BENEFIT WILDLIFE WITH THE CHECK OF A BOX

Help nongame species this tax season by checking the Chickadee

PRATT – With the flick of a pen, taxpayers can help support a wide variety of nongame

wildlife this tax season by making a donation to the Chickadee Checkoff program. To make a contribution, taxpayers simply mark the Chickadee Checkoff box on their state income tax forms and designate the amount they would like to donate. There is no minimum or incremental requirement. Donations can also be made directly to the Chickadee Checkoff program at any time throughout the year by mailing the donation to Chickadee Checkoff c/o Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) at 512 SE 25th Ave, Pratt, KS 67124.

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A program of KDWPT, Chickadee Checkoff uses donations to fund wildlife programs and initiatives, as well as numerous species assessments and habitat surveys statewide. Programs such as the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites (OWLS) at Kansas schools, Kansas Backyard Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Certification Program, and the Nursing Home Bird Feeder Program all benefit from Chickadee Checkoff proceeds. In addition, donations support much needed projects like the Prairie Windows project, Bluebird Nest Box Project, and the Small Grant Program.

Private donations are crucial in funding these vital programs, especially when Chickadee Checkoff proceeds are matched by federal funds. Contributions have been steadily decreasing in recent years, making it imperative that every Kansan mark the Chickadee Checkoff box this year. With the support of the Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants (KSCPA), KDWPT hopes to see more boxes checked this tax season.

For more information, please visit the KDWPT website www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Other Services/Wildlife Diversity/Chickadee Checkoff.” 

Related articles

• Applications Being Accepted for Commission Big Game Permits (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• January 1 Commission Big Game Permit Application Deadline (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Kansas Birding Big Year Competition Going on Now (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wildlife Checkpoint Planned in Central Ks (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

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.)

Related articles

• Applications Being Accepted for Commission Big Game Permits (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wildlife Checkpoint Planned in South Central Kansas (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Firearm Deer Season Opens December 4 (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wildlife Checkpoint Planned in Northcentral Kansas (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Landowner Permission a Must When Hunting Private Land (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Minnesota - Spring turkey hunting applications accepted through Jan. 10 (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Prairie Chicken Season Unique Hunting Opportunity (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)

KDWPT TO AUCTION GARDEN CITY BISON

FAMILY-OUTDOORS

Oct. 20, 2011
Older bulls to be sold through sealed bids submitted to the Pratt Operations Office
GARDEN CITY — In recent years, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) Sandsage Bison Range, near Garden City, has sold excess animals at an auction in Salina. However, this year, the area has a handful of adult and 3 ½-year-old bulls that must be removed from the herd. Because the Salina auction does not accept bulls older than 2 ½ years, area managers have decided to sell these older bulls through a sealed bid auction.

KDWPT is accepting sealed bids for the purchase of five bison bulls from this herd. Three of the bulls are mature adults 12-13 years old, originating from herds in the Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota and the National Bison Range in Montana. The other two are 3 ½-year-old sub-adults originally from the Ft. Robinson, Neb., herd. All animals will be tested for brucellosis; no other testing will be done.

Bids must be submitted to the Kansas Dept of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Attention: Purchasing, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124. Bids may also be faxed to 620-672-6020. Animals will be sold in dollars per pound live weight, so the bidder must indicate the dollars per pound for each animal bid on. Completed bid sheets must be received no later than noon on Friday, Nov. 4. Purchasers may bid on more than one animal, and each animal will be awarded to the highest bidder.

Successful bidders will be notified within seven days, at which time arrangements to pick up the animals will be made with the area manager. The purchaser is responsible for transporting the animals off the bison range. Animals may be picked up from Nov. 18 through Nov. 23. Payment must be cash or personal check if accompanied by notarized authorization letter from the issuing bank. Payment is due at the time of pick up once the animals have been weighed.

For more information, write Tom Norman, Herd Manager, Sandsage Bison Range and Wildlife Area, 785 S. Hwy 83, Garden City, KS 67846, or phone 620-276-8609 or 620-474-3645.

For a bid submittal form or to view photos of these buffalo, go online to http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Region-3/Sandsage-Bison-Range/Brochures/Bison-Auction .

Related articles

• Kdwpt Commission Big Game Permit Applications Due Jan. 1 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Kansas Deer Hunters: MUZZLELOADER, YOUTH/DISABLED, ARCHERY DEER SEASONS ON TAP (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Kansas: NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY SEPT. 24 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)