Kansas Hunting Seasons 2023 [Approved Schedule!]

Kansas is home to a wide variety of game, including deer, turkey, quail, pheasant, and more. Hunting in Kansas is enjoyable for both seasoned veterans and novices alike. Pack all your hunting gear because we’re going on a hunt! Here in this article, we’ll explore the 2023 hunting seasons in detail, covering everything from the dates and rules to helpful hints for making the most of your time in the field.

Kansas Hunting Seasons

Kansas hunting options include deer, pronghorn, elk, duck, geese, pheasant, quail, and turkey. Healthy numbers of whitetail and mule deer may be found throughout the state, and resident and non-resident hunters can get licenses via a draw system. Permits are required by June, and the pronghorn hunting season normally lasts from September through October. There aren’t many chances to shoot elk; just 20 of the 900 requests for licenses are approved each year. There are 27 distinct varieties of ducks in Kansas, and the shooting season is most active in December or January.

Since Kansas is home to nine subspecies of geese, hunting chances are plentiful. In Kansas, pheasants and bobwhite quail are the most popular game birds. In the spring, the turkey hunting season lasts from April to May, and in the autumn, it lasts from October to November. Sandhill Crane, Crow, Light and Dark Geese, Woodcock, Snipe, Dove, Greater Prairie Chicken, Merganser, Coots, Rail, Teal, Bull Frog, and Antelope are some more game species.

Bobcat Season

Kansas Bobcat Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Bobcat	Wednesday, November 16, 2022	Wednesday, February 15, 2023	(Statewide) Each day's hunting, trapping, and running seasons for furbearers begin at 12:01 a.m. and end at 12:00 a.m.

Antelope Season

Kansas Antelope Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Antelope (Early Archery)	Saturday, September 24, 2022	Sunday, October 02, 2022	Find Regulations for Units.
Antelope (Muzzleloader)	Monday, October 03, 2022	Monday, October 10, 2022	Find Regulations for Units.
Antelope (Firearm)	Friday, October 07, 2022	Monday, October 10, 2022	Find Regulations for Units.
Antelope (Late Archery)	Saturday, October 15, 2022	Monday, October 31, 2022	Find Regulations for Units.

Deer Seasons

Kansas Deer Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Deer (Youth and Disability)	Saturday, September 03, 2022	Sunday, September 11, 2022	Statewide
Deer (Muzzleloader)	Monday, September 12, 2022	Sunday, September 25, 2022	Statewide
Deer (Archery)	Monday, September 12, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022	Statewide
Deer (Pre-rut Whitetail )Antlerless	Saturday, October 08, 2022	Monday, October 10, 2022	Statewide
Deer (Regular Firearm)	Wednesday, November 30, 2022	Sunday, December 11, 2022	Statewide
Deer (Extended Firearms-1)	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, January 08, 2023	Antlerless Whitetail only. Valid in Units 6, 8, 9, 10 and 17
Deer (Extended Firearms-2)	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, January 22, 2023	Antlerless Whitetail only. Units 10A, 12, 13, 15 and 19 only.
Deer (Extended Firearms-3)	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, January 15, 2023	Antlerless Whitetail only in Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14 and 16
Deer (Special Extended Archery)	Monday, January 23, 2023	Tuesday, January 31, 2023	Valid in DMU 19, 10A (Fort Leavenworth)

Deer Season (Military Base)

Military Base Deer Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date
Fort Leavenworth Extended Firearm	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, January 22, 2023
Fort Leavenworth Extended Archery	Monday, January 23, 2023	Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Fort Leavenworth Firearm	Sunday, November 12, 2023	Monday, November 13, 2023
	Sunday, November 19, 2023	Monday, November 20, 2023
	Friday, November 24, 2023	Monday, November 27, 2023
	Sunday, December 03, 2023	Monday, December 04, 2023
	Sunday, December 10, 2023	Monday, December 11, 2023
Smoky Hill Air National Guard Subunit Firearm	Thursday, November 30, 2023	Sunday, December 11, 2022
Fort Riley Firearm	Saturday, November 25, 2023	Monday, November 27, 2023
	Sunday, December 17, 2023	Saturday, December 23, 2023
	Monday, December 26, 2022	Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Fort Riley Archery	Monday, September 12, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022
Fort Riley Archery (By special authorization )	Thursday, September 01, 2022	Sunday, September 11, 2022
Fort Riley Archery (By special authorization )	January 1, 2023	January 31, 2023
Fort Riley Youth/Disabled	Saturday, September 03, 2022	Sunday, September 11, 2022
Fort Riley Youth/Disabled (By special authorization )	Saturday, October 08, 2022	Monday, October 10, 2022

Hours for Deer Shooting: Half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after dusk.

