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
Deer
Deer Season | Date | Location | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Extended Firearms Whitetail Antlerless Only | 01/01/2025 – 01/05/2025 | Units 6, 8, 9, 10, 17 | January Deer Season |
Extended Firearms Whitetail Antlerless Only | 01/01/2025 – 01/19/2025 | Units 10A, 12, 13, 15, 19 | January Deer Season |
Extended Firearms Whitetail Antlerless Only | 01/01/2025 – 01/12/2025 | Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 16 | January Deer Season |
Extended Pre-rut Firearm Whitetail Antlerless | 10/15/2024 – 10/20/2024 | Unit 12 | October Pre-rut Season |
Pre-rut Whitetail Antlerless-only | 10/12/2024 – 10/14/2024 | Statewide | October Pre-rut Season |
Archery | 09/16/2024 – 12/31/2024 | Statewide | Archery Season |
Muzzleloader | 09/16/2024 – 09/29/2024 | Statewide | Muzzleloader Season |
Regular Firearm | 12/04/2024 – 12/15/2024 | Statewide | Firearm Season |
Youth and Disability | 09/07/2024 – 09/15/2024 | Statewide | Youth and Disability Season |
Smoky Hill – Firearm | 12/04/2024 – 12/15/2024 | Smoky Hill | Smoky Hill ANG Firearms Deer Season |
Fort Leavenworth Archery Deer Season, Extended (Antlerless only) | 01/20/2025 – 01/31/2025 | Ft. Leavenworth | Proposed Season Dates |
Fort Leavenworth Firearm Deer Season (1st Segment) | 11/16/2024 – 11/17/2024 | Ft. Leavenworth | Proposed Season Dates |
Fort Leavenworth Firearm Deer Season (2nd Segment) | 11/23/2024 – 11/24/2024 | Ft. Leavenworth | Proposed Season Dates |
Fort Leavenworth Firearm Deer Season (3rd Segment) | 11/28/2024 – 12/01/2024 | Ft. Leavenworth | Proposed Season Dates |
Fort Leavenworth Firearm Deer Season (4th Segment) | 12/07/2024 – 12/08/2024 | Ft. Leavenworth | Proposed Season Dates |
Fort Leavenworth Firearm Deer Season (5th Segment) | 12/14/2024 – 12/15/2024 | Ft. Leavenworth | Proposed Season Dates |
Fort Leavenworth Firearm Deer Season, Extended (Antlerless only) | 01/01/2025 – 01/19/2025 | Ft. Leavenworth | Proposed Season Dates |
Fort Riley – Archery | 09/11/2023 – 12/31/2023 | Fort Riley | Proposed Season Dates |
Fort Riley – Firearm | 12/14/2024 – 12/22/2024 | Fort Riley | Proposed Season Dates |
Fort Riley – Whitetail Antlerless-only | 11/29/2024 – 12/01/2024 | Fort Riley | Proposed Season Dates |
Extended Archery Whitetail Antlerless Only | 01/20/2025 – 01/31/2025 | DMU 19, 10A (Fort Leavenworth) | January Deer Season |
Antelope
Antelope | Date | Location | Description |
Archery | Sept. 21, 2024 – Sept. 29, 2024 | Units 2, 17, 18 | Archery Season |
Muzzleloader | Sept. 30, 2024 – Oct. 7, 2024 | Units 2, 17, 18 | Muzzleloader Season |
Firearm | Oct. 4, 2024 – Oct. 7, 2024 | Units 2, 17, 18 | Firearm Season |
Elk
Elk Season | Date | Location | Description |
Archery | Sept. 16, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024 | Unit(s) Specified on Permit | Elk Season Outside Fort Riley – Archery |
Firearms, First Segment | Aug. 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2024 | “ | Elk Season Outside Fort Riley – Firearm |
Firearms, Second Segment | Dec. 4, 2024 – Dec. 15, 2024 | “ | Elk Season Outside Fort Riley – Firearm |
Firearms, Third Segment | Jan. 1, 2024 – Mar. 15, 2024 | “ | January Elk Season Outside Fort Riley – Firearm |
Muzzleloader | Sept. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2024 | “ | Elk Season Outside Fort Riley – Muzzleloader |
