Yes Nomercy it is true, but it has always been that way. I have been working on this for several years. I am now and never have been a fan of " extended" or " special seasons" . It seems obvious to me that the need for an extended or special season is an admission by the Game managers that they are not or have not responded appropriately to the needs of the deer population or the State constituents demands.

The real problem is as follows: 1) There are way too many centerfire hunters on too little land for too short of time, 2) KDWP has reduced land open to centerfire hunting for the last 10 years according to the 5 year management plans (public record) for the public land holdings so we loose more prime state hunting land access, 3) NONE of the federal wildlife refuges in Kansas that are open big game hunting allow the use of centerfire of any kind including handgun, 4) 75,000 to 100,000 centerfire hunters (plus all the other unsuccessful method hunters that do not fill their tags and the upland and waterfowl hunters) are condensed onto that reduced land access. These four issues are what is driving hunting leasing in Kansas now.

Now on to the consequences: Centerfire success rate for the last year dropped to it' s lowest point since the late 70' s as 50.1 % where as archery has increased to 52% according to the Big game coordinator and the Bowsite.com/kansas. The centerfire permit demand has almost doubled as archery permit demand has receded about 10-12%. I have a lot of research on the subject if you would like to hear about it.

I too saw more deer this last season in the NW NC KS than I have ever seen during the centerfire season, but we did have a new moon during the season for the first time in 6 years.

Good Hunting All!!

The Rifle has portected our liberty, fed our families, and generated a sacred tradition. It' s rightful place is above the fireplace for all to see our gratitude.