Aug 13, 2025

Kan. wildlife officials to review deer, coyote and trout regulations

Posted Aug 13, 2025 7:30 PM

TOPEKA – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will hold its next public meeting on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Finnup Center at the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City. The meeting will begin at noon and continue until all agenda items are addressed.

Attendees can participate in the meetings in person or virtually. Instructions for joining via Zoom, phone, or live streaming are available HERE under “How To Attend Commission Meetings Virtually.”

The meeting will begin with a report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, including a public hearing on the following regulations:

  1. K.A.R. 115-2-1 – Trout Fee and Senior License FeesEstablishing a 5-year Resident Senior Hunting OR Fishing License (ages 65–74) for $50.Establishing a 5-year Resident Senior Hunting AND Fishing Combo License (ages 65–74) for $90.Increasing the trout permit fee from $12 to $17.50.
  2. Establishing a 5-year Resident Senior Hunting OR Fishing License (ages 65–74) for $50.
  3. Establishing a 5-year Resident Senior Hunting AND Fishing Combo License (ages 65–74) for $90.
  4. Increasing the trout permit fee from $12 to $17.50.
  5. K.A.R. 115-4-4 – Nonlead Muzzleloader ShotExpanding allowable projectile types for muzzleloaders, enabling use of modern, non-lead (non-toxic) options.
  6. Expanding allowable projectile types for muzzleloaders, enabling use of modern, non-lead (non-toxic) options.
  7. K.A.R. 115-25-9 – Deer SeasonsUpdating season dates, units, and permit limits for the 2025–2026 Extended White-tailed Antlerless-only Firearm Season:Proposed Season DatesUnit 3: Jan. 1–4, 2026Units 4–10, 16: Jan. 1–11, 2026Units 11–15, 19: Jan. 1–18, 2026Proposed Permit LimitsNo WAO permits: Units 1, 2, 17, 18One WAO permit: Unit 3Four additional WAO permits: Units 4-10, 16Nine additional WAO permits: Units 11-15, 19 (on non-KDWP-managed lands, except Berentz-Dick and Elk City Wildlife Areas)
  8. Updating season dates, units, and permit limits for the 2025–2026 Extended White-tailed Antlerless-only Firearm Season:Proposed Season DatesUnit 3: Jan. 1–4, 2026Units 4–10, 16: Jan. 1–11, 2026Units 11–15, 19: Jan. 1–18, 2026Proposed Permit LimitsNo WAO permits: Units 1, 2, 17, 18One WAO permit: Unit 3Four additional WAO permits: Units 4-10, 16Nine additional WAO permits: Units 11-15, 19 (on non-KDWP-managed lands, except Berentz-Dick and Elk City Wildlife Areas)
  9. Proposed Season DatesUnit 3: Jan. 1–4, 2026Units 4–10, 16: Jan. 1–11, 2026Units 11–15, 19: Jan. 1–18, 2026
  10. Unit 3: Jan. 1–4, 2026
  11. Units 4–10, 16: Jan. 1–11, 2026
  12. Units 11–15, 19: Jan. 1–18, 2026
  13. Proposed Permit LimitsNo WAO permits: Units 1, 2, 17, 18One WAO permit: Unit 3Four additional WAO permits: Units 4-10, 16Nine additional WAO permits: Units 11-15, 19 (on non-KDWP-managed lands, except Berentz-Dick and Elk City Wildlife Areas)
  14. No WAO permits: Units 1, 2, 17, 18
  15. One WAO permit: Unit 3
  16. Four additional WAO permits: Units 4-10, 16
  17. Nine additional WAO permits: Units 11-15, 19 (on non-KDWP-managed lands, except Berentz-Dick and Elk City Wildlife Areas)
  18. K.A.R. 115-25-9a – Deer Seasons on Military UnitsSetting specific deer season dates for Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, and Smoky Hill Air National Guard, including antlerless-only and extended firearm opportunities.Fort RileyPre-rut White-tailed Antlerless Firearm: Oct. 11-13, 2025White-tailed Antlerless-only Firearm: Nov. 28-30, 2025Firearm: Dec. 13-21, 2025Extended Firearm White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 1-11, 2026Fort LeavenworthFirearm: Nov. 15-16, Nov. 22-23, Nov. 27-30, Dec. 6-7, and Dec. 13-14, 2025Extended Firearm White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 1-18. 2026Archery White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 19-31, 2026Smoky Hill Air National GuardFirearm: Dec. 3-14, 2025
