The 2007 Kansas firearms deer season runs Wednesday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Dec. 9, and hunters are sighting in their rifles and practicing their shooting skills in anticipation of one of the state’s favorite hunting seasons. Deer are plentiful, and a good season is expected.

The first Kansas deer season in modern times was held in 1965, and less than half of the state was open. Biologists estimated state deer numbers at a few more than 30,000 animals. Thirty-nine hundred permits were issued, and firearms hunters took approximately 1,340 deer.

In 2006, KDWP issued more than 85,000 Whitetail Either Sex permits to residents and nonresidents. Kansas firearms deer hunters enjoy a phenomenal success rate of more than 50 percent, and when the number of deer harvested by archers and firearms hunters is added to the deer taken with Whitetail Antlerless Only permits and game tags, this year’s total harvest could be more than 80,000 deer.

All deer hunters must have a deer permit to hunt deer in Kansas. Resident hunters 16 to 65 years old must also possess a hunting license, unless exempt by law. Nonresident hunters must possess a nonresident deer permit, which is drawn from a limited pool in June, and a nonresident hunting license. Hunters must purchase a permit that allows the harvest of an antlered deer before they can purchase a Whitetail Antlerless Only permit or game tag, until after Dec. 30.

Resident whitetail deer permits are available online or at license vendors throughout the state. Hunters are reminded that landowner permission is required to hunt any private land, whether that land is posted or not.

For more info: http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

Got tags?
The regular deer season opens October 10 in most regions of Idaho. In some areas, a regular deer tag allows hunters to take either mule deer or white-tailed deer. A white-tailed deer tag allows hunter to take only a whitetail.
Many areas across the state also offer antlerless youth hunt opportunities, but check the big game rules brochure carefully for the areas where youth hunts are open.
To hunt deer in Idaho during the regular season, a resident hunter must have valid 2006 hunting license and a resident deer tag.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game law enforcement officials ask that hunters report any poaching or suspicious activities they encounter or hear about while hunting. Most serious poaching cases are cracked and won only with the help of ordinary Idaho residents, hunters or others who report crimes.
In January, a local resident reported someone had shot a deer during a closed season. The poacher was successfully prosecuted and the caller received a $250 reward from Citizens Against Poaching.
In another case, a caller reported four elk and a deer shot out of season. The case involved multiple violations, including closed season, tag transfers, hunting without a valid deer tag and possession of unlawfully taken wildlife.
The caller was vital to the successfully prosecuted case and received a $250 CAP reward.
Officials urge hunters with information about a wildlife crime to call the Citizens Against Poaching hot-line at 1-800-632-5999, 24 hours a day. Calls are more helpful when they include the time and place of the activity, a report of what happened and a full description of the people and the vehicles, such as make, year, color and license.
Callers to CAP may remain anonymous.
They also may call the nearest Fish and Game office or local law enforcement.
Hunters are also encouraged to pick up a free copy of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s backcountry game meat care guide. The guide has helpful tips to ensure proper handling of game to avoid wasting the meat. The guide is available at Fish and Game offices and license vendors.
And for help planning their hunt, hunters can use the hunt planner on department’s Website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner.
Remember to ask first before hunting on private land.

The Waterfowl Advisory Committee to the S.C. Natural Resources Board will meet at noon Tuesday, May 9 in Room 335 of the Rembert Dennis Building at 1000 Assembly St. in Columbia.
William L. “Sam” Hiott Jr. of Charleston was elected the new chairman of the Waterfowl Advisory Committee at the April meeting.
The meeting is open to the public. Anyone with business for the advisory committee, needing the agenda or directions to the meeting place should contact Susan Johnson at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources in Columbia at 734-3889.
Items scheduled on the agenda for the meeting of the Waterfowl Advisory Committee include:
Advisory Committee member comments
Constituent comments
Setting objectives towards achieving the Waterfowl Advisory Committee mission
Other old/new business

OLYMPIA - Ronald J. McQueen has been named assistant director for the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Business Services Program.
McQueen begins work with WDFW Monday , assuming the duties of Jim Lux, who
is retiring as the department’s Business Services director.
As assistant director for WDFW’s Business Services Program, McQueen will oversee the
program’s annual operating budget of more than $27.6 million, and will direct the
department’s recreational licensing, information technology, engineering and
financial services, as well as administering the agency’s $22 million annual capital
budget.
“Ron’s extensive experience in managing financial services and information
technology will allow us to continue our progress in strengthening our business
practices and in using new technology to better serve the citizens of this state,”
said WDFW Director Jeff Koenings.
“Although Ron’s technical skills are outstanding, I’m also pleased with his ability
to work with people involved in all aspects of this diverse agency,” Koenings added.
An Olympia resident, McQueen has served 19 years with the Washington Department of
General Administration, and for the past seven years has been the department’s
Assistant Director of Administrative Services. He also has headed the management and
budget division of the state Department of Corrections and worked on criminal
justice policy issues for the state Office of Financial Management. Earlier in his
career, he worked as an administrator with the Kentucky Department of Justice and as
a criminal justice specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice.
McQueen holds a law degree from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta, Ga.,
as well as a masters of science degree in police administration from Michigan State
University, and a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.