Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission to Meet in Topeka March 20

Commission to hear free park entrance and fishing days, big game season recommendations

The Kansas Historical Society History Center, 6425 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, will be the site of the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission public meeting and hearing March 20, 2014. The afternoon session will begin at 1:00 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m., with the evening session reconvening at 6:30 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’s 2014 marketing plans, webless migratory birds, early migratory bird seasons, Fort Riley deer, the use of dogs to track wounded deer, coyote hunting during firearm deer season, hunting the same day a deer or turkey permit is purchased, 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 January meeting. Workshop topics, which will be discussed for potential regulatory action at a future meeting, include regulations pertaining to upland birds, regulations regarding public lands, the five-year review of Kansas threatened and endangered species lists, and regulations pertaining to antelope season, bag limit, and permits. 

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 6:30 p.m. at the same location for the public hearing. The public hearing will be focused on free park entrance and free fishing days; elk season, bag limit and permit; and deer season, including bag limit, and permits.

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., March 21, to complete any unfinished business.

A commercial-free version of live video and audio streaming of commission meetings will be broadcast through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism 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 April 17, 2014 at the Great Plains NatureCenter, 6232 East 29th St. N., Wichita.