Kansas is home to broad plains and diverse ecosystems, making it a hotspot for hunters in pursuit of different types of game. The Kansas Department of Animal, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) attentively determines hunting seasons each year. This is to make sure animal numbers remain stable, and hunters have a satisfying adventure. Knowing the regulations and cut-off dates for the 2024 calendar is key to a thrilling, enjoyable outing.

This guide gives a thorough rundown of important dates, rules, and permits to handle the latest Kansas outdoor season like a pro. We’re going to touch on exact guidelines for large animals such as deer and turkey, and even migratory birds and small game critters.

Detailed Hunting Timeline for Kansas

Big Games

Deer

Archery:

Opens statewide on Sept 16, 2024 and runs through Dec 31, 2024.

Muzzleloader:

Open season statewide from Sept 16, 2024 to Sept 29, 2024.

Youth & Disability:

Hunt available statewide from Sept 7, 2024 to Sept 15, 2024.

Regular Firearm:

Statewide from Dec 4, 2024 to Dec 15, 2024.

Pre-rut:

Statewide archery season allows antlerless deer hunting from Oct 12-14, 2024.
Unit 12 offers a pre-rut firearm season for antlerless deer from Oct 15-20, 2024.

Extended Seasons:

January Deer Season: Various units have extended seasons targeting antlerless deer with firearms.
- Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 16: Jan 1-12, 2025.
- Units 6, 8, 9, 10, 17: Jan 1-5, 2025.
- Units 10A, 12, 13, 15, 19: Jan 1-19, 2025.

January Archery: DMU 19 & 10A (Fort Leavenworth) allow extended archery for antlerless deer from Jan 20-31, 2025.

Fort Leavenworth Firearm (Military Base): Offers multiple segments for deer hunting with firearms.
- Segment 1: Nov 16-17, 2024.
- Segment 2: Nov 23-24, 2024.
- Segment 3: Nov 28-Dec 1, 2024.
- Segment 4: Dec 7-8, 2024.
- Segment 5: Dec 14-15, 2024.
- Extended Segment (Antlerless only): Jan 1-19, 2025.

Fort Riley (Military Base):
- Archery: Sept 11, 2023 to Dec 31, 2023.
- Firearm: Dec 14-22, 2024.
- Whitetail antlerless-only: Nov 29-Dec 1, 2024.

Smoky Hill:

Firearm season in Smoky Hill runs from Dec 4-15, 2024.

Elk

Archery:

Hunt elk outside Fort Riley with archery equipment
From Sept 16, 2024 through Dec 31, 2024.
Permit specifies unit.

Fort Riley:

Any-Elk Permit:

With firearms on Fort Riley
From Oct 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024.

Firearms: (segments )

On Fort Riley with firearms from Oct 1-31, 2024.
Firearm on Fort Riley runs from Nov 1-30, 2024.
Fort Riley with firearms allowed from Dec 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024.

Muzzleloader/Archery:

Both archery and muzzleloader
Permitted on Fort Riley
From Sept 1-30, 2024.

Outside Fort Riley:

Firearms:
- Outside Fort Riley with firearms during Aug 1-31, 2024. Permit specifies unit.
- Firearms allowed outside Fort Riley from Dec 4, 2024 to Dec 15, 2024. Permit specifies unit.
- (Extended): Outside Fort Riley with firearms from Jan 1, 2024 to Mar 15, 2024. Permit specifies unit.

Muzzleloader:
- Outside Fort Riley with a muzzleloader
- From Sept 1-30, 2024. Permit specifies unit.

Antelopes

Archery: Sept 21, 2024 – Sept 29, 2024 in Units 2, 17 and 18.
Muzzleloader: Sept 30, 2024 – Oct 7, 2024 in Units 2, 17 and 18.
Firearm: Oct 4, 2024 – Oct 7, 2024 in Units 2, 17 and 18.

Turkey

Spring:

Archery Only (All Ages): Apr 8-16. Units specified on permit.
Regular (Firearm/Archery): Apr 17-May 31. Units specified on permit.
Youth/Disabled: Apr 1-16. Units specified on permit. Valid permit or tag required (second tags not available in 2024).

