Kansas deer hunters must now purchase an antlered deer permit before purchasing an antlerless permit or game tag.

Another major change made by the Wildlife and Parks Commission last month makes archery permits valid in two units (plus Unit 19) of the permit holder’s choice, rather than statewide as in the past.

For the purposes of archery permits, the state will be divided into nine large archery units, rather than the 18 smaller units used for firearms permits.

In addition, archery hunters will be allowed to bowhunt during the regular firearms season if they wear hunter orange.

Here are the dates for this year’s deer seasons:

• Early muzzleloader:Sept. 10-23.
• Youth/Disabled: Sept. 24-25.
• Archery: Oct. 1-Dec. 31.
• Unit 19 firearms: Oct. 15-23.
• Regular Firearms: Nov. 30-Dec. 11.
• Extended Whitetail Antlerless-Only: Jan. 1-8.
• Unit 19 archery antlerless-only: Jan. 9-31.

In addition, Unit 16 was added to the list of units (1, 2, 3, 17 and 18) where deer taken during the regular firearms season must be registered at a check station.

In other regulatory action, the commission approved allowing purchase of a nonresident bobcat hunting permit for $100. The permit allows the hunter to take one bobcat, with hunting equipment only, during the furbearer season.

Previously, nonresidents were required to purchase a $250 nonresident furharvester permit to take a bobcat.

It is anticipated the primary purchasers of the permit will be nonresident deer hunters.