How popular are Kansas' most expensive hunting and fishing licenses?

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Hunters and anglers are dropping serious cash on Kansas' lifetime license options offered by wildlife and parks.

27 News is following up with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) this week to find out how popular its most expensive hunting and fishing licenses are among the state's hunters and anglers. Despite their high costs, with one option approaching close to $1,000 per license, the state has sold hundreds of these licenses over the past few years.

The KDWP offers several options at its offices and on its website to those wanting to purchase lifetime hunting, fishing and furharvesting licenses. Each of these licenses are available for purchase by Kansas residents only.

The KDWP also began offering new lifetime hunting and fishing licenses to children who are seven-years-old or younger after Governor Laura Kelly authorized their release in April 2022. Data obtained by 27 News shows these licenses have proven to be very popular amongst young anglers and hunters in the state since they were first released.

Arlan Hair, application developer with the KDWP, provided the following statistics to 27 News following an open records request on the number of lifetime licenses sold between 2019 and 2024. The information is up-to-date as of July 22, 2024:

• Lifetime Hunting Licenses
  • Total purchased - 2,011
  • Individual cost - $502.50
  • Total state revenue - $1,010,527.50
• Lifetime Fishing Licenses
  • Total purchased - 787
  • Individual cost - $502.50
  • Total state revenue - $395,467.50
• Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Combination Licenses
  • Total purchased - 2,631
  • Individual cost - $962.50
  • Total state revenue - $2,532,337.50
• Lifetime Furharvester Licenses
  • Total purchased - 112
  • Individual cost - $502.50
  • Total state revenue - $56,280
• Lifetime Kids Hunting and Fishing Licenses (ages five and under)
  • Total purchased - 3,880
  • Individual cost - $302.50
  • Total state revenue - $1,173,700
• Lifetime Kids Hunting and Fishing Licenses (ages six-seven)
  • Total purchased - 1,082
  • Individual cost - $502.50
  • Total state revenue - $543,705
• Total state revenue for all above licenses - $5,712,017

Lifetime hunting and fishing combination licenses are also offered to Kansas seniors at a discounted price of $42.50. More information on fees, license descriptions and application information can be found on the KDWP website by clicking here.

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