Elk Season

Kansas Elk Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Elk (Regular Firearm First Segment	Monday, August 01, 2022	Wednesday, August 31, 2022	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.
Elk (Regular Firearm First Segment)	Monday, August 01, 2022	Wednesday, August 31, 2022	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.
Elk (Muzzleloader and Archery)	Thursday, September 01, 2022	Friday, September 30, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Muzzleloader Only)	Thursday, September 01, 2022	Friday, September 30, 2022	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.
Elk (Muzzleloader and Archery)	Thursday, September 01, 2022	Friday, September 30, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Muzzleloader Only)	Thursday, September 01, 2022	Friday, September 30, 2022	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.
Elk (Archery)	Monday, September 12, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.
Elk (Archery)	Monday, September 12, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.
Elk (Firearm Any Permit Holder)	Saturday, October 01, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Firearm Segment-1)	Saturday, October 01, 2022	Monday, October 31, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Firearm Any Permit Holder)	Saturday, October 01, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Firearm Segment -1)	Saturday, October 01, 2022	Monday, October 31, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Firearm Segment-2)	Tuesday, November 01, 2022	Wednesday, November 30, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Firearm Segment-2)	Tuesday, November 01, 2022	Wednesday, November 30, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Regular Firearm Second Segment)	Wednesday, November 30, 2022	Sunday, December 11, 2022	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.
Elk (Regular Firearm Second Segment)	Wednesday, November 30, 2022	Sunday, December 11, 2022	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.
Elk (Firearm Segment-3)	Thursday, December 01, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Firearm Segment-3)	Thursday, December 01, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022	Fort Riley only.
Elk (Regular Firearm Third Segment)	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Wednesday, March 15, 2023	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.
Elk (Regular Firearm Third Segment)	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Wednesday, March 15, 2023	Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1.

Coyote Season

Kansas Coyote Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Coyote	Saturday, January 01, 2022	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Statewide. There is no limit. Coyote hunting is only permitted from January 1 through March 31. Artificial light, visible light amplification devices, thermal imaging scopes, and thermal imaging equipment are all permitted.

Fox Season

Kansas Fox Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Fox – Red, Gray, & Swift	Thursday, November 17, 2022	Wednesday, February 15, 2023	Statewide. All hunting, trapping, and running seasons for furbearers open at noon on the first day and end at midnight on the last day.

Sandhill Crane Season

Kansas Sandhill Crane Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Sandhill Crane (West Zone)	Sunday, October 16, 2022	Monday, December 12, 2022	Sandhill Crane. A bag limit of 3 daily
Sandhill Crane (Central Zone)	Thursday, November 10, 2022	Friday, January 06, 2023	Sandhill Crane. A bag limit of 3 daily

Dove Season

Kansas Dove Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Dove (Exotic Dove)	Saturday, January 01, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022	only Eurasian turtle doves with collars and rings.
Dove (Migratory Dove)	Thursday, September 01, 2022	Tuesday, November 29, 2022	Whitewing and mourning. The daily bag limit is 15. Year-round.

