bird seasons top evening public hearing agenda Aug. 17
PRATT -- The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing at Pratt Community College Auditorium Thursday, August 17. The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m.; the evening public hearing will begin at 7 p.m.

The public is invited to attend all sessions. Topics on the afternoon session agenda include the following:

• review of a recent study of potential development around federal reservoirs in Kansas;
• a review of the department’s fiscal year 2008 budget;
• status of the department’s Deer Task Force, which is conducting a series of public meetings around the state in August;
• a report on the department’s hunter, bowhunter, and furharvester education programs;
• a report on the department’s Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP) and Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitats (FISH) program;
• an overview of development of the department’s website;
• discussion of big game regulations, although no changes are being recommended until the Deer Task Force completes its review and public input on the state’s deer management program;
• a report on the department’s plans for monitoring of chronic wasting disease in deer and elk;
• a review of the department’s role in monitoring migratory birds for avian influenza;
• plans for development of State Park 24; and
• a report on efforts underway by the Playa Lakes Joint Venture, the department, and other partners to conserve playa wetlands in western Kansas.

The Commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at the same location at 7 p.m. for workshop session discussion, in preparation for potential future regulatory action, on the following topics:

• fishing regulations, fees, and Secretary’s Orders for 2007;
• 2007 spring turkey season regulations;
• nuisance animal damage control operations;
• caging and handler requirements for operators of confinement facilities holding large cats, bears, and non-native venomous snakes; and
• development of half-price state park entrance fees for calendar year 2007.

The evening session will conclude with a public hearing on 2006 late migratory bird seasons. Recommended duck seasons are Oct. 7-Jan. 2 and Jan. 20-28 in the High Plains Zone, Oct. 14-Dec. 10 and Dec. 16-31 in the Early Zone, and Oct. 28-Dec. 31 and Jan. 20-28 in the Late Zone. The daily bag limit of 5 ducks may include no more than 2 scaup, 2 redhead, 2 wood ducks, and one duck from the following group: hen mallard, pintail, canvasback, mottled duck. Recommended Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days are Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in the High Plains Zone, Oct. 7-8 in the Early Zone, and Oct. 21-22 in the Late Zone.

Canada Goose recommended season is Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 8-Feb. 18. White-fronted goose recommended season is Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 8-Jan. 7 and Feb. 10-18. Light goose recommended season is Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 8-Feb. 18. Recommended seasons for dark goose management units include Dec. 23-Feb. 18 in the Marais des Cygnes Valley Unit, and Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 8-Feb. 18 in the Southeast Unit. Migratory bird falconry seasons would run concurrently with regular seasons, plus extended seasons of Feb. 24-March 10 in the Early Zone and in the Late Zone.

If necessary, the Commission will recess on Aug. 17, to reconvene Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. at the same location to complete its business. Time will be set aside in all sessions for public comment on items which are not on the agenda.

If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter call the Kansas Commission of 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.
-30-

Back to 8/10/06 News