Hunting Seasons & Licensing · KS
Kansas Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonKansas is one of the top destinations for trophy white-tailed deer hunting in the United States, consistently producing Boone and Crockett-class bucks. The state also offers excellent upland bird hunting — pheasant, quail, and prairie chicken — along with strong turkey populations. Kansas manages over 350,000 acres of public wildlife areas. The state uses a permit-by-draw system for non-resident deer and is known for having some of the most restrictive non-resident access policies in the country.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Sep 15 – Dec 31, 2025 | 1 either-sex + 1 antlerless | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Firearm | Dec 3 – Dec 14, 2025 | 1 buck (antler restrictions apply) | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Sep 15 – Sep 28, 2025 | 1 either-sex | Muzzleloader only |
| White-tailed Deer | Extended Archery (urban units) | Jan 12 – Jan 31, 2026 | Antlerless only | Bow and arrow |
| Pronghorn | Firearm | Oct 4 – Oct 7, 2025 | 1 pronghorn per permit | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
White-tailed Deer (Firearm): 12-day season. Trophy deer state — antler restrictions vary by unit.
White-tailed Deer (Extended Archery (urban units)): Select urban management units
Pronghorn (Firearm): Limited permits by draw. Western Kansas only.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 1 – May 31, 2026 | 2 bearded turkeys (1 per unit) | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Oct 1 – Jan 31, 2026 | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Nov 8 – Jan 31, 2026 | 4 daily (roosters only) / 16 possession | Shotgun |
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | General | Nov 8 – Jan 31, 2026 | 8 daily / 32 possession | Shotgun |
| Greater Prairie Chicken | General | Sep 15 – Jan 31, 2026 | 2 daily / 8 possession | Shotgun |
Greater Prairie Chicken (General): Flint Hills region primarily
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Central Flyway.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Year-round | 10 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Squirrel | General | Jun 1 – Feb 28, 2026 | 5 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $27.50 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $97.50 | — |
| Resident Deer Permit | $42.50 | — |
| Non-Resident Deer Permit | $442.50 | Draw required — limited non-resident permits |
| Non-Resident Archery Deer Permit | $372.50 | OTC — easier to obtain than firearm permit |
| Resident Turkey Permit | $27.50 | — |
| Non-Resident Turkey Permit | $72.50 | — |
| Youth (under 16) | Free with hunter education | — |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Kansas restricts non-resident firearm deer permits through a lottery drawing — approximately 30% of permits go to non-residents. Applications are due in late April. There is no preference point system — drawings are random. Non-resident archery deer permits are available over the counter and are the most accessible way for non-residents to hunt Kansas deer. Resident permits are generally available over the counter. Pronghorn permits are by draw for both residents and non-residents.
Harvest Reporting
Kansas requires mandatory harvest reporting (Telecheck) for all deer and turkey within 24 hours of harvest. Report online or by phone. Each animal receives a confirmation number. CWD surveillance is active — mandatory testing in designated CWD management units.
Kansas Wildlife Resources
- Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-877-426-3843
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.