  19. Setting specific deer season dates for Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, and Smoky Hill Air National Guard, including antlerless-only and extended firearm opportunities.Fort RileyPre-rut White-tailed Antlerless Firearm: Oct. 11-13, 2025White-tailed Antlerless-only Firearm: Nov. 28-30, 2025Firearm: Dec. 13-21, 2025Extended Firearm White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 1-11, 2026Fort LeavenworthFirearm: Nov. 15-16, Nov. 22-23, Nov. 27-30, Dec. 6-7, and Dec. 13-14, 2025Extended Firearm White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 1-18. 2026Archery White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 19-31, 2026Smoky Hill Air National GuardFirearm: Dec. 3-14, 2025
  20. Fort RileyPre-rut White-tailed Antlerless Firearm: Oct. 11-13, 2025White-tailed Antlerless-only Firearm: Nov. 28-30, 2025Firearm: Dec. 13-21, 2025Extended Firearm White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 1-11, 2026
  21. Pre-rut White-tailed Antlerless Firearm: Oct. 11-13, 2025
  22. White-tailed Antlerless-only Firearm: Nov. 28-30, 2025
  23. Firearm: Dec. 13-21, 2025
  24. Extended Firearm White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 1-11, 2026
  25. Fort LeavenworthFirearm: Nov. 15-16, Nov. 22-23, Nov. 27-30, Dec. 6-7, and Dec. 13-14, 2025Extended Firearm White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 1-18. 2026Archery White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 19-31, 2026
  26. Firearm: Nov. 15-16, Nov. 22-23, Nov. 27-30, Dec. 6-7, and Dec. 13-14, 2025
  27. Extended Firearm White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 1-18. 2026
  28. Archery White-tailed Antlerless-only: Jan. 19-31, 2026
  29. Smoky Hill Air National GuardFirearm: Dec. 3-14, 2025
  30. Firearm: Dec. 3-14, 2025
  31. K.A.R. 115-25-12 – Coyote SeasonsExtending the night vision coyote hunting season to run from September 1 through March 31, excluding the following periods:The first Saturday in September and the 22 consecutive days following (total of 23 days)The Wednesday following Thanksgiving and the 11 consecutive days following (total of 12 days)If approved, the 2025-2026 night vision coyote hunting season would begin September 29 and run through December 2, then resume December 15 through March 31, 2026. The September 1-5 window will not be in effect for 2025 due to regulatory timelines.
  32. Extending the night vision coyote hunting season to run from September 1 through March 31, excluding the following periods:The first Saturday in September and the 22 consecutive days following (total of 23 days)The Wednesday following Thanksgiving and the 11 consecutive days following (total of 12 days)
  33. The first Saturday in September and the 22 consecutive days following (total of 23 days)
  34. The Wednesday following Thanksgiving and the 11 consecutive days following (total of 12 days)
  35. If approved, the 2025-2026 night vision coyote hunting season would begin September 29 and run through December 2, then resume December 15 through March 31, 2026. The September 1-5 window will not be in effect for 2025 due to regulatory timelines.
  36. K.A.R. 115-5-1 – Coyote Equipment, Taking MethodsUpdating the season dates established by K.A.R. 115-25-12.
  37. Updating the season dates established by K.A.R. 115-25-12.

Commissioners will also receive updates on regulations currently in the promulgation process.

Other agenda items include:

  1. General public comment
  2. Remarks from KDWP Secretary Christopher Kennedy
  3. Informational updates on Kansas State Park camping fees
  4. General discussion on nonresident waterfowl hunting
  5. Review of additional topics that may be voted on at a future meeting

The meeting will conclude with an additional opportunity for public comment.

The complete agenda can be viewed HERE.

Attendees can participate in the meetings in person or virtually. Instructions for joining via Zoom, phone, or live streaming are available HERE under “How To Attend Commission Meetings Virtually.”

An interpreter for the hearing impaired can be requested by calling the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Individuals with disabilities may request other accommodations by contacting KDWP at (785) 294-2645.

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