Daily Archives: October 3, 2013

Hunters can Process Deer in Field with Electronic Registration

Voluntary electronic deer registration allows hunters to transport a carcass without a head attached

With permit sales reaching nearly 100,000 every year, whitetail deer are easily one of Kansas’ most sought-after big game animals. One important regulation deer hunters should be aware of is deer must be tagged before being moved from the site of the kill. Unless a hunter has an either-sex permit, the head must also remain attached to the carcass for identification purposes while in transit to a residence or place of commercial processing or preservation. In an effort to allow hunters to bone out deer prior to transport, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism created a voluntary electronic deer check-in system. Electronic registration is not required but allows hunters to register their deer through the Internet, using photos taken at the harvest site. Once registered, hunters will receive a confirmation number that allows them to transport the carcass without the head attached. If Internet access is unavailable at the kill site, the hunter can retain the photographs while in transit and a registration number can be obtained later.

This registration process requires a hunter to submit two digital photographs — one close-up clearly showing the completed tag attached to the deer and a second showing the entire body of the deer with the head still attached. Once logged on to the KDWPT website, a hunter must submit the photos and enter the KDWPT number from their permit, time and date of the kill and the county where the deer was taken. A confirmation number will be issued by email when the photos and data are successfully received. This confirmation number must be retained during transportation.

Once these steps are completed, the deer head may be removed and the carcass prepared for transportation. The system allows KDWPT staff to see the deer and the hunter’s completed tag without the time and expense of maintaining a check station. This flexibility is a benefit to both the hunter and KDWPT. To access the electronic deer check-in, go online to the KDWPT website, www.ksoutdoors.com, and click “Hunting/Big Game/Deer/Deer Check-in.”

This option was developed to address two important issues regarding deer carcass transportation. The first concern is about the movement of any material from a deer that may contribute to the transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD). It is believed that spread of CWD could be diminished if certain body parts affected by the disease are not moved from the site where the deer is taken. Because CWD affects the brain and central nervous system, the transportation of a deer head and skeleton from one location to another is considered a likely means for the disease to spread. The new registration system allows a hunter to leave these items at the kill site, minimizing the possibility of spreading CWD.

The second concern is directly related to the first. Many states have adopted strict regulations to prevent the spread of CWD. Typically, these regulations do not allow the transportation of a deer head with brain tissue from a state with confirmed CWD cases. Hunters have been cited in other states and their deer confiscated for not complying with the transportation laws of that state. The new registration system allows a hunter to properly dispose of the head and legally transport the boned meat, as well as the cleaned skull cap and antlers, to the hunter’s home.

More information on CWD and transportation laws may be found on the KDWPT website,www.ksoutdoors.com under “Hunting/Big Game/Chronic Wasting Disease.”  

Kansas State Parks and Wildlife Areas Remain Open

Wildlife areas and state parks operated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism NOT affected by federal government shutdown.

The Kansas Department of Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is a state agency and all offices, wildlife areas, education centers and state parks operated by the agency remain open. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced that the government shutdown will impact access for hunting and fishing on all national wildlife refuges (NWR). The USFWS operates four national wildlife refuges in Kansas: Kirwin NWR in Phillips County, Quivira NWR in Stafford County, Flint Hills NWR in Coffey County, and Marais des Cygnes NWR in Linn County.

According to the email from Matt Hogan, Deputy Regional Director for the USFWS’s Mountain-Prairie Region, operations on the NWRs will cease under the shutdown, including hunting and fishing on these areas. The NWRs in Kansas primarily offer waterfowl hunting opportunities, and all are within the Late or Southeast Duck zones. Duck season opens Oct. 26 in the Late Zone and Nov. 2 in the Southeast Zone. Goose seasons open Oct. 26, statewide.

KDWPT-managed wildlife areas are not affected by the shutdown and will remain open. Waterfowl areas managed by KDWPT in the Early Duck Zone include Cheyenne Bottoms, Jamestown, McPherson and Texas Lake. The regular duck season in the Early Duck Zone is Oct. 5–Dec. 1, 2013 and Dec. 21, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014.

Also, according to a news release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Kansas City District office, USACE-operated parks and day-use areas on state reservoirs will be closed during the shutdown. The USACE operates parks at Big Hill, Clinton, Council Grove, John Redmond, Kanopolis,Marion, Melvern, Milford, Perry, Pomona, Tuttle Creek, and Wilson reservoirs. KDWPT state parks remain open on the above listed lakes except Big Hill, Council Grove and Marion. All 26 Kansas state parks remain open for camping, day-use and lake access.

KDWPT offices will be open during regular hours, and access to all wildlife areas and state parks operated by the department remains unchanged. For more information on Kansas state parks, public hunting areas and hunting regulations, go to www.ksoutdoors.com.

Deer Processing Workshop Oct. 24

Venison 101 participants will learn the basics of getting a deer from the field to the dinner table

Fall is officially here and that means freezers are going to start filling up with deer meat. Whether you are a beginner or veteran deer hunter, or just looking to expand your culinary repertoire, consider attending the “Venison 101: From Field to Table” deer processing workshop. Hosted by the Central Kansas Extension District and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), the workshop will be conducted Oct. 24, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Scout Hall in Minneapolis. Participants will learn how to process and prepare delicious venison the whole family will enjoy. In addition to the workshop, participants can enjoy a chili supper and drawings for door prizes. The cost to attend is $10.00 per person, with pre-registration required by Oct. 17.

“We believe hunters of all experience levels should be able to enjoy their product long after the hunt has ended,” said extension agent Leah Robinson. “If the game is handled properly along the way, the fruit of hard work can continue to the dinner table.”

Speakers from K-State Research and Extension and KDWPT will provide an in-depth cutting demonstration, various home processing methods, and talk about food safety practices. Changes and updates regarding hunting laws and deer diseases will also be discussed.

For more information, or to register for the workshop, contact Robinson at (785) 392-2147.