APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR LIMITED RESIDENT ELK PERMITS JULY 12

Boasting body weights that can easily reach a quarter-ton, elk are one of the largest land mammals to roam Kansas. Known for their brute

strength and the extraordinary antlers of males, these members of the deer family are prized by big game hunters far and wide, and were native on the Kansas prairie before settlement.

Although individuals and small herds exist throughout the state, most Kansas elk are concentrated on Fort Riley in elk management unit 2a. This summer, hundreds of hunters and military personnel will apply for a Fort Riley elk permit, however only about 25 will receive one. Fort Riley elk permits issued this year will include 10 either-sex and 15 antlerless-only. The 15 antlerless-only permits will be divided evenly among three segments: October, November, and December.

For other who wish to hunt elk outside of Fort Riley, general resident, landowner/tenant, and hunt-own-land permits are available. An unlimited number of resident and landowner/tenant either-sex or antlerless-only permits authorized for Unit 3 are available online and over-the-counter July 30, 2013 through March 14, 2014. Unlimited hunt-own-land either-sex and antlerless-only elk permits authorized for Units 2 and 3 will also be made available online and over-the counter through March 14, 2014. Hunt-own-land permits are valid during any season with equipment authorized for that season.

Elk permit prices are as follows:

Any-Elk (Either-sex)

• General Resident: $252.50
• Hunt-own-land: $127.50
• Resident Youth (15 and younger): $127.50

Antlerless-Only Elk

• General resident: $102.50
• Hunt-own-land: $52.50
• Resident Youth (15 and younger): $52.50

Elk season dates are as follows:

On Fort Riley (Elk management unit 2a)

• Muzzleloader and Archery Season: Sept. 1 - Sept. 30, 2013
• Firearms Season for Holders of Any-Elk Permits: Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2013
• Firearms Antlerless First Segment: Oct. 1- Oct. 31, 2013
• Firearms Antlerless Second Segment: Nov. 1 - Nov. 30, 2013
• Firearms Antlerless Third Segment: Dec. 1 - Dec. 31, 2013

Outside Fort Riley (Elk management units 2 and 3)

• Muzzleloader Season: Sept. 1 - Sept. 30, 2013
• Archery Season: Sept. 16 - Dec. 31, 2013
• Firearms Season: Dec. 4 - Dec. 15, 2013 and Jan. 1 - Mar.15, 2014

To apply for or purchase an elk permit, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting / Applications and Fees / Antelope & Elk.” A fee of $7.69 will be applied to every elk permit application and to those purchasing a bonus point.

Related articles

• Landowners and deer benefit from Deer Management Assistance Program (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Firearm Antelope Application Deadline June 14 (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)

JULY 8 DEADLINE FOR RESIDENT ELK, FIREARM EITHER-SPECIES DEER APPLICATIONS

Apply online for Elk and Firearm Either-Species/Either-Sex deer permits

PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) reminds resident hunters that 2011 Firearm Either-Species/Either-Sex Deer permit applications are due July 8. Applications are available online atwww.kdwpt.state.ks.us and must be submitted online or by phone, 620-672-0728. No paper mail-in applications will be accepted. These permits allow firearm hunters to take a mule deer or white-tailed deer of either sex. General resident permits cost $37.50. Landowner/tenant permits cost $22.50, plus internet processing fees. Unsuccessful applicants will be charged a $6.50 application fee and receive one preference point for next year's drawing.

There are two mule deer zones for resident firearm hunters. In the West Zone (Deer Management Units 1, 2, 17, and 18), 1,290 permits are allocated. In the East Zone (Deer Management Units 3, 4, 5, 7, and 16), 1,000 permits are allocated.

Applications for limited resident elk permits valid in units 2A (Ft. Riley), 2, and 3 (most of Morton County closed) are also due July 8 through online application. Ten Either-Sex and 15 Antlerless-Only Elk permits are allocated for this drawing.

A unlimited number of Hunt-Own-Land Antlerless Only Elk and Hunt-Own-Land Either Sex Elk permits will be available for most of Kansas, except a portion of Morton County, which is closed to elk hunting. A Hunt-Own-Land Elk permit is valid during any elk season, and the bag limit is one elk as specified on the permit. These permits will be available July 25, 2011, through March 14, 2012.

An unlimited number of general resident Antlerless-Only Elk permits and Either-Sex Elk permits will be available over the counter. These permits are valid in Unit 3 (most of Kansas except Fort Riley and Morton County) only. The bag limit for each unlimited over-the-counter elk permit will be one elk as specified on the permit. These permits are also available July 25, 2011, through March 14, 2012. While most elk in Kansas inhabit the Fort Riley area, some small populations may be found in western Kansas on private land. KDWPT recommends that hunters make sure they have permission to hunt before purchasing a permit.

General resident Either-Sex Elk permits cost $252.50, and landowner/tenant Either-Sex permits are $127.50. General resident Antlerless-Only Elk permits cost $102.50. Landowner/tenant Antlerless-Only Elk permits are $52.50. The fee to apply for an elk permit is $7.69. Those unsuccessful in the drawing for limited permits valid on Fort Riley will receive a bonus point.

Applicants for limited elk permits valid on Fort Riley must apply online or by phone, 620-672-0728, by July 8. For more information, visit the KDWPT website, www.kdwpt.state.ks.us, or phone the nearest agency office. Elk and deer season information may be found on the website at Hunting/When to Hunt/Big Game.

ANTELOPE, ELK SEASON DATES SET

Image via Wikipedia Dates set at April 21 meeting of Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission in Wichita
PRATT — At the Public Hearing portion of the April 21 meeting of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission, regulations for antelope and elk seasons were approved.
Pronghorn antelope season dates for 2011 include the follow: Archery – Sept. 24-Oct. 2 and Oct. 15-31; Muzzleloader – Oct. 3-10; and Firearm – Oct. 7-10. The application deadline for the resident-only firearm and muzzleloader permits is June 10. Resident and nonresident pronghorn antelope archery permits are unlimited and available over the counter through Oct. 30.
Elk season dates for 2011, both on Fort Riley (Unit 2A) and off the fort were also set: Archery statewide (except units 1 and 2A) — Sept. 19-Dec. 31; Fort Riley (Unit 2A) – Sept. 1-Oct. 2. Muzzleloader statewide (except Unit 2A and a portion of Morton County, Unit 1) – Sept. 1-Oct. 2; Fort Riley – Sept. 1-Oct. 2. Firearm statewide (except Unit 2A and Unit 1) – Nov. 30-Dec. 11 and Jan. 1-March 15, 2012; Fort Riley (Unit 2A) Antlerless Only permits first segment, Oct. 1-31, second segment, Nov. 1-30, third segment, Dec. 1-31. Fort Riley firearm season for holders of Either-Species/Either-Sex permits — Oct. 1-Dec. 31.
As in past seasons, a limited quota of any elk and antlerless only elk permits that are valid on Fort Riley (Unit 2A) and in units 2 and 3 will be available to residents and Fort Riley military personnel only. The application deadline for limited-quota elk permits is July 8, 2011. Unlimited hunt-own-land elk permits are valid in units 2 and 3 and will be available through March 14, 2012. Over-the-counter elk permits valid only in Unit 3 will be available through March 14, 2012. Applications will be available online June 8. No paper applications are available, but those without internet access may apply by phone, 620-672-5911, and ask for Licensing.