They didn' t get what they wanted in the legislative session, past complaints only got them doe tags and an extended season. Last year they continued with crop damage complaints and applied for and got over 50% of the depridations tags issued in the entire state. Result of their lobbying efforts? KDWP is again proposing an extended-extended season for three SE counties in Unit 12 and having a drawing for 4 extra doe tags on top of the 6 already available in that area while having the season run until Jan 3lst. Micheal Pearce of the Wichita Eagle had an article about the subject in Sunday' s posting on their website. He quoted Fox as saying that he doubted this would help reduce the problem because " Landowners are possessive of their deer. Alot of the property has been purchased for the deer hunting. They wont want to shoot off all the deer."

For those of you who are unfamiliar with how politics involve half truths, and exaggerated claims to get what you want, this means the farmers of Unit 12 want to sell deer and hunts to NR hunters who are willing to pay for the privelege. They do not want to reduce herd size, they are not suffering the crop damage they claim they are having. They are playing political games to pressure KDWP to liberalize regulations to allow them the tags they want.

This proposal will pass. Come this January, hunters who apply for and draw the special " bonus tags" will find it real difficult to gain access to any ground in these three counties. There will be land available, but the trespass fees/hunting rights will come at a steep price, and guess what that means? More claims/complaints during the next legislative session.