Kansas has many whitetail and mule deer, and permits are distributed based on a draw system. Other game species include Sandhill Cranes, Crows, Woodcocks, Snipes, Doves, Greater Prairie Chickens, Mergansers, Coots, Rails, Teal, Bull Frogs, and Antelope. December and January are great duck hunting months because to the 27 duck species. Goose game is popular in the region due to its nine waterfowl subspecies. Pheasants, bobwhite quail, and turkeys are popular targets in the fall and spring period.
This page guides you to make the most of your time in the field with comprehensive information on dates, guidelines, and useful details.
Kansas Hunting Seasons
🦌 Big Game Hunting Seasons
Whitetail Deer
| Season Type | Dates | Equipment | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sept 15 – Dec 31, 2025 | Bow/crossbow only | Valid deer permit required |
| Muzzleloader | Sept 15–28, 2025 | Muzzleloaders | Hunter orange mandatory |
| Firearm | Dec 3–14, 2025 | Rifles, shotguns | Hunter orange required |
| Youth/Disabled | Sept 6–14, 2025 | All legal methods | Adult supervision for youth |
| Extended Antlerless | Oct 11–13, 2025 (Statewide) Jan 1–18, 2026 (Select units) | Varies by zone | Unit-specific permits |
🦬 Elk Hunting
| Location | Season Type | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Fort Riley | Archery | Sept 15 – Dec 31, 2025 |
| Muzzleloader | Sept 1–30, 2025 | |
| Firearm | Aug 1–31, 2025 Dec 3–14, 2025 Jan 1 – Mar 15, 2026 | |
| Fort Riley | Muzzleloader/Archery | Sept 1–30, 2025 |
| Firearm | Oct 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 |
🦌 Antelope
| Season Type | Dates | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sept 20–28, 2025 | 2, 17, 18 |
| Muzzleloader | Sept 29 – Oct 6, 2025 | Statewide |
| Firearm | Oct 3–6, 2025 | Drawing required |
🦃 Turkey (Spring 2026)
| Season Type | Dates | Equipment | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth/Disabled | Apr 1–14, 2026 | Any legal method | 1 bearded |
| Archery-Only | Apr 6–14, 2026 | Bow/crossbow | 1 bearded |
| Regular | Apr 15 – May 31, 2026 | Shotgun/archery | Varies by unit |
🦫 Furbearers & Predators
| Species | Season Dates | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| General Furbearer | Nov 12, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | Furharvester license |
| Raccoon/Opossum | Mar 1 – Nov 11, 2025 | Cage traps only |
| Coyote | Year-round | No bag limits |
🐦 Upland Birds
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Pheasant & Quail | Nov 8, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | 4 pheasants, 8 quail |
| Youth Season | Nov 1–2, 2025 | Same as regular |
🦆 Waterfowl Zones
| Zone | Duck Season Dates | Youth Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| High Plains | Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 Jan 16–25, 2026 | Oct 4–5, 2025 |
| Low Plains Early | Oct 11 – Dec 7, 2025 Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 | Sept 27–28, 2025 |
🦢 Geese
| Type | Season Dates | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Geese | Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 | 6 |
| Light Geese | Nov 5, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026 | 50 (conservation order) |
🎯 Special Opportunities
- Military Lands: Fort Riley/Leavenworth (extended seasons)
- Sandhill Cranes: Nov 6, 2025 – Jan 6, 2026 (Central Zone)
Hunting licenses
All hunters who are 16 years of age or older must have a game license.
| Licenses | Fees |
|---|---|
| Resident | USD 27.50 |
| 5 Year Resident | USD 102.50 |
| (Nonresident) | USD 97.50 |
| (Nonresident under 16) | USD 42.50 |
| (Senior Resident) | USD 15.00 |
| (Lifetime License) | USD 502.50 |
| (Resident Furharvester) | USD 27.50 |
| (Nonresident Furharvester) | USD 252.50 |
| (Resident Junior Furharvester) | USD 15.00 |
Details of the Pursuing animals.
