For Immediate Release:
April 13, 2023

Contact:
Nadia Marji CMP®, Chief of Public Affairs
nadia.marji@ks.gov

Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission to Vote on Turkey, Waterfowl Seasons and Bag Limits

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will host its next public meeting at noon on April 27, 2023, at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum, 631 N. 126^th St., Bonner Springs. The meeting will begin with an introduction of Commissioners and guests, a review of agenda items and approval of past minutes.

Commissioners will then have final discussions on the following staff recommendations before taking a vote:

Fall turkey season, bag limit and permits

• The number of fall turkey hunters statewide has decreased substantially since 2015, at a rate of approximately 20 percent per year. In 2019, the statewide fall turkey season dates were reduced from October 1 through January 31 to October 1 through November 10, beginning in fall 2020. The estimated annual statewide fall harvest is less than 500 birds. While this is a small proportion of the statewide population, fall harvest is an additive source of mortality for turkeys – especially when hens are harvested. For these reasons, staff are recommending suspending the fall season statewide, beginning with the 2023 season.

Spring turkey season, bag limit and permits

• To reduce the overall turkey harvest, staff are recommending reducing bag limits in Unit 1 (northwest) and Unit 2 (northcentral) from two birds to one bird.
• To reduce overall hunting pressure and turkey harvest, staff are recommending reducing nonresident hunting participation by 25 percent in each unit by utilizing a draw system.
• To ensure residents in Unit 4 have the utmost opportunity to successfully apply for a Unit 4 permit, staff are recommending that Unit 4 permits not be valid in adjacent units.
• PROPOSED 2024 spring turkey season dates:
  • Youth/Hunters with disabilities: April 1-16, 2024
  • Archery: April 8-16, 2024
  • Firearm: April 17-May 31, 2024

PROPOSED 2023-2024 waterfowl season dates and bag limits

• Teal (High Plains): Sept. 16-24, 2023
• Teal (Low Plains): Sept. 9-24, 2023
• Youth, Veteran, Active Military (High Plains): Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2023
• Youth, Veteran, Active Military (Low Plains Early): Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2023
• Youth, Veteran, Active Military (Low Plains Late): Oct. 21-22, 2023
• Youth, Veteran, Active Military (Low Plains Southeast): Nov. 4-5, 2023
• Duck (High Plains): Oct. 7-Dec. 31, 2023 and Jan. 19-28, 2024
• Duck (Low Plains Early): Oct. 7-Dec. 3, 2023 and Dec. 23, 2023-Jan. 7, 2024
• Duck (Low Plains Late): Oct. 28-Dec. 31, 2023 and Jan. 20-28, 2024
• Duck (Low Plains Southeast): Nov. 11, 2023-Jan. 7, 2024 and Jan. 13-28, 2024
• White-fronted Geese: Oct. 28-Dec. 31, 2023 and Jan. 20-Feb. 11, 2024
• Dark and Light Geese: Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Nov. 2, 2023-Feb. 11, 2024
• Light Goose Conservation Order: Feb. 12-April 30, 2024

Following the public hearing portion of the meeting, Commissioners will welcome public comment on non-agenda items then hear an agency and state fiscal status update, followed by a brief legislative update.

A general discussion period will follow, before Commissioners hear several Workshop Session items – proposed regulation changes that may be voted on at a future date.

Click HERE to see the complete agenda, including a list of Workshop Items being heard on April 27, 2023.

Before adjourning, Commissioners will once again set aside time for public comment on non-agenda items.

The public is welcome and encouraged to participate in person or virtually via Zoom. Virtual participants may access login instructions HERE or watch live video/audio stream of the meeting HERE.

An interpreter for the hearing impaired can be requested by calling 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 Commission secretary at (620) 672-0702.

The next Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting will take place on June 22, 2023, at Acorns Resort in Milford.

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