Brief (1)
HB 2954 would amend current law to allow coyotes to be hunted by anyone having either a furharvesting license or a hunting license. The bill would amend the definition of "furharvest" to include the taking of coyote by any means and not just by trapping as is the case under current law. The bill also would add clarifying language to the statutes regarding hunting and furharvesting licenses to accomplish the purpose of the bill.
Background
This bill was introduced by Representative Weber at the request of a constituent. At the hearing on the bill, a spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) appeared in support of the bill and explained that under current law, trapping a coyote is defined as "furharvest," while taking a coyote using firearms or other legal methods is defined as "hunting." The spokesperson explained that these definitions were created in response to hunters who wish to shoot coyotes, but do not wish to buy a furharvester license, as well as furharvesters who wish to trap coyotes, but do not wish to buy a hunting license. The spokesperson continued to explain that the current definition of "furharvest," includes taking furbearing animals by trapping or hunting methods. He stated that if an individual is using hunting methods to take bobcats or other furbearers, but wishes also to shoot a coyote, the individual would need both a furharvester license (to shoot bobcats) and a hunting license (to shoot coyotes). The spokesperson explained that a few individuals have expressed frustration with this result, because they have no interest in hunting deer, pheasant, or any other nonfurbearing animal, and do not wish to buy a hunting license.
Representative Weber appeared before the Committee and also presented testimony from a constituent who was in the situation as described by the spokesperson from KDWP. There were no opponents to the bill.
The fiscal note on the bill states that the bill would decrease revenues to the Wildlife Fee Fund by $15,000 in FY 2001. According to KDWP, individuals are required to purchase a furharvester license to trap coyotes and a hunting license to shoot coyotes. Each of these licenses costs $15. KDWP estimates that 20 percent or 1,000 licensed furharvesters who also purchase hunting licenses would purchase only the furharvester license and thus result in fewer hunting licenses being sold.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html