Duck Season

Kansas Duck Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Duck (Teal Low Plains)	10-Sep-22	25-Sep-22	A bag limit of 6 daily
Duck (Teal High Plains)	17-Sep-22	25-Sep-22	A bag limit of 6 daily
Duck (High Plains Youth Waterfowl)	1-Oct-22	2-Oct-22	Plains High Zone. Limit of six bags per day. Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.
Duck (Low Plains Youth Waterfowl-Early)	1-Oct-22	2-Oct-22	(Low Plains Early)Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.(
Duck (Early Low Plains Zone Segment-1)	8-Oct-22	4-Dec-22	(Late Zone) Limit of six bags per day. Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.
Duck (High Plains Segment-1)	8-Oct-22	1-Jan-23	(High Plains Zone). Limit of six bags per day. Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.
Duck (Low Plains Youth Waterfowl-Late)	22-Oct-22	23-Oct-22	(Little Plains) Late. Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.
Duck (Southeast Zone Youth Waterfowl)	29-Oct-22	30-Oct-22	(South-east region.) Limit of six bags per day. Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.
Duck (Late Low Plains-1)	29-Oct-22	1-Jan-23	Zone late. daily bag limit of six.
Duck (Southeast Segment-1)	5-Nov-22	1-Jan-23	(South-east region) Limit of six bags per day. Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.
Duck (Early Low Plains Zone Segment-2)	17-Dec-22	1-Jan-23	(Late Zone) Limit of six bags per day. Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.
Duck (Southeast Segment-2)	14-Jan-23	29-Jan-23	(South-east region) Limit of six bags per day. Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.
Duck (High Plains Segment-2)	20-Jan-23	29-Jan-23	(High Plains Zone). Limit of six bags per day. Six ducks, comprising a maximum of five mallards, only two of which may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and one pintail. Three times the daily bag limit is the possession restriction.
Duck (Late Low Plains-2)	21-Jan-23	29-Jan-23	Late Zone. A Bag limit 6 daily.

Goose Season

Kansas Goose Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Goose (Canada Geese-1)	Saturday, October 29, 2022	Sunday, October 30, 2022	Statewide. A bag limit of 6 daily
Goose (Light Geese-1)	Saturday, October 29, 2022	Sunday, October 30, 2022	Statewide. A bag limit of 50 daily
Goose (White-Fronted Geese-1)	Saturday, October 29, 2022	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Statewide. A bag limit of 2 daily
Goose (Light Geese-2)	Wednesday, November 02, 2022	Sunday, February 12, 2023	Statewide. A bag limit of 50 daily
Goose (Canada Geese-2)	Wednesday, November 02, 2022	Sunday, February 12, 2023	Statewide. A bag limit of 6 daily
Goose (White-Fronted Geese-2)	Saturday, January 21, 2023	Sunday, February 12, 2023	Statewide. A bag limit of 2 daily
Goose (Conservation Order)	Monday, February 13, 2023	Sunday, April 30, 2023	Little Geese. There is no limit. Shotguns that aren't plugged in and electronic calls are permitted under the Conservation Order. The time for shooting is from a half-hour before dawn to a half-hour after sundown.

Grouse Season

Kansas Grouse Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Grouse (Regular Prairie Chicken)	Thursday, September 15, 2022	Tuesday, January 31, 2023	East and Northwest Zone.A bag limit of 2 daily

Pheasant Season

Kansas Pheasant Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Pheasant (Youth Season)	Saturday, November 05, 2022	Sunday, November 06, 2022	A bag limit of 4 cocks daily
Pheasant	Saturday, November 12, 2022	Tuesday, January 31, 2023	A bag limit of 4 daily

Quail Season

Kansas Quail Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Quail (Youth Season)	Saturday, November 05, 2022	Sunday, November 06, 2022	A bag limit of 8 daily.
Quail (Regular Season)	Saturday, November 12, 2022	Tuesday, January 31, 2023	A bag limit of 8 daily.

Rabbit Season

Kansas Rabbit Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Rabbit (Cottontail and Jackrabbit)	Saturday, January 01, 2022	Saturday, December 31, 2022	A bag limit of 10 daily

Kansas Turkey Season 2023

Kansas Turkey Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Turkey (Fall)	Saturday, October 01, 2022	Thursday, November 10, 2022	Units 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Turkey (Spring Youth/Disabled)	Saturday, April 01, 2023	Tuesday, April 11, 2023	Unit listed on permit.
Turkey (Spring Archery)	Monday, April 03, 2023	Tuesday, April 11, 2023	Unit listed on permit.
Turkey (Spring Regular)	Wednesday, April 12, 2023	Wednesday, May 31, 2023	Unit listed on permit. Firearm/Archery

Trapping Seasons in Kansas

For the purposes of trapping, the following animals in Kansas are considered furbearers: badger, bobcat, beaver, grey fox, red fox, swift fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, striped skunk, and weasel. A valid furharvester’s license is required for the capture, hunting, or sale of the fur of any of these animals.

