4.1. Permit rights will be determined by competitive bidding for a split between KDWP and Permittee shares, and bidding is open to the public. The highest share rate given to KDWP will be the major factor in making the award; however, KDWP reserves the right to make inquiry regarding the bidder’s equipment, farming practices, etc. in order to award in the best interest of KDWP. Input costs, weather, environmental conditions, and wildlife management objectives should be taken into consideration when bidding. Once awarded, share rates will not be adjusted for flooding, or other weather-related damage, endured during any crop year. 4.2. The term of the initial contract and permit will be three years, from the date of award (approximately March 1, 2025) through December 31, 2028. this contract can be renewed for two more terms, for a total of nine (9) years, provided both parties agree to renew. 4.2.1. Subsequent Annual Permits and Agricultural Production Permits will renew on January 1st of each year. If agreed to by both KDWP and the Permittee, 4.3. Crop types include but are not limited to corn, sunflowers, wheat, milo, soybeans, and cover crops. Sunflower plantings and the use of cover crops will be a mandatory part of this contract. Sunflowers will be planted prior to May 1 st to allow for the crop to mature prior to September 1st when hunting season opens. Any acreage planted to sunflowers will be developed into a managed dove hunting field by the KDWP Area Manager, through manipulation of the KDWP share. 4.4. Cover crops will be drilled directly into stubble or crop residue following harvest in order to enhance brood rearing habitat or to provide upland bird forage. These methods may also be used for post-harvest weed control. Cover crops will not be mowed, baled, burned, or otherwise removed from fields. 4.5. Wheat stubble may be mowed or burned by the KDWP Area Manager in late summer to create managed dove fields for hunting opportunities. 4.6. The KDWP share of crops will either be left standing in the field or harvested and hauled to the elevator by the Permittee, or a combination of the two, as instructed by the Area Manager depending upon wildlife management objectives. 4.7. Crop patterns and rotations will be specified on the annual permit (example attached) following discussions between the KDWP Area Manager and the Permittee. Exceptions may be permissible with written approval by the Area Manager. The Area Manager will always determine total acres, based on input from the Permittee. This 82-acre tract may be subdivided to enhance crop diversity. 4.8. Agricultural activities on these tracts are very detailed and will be described each year on the Annual Permit. Annual Permits will be reviewed and signed each prior to any field activities. Permittee will meet with the KDWP Area Manager each year before March 1st to discuss agricultural plans for that crop year. Permittee must be aware that the primary purpose for these agricultural services is to enhance wildlife habitat and be of direct benefit to wildlife and may not be considered common practice in the private sector. 4.9. Permittee will contact the KDWP Area Manager prior to any crop or harvest changes. Unauthorized crop changes or failure to plant designated crops and / or fields may result of revocation of the agricultural permit and loss of any future opportunities on KDWP agricultural lands. Necessary crop changes, including type, location, etc., due to unforeseen circumstances may be allowed only through written permission by the KDWP Area Manager. 4.10. No farming before March 1st and only then after the annual permit has been signed by both the Permittee and the KDWP Area Manager. This includes fall and winter tillage, fertilizer application, chemical application, and wheat stubble manipulation when rotating to row crops. When applying fertilizer, herbicide, etc., all acres will be treated uniformly, not just the Permittee share.