| Categories | Seasons | Permits | Locations | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery, muzzleloader, hunt-own-land for residents; drawing for non-residents | Resident: draw or over-the-counter; non-resident: drawing | Statewide, with higher populations in certain areas | Increasing |
| Pronghorn | Archery, muzzleloader, firearms | Competitive draw for muzzleloader and weapon permits; resident archery permits are readily accessible | Western Kansas | Stable |
| Elk | N/A | State citizens and members of the armed forces only, 20 permits granted out of 900 requests | Close to Ft. Riley and other areas | Low |
| Duck | N/A | N/A | Statewide, with higher populations in certain areas | High |
| Geese | N/A | N/A | Statewide, with different subspecies in different areas | High |
| Pheasant | Fall (October-November) | Available through a draw or over-the-counter for residents. Non-residents can obtain permits through a drawing. | West and mid-west regions of Kansas | High |
KDWP New Interactive Mapping Tool
| Name: | KDWP New Interactive Mapping Tool to Locate Fields for Dove |
|---|---|
| Release Date: | 25-Aug-23 |
| Contacts: | Nadia Marji CMP®, Chief of Public Affairs (nadia.marji@ks.gov) |
| Jessica Ward, Communications Manager (Jessica.ward@ks.gov) | |
| Location: | Kansas City, KS |
| Description: | Hunters may now easily find dove fields using an interactive mapping tool from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. To attract them and other wildlife, KDWP public land managers plant sunflowers, milo, and wheat stubble. It lets hunters zoom in, alter layers, and identify nearby fields. Bag limitations apply, which runs from September 1 to November 29. Hunter licenses and permits may be purchased via GoOutdoorsKansas.com or the mobile app. |
| Access the tool at: | experience.arcgis.com |
| Instructions: | To use the tool: |
| 1. Visit https://ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Migratory-Birds/Dove2. | |
| 2. Select the first link that appears: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/1d6b4f5586bc4cc2a30cf412205a7607. | |
| 3. Zoom in the area you want to see. | |
| 4. Modify layers (for results filtering) and investigate a table view with sorting options depending on characteristics like wildlife area. | |
| Use the "Nearest Field Locator" to identify fields that are within a certain distance of a set spot on the map. | |
| Dates | September 1 to November 29 |
| Species: Mourning, white-winged, Eurasian collared, and ringed turtle doves | |
| Limits: There is a 15 daily bag limit (including both mourning and white-winged doves); There is no restriction on Eurasian collared or ringed turtle types, but any further kills must be transported with a fully feathered wing attached for identification. | |
| 45 maximum in possession | |
| Important Note: | Only migrating doves may be captured in flight. |
| License/Permits: | Visit GoOutdoorsKansas.com or download the Go Outdoor Kansas mobile app to acquire 2023 outdoor licenses and permits. |
KS Hunting Regulations
- Large game like deer or elk cannot be pursued with bait or weapons.
- Every deer and turkey kill must be reported within 24 hours and a minimum of 400 square inches of daytime neon orange clothing must be worn during the rifle seasons.
- It’s against the law to hunt at night using a flashlight or any other kind of artificial light.
- With a few exceptions for birds and animals, Sundays are off-limits.
- You need a non-resident license as a guest or tourist regardless of age..
- It is forbidden to use of a car while pursuing the game.
- Are required to carry their permits and identification at all times.
- Hunting is not allowed within 100 yards of a home or other inhabited building without the owner’s permission.
- Private property may not be used without the specific permission of the proprietor.
- Taking migratory birds is prohibited without a federal duck stamp.
- Pursuing on federal or state lands is prohibited without the appropriate authorization or license.
- Other than for the turkey, it is against the law to hunt other game birds with a shotgun that holds more than three rounds.
- Hunting is not permitted when a bow’s draw weight is under 40 pounds.
- It is against the law to participate with a weapon that needs more than one person to transport and use. Laws also prohibit using a weapon without a safety system
- During the limited seasons, it is illegal to hunt deer or turkey with a bow or crossbow and rifle or pistol .
- It is a major crime to get a deer or turkey using bait or an electronic call during a restricted period.
- Elk and deer are examples of big game that need a valid license or tag to be conducted.
FAQ
When do Kansas deer seasons begin?
The regular deer season in Kansas runs from September through January; however, the precise start and end dates may vary based on the location and the specific species being chased.
Is there any restriction on how the game may be taken in Kansas?
Yes, there is a restriction of using bait is against the law. Additionally, no artificial light of any kind may be used during a hunt.
Is it legal to hunt in Kansas without a license?
Every individual in the state is required to have a valid hunting license. Non-legal residents may need special nonresident permission in specific circumstances.
Can I go hunting on private land in Kansas?
You must get formal permission from the landowner before accessing the property for hunting purposes.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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