2006 UPLAND BIRD OPENERS STAGGERED

Pheasant, quail, prairie chicken seasons open consecutive weekends this year

As November ushers in pheasant and quail seasons, the 2006 Kansas upland bird season forecast is promising. However, hunters should be aware that the structure of upland bird seasons is different than in past years, with each of the state's three upland birds having its own opening weekend.

Upland game bird seasons for 2006 including the following:

  • pheasant season opens Nov. 4 (the first Saturday in November) and runs through Jan. 31, 2007;
  • quail season opens statewide Nov. 11 (the second Saturday in November; units have been eliminated) and runs through Jan. 21, 2007 (the third Sunday in January); and
  • prairie chicken season opens Nov. 18 (the third Saturday in November) and runs through Jan. 31, 2007, in the Northwest and East units. In the Southwest Unit, prairie chicken season runs Nov. 18-Dec. 31.

The daily bag limit on pheasants is four roosters, and the daily bag on quail is eight birds of either sex. The daily bag limit on prairie chicken in the East and Northwest units is two, and the daily bag in the Southwest Unit is one. (The prairie chicken Southwest Unit is bordered by Highway K-96 on the north and U.S. 281 on the east.) The possession limit on all three species is four times the daily bag limit.

A valid Kansas hunting license is required of all residents ages 16 through 64. Nonresidents must purchase a $72.15 nonresident hunting license, except that those nonresidents younger than 16 may purchase a youth nonresident license for $37.15. Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must have completed a certified hunter education course, except those 15 and younger hunting under direct adult supervision.

For complete hunting regulation information, consult the 2007 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, available wherever licenses are sold or online .

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