TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) announced today that the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission voted to approve several regulation changes at its August 27, 2026, meeting in Pittsburg, Kansas.
The approved actions include:
- Kansas State Park fee increases for vehicle permits, overnight camping, and utilities, along with the elimination of the annual camping permit. The changes will go into effect on November 1, 2026.
- A change in hunting hours for nonresidents hunting waterfowl, coot, rail, or snipe on KDWP-managed public lands and waters. Beginning with the fall 2026 seasons, nonresidents must stop hunting before noon and must leave department lands by 1:00 pm. These limits do not apply to the September teal season or light geese hunting during the light goose conservation order. They also do not apply to Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA and iWIHA) areas, if nonresidents are hunting other species on department lands, or during KDWP Special Hunts programs and events.
- Re-establishment of the fall turkey hunting season for Kansas residents. Permits will be valid for one bearded (male) turkey only, with the season running October 31 through January 31 except for a 12-day closure period beginning the Wednesday following Thanksgiving. Permits will be available for purchase in early October for the season opening October 31, 2026.
- Establishing a repeatable season date structure for deer hunting in Deer Management Units on military properties.
KDWP will now move the approved regulations through the final administrative requirements, including publication by the Secretary of State in an upcoming edition of the Kansas Register. The regulations will become effective 15 days after publication, except for the State Parks fees, which will take effect on November 1, 2026.
“As I shared with the Commission yesterday, many of the issues we face don’t come with a single right or wrong answer. They require judgment, balance, and collaboration,” said KDWP Secretary Christopher Kennedy. “We take the public’s input seriously as we navigate complex situations. And we do this work in close partnership with the Commission because we have a shared responsibility to steward fish and wildlife populations and manage our parks and public lands in ways that meet Kansans expectations.”
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 waterbodies, 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.