The hunting scenery in Kansas consists of games like deer, turkey, elks, and other small game animals. The state also helps hunters with several programs such as Kansas Sportsmen Assisting Disabled Sportsmen program that help disabled hunters by pairing them up with other hunters.

Another opportunity for hunters is the Walk-in Access hunting program where private landowners in the state will grant access to hunters to take various games within their property.

Then there is the hunter referral program for deer hunters where private landowners that have abundant deer on their property will open the land for hunting.

Kansas Hunting Regulations

Hunting in Kansas is heavily regulated with laws and requirements that hunters must compulsorily abide by. Some of the most important hunting regulations in Kansas include the following:

Trespassing

It is a prohibition to hunt, trap, shoot or attempt to do these activities on lands owned by private owners without consent from the owner or the person put in charge of the land.

Also, if you are to hunt from public roads in the state, and there is private land adjacent to the roadside, you are still required to seek the permission of the landowner before hunting.

But hunting is prohibited on federal and state highways of Kansas. For lands that have a post requesting written permission for hunting and trapping, it is illegal to enter them without getting a permit.

Furthermore, it is a prohibition to erect blinds on poles and treestands for hunting, regardless of if they have been abandoned.

Collecting and Giving Games

Any game that is given or gifted to another person must carry the details of the hunter that offered the gift. The details must include the following:

  • Hunter’s name
  • Hunter’s permit number or transaction number
  • Hunter’s license details
  • Hunter’s address
  • The date the hunter gifted the game
  • Hunter’s signature.

Selling Games

It is a prohibition to sell game carcasses or meat taken in Kansas. Also, you cannot sell games at charitable events.

Wasting Games

It is a prohibition to waste games in Kansas when a game has been injured, crippled, or killed, it is the responsibility of the hunter to find the games and retrieve them. Hunters are obligated to keep retrieved games until they are either consumed, processed, or given away to take to the hunter’s home.

Prohibited Activities While Hunting in Kansas

Some of the unlawful activities that are prohibited for Kansas hunting include the following:

  • It is a prohibition to make use of drugs, coated arrows, chemicals, or any other substance that can incapacitate a game animal while trying to hunt the animal.
  • It is a prohibition to shoot a firearm at a game, hunt, or pursue game animals with vehicles such as motorboats, airplanes, land vehicles, etc. Exceptions are allowed for the hunting of waterfowl games with a motorboat that is powered off, or whose sailing has ceased, you can also pursue coyotes with vehicles. Also, hunters with disabled permits can hunt with vehicles.
  • It is a prohibition to make use of a two-way communication device or a mobile cell phone to aid in the hunting, pursuing locating of big game animals and fur-bearing animals. Any mechanical means of communication is also prohibited by this regulation.
  • It is a prohibition to make use of live decoys while hunting in Kansas.
  • It is a prohibition to draw game animals out with electronic calls. However, exceptions are allowed for coyote hunting, furbearers hunting, crows hunting, and geese hunting during conservation order.
  • It is a prohibition to cast spotlights or make use of headlights and any other type of artificial light for hunting or taking games in regions of the state like grasslands, woodlands, forested areas, highways with the aid of hunting weapons such as firearms, archery, etc. However, there is an exception to this prohibition that allows the use of light sources like, battery flashlights, handheld lanterns, and lamps with firearms such as .17 and .22 rimfire rifles to take trapped games such as furbearers, coyotes, etc.
  • It is a prohibition to shoot at migratory bird games like quail, pheasants, doves, etc. unless they are in flight. Exceptions are allowed for the shooting of turkeys in flight and on land.

Non-Toxic Shots

Non-toxic shots are approved for the hunting of games such as geese, coots, ducks, rails, moorhens, etc. You can make use of nontoxic shots for shotgun hunting in some of the Kansas wildlife refuges. It is the responsibility of a hunter to find out if nontoxic shots are allowed in a wildlife refuge before hunting.

Use of Tags

Big game animals or turkeys that are found dead in Kansas can only be possessed after tagging it with the state KDWPT salvage tag. You are not allowed to cut off antlers or possess their skulls without having the salvage tag. For other dead game animals, you can possess them in their specific seasons with their valid Kansas license and the required bag limits.

