Randy,

The Senators I talked with are on the Narural Resources, Governmental Ethics, and State Affairs committees. They are a little removed from the eye of the storm so to speak, but have some input. The ones I have talked with were more intent in allowing more access and herd management issues. In fact one I talked with was very upset about the centerfire extension study KDWP did in 1997 and tried to keep quiet. That study showed that the extension of rifle season was acceptable to almost everyone except the archery hunters. I cannot and willnot believe that all those surveyed who were in favor of extending the centerfire season did not care about the deer herd or deer management issues. The KDWP reasoning not to extend the season was Trophy management and concern that the herd population would be lowered. Two years later, the KDWP and Commission came out with the extended doe season and the game tags....not the legislature... to reduce the population. It is all in public records, very well documented. As you can see that seems a little like 2 sided logic. The public meeting minutes are available and document the progression of all the issues.

The Legislators had nothing to do with liberalizing of tag #' s and entended doe season acccording to the recorded testimony, commission discussion, commission voting record, and public input in Public meeting minutes of the time. You would be very suprised whose names come up in the public input section. Some of the same people fighting with you were the ones who were lobbying for taking of does just 3 short years ago for trophy management concerns. I have collected those over the years to go along with the research I have been doing. The excess tags idea originated in KDWP and the Commission voted on it because of the large doe/buck ratios. The concern was to produce Trophy bucks and to do this the theory goes you need a low doe/buck ratio. I think when you review these meeting minutes you will find the legislature was not involved in this one issue. Thiat places it clearly at the foot of KDWP and the Commission. Why do you think I have been hollering for data and information all these years? The statements in public record clearly indicates this and is the reason the public meetings are recorded and are supposed to be put in transcript. The whole idea is to have consistancy.

The KDWP and Game Commission are clearly in full CYA mode. I really doubt that any sitting commissioner will gain reappointment (whenever that is to happen) in the confirmation stage of the process due to many of the activities that have gone on it the past.

Dana