Small Games

Bullfrogs

July 1 – Oct 31 (daily bag limit 8, possession limit 24)

Cottontail & Jackrabbit

Year-round (daily bag limit 10, possession limit 30)

Squirrels

Jun 1 – Feb 28 (daily bag limit 5, possession limit 20)

Crows

Nov 10 – Mar 10 (no daily or possession limits)

Upland Birds

Pheasant & Quail

Regular Season (Statewide):
- Nov 9, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025

Youth Season (Statewide):
- Nov 2-3, 2024

Greater Prairie Chicken

Regular Season (Greater Prairie Chicken Unit Only):
- Sep 15, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025

Bird Species	Season Type	Daily Bag Limit
Pheasant	Regular	4 cocks
	Youth	4 cocks
Quail	Regular	8
	Youth	8
Greater Prairie Chicken	Regular	2

Migratory Birds and Waterfowls

Dove (Statewide)

Mourning and White-winged Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 29, 2024
Eurasian Collared-Dove & Ringed Turtle Dove: Open year-round

Rail

Sept 1, 2024 – Nov 9, 2024 (statewide)

Snipe

Sept 1, 2024 – Dec 16, 2024 (statewide)

Duck Seasons (including Coots and Mergansers)

Offers 1st and 2nd segments: for each zones

Early Zone:
- Youth/Military/Veteran: Oct 5-6, 2024
- 1st: Oct 12-Dec 8, 2024
- 2nd: Dec 21, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025
Low Plains Late Zone:
- Youth/Military/Veteran: Oct 19-20, 2024
- 1st: Oct 26-Dec 29, 2024
- 2nd: Jan 11-26, 2025
Low Plains Southeast Zone:
- Youth/Military/Veteran: Nov 2-3, 2024
- 1st: Nov 9, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025
- 2nd: Jan 11-26, 2025
High Plains Zone:
- Youth/Military/Veteran: Oct 5-6, 2024
- 1st: Oct 12, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025
- 2nd: Jan 17-26, 2025

Teal

High Plains: Sept 21-29, 2024 (west of Hwy U.S. 283)
Low Plains: Sept 14-29, 2024 (east of Hwy U.S. 283)

Geese (Statewide)

Offers 1st and 2nd segments: for each zones

Dark Geese:
- 1st: Oct 26-27, 2024
- 2nd: Nov 6, 2024 – Feb 16, 2025
Light Geese:
- 1st: Oct 26-27, 2024
- 2nd: Nov 6, 2024 – Feb 16, 2025
White-fronted Geese:
- 1st: Oct 26-Dec 29, 2024
- 2nd: Jan 25-Feb 16, 2025

Sandhill Crane

Central Zone: Nov 6, 2024 – Jan 2, 2025 (Sandhill Crane Unit)
West Zone: Oct 19, 2024 – Dec 15, 2024 (Sandhill Crane Unit)

Woodcock

Oct 12 – Nov 25, 2024 (statewide)

Migratory Birds Bag Limits

Ducks: Daily limit 6 (with species restrictions), possession limit varies by zone and season (up to 3 times daily limit).
Geese: Daily limit varies (2-6), possession limit 18 (except Light Geese – unlimited).
Doves: Mourning/white-winged doves: daily 15, possession 45. Eurasian collared/ringed turtle doves: no daily or possession limit.
Other Birds: Daily limits range from 3 (woodcock) to 25 (rail), possession limits range from 6 (white-fronted geese) to 75 (rail).

Furbearer

Beaver, Otter Trapping

November 15, 2023 – March 31, 2024 (Statewide)

Coyote

January 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025 (Statewide, No Limit)

Coyote Night Vision Permit Season
- January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024 (Statewide, Permit Required)

Raccoon & Opossum

Extended season Apr 3 – Sept 12
Requires furharvester license and specific traps.

Extended Hunting and Trapping

April 3, 2024 – September 12, 2024 (Statewide, Raccoon, Opossum)

Furbearer Hunting & Trapping

November 13, 2024 – February 28, 2025 (Statewide)

Running Season (Bobcat, Red Fox, Gray Fox)

March 1, 2024 – November 8, 2024 (Statewide)

State of Kansas Hunting Policies

General:

People with lifetime licenses qualify for permits/tags no matter where they live.
If you’re proceeding on private grounds or public roads, you need permission from landowners.
Always remember, selling meat from the wild is against the law, even for charitable events.
Full-time students from other places can get licenses like residents.
Remember, hunting from boats, airplanes, or any motor vehicles is usually not allowed.

Deer:

Land Hunt: Any season, any approved tool, for farmers and their families. This cannot be transferred and requires one license per 80 acres of farmland.
Unique Land Hunt: Ideal for relatives like siblings, ancestors, descendants, or spouses. They must be on land controlled by the owner or renter using any approved tool.
Whitetail Female Deers Only: Licenses needed for hunting in specific territory on private or public lands, good throughout the year with suitable gear.
Young Hunter’s Pass: Discounted permits for young hunters (15 and under) for set times, such as the young or disabled hunt in September. Those aged 16 and under must have an adult with them.
After the Hunt: Go with paper tags or electronic tags. Adhere to all rules about tagging and transportation and follow digital registration and tagging guidelines.
Tick Disease: Be alert for diseases ticks can transmit. Protect yourself by using bug sprays, wearing protective clothes, frequently checking for ticks, and taking care with hunting dogs.
Chronic Wasting Disease: Grasp the impact of CWD, a disease in deer. Heed advice on handling and testing, always stay updated on scientific studies and tests.

