32-968. Landowner deer management program; report; pilot project. (a) The department is hereby authorized and directed to develop a report containing recommendations for the establishment of a landowner deer management program. The report shall include recommended procedures, requirements and guidelines to provide qualified landowners an allotment of antlered and antlerless deer permits that may be transferred by the landowner to resident or nonresident deer hunters for use on such landowner's property and may include such other recommendations as the department finds appropriate. Such report shall be presented to the senate natural resources committee and the house tourism and parks committee on or before January 15, 2004.

(b) The department is hereby authorized to implement a pilot program not to exceed five project locations for the landowner deer management program. Landowners who participate in the landowner deer management program shall not be eligible to apply for and receive nonresident deer permits pursuant to subsection (o) of K.S.A. 32-937, and amendments thereto. Deer permits authorized for the program shall be restricted to the property described in the individual plan and the number of permits shall be established in an agreement with the landowner and the department using criteria developed by the department. Permits issued through the landowner deer management program shall not be part of the nonresident deer permit allocation allowed under subsection (m) of K.S.A. 32-937, and amendments thereto. The secretary shall adopt, in accordance with K.S.A. 32-805, and amendments thereto, rules and regulations providing for the implementation and evaluation of the pilot program and issuance of permits within the landowner deer management program. The provisions of this subsection shall expire January 1, 2008.

History: L. 2003, ch. 121, § 4; L. 2004, ch. 76, § 1; July 1.