Not sure which author you are referring to, but if this is NotATether's version, I would not use it. Very buggy and last known speed is compromised and the program does not find keys.
The only thing needed, IMO, to upgrade JLPs original Kangaroo to be able to search a 256 bit range, was to update the limited 128 bit store function to a 256 bit store function (plus the + - and type bits) so the program could solve key. I have not looked at the code of the new 256bit version, but it seems it does not find keys.
Original JLP Kangaroo, you can search a 256 bit range for a key but since it only stores 128 bits for the distances, you will not solve key properly because it is missing 128 bits of the distance (private key), which is needed to reconstruct the private key of the pub key you are searching for.
Yep he was referring to mine.
You should not try to update it to 256-bit store - it's too complicated since you'll have to find a new home for the two flag bits at the end of each store (the ones which limit to the actual search range to 126 bits). This is how the hashtable got screwed.
It is more logical to update it to a 254-bit store instead so you don't have to move the flag bits anywhere.