2014 COMISSION BIG GAME PERMIT WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Being awarded a Commission Big Game Permit can mean big fundraising dollars for

conservation-based nonprofits

PRATT – On Jan. 9, 2014, a total of seven conservation-based nonprofit organizations were awarded a Commission Big Game Permit at the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s commission public meeting held at Southwestern College in Winfield. A total of 99 successful applications were received for the seven highly-sought after permits consisting of one elk, one antelope, and five deer permits. Because each organization is asked to rank each permit by first choice through last choice, a total of one elk and six deer permits were awarded this year. In order to be considered for this drawing, applicants had to be a Kansas-based nonprofit organization that works to promote wildlife conservation, as well as hunting and fishing.

2014 Commission Big Game Permit winners are as follows:

ELK PERMIT

RMEF - Traveling Committee

DEER PERMITS

Ducks Unlimited - Cloud County Chapter

Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc. - Kaw Valley

Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc.

Friends of NRA - South Central KS - Pratt #KS-18

Friends of NRA - Sunflower State #KS-30

Deer: Friends of NRA - Tri Valley #KS-36

The winning applicants received the permit in the form of a voucher. Typically these vouchers are sold to the highest bidder, who can then exchange the voucher for their designated big game permit through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) licensing section. Once a voucher is sold, the price of the permit and 85 percent of the total is returned to KDWPT. The conservation group keeps 15 percent to spend at its discretion. After a conservation project is approved, the 85 percent is returned to the group to fund the project.

Past projects include Pass It On activities, Hunter Education courses, habitat development and restoration, as well as archery and shooting clinics for youth and adults.

For more information on the Commission Big Game Permit program, or instructions on how to apply for 2015, contact commission secretary Sheila Kemmis at (620) 672-0702.

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JANUARY 1 COMMISSION BIG GAME PERMIT APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications are still being accepted for the 2014 drawing

PRATT – Seventy-two Kansas-based nonprofit organizations have already applied for the coveted

Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission Big Game Permits, but there is still time left for other organizations to apply. Applicants have until Jan.1, 2014 to apply for one of seven big game permits to be drawn at the Jan. 9, 2014 commission meeting. Permits may include one elk, one antelope or up to seven deer, depending upon the preferences of the drawn organizations.

Any Kansas-based nonprofit organization that actively promotes wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage is eligible to apply. Only one permit per organization will be awarded; however, individual chapters of the same organization may receive permits. A chapter or organization is eligible to receive only one Commission Big Game permit in a three-year period.

Organizations that draw a permit must pay KDWPT the permit fee, and they will be issued a voucher. The voucher can then be auctioned off to raise money for conservation projects. The final recipient must remit the voucher to KDWPT’s licensing section to receive the big game permit. Permits may be issued to resident or nonresident hunters and are valid in management units and seasons listed on the permits.

To apply, organizations must submit an application that includes a copy of their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, articles of incorporation and mission statement, as well as the organization’s preference for an elk, antelope or deer permit. Applications can be downloaded from KDWPT’s website, www.ksoutdoors.com; enter “2013 Commission Big Game Permit” in the search box. Mail applications to Sheila Kemmis, Commission Secretary, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.

Once an organization sells a permit, not less than 85 percent of the amount is returned to KDWPT to be spent on mutually agreed-upon projects. The remaining 15 percent can be spent at the organization’s discretion. (If Kansas Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KFHFH) receives a permit, not less than 15 percent of the funds raised is remitted to KDWPT with 85 percent staying with KFHFH.)

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SEASON OF GIVING STARTS EARLY FOR SOME DEER HUNTERS

One donated deer can create as many as 200 meals at a local food pantry

PRATT ­– The holidays are often a time when we reflect back on all that we are given, and in the state of Kansas, we are fortunate enough to have an abundance of natural resources, including a healthy and stable big game population. And because of this abundant resource, hunters in Kansas have opportunities unmatched by other states, such as the ability to obtain as many as five whitetail

antlerless deer permits, in addition to an either-sex permit, in some areas of the state.

Under the right conditions, a hunter’s freezer can quickly fill up with a surplus of game meat, far more than they can consume by next season. This is where the Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KSHFH) comes in. KSHFH is a nonprofit organization that is the conduit for hunters to donate deer and provide food for hungry Kansans. With the help of hunters, meat processors, and private donors, KSHFH annually provides thousands of meals to those in need. Last year, hunters donated 997 deer and 17 elk to nearly 40 meat lockers, putting food on the tables of nearly 100 food banks across the state.

“Our goal for this year is to see 1,200 deer donated and processed, and served at 160 food pantries throughout the state,” said KSHFH President, Tony DeRossett. “Too often we run out of money before we can pay for all of the processing, but I am optimistic our new donation system will make it easier for people to contribute to the organization’s efforts and make our goal a reality this year.”

DeRossett said that the annual cost of processing the donated deer is approximately $70,000.

New for 2014, money donations can be made to KSHFH by texting “DEER” to 91011. A reply text will then ask for credit card information, including the donation amount. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism also makes supporting this program easy. When outdoorsmen and women buy licenses, permits, or stamps, they can donate $2 to fund the program, which the agency collects for KSHFH. Donations made by check can also be mailed to KSHFH at 17811 Donahoo Rd., Tonganoxie, KS, 66086.

KSHFH invites hunters to donate any legally-harvested deer, antelope, elk, or moose to one of the more than 40 participating meat processors around the state found at www.kshfh.org/lockers. It’s always a good idea to call ahead before taking your deer to a processor, but walk-ins are welcome. There is no cost to donate your deer as long as the KSHFH organization has sufficient funding to cover the processing expense. Donated game must be field dressed and legally tagged.

For more information on how you can help, visit www.kshfh.org.

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