DEER SEASON DEBUTS WITH ARCHERY AND MUZZLELOADER

Hunters are always encouraged to refer to the 2013 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting before hitting the field

Regulations Summary

PRATT­ – For some, the beginning of fall is heralded by leaves changing colors, for others it’s cooler temperatures and shorter days, but for hunters fall is marked by the start of deer season. In less than two weeks, hunters will take to tree stands and blinds throughout the state, bow in hand and powder horn packed.

The 2013 muzzleloader season will begin Sept. 16 and run through Sept. 29. New this year, hunters are allowed to use muzzleloading rifles, muskets and pistols, .40 caliber or larger.

The 2013 archery season will begin Sept. 16 and run through Dec. 31. New this year, crossbows are legal archery equipment for all archers. However, anyone who hunts big game or turkeys with a crossbow must obtain a free Crossbow Survey ID Number available online at www.ksoutdoors.com.

Hunter orange, a hat and vest, must be worn by all hunters during the muzzleloader season, and shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

The next deer season will be the new two-day Pre-rut Whitetail Antlerless Only season from Oct. 12 - Oct. 13, 2013, followed by the Regular Firearm season Dec. 4 - Dec. 15, 2013.

To download an electronic version of the 2013 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary, visitksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting / Hunting Regulations.” Printed copies can be found at local license vendors and at any Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism regional office.

Related articles

• Deer Hunting News - Kansas (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)

HUNTER EDUCATION MAKING HUNTERS SAFER IN FIELD

2012 Hunting incident report indicates hunting is a safe outdoor activity

PRATT – A total of 17 hunting-related incidents were reported in Kansas for 2012, a decrease of 73 percent from 35 years ago. Since the implementation of programs such as Hunter Education and Pass It On, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has seen a steady decline in the number reported each year.

With thousands of hunters taking to the field each year, incidents are inevitable. However unfortunate, the majority reported were considered preventable.

Last year, hunters swinging on game, namely upland birds, accounted for eight of the reported incidents. Despite most of the parties involved wearing hunter orange, eight incidents related to a hunter firing toward and hitting another hunter in the field.

“Wearing hunter orange is not enough,” said Kent Barrett, KDWPT Hunter Education Coordinator. “Communication between hunters must be improved to prevent these types of incidents.”

Six of the 17 reports were categorized as careless gun handling, one of the most preventable types of incidents. From hunters pointing their barrels in unsafe directions, to firing what was thought to be an empty gun, it’s no surprise Hunter Education instructors are continually pressing their students to remember “load your brain before your gun.”

Two incidents were reported last year during spring turkey season in which hunters were mistaken for game, one of which resulted in the year’s lone fatality. In addition, KDWPT received one report of a hunter being struck by pellets from an unknown shooter; however this was considered a rarity.

Although even one incident can be tragic, the number of incidents is small in comparison to the total number of hunt days in the field. Statistically, hunting is one of the safest outdoor activities.

“Thousands of hunters take to the field each and every hunting season and return home without an incident to mar their excursion,” said Barrett. “We can maintain this legacy of safety by not taking shortcuts in recognized safety procedures and remaining aware of what we do with our firearms.”

Related articles

• Special Hunts Program Provides Unique Hunting Opportunities (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Kansas COMMISSION BIG GAME PERMIT DEADLINE JANUARY 1 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Commission Big Game Permit Deadline January 1 (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Report Poachers Toll-free and Remain Anonymous (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• New Regs 2013 (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Animal killed by coyote hunters verified as wolf (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• News Roundup: 12/27/2012 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Iowa Deer Hunting News (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

PHONING OR TEXTING THE LOCATION OF A DEER TO ANOTHER HUNTER IS ILLEGAL

Law doesn’t allow hunters to radio or phone the location of game animals

PRATT—You see a big buck moving in the direction of your buddy’s deer stand. You want him be ready, so you grab your cell phone and without thinking you send him a text: “Big buck coming your way!” Unfortunately, you’ve just broken the law.
The law has been on the books for years, and many hunters are aware that two-way radios can’t be used to give the location of a game animal for the purpose of taking such animal. However, the law prohibits the use of “a radio or other mechanical device,” which includes cell phones. And a text is the same as a call. Don’t do it.

Other common violations that can be easily avoided include wearing the required amount of hunter orange, which is a vest with 100 square inches visible from the front and 100 square inches visible from the back and an orange hat. Remember to sign, date and affix your carcass tag to the deer before you move it from the site of the kill. And always have the proper permit and your hunting license on your person while hunting.

Related articles

• Firearm Deer Season Opens November 28 (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Conservation Officials work with hunters to monitor deer herd (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Electronic Registration of Deer Available (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)