2014 LICENSES AND PERMITS GO ON SALE DEC. 16

Buy a license or permit and give the gift of the outdoors this holiday

PRATT – Looking for the perfect gift for dad? Need an affordable stocking stuffer for the kids? Consider purchasing a 2014 hunting or fishing license. Starting Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, all licenses and permits for the 2014 season will go on sale, and for those looking for one last “hoorah” of the year, 2014 license holders can hit the field or a stream the very same day.

2014 hunting and fishing licenses and permits can be purchased online at ksoutdoors.com, at any Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism state park or regional office, and at any license vendor beginning Dec. 16.

New this year, significant price reductions have been placed on youth deer, turkey and antelope permits, for hunters age 15 and younger. Youth fees that have been reduced beginning 2014 are as follows:

RESIDENT

General Resident Youth Deer Permit: $10.00

General Resident Youth Antelope Permit: $10.00

General Resident Youth Turkey Permit (1-bird limit): $5.00

Resident Youth Turkey Game Tag (1-bird limit): $5.00

General Resident Youth Turkey Permit/Game Tag Combination (2-bird limit): $10.00

NONRESIDENT

Nonresident Youth Turkey Permit (1-bird limit): $10.00

Nonresident Youth Turkey Game Tag (1-bird limit): $10.00

Nonresident Youth Turkey Permit/Game Tag Combination (2-bird limit): $20.00

Nonresident Youth Combination 2-deer Permit (antlered deer and antlerless white-tailed deer): $90.00

Nonresident Youth Antelope Permit (Archery only): $100.00

For more information, visit ksoutdoors.com

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WILDLIFE CHECKPOINT PLANNED IN SOUTHCENTRAL KANSAS

Joint effort will check for drivers’ licenses and possession of wildlife
TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) and local law enforcement officials will conduct a joint checkpoint in southcentral Kansas in early December. The regular firearm deer season starts November 28, and upland game bird seasons are underway. The checkpoint is intended to help enforce state and federal wildlife laws, as well as the state’s driver’s licensing laws.
Local law enforcement officers will operate the first stage of the checkpoint to be sure drivers are properly licensed to be driving. If a driver does not have a valid license, appropriate enforcement actions will be taken. Travelers should not expect major delays from this portion of the checkpoint.
Occupants of vehicles in the first check lane will be asked if they are hunters or are transporting wildlife. If yes in either case, drivers will be directed to a nearby check lane where KDWPT natural resource officers will check for required licenses and permits, count the game and gather biological, harvest, and hunter success information. This portion of the checkpoint should also cause minimal delay.
Additional wildlife checkpoints will occur around the state during the fall and winter hunting seasons.

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• Electronic Registration of Deer Available (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)

KDWPT OFFERS FREE FISHING DAYS JUNE 2-3

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Everyone may fish without a license; scout hotspots online
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will offer 2012 Free Fishing Days on June 2-3, helping launch the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) National Fishing Week, June 2-10. On the weekend of June 2-3, anglers of all ages may fish without a fishing license. Ordinarily, nonresidents 16 or older and residents age 16 through 64 must have a fishing license to fish in Kansas, but on Free Fishing Days, everyone gets to fish for free, making this the ideal time to introduce curious would-be anglers of any age to an outdoor pastime that will provide pleasure throughout their lives.
In conjunction with National Fishing Week, RBFF has launched the “Nature’s Waterpark Showdown,” which uses the TakeMeFishing.org Facebook page to highlight parks around the country. In Kansas, El Dorado State Park has been nominated, one of 23 parks in the nation to receive the honor. The promotion will run for eight weeks and will culminate in a list of the top eight parks in the country based on fan votes. Once fans have voted, they can also register to win weekly prizes and one Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for four to one of the top-eight parks of their choice.
Kansas has hundreds of lakes and streams, including numerous conveniently-located community lakes. Finding the ideal fishing location is simple: go to the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, click "Fishing" at the top of the page, then “Where to Fish in Kansas” in the left-hand column.
Public fishing waters also are listed in the Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary, available on the KDWPT website or in printed form at KDWPT offices and license vendors around the state. The summary also provides a fish identification guide, length and creel limits, and a variety of additional information for anglers. The 2012 Kansas Fishing Atlas includes maps with locations of all state-managed and F.I.S.H. waters.
For information on fishing prospects, lake ratings for all sportfish may be found on the KDWPT’s online Fishing Forecast. In addition, the most recent biologists' fishing reports may be found on the Fishing Reports page.
Late May and early June are some of the best times to take advantage of Kansas angling opportunities. If you haven't already bought a license or are curious about fishing, take advantage of this opportunity on June 2-3.

