Waterfowl seasons, zones set for debate in Hays

Waterfowl seasons and zone boundaries are expected to get the lion’s share of attention at Thursday’s Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commission meeting in Hays.

This is the first meeting the commission and public can discuss seasons proposed by the department for the 2015-16 waterfowl seasons. Seasons will be set at an Aug. 20 meeting near Great Bend.

The department proposals are:

Low plains early zone duck season, Oct. 10-Dec. 6 and Dec. 19-Jan. 3.

Low plains late zone duck season, Oct. 31-Jan. 3 and Jan. 23-31.

Southeast zone duck season, Nov. 14-Jan. 3 and Jan. 9-31.

Dark geese, Oct. 31-Nov. 1 and Nov. 4-Feb. 14.

Light geese, Oct. 31-Nov. 1 and Nov. 4-Feb. 14.

White-fronted geese, Oct. 31-Dec. 27 and Jan. 30-Feb. 14.

Tom Bidrowski, Wildlife and Parks waterfowl biologist, said the department is waiting to see if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will allow them to extend the whitefront season to 88 days. If so, the agency will request a season of Oct. 31-Jan. 3 and Jan. 23-Feb. 14.

The biologist said the department’s requests are based on hunter surveys and usage of public areas by hunters and waterfowl.

The past several years, often after continuous debate amid commissioners and the public, commissioners have set a duck season that favors later dates for the southeast zone.

Hoping to help ease tensions and better serve all duck hunters in eastern Kansas, the department and commissioners will be discussing possible boundary changes for the southeast unit, beginning with the 2016 seasons. Changes to the boundaries of other zones could be considered, too. All need approval of the Fish and Wildlife Service.

At Thursday’s meeting, Bidrowski will detail what was learned at a series of public meetings across the state discussing waterfowl zone boundaries.

Commissioners will have an actual vote to set the early teal season Sept. 12-27.

Commission meeting sessions begin at 1 and 6:30 p.m. at Fort Hays State’s Robbins Center. Public comment is invited at both sessions. The meeting will be carried live at ksoutdoors.com. For more information, call 620-672-5911 or go to ksoutdoors.com.

This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 9:34 PM with the headline "Waterfowl seasons, zones set for debate in Hays."