A public hearing will be conducted by the Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Commission at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 21, 2013 at Kansas Historical Museum, 6425 SW 6^th Ave, Topeka, Kansas, to consider the approval and adoption of proposed regulations of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism.

A general discussion and workshop meeting on business of the Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Commission will begin at 1:30 p.m., March 21 at the location listed above. The meeting will recess at approximately 5:30 p.m. then resume at 7:00 p.m. at the same location for the regulatory hearing and more business. There will be public comment periods at the beginning of the afternoon and evening meeting for any issues not on the agenda and additional comment periods will be available during the meeting on agenda items. Old and new business may also be discussed at this time. If necessary to complete business matters, the Commission will reconvene at 9:00 a.m. March 22 at the location listed above.

This permanent regulation establishes fish and wildlife-related license and permit fees. The proposed amendments would establish fees for combination nonresident antlered and antlerless deer permits as directed by the Legislature.

The fee structure that is proposed will result in no fiscal gain to the department. No other appreciable negative economic impact is anticipated for other agencies, small businesses, or the public.

This permanent regulation establishes the legal equipment and taking methods for big game. The proposed amendments remove some archery equipment restrictions, allow the use of crossbows by all individuals in the archery deer season, remove restrictions on elk muzzleloader equipment, allow the use of centerfire cartridges in firearms season, remove shotgun slug gauge restrictions in firearms season, update the regulation for statutory changes and remove restrictions related to possessing certain equipment for the permit type possessed.

The proposed amendments are not anticipated to have any appreciable negative economic impact on the department, other agencies, small businesses or the public.

This permanent regulation establishes the legal equipment and taking methods for wild turkeys. The proposed amendments would remove restrictions on archery equipment to coincide with changes in archery deer season, allow the use of crossbows by all individuals in the spring and fall archery season, remove gauge restrictions on shotguns, update the regulation as to statutory changes and remove restrictions related to possessing certain equipment for the permit type possessed.

The proposed amendments are not anticipated to have any appreciable negative economic impact on the department, other agencies, small businesses or the public.

This permanent regulation establishes the use of crossbows and locking draws for big game and wild turkey hunting for persons with disabilities. The proposed amendments would coincide with the above listed proposed equipment changes for big game hunting equipment related to crossbows.

The proposed amendments are not anticipated to have any appreciable negative economic impact on the department, other agencies, small businesses or the public.

This exempt regulation establishes the fall season, bag limits and permits for turkey hunting. The proposed change would only close the fall turkey season during the regular firearms deer season.

The proposed amendments are not anticipated to have any appreciable negative economic impact on the department, other agencies, small businesses or the public.

A general discussion and workshop meeting on business of the Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Commission will begin at 1:30 p.m., March 21 at the location listed above. The meeting will recess at approximately 5:30 p.m. then resume at 7:00 p.m. at the same location for the regulatory hearing and more business. There will be public comment periods at the beginning of the afternoon and evening meeting for any issues not on the agenda and additional comment periods will be available during the meeting on agenda items. Old and new business may also be discussed at this time. If necessary to complete business matters, the Commission will reconvene at 9:00 a.m. March 22 at the location listed above.

Any individual with a disability may request accommodation in order to participate in the public meeting and may request the meeting materials in an accessible format. Requests for accommodation to participate in the meeting should be made at least five working days in advance of the meeting by contacting Sheila Kemmis, Commission Secretary, at (620) 672-5911. Persons with a hearing impairment may call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698 to request special accommodations.

The proposed exempt regulation establishes hunting bag limits, application periods and season dates for the 2013-2014 firearm, muzzleloader and archery deer seasons. There are very few changes from 2012-2013 seasons. Season dates are adjusted to coincide with the calendar and some public lands where additional white-tailed antlerless deer may be taken have been added to the regulation. Additionally, the pre-rut antlerless season as directed by the Legislature was added.

The proposed amendment is not anticipated to have any appreciable negative economic impact on the department, other agencies, small businesses or the public.