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KDWP to increase Unit 2 elk permits amid herd growth near Fort Riley
Summary
Staff proposes raising the number of elk permits in Unit 2 (Fort Riley area) to address locally high elk numbers and potential crop damage; the change will go forward into promulgation process.
Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks staff told the commission on March 27 they plan to increase the number of elk hunting permits available in Unit 2, the Fort Riley area, citing recent local herd growth and concerns about crop and property damage.
Matt Peake, wildlife biologist and elk coordinator, said the department proposes authorizing 15 any‑elk permits and 24 antlerless elk permits for Unit 2. The regulation change would raise the number of limited draw permits valid for the Fort Riley unit from prior levels. Peake said the change is a response to “some pretty large herds off the fort in recent years such that we're fairly concerned about damage issues emerging in that vicinity.”
The proposed regulation package would also continue existing permissions: unlimited hunt‑on‑land antlerless and any‑elk permits for private landowners neighboring Fort Riley, plus unlimited hunt‑on‑land permits in Unit 3 and statewide resident permit provisions. Peake said season dates remain unchanged from current regulation; the proposed permit increases will move into the regular promulgation process for public notice and hearings.
Commissioners asked questions about long‑term elk management goals and whether other units should be opened in the future; Peake said Cimarron National Grasslands (Unit 1) has not developed a stable, predictable herd and that the department is cautious about promoting herds on public land due to potential crop damage problems that emerged during past growth phases.
The department will publish the proposed regulation and return to the commission for a formal vote after public comment.
