Amendment would limit hunters to one deer unit.

BY MICHAEL PEARCE

The Wichita Eagle

An 11th hour amendment that would limit Kansas bowhunters to one deer management unit is drawing fire from sportsmen and conservation groups.

Resident archery permits have been good state-wide since the first season in 1965.

"It's pretty much a kick in the teeth," said Dick Christian, a Wichita bowhunter. "They're catering to the non-residents and the outfitters. The Kansas sportsmen are getting the short straw... again."

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Wildlife Federation and Kansas Bowhunters Association have spoken out against the proposed change.

The amendment was made last week by Rep. Gary Hayzlett, a Lakin Republican, to get more non-resident archery hunters for Kansas guides and outfitters.

Hayzlett said non-resident outfitters are drawing the majority of the state's non-resident archery permits, and using them in western Kansas.

Drawn non-resident archery permits are currently good state-wide. Transferable permits are legal in up to two counties where the landowner has property.

Kansas outfitters asked Hayzlett to equally distribute non-resident archery permits through Kansas' 19 deer management units.

Federal law says such non-resident limitations must also be imposed on residents.

"It shouldn't be that big of a deal to pick one unit," Hayzlett said.

Christian, owner of a Wichita archery shop, said Kansan archers need as many units as possible to succeed.

"It's getting tough to find places to hunt (because of commercialization) we have guys that drive 100 miles just to have two places to bowhunt," Christian said.

"Gun hunters can make drives and make things happen. They can shoot 300 yards. We like deer at 20 yards. Things have to be right."

He also said many bowhunters have invested years gathering permission on lands under the existing system.

Many routinely travel on annual hunts with family members in other units.

Christian cited examples of clients who own land in a distant unit, but depend more on properties closer to home.

Many hunters also maintain leases in multiple units.

Mike Hayden, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks secretary, said planned substantial increases in non-resident archery permits would probably appease resident outfitters while taking little from resident hunters.

"They just need to give the current system a little time," Hayden said.

Hayden also opposes another recent amendment by Rep. Larry Powell, a Garden City Republican.

It would allow Kansas landowners and tenants to transfer personal hunt-on-your-own-land permits to non-residents.

Hayden said the increase in non-resident permits could force the agency to severely restrict resident permits to compensate for the added non-resident hunters.

Similar amendments and bills have failed in past sessions because of public outcry.

Hayden said he's not sure that will happen this time due to the late-session timing of the amendments.

"Here they go doing it in what's basically the dark of the night, pushing a very dramatic change on the Kansas public with no public hearings, no input from our commissioners.," Hayden said.

"It's pretty sad, and pretty discouraging."

Christian agreed, saying, "It's kind of tough for people to get the word and get involved. Hopefully they'll get a hold of (their representatives and senators) or this could be a very bad deal."