Kansas ponders raising hunting, fishing permit fees for next year

It is probably going to cost more to hunt and fish in Kansas next year.

Although nothing is final yet, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has proposed making sweeping changes in its fee structure. The measures, which would affect both residents and nonresidents, were discussed last week at a commission meeting.

Among the proposals:

▪ Resident small-game hunting and fishing licenses would each go up from $18 to $25. A resident combination hunting and fishing license would go up from $36 to $45.

▪ The cost of a nonresident small-game hunting license would increase from $70 to $95, and nonresident fishing licenses would go from $40 to $50.

▪ Nonresident deer hunters would be the hardest hit by the fee increases. A permit for antlered deer would increase from $300 to $400. The combination two-deer permit (for one antlered whitetail and one antlerless) would rise from $315 to $415.

▪ The cost of a general resident deer permit would go up from $30 to $40.

▪ Turkey permits would be increased from $20 to $25 for residents. Nonresidents would pay $85 for a turkey permit and game-tag combination (two-bird limit), up from $45.

Those are the highlights. Other price hikes also are being proposed.

Various incentives would help reduce the price of some license fees. For example, there is a proposed early-buy option for resident combination hunting-fishing permits, allowing them to pay only $40 instead of $45 if they purchase before March 1.

Representatives with Wildlife, Parks and Tourism say the price hikes are needed to provide revenue to continue many popular programs. They point out that the basic fee structure for hunting and fishing licenses has not changed much since the early 2000s.

The Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission is expected to vote on the proposed price increases at its next meeting, Oct. 22 in Burlington.

Kansas duck seasons set

For a change, there was no big debate surrounding the setting of Kansas duck seasons this year.

The dates were set last week at a Kansas Wildlife,Parks and Tourism meeting with little discussion. The framework is similar to what it was last year.

▪ HIGH PLAINS ZONE: Oct. 10-Jan. 4 and Jan. 23-31. (Youth season: Oct. 3-4)

▪ LOW PLAINS EARLY ZONE: Oct. 10-Dec. 6 and Dec. 19-Jan. 3. (Oct. 3-4)

▪ LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE: Oct. 31-Jan. 3 and Jan. 23-31. (Youth season: Oct. 24-25)

▪ LOW PLAINS SOUTHEAST ZONE: Nov. 14-Jan. 3 and Jan. 9-31. (Youth season: Nov. 7-8)

Also, the Canada goose season will be Oct. 31-Nov. 1 and Nov. 4-Feb. 14; the white-fronted goose season will be Oct. 31-Jan. 3 and Jan. 23-Feb. 14; and the light-goose season will be Oct. 31-Nov. 1 and Nov. 4-Feb. 14.

Waterfowl-management pioneer honored

Dick Vaught, one of the greats who helped set a course for waterfowl management in Missouri, was honored posthumously last week when he was inducted into the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame.

Vaught served the Department of Conservation for 36 years, during which time he was a pioneer in the banding and research of ducks and geese. He was instrumental in lead-shot studies and helped implement regulations that struck a balance between satisfying hunters while protecting the resource.

From 1974 until his retirement in 1984, Vaught oversaw management of wetland areas statewide.

This story was originally published August 27, 2015 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Kansas ponders raising hunting, fishing permit fees for next year."