Daily Archives: August 26, 2012

Status of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in Kansas

The attached map shows where deer have been tested and the status of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Kansas. EHD is a hemorrhagic disease caused by a virus and spread by the bite of a midge or small fly, usually during the late summer or early fall, when the midge becomes active.

This virus is not transmissible to humans. The virus is not known to be transmissible from an infected deer to other deer through individual contact.

There are several forms of EHD. Some forms of EHD kill deer quickly while others simply make the deer sick for a while before recovering. The virus can lead to high fever, causing infected deer to seek water to cool off. Dead deer usually are found in or near water. In most cases, infected deer are in good body condition because the disease usually runs its course and kills the animal quickly. EHD is not a threat to humans.

          The public should report any sick deer or deer that are acting abnormal to their local Natural Resource Officer or Regional Office. A listing of the 5 KDWPT Regional Offices is available online athttp://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Services/Law-Enforcement/Who-do-I-call.


2012 Kansas Hunting Regulations Summary Online

Printed copies available in early September

Printed copies of the 2012 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary will be available at Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) offices and license vendors around the state about the first of September, but hunters can view or download the summary beginning Aug. 24 at the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com. Type “Hunting Regulations” in the search box or click on “Hunting” then “Hunting Regulations.”

As always, this year’s booklet contains several new regulations. In addition to changes in season dates, significant new regulations include the following:

Big game animals

Crossbows may be used during the archery season by hunters who possess a youth big game permit valid during the archery season and hunters 55 and older who possess a big game permit valid during the archery season.

In a two-year pilot project, any person with an archery or any season deer permit valid in deer management units 1, 12, 15, and 19 may use a crossbow during deer archery season, regardless of age or disability. Each person age 16 through 54 shall obtain a free crossbow hunter survey number from the KDWPT website before hunting with a crossbow during archery season.

Migratory birds

Doves shall only be taken while in flight.

Legal shooting hours for sandhill cranes are from sunrise to sunset throughout the season.

2013 Senior license exemption

On Jan. 1, 2013, hunters age 65-74 will be required to have a hunting license. A reduced-price lifetime combination hunting/fishing license or a half-price annual fishing, annual hunting, or combination annual license will be available.

Upland game

The Southwest Prairie Chicken Unit now includes that area west of U.S. Highway 281 and south of Hwy 96. The Northwest Unit includes that area west of U.S. Highway 281 and north of Highway 96 and will offer an early season, Sept. 15-Oct. 15.

Prairie chicken hunters must purchase a $2.50 prairie chicken permit before harvesting a bird this fall.

Public lands (including WIHA)

Commercial guides must have a permit, available on the KDPWT website, to guide on public lands. The permit is free and must be specific to the land where guiding takes place.

Baiting while hunting or preparing to hunt is illegal on public lands.

Only two portable blinds or tree stands are allowed per hunter.

Portable blinds may not be left unattended overnight.

Tree stands and portable blinds must be marked with the owner’s name and address or KDWPT number.

Decoys may not be left unattended overnight.

Turkey

Management units for fall turkey hunting have changed to six units.

Other regulations are covered in this indispensable booklet. Download a copy as soon as it’s available or pick up a printed copy in early September.

KWPT Commission Approves Duck and Goose Seasons

Low Plains Southeast Zone duck season to open Nov. 15

The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission approved season dates for the 2012-2013 duck and goose seasons at a public hearing conducted at the Kansas Wetlands EducationCenter near Great Bend on Aug. 23. Duck seasons are as follows: High Plains Unit – Oct. 6-Dec. 30 and Jan. 19-27, 2013; Low Plains Early Zone – Oct. 6-Dec. 2 and Dec. 15-30, 2012; Low Plains Late Zone – Oct. 27-Dec. 30 and Jan. 19-27, 2013; Low Plains Southeast Zone – Nov. 15, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013.

The 2012-2013 goose seasons are as follows: White-fronted geese – Oct. 27-Dec. 30 and Feb. 2-10, 2013; Canada and brant geese – Oct. 27-Nov. 4 and Nov. 7, 2012-Feb. 10, 2013; Light geese (Ross’ and snow) – Oct. 27-Nov. 4 and Nov. 7, 2012-Feb. 10, 2013; Light geese conservation order – Feb. 11-April 30, 2013.

Shooting hours for duck and goose hunting are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit for ducks is 6 ducks with species and sex restrictions as follows: 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 pintails, 2 redheads and 1 canvasback. Daily bag limit for mergansers is 5 (only 2 of which may be hooded). Daily bag limit for coots is 15. Daily bag limits for geese are as follows: 3 Canada geese, 2 white-fronted geese, and 20 light geese. Possession limit for ducks and geese is twice the daily bag limit, except there is no possession limit for light geese. During the conservation order for light geese, there is no daily bag or possession limit.

Special youth waterfowl seasons allow youth 15 and younger to hunt under the supervision of an adult 18 years old or older. The adult may not hunt. Shooting hours and bag limits are the same as during the regular duck and goose seasons. Youth seasons are as follows: High Plains Unit and Low Plains Early Zone – Sept. 29-30; Low Plains Late Zone – Oct. 20-21; and Low Plains Southeast Zone – Nov. 3-4.

The Commission also approved changes to the falconry regulations, which bring Kansasstate regulations in compliance with federal requirements and allows falconers to operate under a state-managed system with federal oversight.

Changes were approved to rehabilitation permit regulations as a result of changes in the falconry regulations related to the possession requirements for treatment of injured animals.

The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will meet next on October 18 at Flint Oak,Fall River.