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MAY IS BUSIEST MONTH FOR KANSAS ANGLERS

May 17, 2012
KDWPT programs enhance fishing opportunity statewide
PRATT — May is the busiest month for Kansas anglers. Most sport fish species are in shallow water — some just done spawning and others just getting ready. All are more accessible to anglers and easier to catch now than at other times of the year. A look at state records and the Master Angler Award program provides more evidence.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) issues Master Angler Award certificates to applying anglers who catch fish as long or longer than minimum lengths set for each species (see KDWPT website or the 2012 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary for minimum lengths and applications). Of the more than 200 certificates that are issued each year, more than 30 percent are caught in May. And 30 percent of the fish species listed as Kansas state records were caught during the month of May. For more information, look on the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, under “Fishing/Special Fishing Programs for You/Master Angler Award Program.”
Other KDWPT programs help anglers catch more fish. Under the Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP), the agency uses matching funds from federal excise taxes on fishing equipment and motor boat fuel to lease fishing rights to nearly 240 community lakes statewide, removing fishing and boating fees for anglers on approximately 13,000 acres of water. The Urban Fishing Program stocks 80 lakes with 3/4- to 1 1/2-pound channel catfish, hybrid sunfish, and wipers as often as every two weeks from April through September. All cities with available public fishing waters and populations larger than 40,000 are served by this program.
A rising star among KDWPT fishing programs is the Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitat (F.I.S.H.) program. The program enrolls 1,500 acres of ponds and more than 90 miles of streams on private land for public fishing access. The program includes ponds and lakes ranging from 5 acres to more than 100 acres, as well as access to stream reaches formerly unavailable to the public. F.I.S.H. sites are open to public access from March 1 through October 31. The 2012 Kansas Fishing Atlas, available wherever licenses are sold, provides detailed maps showing all public fishing waters in Kansas, including CFAP and F.I.S.H.
In addition to these programs, KDWPT conducts numerous fishing clinics for youngsters throughout the state, and several how-to fishing videos may be found on the KDWPT website under “Fishing/How to Fish.”
Finding the ideal fishing location is simple. Go to the KDWPT website and click "Fishing" at the top of the page, then “Where to Fish in Kansas” in the left-hand column. Public fishing waters also are listed in the Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary, available on the website or in printed form at KDWPT offices and license vendors around the state. The summary also provides a fish identification guide, length and creel limits, and a variety of additional information for anglers.
For information on fishing prospects, lake ratings for all sportfish may be found under Fishing Forecast. Anglers can report their own experiences and read those of others on the department's Public Fishing Reports page.
KDWPT is participating in Cabela’s Wanna Go Fishing for Millions? contest by tagging fish in the following Kansas reservoirs: Milford, Glen Elder, Cheney, Clinton, El Dorado, Cedar Bluff and Hillsdale. The competition began May 5 and gives anglers a chance to win as much as $2 million in cash and more than $225,000 in additional prizes by catching tagged fish in select lakes across 19 states. Anglers must register online at www.cabelas.com/fishformillions to participate in the contest. In addition, anglers must comply with Kansas fishing regulations and licensing and permit requirements.
If these programs are not enough to entice you to go fishing, check out Kansas Free Fishing Days, June 2-3. On these days, anglers of all ages may fish without a fishing license. Ordinarily, nonresidents 16 or older and residents age 16 through 64 must have a fishing license to fish in Kansas, but on June 2-3, everyone gets to fish for free, making this the ideal time to introduce youngsters to a healthy, challenging pastime that offers a lifetime of pleasure. So get out and enjoy the weather — fish Kansas!

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2012 NONRESIDENT DEER APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 27

Application deadline last Friday in April; no mail-in applications accepted

PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) reminds all nonresident deer hunters that the application period for 2012 Kansas Deer permits is April 1-27 (closing the last Friday in April. All applications must be made online through the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, or by phoning 620-672-5911 and asking for Licensing. Mail-in applications are not available, and none will be accepted. Phone applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27. The online application deadline is midnight on April 27. This application applies to nonresident either-sex deer permits only. Nonresident Hunt-Own-Land and Antlerless White-tailed Deer permits will be available beginning June 18 over the counter.

