KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY FALL MEETING

Members of the public are welcome to join in on the feathery fun

PRATT – The Kansas Ornithological Society (KOS) will hold its fall meeting October 3-5 in Salina. This informative and fun gathering is open to everyone and will include an informal, come-and-go reception at Lakewood Discovery Center on Friday from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. On Saturday a paper session and business meeting will run 9 a.m. - 4:40 p.m., followed by the annual banquet from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. On Sunday, all-day field trips will start at 7 a.m.

The paper session and business meeting will take place at the Sams Hall of Fine Arts on Kansas Wesleyan University campus, where students involved in bird research will have the opportunity to present their results. Time will also be allotted for non-professional birders wishing to share information on less-formal bird observations and research. Following lunch, participants can enjoy a Birdwatchers’ Hour where photographers of all skill levels can showcase their images of birds from Kansas and around the world. During the business meeting, KOS members will vote on new officers and board of directors for 2015, receive a fiscal update on KOS, and address any changes regarding bylaws or rules of operation, if necessary.

The annual banquet is scheduled at the Salina Country Club and will feature an awards ceremony and keynote speaker, Al Batt, a contributing columnist for Birdwatcher’s Digest.

Sunday will conclude the three-day event with all-day field trips led by local experts. Participants will depart from Lakewood Middle School (across from Lakewood Discovery Center) at 7 a.m. Destinations include: Salina, Ottawa State Fishing Lake, Kanopolis Reservoir, McPherson State Fishing Lake and Abilene. A list of species compiled for these areas and a lunch will be provided for all pre-paid participants.

For more information, or to register, visit www.ksbirds.org, or contact Mike Rader atmike.rader@ksoutdoors.com or (620) 672-0708.

KANSAS WILDLIFE, PARKS AND TOURISM COMMISSION TO MEET JAN. 5

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Workshop items include big game and deer regulations

PRATT — The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at Kansas Wesleyan University’s Hauptli Student Center, 100 E. Claflin Ave. in Salina. The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m., and the evening session will begin at 7 p.m.

The afternoon session will begin with time for public comments on non-agenda items, followed by a general discussion period on the following topics:

• Secretary’s remarks
• Agency and state fiscal status
• 2012 legislative agenda
• Commissioner Big Game Permit drawing
• Tourism Division briefing
• Update on the Voluntary Public Access/Habitat Improvement Program
• Status report on the upland bird season
• Wildlife rehabilitation briefing

The afternoon workshop session will include discussion of preliminary recommendations on the following regulations in preparation for potential future regulatory action:

• Big game permanent regulations
• Potential changes in deer regulations for 2012
• Big game 25-Series regulations – deer
• Big game 25-Series regulations – elk/antelope
• Falconry regulations; and
• Fall turkey regulations.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 7 p.m. at the same location for discussion on Public Land regulations and to conduct a public hearing to set the Free Park Entrance and Free Fishing days.

There will be time in both the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on topics that are not on the agenda. If necessary, the commission will recess on Jan. 5 and reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., Jan. 6, to complete unfinished business.

Live video and audio streaming of this meeting will be broadcast through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website, www.kdwpt.state.ks.us.

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 Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at 620-672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for March 22 in Topeka at the Kansas Museum of History, 6425 SW 6th Avenue.

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SPECIAL WILDLIFE, PARKS AND TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING DEC. 6

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Commissioners to set regulations on take, use, and movement of bait fish or minnows
TOPEKA — On Tuesday, Dec. 6, the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a special meeting at the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Region 2 Office (basement conference room), 300 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka. The meeting was called to cover possible regulation changes that would go in effect in 2012 if approved, regarding the take, use, movement, and release of bait fish and minnows.

In addition to bait fish regulations, commissioners will also vote on a regulation change that would eliminate the second motor vehicle permit for Kansas state parks. The public is invited to attend the meeting and provide input.

The meeting will be called to order at 7 p.m., and time will be allowed for general public comment on non-agenda items, followed by a public hearing on the following regulations:

• KAR 115-2-2 — motor vehicle permit fees;
• KAR 115-7-3 — fish; taking and use of bait fish or minnows;
• KAR 115-7-6 — fishing; bait;
• KAR 115-7-10 — fishing; special provisions;
• KAR 115-8-6 — fishing, fish bait, and seining;
• KAR 115-8-12 — stocking or releasing of wildlife; and
• KAR 115-30-13 — removal of vessels from waters of the state.

The outcome of some of these regulations will result in one of three changes regarding the use of bait fish: 1) wild-caught bait fish may be used as live bait only within the impoundment or stream where taken; 2) wild-caught bait fish may be used as live bait only within the impoundment or stream where taken, except that green sunfish, bluegill, and yellow and black bullhead may be used in waters other than where they are taken; or 3) no change in the regulations. Live bait fish purchased from a licensed bait dealer may be used under any of these options.

Live video and audio streaming of this meeting will be broadcast through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) website, www.kdwpt.state.ks.us.

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 Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at 620-672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2012, at Kansas Wesleyan University (Hauptli Student Center), 100 East Claflin Ave. in Salina.

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KDWPT COMMISSION BIG GAME PERMIT APPLICATIONS DUE JAN. 1

October 6, 2011
Permits available to nonprofit organizations as fundraisers for conservation projects
PRATT — The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission is authorized to issue as many as seven Commission Big Game permits per calendar year. Of these, one may be an elk permit, one may be an antelope permit, and the remaining may be Either-Species/Either-Sex Deer permits.

These permits are only available to nonprofit organizations that actively promote wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage. Only one Commission Big Game permit may be issued to a qualified organization, but this limitation does not preclude more than one chapter of the same organization from being issued permits. Organizations’ chapters are not eligible to receive a Commission Big Game permit more than once in a three-year period. Organizations that oppose hunting and fishing are not eligible for these permits.

Organizations must provide a copy of their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, articles of incorporation, and their mission statement with application. Further documentation may be required to confirm qualifying status.

Organizations receiving Commission Big Game permits must market the permit to the public in order to receive the maximum financial benefit available to both the organization and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). Organizations awarded permits by random draw must pay KDWPT the price established by rules and regulations for the highest value for the type of permit awarded. For most organizations, at least 85 percent must be remitted to the department for use on jointly-approved projects. The remainder may be spent at the organization’s discretion.

The application deadline for Commission Big Game Permits is Jan. 1, 2012. To apply, write Sheila Kemmis, Commission Secretary, KDWPT, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.

On Jan. 5, 2012, the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a random drawing from the pool of applicants during its scheduled public meeting at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina.

Permits and prices are as follow:

• deer — Either-Species/Either-Sex permit, available to resident or nonresident, valid statewide during any season with legal equipment at a cost of $322.50;
• elk — Either-Species/Either-Sex Elk permit, available to resident or nonresident and valid anywhere within elk management units during any season with legal equipment, including Fort Riley during seasons and restrictions established by Fort Riley, at a cost of $252.50; and
• antelope — Either-Species/Either-Sex Antelope permit, available to resident or nonresident and valid anywhere in antelope management units during any season with legal equipment at a cost of $202.50.

Successful organizations will be issued a voucher signifying the type of permit awarded. The buyer must present the voucher to KDWPT’s Licensing Section, and a permit will be issued in the buyer’s name. After a Commission Big Game permit is issued in the name of the final recipient, it may not be transferred to any other individual for any reason. Any Commission Big Game permit is subject to the restrictions of the season, sex, equipment type, or hunt units issued on the permit.

For more information, phone 620-672-5911, ext. 102.

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