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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APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR COMMISSION BIG GAME PERMITS

Eligible non-profits can enter to draw a deer, elk, or antelope permit for fundraising

PRATT ­– At the upcoming Jan. 9 Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commission meeting at Southwestern College in Winfield, seven lucky wildlife conservation groups will be drawn from a pool of applicants to receive a big game permit voucher. These vouchers can then be sold to the highest bidder to raise money for the organization’s conservation efforts, with 15 percent of the sales going directly back to the chapter, and 85 percent going to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) to be spent on mutually agreed-upon projects.

Any Kansas-based nonprofit organization that actively promotes wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage is eligible to apply now through Jan. 1, 2014. 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. 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 25 Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.

A total of seven permits may be issued, including one elk, one antelope and up to seven deer, depending upon the preferences of the drawn organizations. Organizations that draw a permit must first pay KDWPT the permit fee, and then they will be issued a voucher. The final recipient of the voucher then remits the voucher to KDWPT’s licensing section for the actual big game permit. Permits may be issued to resident or nonresident hunters, and are valid in management units and seasons listed on the permits.

If Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KSHFH) 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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KANSAS WILDLIFE, PARKS AND TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING OCT. 17

Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission to conduct last meeting of the year

PRATT – The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, 1100 N. Plum, Hutchinson, will be the location

of the next Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission public meeting and hearing Oct. 17, 2013. The afternoon session will begin at1:30 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m., with the evening session reconvening at 7 p.m.

The afternoon session will begin with time for public comments on non-agenda items, followed by a general discussion period. Topics covered in the general discussion include: Secretary’s remarks regarding agency and state fiscal status and an update on the 2014 legislature, a briefing on tourism, the Bass Pass program, a series of antelope and elk regulations, and an update on the potential federal listing of lesser prairie chickens.

During the afternoon session, commissioners will workshop items that were covered under general discussion at the August meeting. Workshop topics, which will be discussed for potential regulatory action at a future meeting, include permanent regulations pertaining to big game, a series of deer-specific regulations, and regulations regarding state parks.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 7 p.m. at the same location for the public hearing. The public hearing will be focused on youth permit fees; special provisions pertaining to fishing, as well as creel, size, and possession limits, and open season; and spring turkey season, including bag limits, permits, and game tags.

Time will be available in both the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on topics not on the agenda. If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., Oct. 18, to complete any unfinished business.

A commercial-free version of live video and audio streaming of commission meetings will be broadcast through the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com.

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. 9, 2014 at Southwestern College, 100 College St., Winfield.

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