White-tailed deer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nonresident either-sex deer permits allow the taking of one white-tailed deer buck, doe, or fawn. The cost of the permit is $322.50, and if successful in the drawing, the applicant must also purchase a nonresident hunting license, $72.50, prior to hunting. The hunter applies in one of 18 deer management units and may also select one adjacent unit in which to hunt. Applicants also select one equipment type and season choice (archery, muzzleloader, or firearm) at the time of application. Muzzleloader permit holders may hunt during early muzzleloader season and regular firearm season using muzzleloader equipment only. If unsuccessful in the draw, the hunter receives a $301 refund and a preference point for next year’s draw.

A nonresident who successfully draws an Archery or Muzzleloader either-sex deer permit in Unit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 16, 17, or 18 may also apply for one of a limited number of Mule Deer Stamps for an additional fee of $102.50, submitted at time of application; if drawn, the applicant’s archery or muzzleloader whitetail permit converts to an either-species/either-sex archery or muzzleloader permit. Preference points do not count toward this stamp. If unsuccessful in the Mule Deer Stamp draw, the hunter will receive a $101 refund and be issued the whitetail permit.

A nonresident hunter who doesn’t want to hunt in 2011 can purchase a preference point online for $22.50. The preference point will count toward a nonresident whitetail either-sex deer permit in a future drawing.

To apply for a Nonresident Whitetail Either-sex Deer permit, go to the KDWP website,www.kdwp.state.ks.us and click "Licenses/Permits" in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Then click "Buy your License/Permit Online" and follow the directions. To learn more about permits you may qualify for, go online to the KDWPT website, ksoutdooors.com, and click “Hunting/Big Game Information/Deer.”

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Amended Senior Hunting/Fishing License Bill Goes to Senate

Image via Wikipedia

Amended bill gives seniors two options for discounted hunting/fishing licenses

The Senate Natural Resources Committee today amended Senate Bill 314 and sent it to the full Senate. Earlier this year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) asked the Kansas Legislature to consider eliminating the hunting and fishing license exemptions for persons 65 years of age and older. The committee held hearings on the bill on February 17 and March 1.

The state’s wildlife and fisheries programs are funded by license/permit fees and a federal match from the excise tax paid by hunters and anglers on equipment they buy (these revenues can only be used to fund wildlife and fisheries programs; they cannot be used for state parks). The state’s share of the federal excise tax is based on the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold. Removing the senior exemption or charging seniors a reduced fee allows Kansas to capture the federal excise tax for seniors who hunt and fish. The amended bill would give senior residents two options for buying discounted hunting/fishing licenses. Either option would bring federal excise taxes back to Kansas, and help the agency achieve a more stable and consistent revenue stream.

Under one option, seniors could purchase a lifetime combination senior hunting/fishing pass, which would likely cost $40.00 (excluding a vendor and convenience fee). The agency believes this is the lowest amount the department could charge and still safely claim the federal matching funds – amortized over 18 years per pass. The cost would be set by the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission through a change in regulation, and the amount could not exceed one-eighth of the fee for a regular lifetime combination hunting/fishing license.

The second option would be for seniors to purchase an annual half-price hunting, fishing or combination hunting/fishing license up to the age of 75, with no license required for those 75 years of age and older. Under the current pricing structure, the senior annual hunting and fishing licenses would be $9.00 each, and the senior annual combination hunting/fishing license would be $18.00 (excluding a $2.50 vendor and convenience fee for each license).

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NEW YEAR, NEW LICENSES

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2011 licenses expire Dec. 31, some changes for 2012

PRATT—Ready or not, here comes 2012, and saying goodbye to 2011 means saying goodbye to last year’s park permits and hunting and fishing licenses, which expire Dec. 31. It’s easy to forget about buying new licenses because the holidays are so busy, but it’s never been easier or more convenient to purchase your new licenses and permits. Most licenses and park permits are sold at more than 200 vendors across the state, including all Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) offices, and licenses and permits can be purchased online from the convenience of home with your computer and printer.

While deer permits purchased in 2011 remain valid through the January seasons, hunters will need a 2012 hunting license before venturing out in January. Fishing licenses, trout stamps and third pole permits also expire Dec. 31, and it’s a good idea to buy all your licenses at once so you’re ready when an outdoor opportunity comes along.

Annual Kansas State Parks Vehicle Permits expire Dec. 31 and the off-season prices are available through the end of March. Park goers who buy now can save 20 percent on the cost of an Annual Vehicle Permit. However, the KDWPT Commission approved a recommendation to eliminate the Annual Second Vehicle Permit, which was available at a reduced cost. Other Commission action aimed at maintaining state parks services included increasing overnight camping fees $1 per utility.

