Creating increased opportunities for youth hunters will be one of the items discussed by Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners during their virtual meeting on Thursday. The KDWPT is considering raising the maximum age to participate in the state’s special youth seasons to 17.
Up until now, state regulations have allowed hunters age 16 and younger to participate in special youth seasons for deer, turkey and upland birds. Meanwhile, federal regulations previously only permitted hunters age 15 and younger to participate in special youth waterfowl seasons, causing much confusion for the public.
Recently, federal regulations have raised the maximum age limit to participate in youth seasons to 17. In an effort to avoid confusion, create consistency among seasons, and allow more young hunters to benefit from the youth seasons, the department will seek to mirror the new age limit established by federal regulation.