Checking Hunters

It is the duty of Kansas law enforcement officers to enter lands and hunting fields and request the license of hunters or check their bag limits. For this, hunters must compulsorily be in possession of their hunting license whenever they are out to hunt.

Furthermore, hunters are obligated to allow a law enforcement officer to complete the required check and inspection of their license, permits or tags, and any game animal they have taken.

Prairie Dogs Hunting Kansas

Before you can hunt prairie dogs in Kansas you must have a valid state hunting license to hunt with the dog. Kansas issued a prairie dog hunting license for residents and non-residents. Hunting of prairie dogs is allowed throughout the state, and there are no bag limits or closed seasons for the game. However, since most prairie dog hunting in Kansas takes place in lands owned by private owners, they are required to obtain a permit from landowners before hunting on their property.

Open Carry While Hunting in Kansas

You can open carry while hunting in Kansas except when you are bow hunting, in which situation you can only conceal carry. You are also not allowed to make use of your firearm arm during an archery hunting session.

According to the state’s gun law, harassment of hunters during a legal activity is not allowed. Nobody shall deliberately interfere or disturb a hunting activity permitted by adequate authority. This includes fur harvesting and fishing.

Kansas Hunting License, Permits, and Tags

Kansas issues hunting licenses based on age, residency, and validity periods. Some of the most important hunting licenses in the state include the following:

Residents Annual Hunting License

This license is only available to residents of Kansas that want to hunt in the state. It is valid for one year and costs $27.5.

Residents Hunting and Fishing Combination License

This license is available for residents to hunt and fish in Kansas water bodies. It is valid for one year and costs $47.5

Residents 5 Years Hunting License

This license will be valid for 5 years and residents can use it to hunt within this period. It will expire 1825 days after purchasing it. It costs $102.5.

Residents 5 Years Hunting and Fishing License

This license will be valid for 5 years and residents can use it to hunt and fish within this period. It will expire 1825 days after purchasing it. It costs $182.5.

Non-Residents Hunting License

This license is only available to non-residents that want to hunt in Kansas. It is valid for one year and costs $97.5.

Non-Residents Hunting and Fishing Combination License

This license is available for non-residents to hunt and fish in Kansas water bodies. It is valid for one year and costs $137.5

Non Residents Youth Hunting License

This license is available for non-residents that are youths. The age requirement to apply for the license is at most 15 years old. It costs $42.5.

Residents Multi-Year Youth Hunting License

This license is available for residents of Kansas that are youths. The age requirement to apply for the license is between the ages of 16 and 21 years old. The license will expire when the holder reaches 21 years old. It costs $72.5.

Senior Hunting Annual License

This license is available for senior residents of Kansas and is valid for a year. The age requirement for the license is between the ages of 65 and 74 years old. It costs $15.

Senior Hunting and Fishing Combination License

This license is available for senior residents of Kansas for hunting and fishing within the state water bodies and is valid for a year. The age requirement for the license is between the ages of 65 and 74 years old. It costs $25.

Lifetime Residents License

Lifetime hunting licenses available in Kansas include the following:

Hunting, Fur harvesting and Fishing License

Lifetime hunting licenses are available for residents of Kansas to either hunt, fish, or harvest furs. License for either of these 3 activities would cost $502.5. And you will be required to pay an additional $50 on a quarterly basis.

Hunting and Fishing Lifetime Licenses

This license will allow residents to take part in hunting and fishing in Kansa. It will be valid throughout their lifetime. It costs $962.5 with an additional $89.5 paid on a quarterly basis.

Senior Hunting and Fishing Combination Lifetime License

Senior residents of Kansas that want to take part in hunting and fishing in the state can purchase the lifetime combination license. The age requirement needed for this license is between 65 and 74 years old, and it costs $42.5.

Kansas Fishing Licenses, Permits, and Tags

Fishing licenses permits and tags available in Kansas include the following:

Senior Residents Fishing License

This license is available for senior residents that want to fish in Kansas and is valid for a year. The age requirement for the license is between the ages of 65 and 74 years old. It costs $15.

