Volume 44 - Issue 24 - June 12, 2025
State of Kansas
Wildlife and Parks Commission
Notice of Hearing on Proposed Administrative Regulations
A public hearing will be conducted by the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission (the Commission) at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Finnup Center, Lee Richardson Zoo, 312 E. Finnup Dr., Garden City, KS 67846, to consider the approval and adoption of proposed administrative regulations of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Other Commission business will follow, including public comment opportunities and general discussions, which may include educational presentations and workshop sessions. The meeting will continue until all business is complete. The public hearing will be conducted in person and via video conferencing system.
This 60-day notice period prior to the hearing meets or exceeds the required public comment period for the purpose of receiving written public comments on the proposed administrative regulations. All interested parties may submit written comments prior to the hearing to the Chair of the Commission, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66612, or to megan.deters@ks.gov, if submitted electronically. All interested parties will be given a reasonable opportunity at the hearing to express their views orally regarding the adoption of the proposed regulation. During the hearing, all written and oral comments submitted by interested parties will be considered by the Commission as a basis for approving, amending and approving, or rejecting the proposed regulation.
Copies of the complete text of the regulations and economic impact statements may be obtained by writing the Chair of the Commission at the address above, accessing the Department’s website at http://www.ksoutdoors.com, or by calling 785-2966373.
Any individual with a disability may request an accommodation to participate in the public hearing and may request the proposed regulations and economic impact statements in an accessible format. Requests for accommodation to participate in the hearing should be made at least ten (10) business days in advance of the hearing by contacting Megan Deters at 785-296-6373. Persons with a hearing impairment may call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 800-432-0698 to request special accommodations.
Summaries of the proposed regulations and their economic impacts follow. (Note: Statements indicating that “The proposed amendment/new regulation will have minor to no economic impact” are intended to indicate that no economic impact on the Commission, other state agencies, persons subject to the proposed regulations, or the general public have been identified.)
K.A.R. 115-4-4
The change to this regulation broadens the types of projectiles that may be used in muzzleloader firearms so that modern, non-lead projectiles can be used if hunters choose to do so. Hunters may continue to use lead projectiles if they wish.
Economic Impact
The regulation will have a positive economic impact because it will permit hunters to use a wider variety of projectiles. The proposed amended regulation will have minor to no economic impact, though it may have a slightly positive economic impact through the increase of sales of non-lead projectiles by businesses.
K.A.R. 115-2-1
The changes to this regulation will increase the cost of a trout permit from $12.00 to $17.50. The rule change will also add three new discounts for seniors aged 65 to 74 for 5-year fishing, hunting, and combination fishing and hunting licenses. The rule will also eliminate fees for mussel harvesting.
Economic Impact
The economic impact of the trout fee will be $5.50 per licensee. KDWP sells approximately 10,000 trout permits per year. Assuming the same number of anglers continue to purchase a trout permit, the total economic impact would be $55,000 annually on all trout anglers. The addition of senior licenses and elimination of mussel harvesting licenses will have minor to no economic impact.
K.A.R. 115-25-9
The changes to this regulation will increase the number of deer permits available in southeast Kansas by between 500 and 1,000 additional permits and decrease the number of deer permits available in northwest Kansas by 750 permits. Changes are being made in response to recent data showing an increase in deer populations in southeast Kansas and a decrease in deer populations in northwest Kansas.
Economic Impact
The Department could see a change in license sales revenue, though the change will have a minor direct economic impact on the Department. In deer management units with increasing availability of permits, KDWP expects to see an increase in sales between $21,550 and $43,100. In units with decreasing permit availability, the Department expects a decrease in revenue of $32,325. The net change to KDWP revenues is likely to be between a decrease of $10,775 and an increase of $10,775, depending on voluntary actions by hunters.
K.A.R. 115-25-9a
This regulation sets the dates for deer hunting seasons on military subunits, which differ from the statewide seasons.
Economic Impact
The regulation will have minor to no economic impact. Businesses that engage in sales to military personnel who participate in the deer season may be minimally impacted.
K.A.R. 115-25-12
The change to this regulation and K.A.R. 115-5-1 will expand the night vision coyote hunting season by approximately three months. The current season begins on January 1 and ends on March 31. The new season will begin on September 1 and end on March 31 of the following year, excluding antlered deer firearm seasons. The regulation includes a sunset provision that will take effect on March 31, 2028, if not later removed.
Economic Impact
The proposed amended regulation will have minor to no economic impact, though it could enhance business activities and growth through increased sales of night vision hunting equipment.
K.A.R. 115-5-1
The change to this regulation and K.A.R. 115-25-12 will expand the night vision coyote hunting season by approximately three months. The current season begins on January 1 and ends on March 31. The new season will begin on September 1 and end on March 31 of the following year, excluding antlered deer firearm seasons.
Economic Impact
The proposed amended regulation will have minor to no economic impact, though it could enhance business activities and growth through increased sales of night vision hunting equipment.
Whitney Damron
Chair
Wildlife and Parks Commission
Doc. No. 053230
