If you enjoy the outdoors and your activities require a state permit, be prepared to pay more — in some cases, a lot more — for that paperwork.
Senate Bill 50, originating in the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, would significantly increase fees for 35 different licenses and permits if lawmakers approve and the Secretary of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism then authorizes changes.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is sponsoring the bill. According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, the agency does not plan to raise fees immediately, but the bill would “give the agency latitude over time to respod to alterations in wildlife populations, changes to environment and the fiscal demand of agency operations” if it passes.
A separate bill, Senate Bill 49, would give the Secretary of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism the authority to establish fees for the public use of cabins owned or operated by the department as well as camping permits at state parks. This would change current law and effectively let the secretary bypass a public meeting or formal consideration by the Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Board.
Click here for Senate Bill 49.
Click here for Senate Bill 50.
Proposed KDWPT fee changes
Big game permits
*Resident (other than elk permit): Remains at $100
*Nonresident (other than elk permit): From $400 t0 $600
*Elk permit, maximum: From $350 to $500
*Nonresident mule deer stamp, maximum: From $150 to $250
*Nonresident applications, maximum: From $25 to $40
Combination hunting and fishing licenses
*Resident, maximum: From $50 to $100
*Lifetime, maximum: From $1,000 to $1,500; or eight quarterly payments with a maximum from $150 per payment to $187.50
*Nonresident, maximum: From $200 to $300
Commercial dog training permit: Remains at $25.
Commercial guide permit or associate guide permit categories eliminated
Commercial harvest or dealer permit: Remains at $200 maximum
Commercial prairie rattlesnake harvesting permits
*Resident or nonresident with valid hunting license: remains at $5 maximum
*Resident or nonresident firearm without valid hunting license: Remains at $20 maximum
Controlled shooting area operator license: Remains at $400 maximum
Duplicate licenses, permits, stamps or other issues of KDPWT: From $10 maximum to $20
Falconry
*Permit: Remains at $300 maximum
*Examination: Remains at $100 maximum
Field trial permits: From $25 maximum to $50
Fishing licenses
*Resident: From $25 to $50
*Lifetime, maximum: From $500 to $750 or eight quarterly payments, from $75 maximum to $93.75
*Nonresident, maximum: From $75 to $100
*Five-day nonresident, maximum: From $25 to $50
*Institutional group, maximum: Remains at $200
*Special nonprofit group, maximum: Remains at $200
*Twenty-four-hour permit changed to Calendar day permit. Maximum from $10 to $20
Fur dealer license, maximum: $600. Resident and nonresident categories eliminated
Furhavester licenses
*Resident, maximum: From $25 to $50
*Lifetime, maximum: From $500 to $750, or eight quarterly payments from $75 maximum to $93.75
*Nonresident, maximum: From $400 to $500
Game breeder permit, maximum: From $15 to $30
Handicapped category changed to Disability
Hunting and fishing permit, maximum: Remains at $5
Hound trainer-breeder running permit, maximum: Remains at $25
Hunting licenses
*Resident, maximum: From $25 to $50
*Lifetime, maximum: From $500 to $750, or eight quarterly payments from $75 maximum to $93.75
*Nonresident, age 16 and up, maximum: From $125 to $200
*Nonresident, under age 16, maximum: From $75 to $100
*Controlled shooting area, maximum: From $25 to $50
*Forty-eight-hour waterfowl permit eliminated
Migratory waterfowl habitat stamp, maximum: From $8 to $20
Mussel fishing licenses, maximum: $1,500. Resident and nonresident categories eliminated
Rabbit permits
*Live trapping, maximum: Remains at $200
*Shipping, maximum: Remains at $400
Raptor propagation permit, maximum: Remains at $400
Rehabilitation permit, maximum: Remains at $50
Scientific, educational or exhibition permit, maximum: From $10 to $25
Wildlife damage control permit, maximum: Remains at $10
Wildlife importation permit, maximum: From $10 to $25
Wild turkey permits
*Resident, maximum: Remains at $100
*Nonresident, maximum: Remains at $400
*Resident turkey tag, maximum: From $20 to $40
*Nonresident turkey tag, maximum: From $30 to $60
Special permit under KSA 32-961: Remains at $100
Miscellaneous fees
*Special events on land or water, maximum: From $200 to $500
*Special departmental services, materials or supplies: No maximum
*Other issues of department: No maximum
*Vendor bond: No maximum
