Topeka — In an effort to increase revenue to support wildlife programs, the state of Kansas in January will end a policy that provided hunting and fishing licenses for free to people between the ages of 65 and 74.
State officials estimated ending the exemption, which began in 1971, will raise $900,000 to $1.5 million in fee revenue and make the state eligible for more federal funds directed toward outdoor programs, The Joplin Globe reported. Residents 75 and older will remain exempt from the fees.
Wildlife conservation and management in Kansas is supported by revenue from license sales, not general tax dollars, along with federal aid from an excise tax on firearms and ammunition.
The formula that is used to distribute the federal funds is based on the size of the state and the number of licensed hunters.
Mike Miller, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, said the state loses out on some federal aid because up to 30,000 older hunters don’t have to buy licenses, which means that aren’t counted for in the federal formula.
The problem will get worse, he said, because that age group is the fastest-growing one for outdoor pursuits.
And the state doesn’t want to raise rates on younger hunters and anglers because it is trying to recruit more young people to take part in wildlife activities, Miller said.
The Kansas legislation that abolished the exemption provides licenses at a reduced cost for seniors.
The Senior Lifetime Pass, a lifetime hunting-fishing combination license, costs $42.50. Those 65 and older also could choose an annual fishing or hunting license at half the regular price, $11.50, or an annual hunting-fishing combination license for $20.50.
The new senior licenses, along with all licenses and permits for 2013, go on sale this Friday.
Comments
riverdrifter 4 years, 7 months ago
Robin Jennison caught a ton of undeserved flak for this, but the demographic doesn't support giving away free hunt/fish priviledges anymore. If your kid is an outdoor type, get them a lifetime hunt/fish license when they turn 16 (you can spread the payments over two years, I think) and it will pay for itself long before they hit retirement. Problem solved, long in advance.
TinmanKC 4 years, 7 months ago
Good call. While businesses may offer discounts to seniors to attract business, there is no reason for government to provide free non-essential services to seniors. If the Wildlife department has to pay for itself rather than through tax support, then everyone served by the department should have to pay. Just like the turnpike.
Cant_have_it_both_ways 4 years, 7 months ago
I am not at all opposed to this..but...paying into the system for all these years, and approaching my time for free hunting and fishing... well... does not set to well. Again, I dont care, it is not that much money and I can more than afford it. The problem is, they give so much of our tax money to public transportation, welfare, and the like, those of us who have paid taxes in this state all our lives, to include useage fees at the parks with the understanding that when we reach 65 we would get free hunting and fishing. If they need the money that bad, then charge the Indians too. I dont want to hear no crap about treaties... there have been 10 generations since that has happened and it is about time we become one America, one soverign nation, not an America of convience when it benefits you.
Bob Forer 4 years, 7 months ago
I always thought respect, concern and caring for the elderly was part and parcel of the so-called "family values" package touted by the repugs. Not suprised, though. Just more republican duplicity at work.
patkindle 4 years, 7 months ago
those old folks have worked all thier lives and have money the govt needs to take all the money they can from the old people and give it to the poor young people who cant get jobs and are living in thier parents basements to buy cool stuff with
Silverhaired 4 years, 7 months ago
Yes, I am an elected member of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature, and, yes, we voted to have this exemption continued but we obviously were not successful in our efforts. This exemption was granted in 1971 for all the reasons that have already been mentioned. It is interesting to note that in 1982 when the Regular Legislature voted into existence the Silver Haired Legislature, one of the reasons given was to have a Legislative body especially created to look after the rights of senior citizens so that they would not lose the rights that they had been granted, such as exemption for hunting and fishing licenses! The Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism used those same statistics at the time we asked for justification and their figures still don't add up correctly! If every senior, 30,000, paid the combination fee of $20.50 it would raise only $615,000, not $900,000! If every senior paid the Lifetime amount of $42.50, which isn't going to happen, it would raise $1.75 million, not $1.5 million. The Federal Government has stated that they would count the State issued hunting and fishing licenses for seniors, even if they were given away, as long as the State properly accounted for the number. On behalf of Kansas Seniors, our concern is not that we have to pay $20.50 per year, it's the manner in which our concerns were ignored. If you are a Kansas Senior Citizen, 60 years of age or older, or even soon to be a senior, and you have concerns that we should consider, contact your local representative or call the Department on Aging and ask for our answering machine. We are all unpaid volunteer representatives donating our time and efforts towards senior issues.
Silverhaired 4 years, 7 months ago
Sorry, that's $1.275 million, not $1.5 million. I had a "senior" moment!
gr 4 years, 7 months ago
No, this isn't a pyramid scheme.
A pyramid scheme is when suckers voluntarily pay in and then are scammed. Whereas this system is that everyone was promised, (by 65 year old lawmakers) that when you turn 65, you'll also be able to hunt free like them. Except when you get there, the original ones have died off and the new ones, who have hunted for free, now tell the younger ones, too bad. You need to pay. Sucker!
Nope, not a pyramid scheme. Just a government program.
This has nothing to do with respect of the elderly or what not. It has to do with broken promises, selfishness of the ones who created the rule, the government scamming the people. All the younger ones were paying all these years for the older ones with the idea their time would come. Now it's not.
And for those like the riverdrifter who think buying a lifetime pass for their 16 year old is going to work.... What makes you think that when they reach 21 that some whiners aren't going to say,
'there is no reason for government to provide reduced non-essential services to lifetime pass buyers. If the Wildlife department has to pay for itself rather than through tax support, then everyone served by the department should have to pay full price. Just like the turnpike.'
riverdrifter 4 years, 7 months ago
The lifetime license is an executable contract. Get informed.
gr 4 years, 7 months ago
Well drifter, you certainly have raised a point. If the government promises something, but you don't have "an executable contract", don't count on the government honoring it. At least we...er... "you" can count on the government for honoring contracts.
So, any time the government promises something without a contract, don't count on it. Does anyone have a contract with social security?
By the way, why do you think there was a reason for the government to provide free non-essential services to seniors in the past at the cost of the younger?
Bud Stagg 4 years, 7 months ago
Wow, if people complain about this, wait till they start paying more for obamacare, lose SS benefits, etc. There is a huge world of hurt coming soon to all government programs, either that or we have to start charging a lot more to be part of this country club we call the USA.
RoeDapple 4 years, 7 months ago
Well, I just got my notice today I will be going on the Medicare teat in a few months so looks like I missed the free hunting by seconds! Seconds I tell you!!
But what the hell, I can get a lifetime permit to hunt and fish for the price of a couple of boxes of ammo. And in the process I know I'm supporting Kansas wildlife programs.
riverdrifter 4 years, 7 months ago
Thanks, Roed. The last two sentences of your post says it all.
Frederic Gutknecht IV 4 years, 7 months ago
Give KDWPT the money. They deserve and need it.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.