Daily Archives: January 14, 2016

Five-year hunt/fish licenses offer savings and convenience

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism license and permit fee increases took effect Jan. 1, 2016 and with those fee changes, some new licenses are being offered. Five-year hunting, fishing and hunt/fish combination licenses are now available and offer significant savings compared to purchasing licenses individually each year. A five-year hunting or fishing license is $102.50, compared to purchasing the $27.50 annual hunting or fishing license each year for five years – $137.50. A five-year hunt/fish combination license is $182.50, compared to buying an annual combination hunt/fish license for five years – $212.50 if purchased before Feb. 1, or $237.50 if purchased after Jan. 31.

The five-year licenses offer convenience and savings; however, they do not provide the holder resident status if they should move from Kansas before the license expires. The license is valid through its expiration date, even if the holder moves to another state, but a five-year hunting license holder who becomes a nonresident is required to purchase nonresident deer and turkey permits. And therein lies the difference and perhaps confusion when comparing the five-year licenses to lifetime licenses. The holders of lifetime hunting licenses are always considered Kansas residents when purchasing turkey and big game permits, regardless of where they live.

Another new license offered this year is the early-purchase annual hunting/fishing combination license. If purchased before Feb. 1, the price is $42.50. If purchased after Jan. 31, the price is $47.50. If you purchase your hunting and fishing licenses individually, you’ll spend $55.

The license fee increases were necessary to maintain and enhance pivotal hunting and fishing programs. Deer and turkey permit prices had not increased since 1984 and general hunting and fishing license fees had remained the same since 2002. Youth and senior lifetime pass license fees were not increased.

For more information on 2016 license and permit fees, go to www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Licenses & Permits” in the top menu.

Furharvester Education Certification Class Jan. 30

If you’re interested in learning how to become an effective, ethical and responsible furharvester in Kansas, consider attending the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Furharvester Education Certification Class on. Jan. 30. There is no cost to attend and all ages are welcome. The class will be held at Murphy’s Taxidermy, 2205 E 9th, Winfield. To register, call (620) 222-8007.

Topics covered in the one-day class include an overview of furharvesting history, trap setting techniques, hunting predators, and fur handling. For more information on the Furharvester Education program, visit www.ksoutdoors.com /Hunting/Furharvesting, or contact program coordinator, Aaron Austin, at (620) 672-5911.

Persons born on or after July 1, 1966 must successfully complete a furharvester education course approved by KDWPT to purchase a furharvester license or hunt, run or trap furbearers or trap coyotes on lands other than their own.

Get an eye on eagles Jan. 16

If you’ve never watched a bald eagle soar across a powder-blue Kansas sky, or witnessed a flock of the nation’s treasured symbol perched on a tree like nature’s very own Christmas ornaments, the staff at Milford Lake have an opportunity for you.

Eagle Day at Milford Lake, an annual event that provides visitors a chance to view eagles and eagles’ nests in a natural setting, will be held Jan. 16, beginning at 9 a.m. and everyone is welcome to join.

Participants will meet at the Milford Nature Center, 3415 Hatchery Drive, Junction City, where a variety of bus tours and programs will be conducted. Programs featuring live raptors, owls, nesting eagles, and birds of prey will begin at 9:15 a.m. and will be repeated throughout the day.

Bus tours will depart from the nature center parking lot every half-hour beginning at 9 a.m. with the last tour departing at 2 p.m. Popcorn and hot chocolate will be served courtesy of the Milford Friends Group, and a kids’ tent with activities and crafts will be available. There is no cost. For more information, call (785) 238-5323.