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Public urges KDWP to revisit ban on trail cameras on public land; department notes differing policies across landowners
Summary
Multiple commenters urged the commission to reconsider the department’s 2023 regulation prohibiting trail cameras on public lands. Commenters said the rule reduces enjoyment and suggested tailoring rules by land-ownership type; the department and commission said staff will consider the concerns.
At the start of the March 27 public‑comment period, several members of the public urged the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Commission to revisit a 2023 regulation that prohibits use of trail cameras on public lands.
Justin Whitten of Lawrence said the regulation has reduced his enjoyment of hunting and asked the commission to evaluate whether the ban meets the “reasonable laws and regulations” standard he described in the constitutional amendment voters adopted in 2016 (he said the amendment limited regulations to those reasonable and tied to conservation and management). Whitten said the department’s prior public‑lands director indicated the camera ban did not serve a conservation objective and suggested the commission consider a narrower approach that would treat voluntary private‑land programs differently from general public lands (for example, not extending restrictions that private program participants requested onto U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land that is managed differently).
Other public commenters raised related issues about landowner choice and whether individual landowners should have discretion to allow or prohibit cameras on leased or private lands. Outfitters and landowners who spoke at the meeting said landowners should be able to set conditions for access to their property; representatives of hunting businesses argued the industry supports sustainable management and local economies.
Chair Whitney Dammer and Secretary Christopher Kennedy acknowledged the comments and said staff would continue to gather information and consider options. Staff noted that various land managers, including federal agencies, may apply rules differently, and the department must balance enforcement, landowner concerns and hunter expectations. No regulatory change was proposed or adopted at the meeting; the department said it will consider public input as it evaluates rules and any future regulatory action.
