Guiding on public lands expected to be banned

The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission is expected to ban guiding of hunters or anglers on state-managed public lands during its meeting Thursday in Fort Scott.

The idea came from complaints from waterfowl hunters at Cheyenne Bottoms of guides with large boats disturbing their hunts, or taking good hunting areas away from non-paying hunters. There has also been complaints of guides placing paying hunters on state wildlife areas and walk-in hunting areas. The regulation has been discussed at several past commission meetings, with little opposition.

Mike Miller, Wildlife and Parks information chief, said the ban would include state wildlife areas on federal reservoirs, state-owned fishing lakes and private properties leased by the department, such as walk-in hunting or fishing areas. He said the regulation is expected to be in place before the major hunting seasons begin in September.

Other items up for discussion:

▪ State park UTV usage – Commissioners and state park officials will again discuss a proposal to offer annual permits for those who wish to use golf carts and side-by-side utility vehicles on approved roads in state parks. Miller said the current suggestion is that the vehicles only be allowed on roads between sunrise and sunset and by licensed drivers. The cost of the permit, if approved at an October meeting, is slated for about $50.

▪ Adjusting fish limits – Biologists and commissioners will discuss possible changes in creel and length limits on fish at a variety of Kansas reservoirs. One of the biggest changes would be regulating the length limit on walleye at Milford Reservoir from five fish, 18 inches or longer, to two fish, 21 inches or longer.

Public comment will be accepted at the end of each topic discussed. Items not on the agenda can be discussed by the public at the start of the afternoon and evening sessions. The afternoon session is slated to run from 1-5 p.m. and the evening session from 6:30 to completion. The meeting will be carried live at ksoutdoors.com.

This story was originally published June 17, 2016 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Guiding on public lands expected to be banned."