65 and older license exemption

[Blackdog40]

KDWPT is in the process of requesting the legislature end this exemption. This is from and editorial by Robin Jennison in the Jan/Feb issue of Kansas Wildlife and Parks Magazine. He lists the reasons as declining license sales, the number of people reaching 65 (baby boomers). Plus the always KDWPT needs more money to survive or words to that effect.

Here again we have government unable to control cost and climbing on the back of those who can least afford additional outlays of cash to fund their gluttony.

I do not know about anyone else but if my Representatives vote for this measure they will not get my vote next election. I am contacting them after I write this to give them my opinion on this matter.

[clock152]

this is BS!... no way this can pass... we should get a patition going!.. its bad enough that its going to be to dang hard to even retire at that age... if anything I would rather see them lower the age for needing a license.

[imajigger2]

While it will be neccessary for the survival of our fishing future to continue to maintain funding and even grow funding, this is not the way to do it. I personally know two individuals who had never purchased a fishing license in their life. They are both lifelong Kansas residents and both retired at age 65. When they found out they could get the free license they went out and got them. Both of these guys were looking for a recreatioal past time in retirement. Since that time both of these individuals have bought boats and a myriad of other fishing items, rods reels lures, and misc stuff. Both have commented to me that they have spent thousands of dollars for this stuff. While it is true they never supported any of this before, they are now a part of the fishing community. The money that the KDWPT now gets from these guys through the federal funding programs more than offsets the 50 bucks that they lost in License fees. KDWPT does a good job but they like all the rest of us will need to learn to be more frugal with their funds. The way to more funding is to raise interest in the next generations so that they want to spend their time at our lakes and parks. GROW THE SPORT!!
If you price the people out of the sport then who is going to support it? I don't agree that we need to lower the age of free licensing but we certainly don't need to start charging for something that they have no real numbers on yet. The baby boomers cover quite a few years and I would bet that there are more boomers not retired at this time that there is that are retired. The problem with giving politicians more funding is that it is never enough, they always come back for more. Perhaps more streamlining at the top would help, adding the tourism part to an already stretched wildlife and parks budget was and is a huge mistake. Each entity should stand and live or die on their own. To prop up one by taking from the other is no answer. Thats my .02 cents worth

[Blackdog40]

Robin Jennison commissioner for KDWP he has a facebook account please let him know your feelings.

[Blackdog40]

This might be better sent to off topic I think but I could not figure how to post over there. Thanks.

[Fish Taxi]

So here comes a really unpopular post...

Pony up and buy a license you cheap AZZEZ! Err, I mean, if you like fishing in Kansas, it would be a good idea to make a financial contribution to the only organization that is working on your behalf. It's not like you can join a private organization like "Crappie Unlimited" and they will work to help manage the lakes you like to fish. Nope, it's KDWPT, and they need money to survive. It's easy to complain about how there aren't enough wardens, or they ought to stock more walleyes, or gee that boat ramp is getting washed away, etc, but everybody says "not it" when it's time to pay for this stuff. Many of you probably drop more on gas and bait in one trip than it would cost you for an annual license... I'm just saying... You retired guys fishing 5+ days a week, all year long (if you are reading this), I don't think $20.00 per YEAR is too much to ask. And I suspect that it will actually be half the price of a regular license, or less.

Also, as I understand it, getting federal funding is a numbers game. The more licenses a state sells, the more funding they get from the feds. So even a discounted priced "senior" license, still counts towards the total and gets the state more $$ from Uncle Sam. I think that license sales is one of the determining factors in how the pittman-robertson money gets distributed.

If you want to talk about a rip-off, I would argue that boat taxes are the biggest BULLS*** wallet-punch there is! Kansas took another $565.00 from me this year for a boat I bought nearly 5 years ago. And HOW did that benefit the fishing in Kansas? That didn't buy me any fingerling fish, put in a new ramp anywhere, or bring any benefit related to fishing in Kansas...

Anyway, I'm sure this post will raise a few eyebrows and maybe ruffle some feathers, but I just think that if you are passionate about fishing in KS, you should want AND expect to help support its future financially. Just my .02

[Blackdog40]

You are right that is not good post. I do not believe in name calling for any reason. I figured someone would take this track. I would not mind spending five bucks a year so the state can receive federal funding. What KDWP needs to do is show us a good sound basis for the action they propose just not say hey we need more money.

Every gov agency out there says they need more money.

I think that was not worth .02 IMPO

[springhillwantabe]

i am with you bd40 taxi prolly has 30 years before he gets an exemption i am not there but almost don't know where all the money goes we need a cleaning station here at hd we are getting a shotting rahge give all the local law enforcements a place to spend some more of our money o well had to say something

[Fish Taxi]

You are right that is not good post. I do not believe in name calling for any reason. I figured someone would take this track. I would not mind spending five bucks a year so the state can receive federal funding. What KDWP needs to do is show us a good sound basis for the action they propose just not say hey we need more money.

Every gov agency out there says they need more money.

I think that was not worth .02 IMPO

@bd40 & anybody else I offended, I was just razzing you in that first line. I put the smiley-wink face there to let you know it was tongue in cheek. I would never intentionally make a personal attack on here. I forget that it doesn't always "read" that way. My sincere apologies to all.

Nevertheless, I think I made a valid point or two, whether anybody agrees with me or not.

[fishlessDan]

@bd40 & anybody else I offended, I was just razzing you in that first line. I put the smiley-wink face there to let you know it was tongue in cheek. I would never intentionally make a personal attack on here. I forget that it doesn't always "read" that way. My sincere apologies to all.

Nevertheless, I think I made a valid point or two, whether anybody agrees with me or not.

Fish Taxi, You made alot of valid and good points. I mostly agree with everything you stated. If a retired person can afford to fish 3-5 days a week they can darn well afford a $20 liscense, after all they are using the resources more than those of us that fish 15-20 times a year! KDWPT needs the money for upkeep, enforcement(badly), maintenance and a load of other things. Read Craigs thread on the "ask the biologist" part of the board and maybe you'll understand, if not, well????