TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas wildlife officials are considering the addition of new hunting license options for older adults after it suddenly halted the sale of some licenses for this age bracket.
Commissioners with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) took up the issue during their last commission meeting in 2024, which was held in Wichita. The KDWP announced on Oct. 18 that it would stop selling its combination hunting and fishing licenses for state residents between the ages of 65 and 74 due to an oversight.
Commissioners heard from Kurtis Wiard, KDWP chief legal counsel, during the meeting, who outlined a potential solution to the lack of lifetime licenses available to older adults. This proposal, originating from the new KDWP Secretary Chris Kennedy, includes the addition of three new multi-year licenses specifically marketed for older adults.
Kennedy would be able to establish these new licenses based on his current statutory authority as a way to ease the burden of license fees for older adults in Kansas. The proposed licenses include the following:
- Five-year resident hunting senior license – $50.
- Five-year resident fishing senior license – $50.
- Five-year resident combination hunting & fishing senior license – $90.
“The prices are set based on current law, which permits the Secretary to offer senior licenses at one-half the price of regular licenses. There are still several steps required for this regulation to go into effect, including review by the Department of Administration, Attorney General, and Division of Budget. Following review by these agencies, the proposed fees will be presented to the Commission at a public meeting for a vote.
We understand that even this reduced rate may still be out of reach for some, and we continue to explore ways to bring back the deeply discounted 10-year senior license.”
Kurtis Wiard, KDWP chief legal counsel
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