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
| Pre-Rut Firearm Whitetail Antlerless-Only | Whitetail Antlerless Only | Oct. 7 - Oct. 9, 2023 | All units; any permit for whitetail antlerless deer is valid. Ft. Riley unit closed. |
| 1st Extended | Jan. 1 - 7, 2024 | Units 6, 8, 9, 10, and 17. | |
| 2nd Extended Whitetail Antlerless Only | Jan. 1 - 14, 2024 | Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14, and 16. | |
| 3rd Extended Whitetail Antlerless Only | Jan. 1 - 21, 2024 | Units 10A (Ft. Leavenworth), 12, 13, 15, and 19. | |
| Extended Archery Whitetail Antlerless-Only | Jan. 22 - 31, 2024 | Unit DMU 19 ONLY. First permit valid statewide, up to four additional valid in specified units on private land. | |
| Youth and Disability | Sept. 2 - Sept. 10, 2023 | All units; youth 16 and younger with valid deer permit, under adult supervision, and permit holders with vehicle or disability assistance permits. | |
| Muzzleloader | Sept. 11 - Sept. 24, 2023 | Units specified on permit; | |
| Archery | Sept. 11 - Dec. 31, 2023 | All units; general archery | |
| Regular Firearm | Nov. 29 - Dec. 10, 2023 | All units; regular firearm |
Deer – Military Base
| Fort Leavenworth | ExtendedFirearm | 1-Jan - 22-Jan |
| Extended Archery | 23-Jan - 31-Jan | |
| Firearm | 12-Nov - 13-Nov | |
| 19-Nov - 20-Nov | ||
| 24-Nov - 27-Nov | ||
| 3-Dec - 4-Dec | ||
| 10-Dec - 11-Dec | ||
| Smoky Hill Air National Guard Subunit Firearm | 30-Nov - 11-Dec | |
| Fort Riley | Firearm | 25-Nov - 27-Nov |
| 17-Dec - 23-Dec | ||
| 26-Dec - 27-Dec | ||
| Archery | 12-Sep - 31-Dec | |
| Archery (By special authorization) | 1-Sep - 11-Sep | |
| 1-Jan - 31-Jan | ||
| Fort Riley Youth/Disabled | 3-Sep - 11-Sep | |
| By special authorization | 8-Oct - 10-Oct | |
Antelope
| Archery (Early) | 24-Sep - 2-Oct | Units 2, 17, and 18 |
| Archery (Late) | 15-Oct - 31-Oct | |
| Muzzleloader | 3-Oct - 10-Oct | Unit 2, 17, or 18 |
| Firearm | 7-Oct - 10-Oct |
Elk
| Method | Units Covered | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzleloader | Outside Ft Riley | Sept 1-30, 2023 |
| Archery | Sept 11 - Dec 31, 2023 | |
| Firearm | Aug 1-31 | |
| Nov 29 - Dec 10, 2023 | ||
| Jan 1-Mar 15, 2024 | ||
| Muzzleloader/Archery | Ft Riley | Sept 1-30, 2023 |
| Firearm (Any-Elk Permit Holders) | Oct 1-Dec 31, 2023 | |
| Firearm, 1st Segment | Oct 1-31, 2023 | |
| Firearm, 2nd Segment | Nov 1-30, 2023 | |
| Firearm, 3rd Segment | Dec 1-31, 2023 |
Turkey
| Archery Only | 8-Apr-24 | 16-Apr-24 | Unit Specified on Permit |
| Regular (Firearm/Archery) | 17-Apr-24 | 31-May-24 | |
| Youth/Disabled | 1-Apr-24 | 16-Apr-24 |
Bag Limits
| Archery Only | One bird with a visible beard per permit |
| Regular (Firearm/Archery) | |
| Youth/Disabled |
2023 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
| Statewide | 10-Nov-23 - 10-Mar-24 | No bag and possession limit |
Bullfrog
| Statewide | 1-Jul-23 - 31-Oct-23 | 8 bag and 24 possession limit |
Upland Bird
Pheasant
| Youth | 5-Nov - 6-Nov | limit of 4 cocks daily |
|---|---|---|
| General | 12-Nov - 31-Jan | limit of 4 daily |
Quail
| Youth | 5-Nov - 6-Nov | A bag limit of 8 daily. |
| Regular | 12-Nov - 31-Jan |
Greater Prairie Chicken
| 15-Sep-22 - 31-Jan-23 | Bag of 2 |
Grouse
| 15-Sep - 31-Jan | East and Northwest Zone.A bag limit of 2 daily |
Migratory Birds & Waterfowl
Duck
| Youth/Veteran/Active Military | Low Plains Southeast | Ducks | 4-Nov-23 - 5-Nov-23 | Similar to regular seasons |
| Low Plains Early | 30-Sep-23 - 1-Oct-23 | Ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers may be hunted by 17-year-olds. | ||
| Low Plains Southeast Zone | Second Segment | 13-Jan-24 - 28-Jan-24 | 6 ducks: 5 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup, and 1 pintail. 6 teal, gadwall, or wigeon may be in the daily bag. | |
| First Segment | 11-Nov-23 - 7-Jan-24 | |||
| Low Plains Late Zone | 7-Oct-23 - 3-Dec-23 | |||
| 28-Oct-23 - 31-Dec-23 | ||||
| Second Segment | 23-Dec-23 - 7-Jan-24 | |||
