KANSAS CITY — Due to growing concerns within the scientific community about rising cases of transmissible diseases among wildlife, biologists with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks have kick-started a multi-year effort to explore issues surrounding baiting and feeding wildlife – a leading cause of the unnatural congregation of wildlife and subsequent spreading of diseases at rates faster than normal.
Department wildlife biologists and disease experts first initiated public discussion on the matter by offering a panel presentation on baiting wildlife, featuring subject matter experts from Kansas, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. The two-hour group presentation - which was recorded and can be viewed athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE5P4ZRv1nM – will now be followed by a series of informational forums beginning Sept. 21, where Department biologists and members of the scientific community will continue to solicit input from the public, as well as share the latest in scientific research and best management practices. During the Sept. 21, informational forum, staff from K-State Research and Extension will serve as a moderator.
KDWP defines baiting as, “The act of intentionally placing food, or nutrient substances, to manipulate the behavior of wildlife species;” This is not to be confused with backyard birdfeeders or food plots planted consistent with accepted local and regional agricultural guidelines, which the Department does not oppose.
The Department’s first “Informational Forum on Baiting and Feeding Wildlife” will be a joint event between KDWP and K-State Research and Extension, and will take place on Sept. 21, 2023, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Kansas State University in Manhattan. Interested parties may park on campus after 5:30 p.m. in the lot on the southwest corner of Claflin Road and Mid-campus Drive (avoid stalls with brown “reserved” signs), then proceed to KSU’s Leadership Studies Building, where the meeting will be held in Room 114 of McVay Towne Hall.
Though wildlife biologists and disease experts intend to make baiting wildlife and disease transmission a regular discussion item at the Department’s more formal public Commission meetings (see schedule athttps://ksoutdoors.com/KDWP-Info/Commission/Upcoming-Archived-Meeting-Information), it’s important to note that no official regulation changes have been recommended, or are planned, by KDWP staff or Commissioners.
Baiting wildlife remains a legal activity on all private lands in Kansas.
To be notified when the next “Informational Forum on Baiting and Feeding Wildlife” will be held, sign up to receive KDWP’s news at https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWP-Info/News/Weekly-News.