Firearm Season for Any-Elk Permit Holders | Oct. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024 | Fort Riley | Elk Season – Firearm Season for Any-Elk Permit Holders – Fort Riley |
Firearms, First Segment | Oct. 1, 2024 – Oct. 31, 2024 | “ | Elk Season (Fort Riley) – Firearms, First Segment |
Firearms, Second Segment | Nov. 1, 2024 – Nov. 30, 2024 | “ | Elk Season (Fort Riley) – Firearms, Second Segment |
Firearms, Third Segment | Dec. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024 | “ | Elk Season (Fort Riley) – Firearms, Third Segment |
Muzzleloader/Archery | Sept. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2024 | “ | Elk Season – Muzzleloader and Archery – Fort Riley |
Turkey
Turkey Seasons | Date |
Spring Turkey – Regular (firearm/archery) | Apr. 17, 2024 – May 31, 2024 |
Spring Turkey – Archery Only | Apr. 8, 2024 – Apr. 16, 2024 |
Spring Turkey – Youth/Disabled | Apr. 1, 2024 – Apr. 16, 2024 |
Bag Limits
Archery Only | One bird with a visible beard per permit |
Regular (Firearm/Archery) | |
Youth/Disabled |
Update
Due to worries over diminishing bird populations, Kansas cancelled its fall turkey season for 2023. The KDWP Commission cited 15 years of turkey population has decreased. The 2022 fall harvest was projected to be fewer than 500 birds, since the fall increases its mortality, particularly hens. To restore the populations, the state has shortened the fall dates and reduced harvest limits. Other Midwest and Southeast states have seen the numbers decline.
Crow
Nov. 10, 2024 – Mar. 10, 2025 | No limit |
Bullfrog
Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Jul. 1, 2024 – Oct. 31, 2024 | 8 | 24 |
Upland Bird
Pheasant
Regular | Nov. 9, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 | Statewide |
Youth | Nov. 2, 2024 – Nov. 3, 2024 |
Quail
Regular | Nov. 9, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 | Statewide |
Youth | Nov. 2, 2024 – Nov. 3, 2024 |
Greater Prairie Chicken
Sep. 15, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 | Greater Prairie Chicken Unit | Daily Bag Limit: 2. |
Grouse
Sep. 15, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025
Migratory Birds & Waterfowl
Duck Mergansers & Coots
Low Plains (Second Segment) | Jan. 11, 2025 – Jan. 26, 2025 | Southeast |
Low Plains (First Segment) | Nov. 9, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025 | Southeast |
Youth/Veteran/Active Military | Nov. 2, 2024 – Nov. 3, 2024 | Low Plains Southeast |
Low Plains (First Segment) | Oct. 26, 2024 – Dec. 29, 2024 | Low Plains Late |
Youth/Veteran/Active Military | Oct. 19, 2024 – Oct. 20, 2024 | Low Plains Late |
Low Plains (Second Segment) | Dec. 21, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025 | Early |
Low Plains (First Segment) | Oct. 12, 2024 – Dec. 8, 2024 | Early |
Youth/Veteran/Active Military | Oct. 5, 2024 – Oct. 6, 2024 | Low Plains Early |
Youth/Veteran/Active Military (High Plains) | Oct. 5, 2024 – Oct. 6, 2024 | |
High Plains Unit (Second Segment) | Jan. 17, 2025 – Jan. 26, 2025 | |
High Plains Unit (First Segment) | Oct. 12, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025 |
Teal
High Plains | Sep. 21, 2024 – Sep. 29, 2024 |
Low Plains | Sep. 14, 2024 – Sep. 29, 2024 |
Sandhill Crane
Central | Nov. 6, 2024 – Jan. 2, 2025 | Sandhill Crane Unit |
