TOPEKA – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will hold its next public meeting on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in the Dean Family VIP Room at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, 1711 S. Homer St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. The meeting will begin at noon and continue until all agenda items are addressed.
The Commission will hold a public hearing and final vote on proposed changes to state park fees, nonresident waterfowl hunting on public lands, fall turkey hunting seasons, and deer seasons on military units.
Proposed state park fee changes include increasing the daily motor vehicle permit from $3.50 to $5.50 and the annual motor vehicle permit from $22.50 to $37.50. Senior and disabled permit fees would also increase, with daily permits changing from $1.75 to $2.75 and annual permits from $11.25 to $18.75. The Easy Pass annual motor vehicle permit would increase from $15 to $30. Listed permit amounts do not include applicable transaction and processing fees.
Proposed camping fee changes would eliminate the annual camping permit and increase the overnight camping permit from $9 to $15 and the 14-night camping permit from $110 to $165. Nightly utility fees would increase from $9 to $11 for one utility, $11 to $13 for two utilities, and $12 to $15 for three utilities. Listed camping amounts do not include applicable processing fees.
Commissioners will also consider a proposed regulation restricting nonresidents hunting migratory waterfowl, coot, sandhill crane, rail, or snipe on Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) lands and waters to hunting before noon. Under the proposal, nonresident hunters pursuing those species could hunt until 11:59 a.m. and would be required to leave department lands and waters, along with their personal possessions, by 12:59 p.m.
The proposed restrictions would not apply during the September teal season or to light geese during the light goose conservation order. They also would not apply to nonresident hunters on Walk-In Hunting Access areas or those participating in KDWP special hunts and events.
The Commission will also vote on a proposal to reestablish the fall turkey hunting season for Kansas residents. If approved, resident hunters would be limited to one fall turkey permit, valid for one bearded turkey. The proposed season would run Oct. 31 through Jan. 31 of the following year, excluding the Wednesday following Thanksgiving and continuing for a total of 12 days, including the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. Commissioners will also consider deer seasons on military units.
Commissioners will receive updates on regulations currently moving through the promulgation process, including nonresident waterfowl stamp fees, senior hunting and fishing licenses, and trail cameras on public lands.
Other agenda items include an overview of KDWP’s wildlife rehabilitation program. During the workshop session, commissioners will discuss fishing regulations, including creel, size, and possession limits.
The public is invited to attend the meeting in person or virtually, with opportunities for public comment. Instructions for joining the meeting virtually, a complete meeting agenda, and the proposed regulation changes can all be viewed at ksoutdoors.gov/commission.
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 can request other accommodations by contacting KDWP at (785) 294-2645.
The next commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, in Oakley.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Kansas’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations. KDWP manages 29 state parks, 177 lakes and wildlife areas, more than 300 public water bodies, and 5 nature centers. Other services include management of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, law enforcement, and wildlife habitat programs. For more information about KDWP, visit ksoutdoors.gov.
The seven-member, bi-partisan Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission serves in an advisory capacity in formulating policies and plans for KDWP. The commission holds public hearings on rules and regulations proposed by the Secretary of KDWP and ultimately votes to approve, modify, or reject those proposals.
