The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Commission established a night hunting season for coyotes in 2021, allowing the use of night vision, thermal optics, and artificial lights. Initially, this season ran from January 1 through March 31.

  In 2025, the Commission expanded the season to run from September 1 through March 31, excluding any antlered deer seasons. This extended season includes a three-year sunset clause, meaning it is set to expire unless renewed. A night vision permit is required during this season, with a current processing fee of $2.50.

Proposed Fee Increase

The Commission is now considering increasing the night hunting permit fee to:

$27.50 for residents
$52.50 for non-residents

Alternative Proposal

The Kansas Night Hunters Association has submitted an alternative proposal that includes two key components: 

     1. Addition of Raccoons to Legal Game Species

         The proposal would add raccoons to the list of species that may be harvested during the night hunting season.  Under this change, hunters would be required to:

         A. Successfully complete the KDWP furbearer education program

         B. Purchase a fur harvester's license

         C. Obtain the appropriate permit

  Rather than relying solely on a fee increase, this approach would:

         * Generate additional license revenue for the state

         * Address the growing raccoon population and resulting issues across Kansas

     2.  Matching Sunset Clause for Fee Increase

           The proposal recommends that any permit fee increase include the same sunset clause as the current regulation.  If adopted, the increased fees would expire on April 1, 2028, aligning with existing statute (115-25-12c).

  We, the undersigned, ask the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks Commission to adopt the proposal by the Kansas Night Hunters Association to include raccoons to the list of legal species to be harvested during the night hunting season, requiring a fur harvester's license to do so.