Kansas Hunting licenses

All hunters who are 16 years of age or older must have a hunting license.

Hunting Licenses	Fees
​(Resident Hunt)	​USD 27.50
(5 Year Resident Hunt License)	​USD 102.50
(​Nonresident)	​USD 97.50
(​Nonresident under 16)	​USD 42.50
(​​Senior Resident Hunt)	​USD 15.00
​(Lifetime Hunting License)	​USD 502.50
​(Resident Furharvester)	​USD 27.50
​(Nonresident Furharvester)	​USD 252.50
​(Resident Junior Furharvester)	​USD 15.00

Details of the Hunting animals.

Kansas’s diverse landscape, climate, and flora combine to make it a premier hunting destination.

Hunting 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

Hunting Regulations

• Large game like deer or elk cannot be pursued with bait or weapons.

• A minimum of 400 square inches of daytime neon orange clothing must be worn by hunters during the rifle deer and turkey seasons.

• Every deer and turkey kill must be reported within 24 hours.

• It’s against the law to hunt at night using a flashlight or any other kind of artificial light.

• Only turkey hunting is permitted to use electronic calls.

• With a few exceptions for birds and animals, Sundays are off-limits to hunting.

• You need a non-resident hunting license in order to hunt in Kansas as a guest or tourist.

• All hunters must have a current hunting license, regardless of age.

• It is forbidden to hunt from or with the use of a car.

• All hunters are required to carry their hunting 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 for hunting without the specific permission of the proprietor.

• Crossbow use during hunting is prohibited during the bowhunting season.

• Hunting migratory birds is prohibited without a federal duck stamp.

• Hunting 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 hunt with a weapon that needs more than one person to transport and use.

• Laws prohibit using a weapon without a safety system for hunting.

• Going on a big game hunt, like one for deer or elk, is against the law at specific periods.

• Game bird hunting is not permitted during closed seasons, with the exception of the turkey.

• During the limited seasons, it is illegal to hunt deer or turkey with a bow or crossbow.

• It is against the law to use a rifle or pistol to pursue deer or turkeys during their prohibited seasons.

• It is a major crime to hunt a deer or turkey using bait or an electronic call during a restricted season.

• Deer and turkey hunting is prohibited during closed seasons if no license or tag is present.

• Elk and deer hunting are examples of big game that need a valid license or tag to be conducted.

• It is forbidden to hunt game birds without a current license or stamp, with the exception of the turkey.

• Hunting migratory birds is prohibited if neither a stamp nor a license is in place.

• Hunting for big game, such as deer and elk, is illegal without finishing the necessary hunter education course.

• No hunter may lawfully pursue any other game bird, except the turkey, without first completing the necessary hunter education coursework.

• You must must complete a hunter safety course if you want to pursue ducks.

• Hunting for big game, such as deer and elk, is illegal without finishing the necessary hunter education course.

• No hunter may lawfully pursue any other game bird, except the turkey, without first completing the necessary hunter education coursework.

• Anyone who has not finished a hunter safety course that has been certified by the state is not allowed to shoot migratory birds.

• Hunting for big game, such as deer and elk, is illegal without finishing the necessary hunter education course.

• It is against the law to hunt game birds (other than the turkey) without first completing a hunter education course that has been certified by the state.

For complete official hunting regulations , please visit the below link for complete details.

FAQs related to Kansas Hunting Seasons

When do Kansas deer seasons begin?

The regular deer hunting 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, using bait while hunting is against the law in Kansas. Additionally, no artificial light of any kind may be used during a hunt.

Is it legal to hunt in Kansas without a license?

Every hunter in Kansas 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?

In Kansas, hunters must get formal permission from the landowner before accessing the property for hunting purposes.