Migratory Birds:

Different lawful approaches exist, but using traps, poisons, or explosives is not allowed.
Mechanical vehicles, live lures, electronic callbacks, or shooting from sink boxes are all banned during hunting.
However, you may hunt over altered crops, natural lushness, or flooded farmland, but areas with bait are absolutely off-limits.
To shoot migratory birds, motorboats should be still and not running. Be sure to adhere to the rules concerning possession, transportation, and tagging – tags and non-toxic shot are necessities.

Turkeys:

In spring, dogs aren’t allowed, but come fall turkey season, they’re permitted.
Here’s what gear you can use: shotguns, a range of bows, and crossbows, though there are some rules around electronic devices.
As soon as you buy your permit or tag, it’s good to go, but you can’t give it to someone else.
You can’t shoot a turkey that’s roosting in a tree, it needs to be on the ground or in the air. You have an option between paper or e-tags for your tag-after-catch process.
If you live here: try for Units 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 (you can only use your permit for one turkey with a beard). For Unit 4, permits are up for grabs in a lottery.
Not from here? Join the lottery for units 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 (your permit will only work in your assigned unit).
The application period? January 9 to February 9, 2024.
Quick facts: any left-over permits are up for grabs on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t count on extra game tags for a second turkey in 2024, there won’t be any.
Shooting hours: A half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Legal Equipment:
- Archery Only: Recurve/compound bows or crossbows
- Regular Season: Shotguns (shot size 2-9), longbows, recurve/compound bows, crossbows
Keep in mind, you can only have one tagged turkey with a visible beard per permit. And remember, no dogs in spring.

Required Permits and Licenses for Hunting in Kansas

Resident Licenses:

Senior Hunt/Fish Combination: $42.50
Senior Basic: $15.00
Basic: $27.50
Combination: $47.50
Apprentice: $27.50
5 Year Combo: $182.50
5 Year Basic: $102.50
Multi-Year Youth (16-20): $42.50
Multi-Year Youth Combination (16-20): $72.50

Nonresident Licenses:

Basic: $97.50
Under 16: $42.50
Apprentice: $97.50
Combination: $137.50

Lifetime (Residents Only):

Basic: $502.50
Combination: $962.50
Furharvester License: $502.50

Other Permits and Fees:

Controlled Shooting Area: $27.50
Duplicates: $2.50
Commercial Dog: $22.50
Field Trial Dog: $22.50
Night Vision Equipment Permit: $2.50
Prairie Chicken Permit: $2.50

Prime Hunting Spots in Kansas

Kansas, a state prized for its varied terrain, lures in folks who hunt big animals, upland birds, and ducks of all sorts. Let’s take a peek at some prime locations for certain species:

White-tailed Deer:

Comanche National Grassland (Barber, Comanche, Kiowa Counties): This broad field environment is a favorite for white-tailed deer. You can adapt methods such as tracking, station hunting, or archery.
Flint Hills National Scenic Byway (Chase, Marion, Riley Counties): This picturesque stretch offers a mix of fields, rolling lands, and wooded creek bases—what white-tailed deer love!

Mule Deer:

LeRoy and Barber Counties: Take a trip to LeRoy and Barber Counties. Western Kansas’ petite prairie grasslands are a haven for mule deers. In this broad setting, the surveillance-and-chase method is common.

Pheasants:

Republic, Cloud, and Jewell Counties: Also known as Kansas’ “pheasant capital,” you’ll find excellent pheasants. There are many open fields and good cover for birds.
Comanche County: Is another great place with its diverse habitat in the Comanche National Grassland.

Quail:

Southern Kansas (Chautauqua, Montgomery, Labette Counties): The prairies are a prime spot for taking scaled quail and bobwhite quail. Hunters tend to bring along dogs to help find the quail.

Waterfowl:

Cheney Reservoir (Reno County): Is a hotspot for waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans. The reservoir even provides public hunting blinds and designated areas.
Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge (Chase, Marion Counties): Situated by the Missouri River, it’s a top location for duck and goose, with a variety of habitats from wetlands to fields.

Author
Recent Posts

Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.

Kansas Outdoor Quest: 2024 Up-to-Date Hunting Information