Commission approves expanded night‑vision coyote season with three‑year sunset after heated public comment

The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks commission approved two linked rule changes to expand legal use dates for night‑vision/thermal equipment for coyote hunting and to add a three‑year sunset to one regulation, after extensive public comment and a divided commission vote.

Department staff said the changes implement a previously reached commission consensus to move the night‑vision coyote season into cooler months and limit expansion of summer months. Jake George, wildlife division director, explained that one regulation (1‑15‑05‑01) was modified to reference the season‑date text added to 1‑15‑25‑12, and that the new language establishes a season of Sept. 1 through March 31 but excludes the September youth/early seasons and the regular firearm seasons; the separate section (1‑15‑25‑12) includes a three‑year sunset that will revert the season back to Jan. 1–March 31 on April 1, 2028, unless the sunset is removed by future action.

Public testimony was lengthy and sharply split. Opponents raised public‑safety and access concerns, asked about wounded animals and mistaken target identification at night, and argued night hunting displaces resident hunters by encouraging land leasing to outfitters. Dawn Hawkins (identified online) said night shooting near populated recreation areas worried her, noting proximity to private property and recreational users. Conservation group testimony from the Sierra Club expressed concern about public safety, enforcement and ecological services provided by coyotes. Several private‑land hunters and landowners testified in favor, saying thermal equipment allows them to protect livestock and property and that they can distinguish coyotes from dogs or deer when using thermal gear.

Commission discussion covered public access, enforcement, and fees. The department said the current permit is a $2.50 processing fee (most of which goes to licensing agents) and that the department could bring a separate fee rule forward later; commissioners expressed interest in a higher fee (suggestions ranged toward $20 for residents) but agreed a fee change would require a separate promulgation. The commission also added language setting a three‑year sunset in 1‑15‑25‑12 so the expanded season would revert unless the commission or legislature acts again.

Both regulations were approved by roll‑call votes: KAR 1‑15‑5‑01 passed 5–2 and KAR 1‑15‑25‑12 (including the three‑year sunset) passed 5–2. Several commissioners said they had received substantial constituent input on both sides of the question; Commissioner Gaffeller and Commissioner Lister recorded no votes on both items (the roll calls show the split).

The department said it will track participation, complaints, enforcement workload and effects on access and report back to the commission under the sunset provision.