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HB 2547

Requiring a valid upland game bird stamp prior to taking any upland game bird in this state, except on private land, establishing the upland game bird restoration fund and requiring the department of wildlife and parks to use moneys from such fund for the procurement and release of upland game birds.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shawn Chauncey

Kansas hunters must buy upland game bird stamps for public land hunting; revenue funds state programs to capture and release game birds to restore populations.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2547

Legislative bill overview

HB 2547 requires Kansas hunters to purchase an upland game bird stamp before hunting species like pheasants and quail on public lands (private land is exempt). The bill establishes a dedicated "upland game bird restoration fund" where stamp revenue funds the state's procurement and release of game birds to replenish wild populations.

Why is this important

Upland game bird populations in Kansas have declined significantly over decades due to habitat loss and hunting pressure. This bill creates a direct funding mechanism—similar to successful models in other states—where hunters directly finance species restoration rather than relying on general state wildlife budgets. The revenue could substantially increase breeding stock availability for release programs.

Potential points of contention

  • Fairness of exemption: Private landowners and hunters on private property are exempt from the stamp requirement, which some argue creates an unequal funding burden on public land hunters while benefiting private landowners through restocking efforts
  • Effectiveness questions: Critics may question whether purchasing and releasing captive-bred birds is the most cost-effective restoration strategy compared to habitat protection and restoration
  • Economic impact on hunters: The stamp adds a new fee to hunters' costs during a period when hunting participation has declined; this could further reduce hunter numbers unless the stamp is priced competitively

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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