Residents 1 Day Fishing License

This license is available for residents, and it is valid for only one day. It costs $8.5.

Residents Annual Fishing License

This license is only available to residents of Kansas that want to fish in the state. It is valid for one year and costs $27.5.

Residents 5 Years Fishing License

This license will be valid for 5 years and residents can use it to fish in the state water bodies within this period. It will expire 1825 days after purchasing it. It costs $102.5.

Residents Lifetime Fishing License

This license is available for residents of Kansas, and it will be valid for life. It costs $502.5

Hunting and Fishing Lifetime Combination License

This is a lifetime license for residents of Kansas to partake in state hunting and fishing. It costs $962.5.

Non Residents Annual Fishing License

This license is only available to non-residents that want to fish in Kansas. It is valid for one year and costs $52.5.

Non Residents 5 Days Fishing License

This license is only available to non-residents that want to fish in Kansas. It is valid for 5 days and costs $27.5.

Non Residents 1 Day Fishing License

This license is available for non-residents, and it is valid for only one day. It costs $14.5.

Trout Fishing Permit

Anyone that wants to harvest trout fishes in Kansas can purchase these permits. It costs $14.5.

Paddle Fishing Permit

Anyone that wants to harvest paddle fishes in Kansas can purchase these permits. It costs $12.5.

Youth Paddle Fishing Permit

This is available for youths that want to harvest paddle fishes in Kansas. The age requirement for the permit is 15 years old and younger. It costs $7.5.

Hand Fishing Permit

To capture fish with your bare hands in Kansas you need a hand fishing permit. This is mostly used for the harvesting of catfishes in the state. Hand fishing permit costs $27.5.

Bass Pass

Bass pass is a permit available in Kansas for anglers to weigh at most 5 fishes that are at least 15 inches or more. Bass Pass costs $14.5.

Three Poles Permits

Anglers need 3 poles to help them spread their baits to more areas of the water. To make use of 3 poles in Kansas, you must obtain a permit. It costs $8.5

Duplicate for Licenses and Permits in Kansas

In case of a missing or stolen permit, then you have to purchase a Kansas duplicate permit or license. The fee to duplicate all fishing and hunting license in Kansas is $2.5

Kansas Hunting Season

Hunting seasons in Kansas vary from games to games and the methods of taking them. It is the responsibility of hunters to know the starting and ending date for the specific game season they want to take.

The 2020/21 hunting season for various wildlife in Kansas includes the following:

Kansas Deer Hunting Seasons

  • Archery Hunting Season (14th of September to 31st of December)
  • General Youth and Disabled Hunting Season (9th of September to 15th of September)
  • Muzzleloader Hunting Season (14th of September to 27th of September)
  • Pre Rut Antlerless Deer Hunting Season (10th of October to 12th of October)
  • General Firearm Hunting Season (2nd of December to 13th of December)

For whitetail Deer hunting in Kansas, the season length can vary per hunting unit in the state. There are also some deer seasons for military members that may also vary in length. Hunters that want to know if they qualify for special deer hunting seasons should visit the Kansas department for wildlife, parks, and tourism.

Kansas Elk Hunting Season

  • General Hunting Season (1st of September to 15th of March)
  • Extended hunting season based on permits (1st of October to 31st of December)
  • Elk hunting in Kansas varies from one zone to another. The extended season is divided into 3 months and only hunters that have Kansas elk license will be allowed for the season.
  • Kansas Antelope Hunting Seasons
  • Archery Hunting Seasons (19th of September to 27th of September and 10th of October to 31st of October)
  • Firearms Hunting Seasons (25th of October)
  • Muzzleloader Hunting Season (28th of September to 5th of October)

Kansas Turkey Hunting Seasons

  • Fall Hunting Season (1st of October to 10th of November)
  • Kansas Small Games Hunting Seasons
  • Bullfrog Hunting Season (1st of July to 31st of October)
  • Crow Hunting Season (10th of November to 10th of March)
  • Rabbit Hunting Season (Open Season)
  • Squirrel Hunting Season (1st of June to 28th of February)

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Tourism, and Parks is in charge of regulations and bag limits for hunting seasons. The regulations, special seasons, and bag limits for hunting in the state will vary for specific games in different parts of the state. Hunters are advised to obtain all necessary information before going out to hunt.