| High Plains Unit | 19-Jan-24 - 28-Jan-24 | 6 - Any 6 ducks or mergansers, including no more than 5 mallards (2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup, and 1 pintail. | ||
| First Segment | 7-Oct-23 - 31-Dec-23 |
Coots
| Zones/Units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Low Plains Southeast | Second Segment | 13-Jan-24 - 28-Jan-24 |
| First Segment | 11-Nov-23 - 7-Jan-24 | |
| Youth/Veteran/Active Military | Low Plains Southeast | 4-Nov-23 - 5-Nov-23 |
| Low Plains Early | Second Segment | 23-Dec-23 - 7-Jan-24 |
| First Segment | 7-Oct-23 - 3-Dec-23 | |
| Low Plains Late | 28-Oct-23 - 31-Dec-23 | |
| Youth/Veteran/Active Military | Low Plains Late | 21-Oct-23 - 22-Oct-23 |
| Low Plains Early | 30-Sep-23 - 1-Oct-23 | |
| High Plains | Second Segment | 19-Jan-24 - 28-Jan-24 |
| First Segment | 7-Oct-23 - 31-Dec-23 |
Mergansers
| Low Plains Southeast Zone | 2nd Segment | 13-Jan-24 - 28-Jan-24 |
| 1st Segment | 11-Nov-23 - 7-Jan-24 | |
| Youth/Veteran/Active Military | 4-Nov-23 - 5-Nov-23 | |
| 21-Oct-23 - 22-Oct-23 | ||
| Low Plains Early | 30-Sep-23 - 1-Oct-23 | |
| Low Plains Early Zone | 2nd Segment | 23-Dec-23 - 7-Jan-24 |
| 1st Segment | 7-Oct-23 - 3-Dec-23 | |
| Low Plains Late Zone | 28-Oct-23 - 31-Dec-23 | |
| High Plains Unit | 2nd Segment | 19-Jan-24 - 28-Jan-24 |
| 1st Segment | 7-Oct-23 - 31-Dec-23 |
Teal
| Low Plains (East of Hwy. U. S. 283) | 9-Sep-23 - 24-Sep-23 | 6 bag and 18 possession limit |
| High Plains (West of Hwy. U. S. 283) | 16-Sep-23 - 24-Sep-23 |
Sandhill Crane
| West Zone | 21-Oct-23 - 17-Dec-23 | Sandhill Crane. A bag limit of 3 daily |
| Central Zone | 8-Nov-23 - 4-Jan-24 |
Snipe
| Statewide | 1-Sep-23 - 16-Dec-23 | 8 bag and 24 possession limit |
Rail
| Statewide | 1-Sep-23 - 9-Nov-23 | 25 bag and 75 possession limit |
Woodcock
| Statewide | 14-Oct-23 - 27-Nov-23 | 3 bag and 9 possession limit |
Dove
| Exotic Doves (Eurasian collared, ringed turtle) | 1-Jan-23 - 31-Dec-23 |
| Mourning and Whitewing (Daily bag limit is 15) | 1-Sep-23 - 29-Nov-23 |
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 | 28-Oct-23 - 29-Oct-23 | 6 bag and 18 possession limit |
| Second Segment (including Brant) | 1-Nov-23 - 11-Feb-24 |
Light Geese
| 1st Segment | 28-Oct-23 - 29-Oct-23 | 50 bag and unlimited possession limit |
| 2nd Segment | 1-Nov-23 - 11-Feb-24 |
White-fronted Geese
| 1st Segment | 28-Oct-23 - 31-Dec-23 | 2 bag and 6 possession limit |
| 2nd Segment | 20-Jan-24 - 11-Feb-24 |
Furbearers
Squirrel
| 1-Jun-23 - 29-Feb-24 | Statewide | 5 bag and 20 possession limit |
Rabbit
| Cottontail and Jackrabbit | 1-Jan-23 - 31-Dec-23 | A bag limit of 10 daily |
Coyote
| Regular days | 1-Jan-23 - 1-Jan-24 | 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. |
| Night Vision Permit | 1-Jan-23 - 31-Mar-23 |
Bobcat
| Bobcat | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 | (Statewide) Each day's hunting, trapping, and running seasons for furbearers begin at 12:01 a.m. and end at 12:00 a.m. |
Fox
| Swift fox | 15-Nov-23- 15-Feb-24 | Statewide. All hunting, trapping, and running seasons for furbearers open at noon on the first day and end at midnight on the last day. |
Beaver & Otter
| Trapping Only | 15-Nov-23 - 31-Mar-24 |
Badger
| 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Muskrat
| Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Mink
| Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Opossum
| Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Raccoon
| Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Striped Skunk
| Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Weasel
| Statewide | 15-Nov-23 - 15-Feb-24 |
Furbearer Running Season
| Bobcat | 1-Mar-23 | Statewide | |
| Opossum | |||
| Raccoon | |||
| Red Fox | |||
| Gray Fox | |||
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.
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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