HAYS -- The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission met June 23 and passed new regulations focusing primarily on upland game and early migratory birds.

Prairie chicken seasons were set with two changes from previous years: the Southwest Unit was expanded by moving its northern boundary to Interstate 70 and the season opening the third Saturday in November (Nov. 19, 2005) and closing Dec. 31. (The Southwest Unit's season had previously run Dec. 1-Jan. 31.) As in previous years, the early prairie chicken season will run Sept. 15-Oct. 15 (east of U.S. 281 only). However, the regular season will run the third Saturday in November through Jan. 31 in the East and Northwest units. The bag limit is two in the East and Northwest units and one in the Southwest Unit. The possession limit is four times the daily bag limit.

Quail seasons remain unchanged for 2005, opening the second Saturday in November (Nov. 12) and closing Jan. 31 in the Eastern Unit and the opening the third Saturday in November (Nov. 19) and closing Jan. 31 in the Western Unit. The youth season will be Nov. 5-6. The daily bag limit is eight quail in the regular season and four quail in the youth season. The regular season possession limit is four times the daily bag limit.

The 2005 pheasant season also remains unchanged from previous years. It will open the second Saturday in November and close Jan. 31. Concurrent with the youth quail season, the youth pheasant season will be Nov. 5-6. The regular season daily bag limit is four rooster pheasants. The possession limit is four times the daily bag limit. Youth season bag and possession limits are half of the regular season limits.

The commission approved changes for 2006 as follow:

Pheasant Season

• Season: First Saturday in November through Jan. 31 (statewide).
• Youth season: Last Saturday in October running two consecutive days.
• Bag limit: Four rooster pheasants in the regular season, two in the youth season. The regular season possession limit is four times the daily bag limit.

Quail Season

• Second Saturday in November through the third Sunday in January, statewide.
• Youth season: First Saturday in November through first Sunday in November.
• Bag limit: eight quail in regular season, four quail in youth season. The possession limit is four times the daily bag limit.

The commission also set 2005 early migratory bird season, with tentative dates for teal pending final frameworks to be set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Early migratory bird seasons and limits will run as follow:

• Rail (Sora and Virginia) -- Sept. 1 through Nov. 9; bag and possession limits 25 and 25, respectively.
• Snipe -- Sept. 1 through Dec. 16; bag and possession limits eight and 16, respectively.
• Woodcock -- Oct. 15 through Nov. 28; bag and possession limits three and six, respectively.
• Teal, High Plains Zone -- Sept. 17-25 or Sept. 10 - Sept. 25 or Sept. 17-24; bag and possession limits four and eight, respectively.
• Teal, Low Plains Zone -- Sept. 17-25 or Sept. 10-25; bag and possession limits four and eight, respectively.
• September Canada goose -- Sept. 3-12 (around the cities of Wichita, Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City only); bag and possession limits three and six, respectively.

In addition to regulatory action, a report was given on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' (KDWP) new phone sales system now available for hunting and fishing licenses. Internet sales are expected to be available in early July, and by August, the system will offer deer permits. Other components of the system, including state park permits, will be incorporated into the system by October. The system will allow surveys to be more efficient and timely; administrative accounting procedures and revenue handling more accurate and timely; and printing, distribution, and disposal of license books eliminated.

In addition, law enforcement officers will be able to access the license database any time of the day or night to confirm privileges held by license and permit holders. The system will prohibit sale of licenses to individuals who are not entitled to receive them; duplicate permits and licenses will be available through any vendor; vendors won't run out of licenses during peak times; parks managers will be able to know who is in a park at any given time; and park permits will be available at more locations.

The next meeting of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will be Aug. 25 at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita. Late migratory bird seasons will be set at that time. For more information, visit the KDWP website .
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