To the editor:

Fellow Kansans, I recently read the changes for out-of-state waterfowl hunters and fall turkey hunting.

I must express my displeasure with your decision on both fronts. Turkeys are making a comeback on property that I hunt; however, not enough to warrant a season.

Restricting out-of-state waterfowl hits my family a little harder.

I have family travel every year for the past 35+ years to waterfowl and upland hunt, typically arriving on Tuesday prior to upland opening day.

This is a truly generational event with fathers, uncles, adult children, and grandsons. In the past several years, we have had three generations in the field or blind.

Cheyenne Bottoms has been the primary waterfowl area through the years. It is refreshing that we have had adequate rain to put water back in the basin. During the drought, they have utilized private ponds with some success. My extended family owns upland habitat in Barton, Rice, Stafford, and Pawnee Counties and pay property taxes.

They travel from California, Arizona, South Carolina, Illinois, Wisconsin, and various counties in Kansas. Their length of stay varies; however, they spend funds on hotels, fuel, food, ammunition, and out-of-state licenses. It will not stop them for an upland trip. However, it will limit their time in Kansas, less dollars spent, less sales tax revenue, less relief on property taxes, less local projects. Their dollars turn quite a few times and have a direct impact on local businesses. I have hunted out of state and know the investment they are making.

Dennis D. Neeland

Great Bend