More information about license and permit fees is only a click away at www.kdwpt.state.ks.us. Make a list and get all your 2012 licenses and permits so you can ring in the New Year outdoors

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KDWP ISSUES DUPLICATE LICENSES AND PERMITS

Lost license or permit easily replaced
PRATT — The dog ate it. My wife threw it in the washer. My kids thought it would make a good finger-painting project, and it was lost at school. My uncle tried to start a fire with it.

While these may seem silly excuses for losing a hunting or fishing license, park permit, or other issue from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), they are legitimate. And with recent storms throughout the Sunflower State, more serious causes for lost licenses have been reported.

However you may have lost or destroyed a license or permit, KDWP has a simple process for replacing it. Duplicates of all licenses and permits may be purchased for $12.50 at the Pratt Operations Office or at any licensed agent, such as a sporting goods store or bait shop. Or goonline to the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, and click “License/Permits” in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

If you don’t have a computer or easy access to a license vendor, phone 620-672-5911 and ask for Licensing. They will fix you up and have you back in the great outdoors in no time.

2011 NONRESIDENT DEER APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 29

Application deadline last Friday in April; no mail-in applications accepted
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reminds all nonresident deer hunters that the application deadline for 2011 permits is April 29, the last Friday in April. All applications must be made online through the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, or by phoning 620-672-5911 and asking for Licensing. Mail-in applications are not available, and none will be accepted. Phone applications will be accepted through normal working hours on Friday, April 29. The online application deadline is midnight on April 29. This application applies to nonresident either-sex deer permits only. Nonresident Hunt-Own-Land and Antlerless White-tailed Deer permits will be available beginning July 25 over the counter.

Nonresident either-sex deer permits allow the taking of one white-tailed deer buck, doe, or fawn. The cost of the permit is $322.50, and if successful in the drawing, the applicant must also purchase a nonresident hunting license, $72.50, prior to hunting. The hunter applies in one of 18 deer management units and may also select one adjacent unit in which to hunt. Applicants also select one equipment type and season choice (archery, muzzleloader, or firearm) at the time of application. Muzzleloader permit holders may hunt during early muzzleloader season and regular firearm season using muzzleloader equipment only. If unsuccessful in the draw, the hunter receives a $301 refund and a preference point for next year’s draw.

A nonresident who successfully draws an Archery or Muzzleloader either-sex deer permit in Unit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 16, 17, or 18 may also apply for one of a limited number of Mule Deer Stamps for an additional fee of $102.50, submitted at time of application; if drawn, the applicant’s archery or muzzleloader whitetail permit converts to an either-species/either-sex archery or muzzleloader permit. Preference points do not count toward this stamp. If unsuccessful in the Mule Deer Stamp draw, the hunter will receive a $101 refund and be issued the whitetail permit.

A nonresident hunter who doesn’t want to hunt in 2011 can purchase a preference point online for $22.50. The preference point will count toward a nonresident whitettail either-sex deer permit in a future drawing.

To apply for a nonresident either-sex deer permit, go to the KDWP website,www.kdwp.state.ks.us and click "Licenses/Permits" in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Then click "Buy your License/Permit Online" and follow the directions. To learn more about permits you may qualify for, go tokdwp.state.ks.us/deer_permit_guide.

Hunting Tips

2011 SPRING TURKEY ATLAS NOW AVAILABLE

Publication shows all land open to spring turkey hunting; online version also available
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced that the 2011 Kansas Spring Turkey Atlas will be available March 28 at KDWP offices and license vendors around the state. An online version is currently available on the agency's website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. To view or download the atlas from the KDWP website, click Hunting/Where To Hunt In Kansas/2011 Spring Turkey Atlas. View or print all or portions of the atlas.

This is an indispensible tool for anyone looking for a new place hunt, or for those who don’t yet have a place to go. The atlas pinpoints access to all land in Kansas open to public spring turkey hunting, including Walk-In Hunting Access land, which is private land leased by KDWP. This spring, more than 174,000 acres of Walk-In land are available, in addition to state and federal wildlife areas.

The 2011 spring youth/disabled and archery turkey seasons run April 1-12. The regular spring season runs April 13-May 31. Turkey permits allow hunters to use a shotgun, crossbow, or bow throughout the regular season.

Turkey permits valid in units 1, 2, and 3 may be purchased online from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) website,www.kdwp.state.ks.us, or over the counter at any license vendor. A regulations summary may be downloaded from the KDWP website and printed or obtained at KDWP offices and license vendors. The brochure can be used only for general regulations regarding the 2011 Kansas spring turkey hunting season.

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