Big game and turkey regulations to highlight public hearing; audio/visual streaming available
TOPEKA — The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing on Thursday, March 10, at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Region 2 Office, 300 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka. The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m., and the evening session will begin at 7 p.m.

The afternoon session will begin with time for public comments on on-agenda items, followed by a general discussion period on the following topics:

• Secretary’s remarks;
• 2001 legislative update;
• agency and state fiscal status;
• Kansans for Children in Nature plan;
• early migratory bird seasons;
• furbearer regulations; and
• trails grant update.

The afternoon will also include a workshop session, in preparation for potential future regulatory action, covering preliminary recommendations on the following regulations:

• KAR 115-25-7, antelope — open season, bag limit, and permits;
• KAR 115-25-8, elk — open season, bag limit, and permits;
• KAR 115-25-9a, deer — open season, bag limit, permits, and additional considerations (Fort Riley);
• potential regulation changes to address aquatic nuisance species; and
• KAR 115-7-9 — weigh-in black bass fishing tournaments.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 7 p.m. at the same location to hear general public comments on non-agenda items, followed by a public hearing on regulations and Secretary’s Orders. Evening public hearing topics include the following:

• KAR 115-2-2 — motor vehicle permit fees;
• KAR 115-2-3 — camping and utilities fees;
• KAR 115-4-6b — elk management units;
• KAR 115-4-11 — big game and wild turkey permit applications;
• KAR 115-25-9, deer — open season, bag limit, and permits;
• Secretary’s Orders for deer;
• KAR 115-16-5 — wildlife control permit operation requirements;
• KAR 115-25-5, turkey — fall season, bag limit, and permits; and
• KAR 115-25-6, turkey — spring season, bag limit, permits, and game tags.

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 March 10 and reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., March 11, to complete unfinished business.

Live video and audio streaming of this meeting will be broadcast through the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call 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 Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission secretary at 620-672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 21, at the Great Plains Nature Center Auditorium, 6232 East 29th Street North in Wichita.
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