West | Oct. 19, 2024 – Dec. 15, 2024 | Sandhill Crane Unit |
Snipe
Sep. 1, 2024 – Dec. 16, 2024 | Statewide |
Rail
Sep. 1, 2024 – Nov. 9, 2024 | Statewide |
Woodcock
Oct. 12, 2024 – Nov. 25, 2024 | Statewide |
Dove
Mourning and white-winged | Sep. 1, 2024 – Nov. 29, 2024 | Statewide |
Exotic Dove (Eurasian collared, ringed turtle) | Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024 | Statewide |
Youth, Veteran, & Active Military Waterfowl
Youth Waterfowl | High Plains Unit | 30-Sep-23 | 1-Oct-23 |
Low Plains Early | 30-Sep-22 | 1-Oct-23 | |
Low Plains Late | 21-Oct-23 | 22-Oct-23 | |
Southeast Zone | 4-Nov-23 | 5-Nov-23 | |
Canada Geese | Statewide | 28-Oct-23 | 29-Oct-23 |
1-Nov-23 | 11-Feb-24 | ||
White-fronted Geese | 28-Oct-23 | 31-Dec-23 | |
20-Jan-24 | 11-Feb-24 | ||
Light Geese | 28-Oct-23 | 29-Oct-23 | |
1-Nov-23 | 11-Feb-24 | ||
Light Geese, Conservation Order | 13-Feb-24 | 30-Apr-24 | |
Sandhill Crane | Central Zone | 8-Nov-23 | 4-Jan-24 |
West Zone | 21-Oct-23 | 17-Dec-23 |
Goose Season
Canada Geese
Statewide | 28-Oct-23 - 29-Oct-23 | 6 (including Brant) bag and 18 possession limit |
1-Nov-23 - 11-Feb-24 |
Dark Geese
(First Segment) | Oct. 26, 2024 – Oct. 27, 2024 | Statewide |
(Second Segment) | Nov. 6, 2024 – Feb. 16, 2025 | Statewide |
Light Geese
(First Segment) | Oct. 26, 2024 – Oct. 27, 2024 | Statewide |
(Second Segment) | Nov. 6, 2024 – Feb. 16, 2025 | Statewide |
White-fronted Geese
(First Segment) | Oct. 26, 2024 – Dec. 29, 2024 | Statewide |
(Second Segment) | Jan. 25, 2025 – Feb. 16, 2025 | Statewide |
Furbearers
Squirrel
Game Species | Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Squirrel | Jun. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 | 5 | 20 |
Rabbit
Game Species | Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Rabbit (Cottontail & Jackrabbit) | Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024 | 10 | 30 |
Coyote
Hunting | Jan. 1, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025 | No limit |
Night Vision Permit Season | Jan. 1, 2024 – Mar. 31, 2024 | Night vision equipment allowed; Permit required |
Bobcat
Running | Mar. 1, 2024 – Nov. 8, 2024 | 24 hours daily; Furharvester license required; No firearms or hunting/trapping equipment |
Fox
Running | Mar. 1, 2024 – Nov. 8, 2024 | 24 hours daily; Furharvester license required; No firearms or hunting/trapping equipment |
Beaver & Otter
Trapping | Nov. 15, 2023 – Mar. 31, 2024 |
Badger
Hunting & Trapping | Nov. 13, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 |
Muskrat
Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Mink
Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Opossum
Extended Hunting and Trapping | Apr. 3, 2024 – Sept. 12, 2024 | Furharvester license required; cage or box traps and DP foot encapsulating traps only |
Raccoon
Extended Hunting and Trapping | Apr. 3, 2024 – Sept. 12, 2024 | Furharvester license required; cage or box traps and DP foot encapsulating traps only |
Striped Skunk
Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Weasel
Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Furbearer Running Season
Mar. 1, 2024 – Nov. 8, 2024
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 ([email protected]) |
Jessica Ward, Communications Manager ([email protected]) | |
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.
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