For the first time in about 25 years, western Kansas deer hunters will be visiting check stations this fall.

Wildlife and Parks commissioners have approved a proposal to create check stations in five western units in order to provide better biological data concerning the overall health of the western Kansas herd.

There would be at least one check station per county within those units. Businesses such as gas stations and sporting goods stores will be hired for the job.

KDWP officials estimate the program will cost $25,000 annually.

The commission also approved fewer permits and game tags over much of the state.

However, KDWP said 10,268 nonresident permits will be issued for 2004. That’s a 44 percent increase over the permits issued in 2003.

Here are the approved deer season dates:

Muzzleloader: Sept. 11-24.

Special youth/disabled: Sept. 25-26.

Archery: Oct. 1-Nov. 30, Dec. 13-31.

Urban firearms: Oct. 16-24.

Regular firearms: Dec. 1-12.

Whitetail antlerless only: Jan. 1-2 in open units; Jan. 1-9 in northern portions of 7-8.

Special extended antlerless only: Jan. 3-31 in special southeast unit and archery only in Unit 19.