PRATT – The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission approved the 2015-2016 big game hunting seasons during  the public hearing portion of the March 26 meeting in Topeka. Deer season dates were approved as follows:

• Youth/Disabled – Sept. 5-13, 2015.
• Muzzleloader – Sept. 14-27, 2015.
• Archery – Sept. 14-Dec. 31, 2015.
• Pre-rut Firearms Whitetail Antlerless-Only – Oct. 10-11, 2015.
• Firearm – Dec. 2 - Dec. 13, 2015.
• Extended Whitetail Antlerless-Only: Jan. 1-3, 2015, Deer Management Units 6, 8, 9, 10, 16, and 17 (One Whitetail Only (WAO) permit valid in these units.) Jan. 1-10, 2016, Deer Management Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14 (Five WAO permits valid in these units.) Jan. 1-17, 2016, Deer Management Units 10A (Ft. Leavenworth), 15 and 19. Urban Whitetail Antlerless Only Archery Season – Jan. 17-31, 2016, Unit 19. There is no Extended Whitetail Antlerless Only season and no WAO permits will be valid in Deer Management Unit 18.

The Commission approved the 2015 antelope seasons:

• Archery – Sept. 19-27 and Oct. 10-31.
• Muzzleloader – Sept. 28-Oct. 1 (muzzleloader permits are also valid during the firearm season).
• Firearm – Oct. 2-5.

Elk seasons were approved as follows:

Units 2 and 3 (Off Ft. Riley)

• Muzzleloader – Sept. 1-30, 2015.
• Archery – Sept. 14-Dec. 31, 2015.
• Firearm – Dec. 2-13, 2015 and Jan. 1-March 15, 2016.

Unit 2a (Ft. Riley)

• Muzzleloader – Sept. 1-30, 2015.
• Archery – Sept. 1-30, 2015.
• Firearm Any-elk – Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2015.
• Antlerless-only First Segment – Oct. 1-30, 2015, Antlerless-only Second Segment – Nov. 1-30, 2015, Antlerless-only Third Segment – Dec. 1-31, 2015.

The commission also approved a staff recommendation to strike the requirement that hunters provide a biological sample for testing within two days of harvest. Elk will be tested on a voluntary basis in the same manner as deer are currently tested.

Following the public hearing, Secretary’s Orders for deer permits were discussed. Those orders are as follows: 

-A sixteen-percent decrease will be made in the quantity of Firearm Mule Deer Permits  available.

-No Antlerless-only Either-Species Permits will be made available in the East Zone.

-A nine-percent decrease will be made in the quantity of Antlerless-only Either-Species Permits in the Western Zone.

-A five-percent decrease will be made in the quantity of Non-resident Whitetail Either-sex Deer Permits available in Units 6 and 8.

To watch a video recording of the March 26 meeting, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “KDWPT Info / Commission / Past Meetings.”

The next commission meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2015 at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 East 29th St. N, Wichita.

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