PRATT – The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting on January 17, 2019, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, Flory Meeting Hall West, in Lawrence. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting, which will begin at 1:30 p.m. Time will be set aside for public comment on non-agenda items at the beginning of both the afternoon and evening sessions.

The first items for discussion in the afternoon include a report on agency fiscal status and an update on the upcoming 2019 legislative session. The General Discussion session will start with the drawing for Commissioner Big Game Permits. Other discussion items include webless migratory bird hunting regulations, waterfowl hunting regulations, and deer season dates on military installations. Presentations on chronic wasting disease and birdwatching initiatives will follow.

Workshop Session items include e-bicycle use on trails and in parks, public land regulations, squirrel hunting regulations, furbearer regulations, U.S. Coast Guard navigation rules, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and an e-licensing update. The Commission will recess by 5 p.m. and reconvene at 6:30 p.m. to continue the Workshop Session, hearing discussion on the following items:

• Proposed antelope season dates: Archery season – September 21-29, 2019; Muzzleloader season – Sept. 30-Oct. 7, 2019; and Firearm season – Oct. 4-7, 2019

• Proposed elk seasons dates on Fort Riley: Firearm season for any-elk permits, Oct. 1- Dec. 31, 2019; Antlerless season, Oct. 1-31, 2019, Nov. 1-30, 2019, and Dec. 1-31, 2019. Elk season dates outside of Fort Riley: Muzzleloader – Sep. 1-30, 2019; Archery – Sept. 16-Dec. 31, 2019; and Firearm – August 1-31, 2019, Dec. 4-15, 2019; and Jan. 1-March 15, 2020

• Moving the application deadline for resident firearm either species deer and elk permits to the second Friday in June, which coincides with the firearm antelope permit application deadline

• Proposed deer season dates: Youth and hunters with disabilities – Sept. 7-15, 2019 and Oct. 12-14, 2019; Muzzleloader – Sept. 16-29, 2019 and Oct. 12-14, 2019; Archery – Sept. 16-Dec. 31, 2019; Pre-rut whitetail antlerless only – Oct. 12-14, 2019; and Firearm – Dec. 4-15, 2019

The only Public Hearing item to be voted on amends the season for controlled shooting areas to Sept. 1-April 30, a one month extension approved during last year’s legislative session.

If necessary, the Commission will reconvene at 9 a.m. at the same location, Jan. 18, 2019, to complete any unfinished business. Should this occur, time will again be set aside for public comment on non-agenda items.

Information about the Commission, as well as the Jan. 17, 2019 meeting agenda and briefing book, can be downloaded at ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Upcoming-Commission-Meetings.

Live video and audio streaming of the meeting will be available at ksoutdoors.com, and live updates of the Public Hearing will be tweeted on the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism's (KDWPT) Twitter account, @KDWPT.

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 KDWPT Commission secretary at (620) 672-5911.

The next KDWPT Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2019 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Emerald Room, in Topeka.

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