Hunting Wildlife, Games, and Fishes

Some of the most popular games to hunt in Kansas includes the following:

Kansas Deer Hunting

There are two types of deer species native to Kansas, the white-tailed deer, and the mule deer. Mule deer are more common in the western part of the state and inhabit areas like red hills, smoky hills and high plain regions. But when you move further to the eastern part of Kansas, the quantity of mule deer will gradually reduce, and white-tailed deer will be more abundant.

Kansas Turkey Hunting

Turkey hunting in Kansas is common, and it is one of the three states in the nation with great turkey hunting opportunities. Most Kansas public hunting lands are perfect for turkey hunting, but the most common public hunting areas in the state are Milford, Toronto WMAs, Tuttle Creek, Fort Riley military hunting area, and a host of others.

Kansas Antelope Hunting

Antelope hunting in Kansas is quite decent with about 3000 of the games found in parks and wildlife in the state. They are more common in western Kansas, especially in the Wallace and Greeley counties, and according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Tourism, and Parks, this is due to the transplanting efforts that took place in these counties around 1964.

Kansas Elk Hunting

Elk hunting in Kansas takes place majorly in the Ft Riley wildlife area. However, personal elk hunting or small elk herds can be taken in various locations in the state. With a valid license, elk hunting is allowed in every part of Kansas except Morton County.

Kansas Rabbit Hunting

Some of the most popular species of rabbits found in Kansas are the swamp rabbits and the cottontail rabbits. The swamp rabbit can be found in southeast Kansas, and as the name implies, it inhabits the swampy area and river edges of the state. They are semi aquatic games, so wetland and shrub regions are ideal for them too. The cotton-tailed rabbit on the other hand mostly inhabits urban and suburban parts of the states. But they are well dispersed all through Kansas. They also have distinctive body features, with a brown upper body and white belly.

Kansas Duck Hunting

Duck hunting in Kansas is common to the wetland regions of the state, and they mostly prefer to be away from human habitation. You can find them in shallow parts of water bodies such as lakes and ponds.

Kansas Crow Hunting

Kansas can be found in woodland areas of Kansas, especially the ones along rivers, streams, and farmland areas of the state. They also inhabit suburban areas and orchards in the state.

Kansas Public Shooting Range

Shooting ranges in Kansas that are open to the general public include the following:

  • Ark Valley Gun Club
  • Bone Creek Sport & Gun Club
  • Cheney Lake Shooting Range
  • Fancy Creek Range
  • Geary County Fish and Game Association
  • Glen Elder Wildlife Area Range
  • Gypsum Valley Sporting Clays
  • Hay Capitol Gun Club
  • Hollister Wildlife Area Range
  • Kinsley Gun Club

Kansas Hunting Lands for Sale and Lease

Hunting lands for sale in Kansas include the following:

  • Minneapolis, Kansas (Ottawa County) 160 acres.
  • Valley Falls, Kansas (Jefferson County) 170 acres.
  • Greensburg, Kansas (Kiowa County) 320 acres.
  • Elk City, Kansas (Elk County) 40 acres.
  • Lane, Kansas (Miami County) 37 acres.
  • Independence, Kansas (Montgomery County) 80 acres.
  • Blue Mound, Kansas (Linn County) 157 acres.
  • Oswego, Kansas (Labette County) 80 acres.
  • Alta Vista, Kansas (Wabaunsee County) 160 acres.
  • Hunter, Kansas (Mitchell County) 560 acres.

Hunting lands for lease in Kansas include the following:

  • Kansas hunting lease available in Cowley County, 18000 acres.
  • Wanted 1 Rifle Hunter in Reni County, 2000 acres.
  • Campers for hunting in the Linn and Bourbon County area, 1 acre.
  • Campers are available in a great hunting area for deer, turkey, quail, dove in Bourbon County, 1 acre.