When to Hunt
Location: Statewide
Species: Raccoon, opossum
Furharvester license required.
Hunting and trapping by methods that are legal during the general furbearer season are allowed, except that only traps allowed during the extended season are cage or box traps and dog-proof (DP) foot encapsulating traps. Artificial light is prohibited except as permitted for taking treed or trapped furbearers during the general season.
Location: Statewide
(Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves)
- Area open: Statewide
- Season: Year-round
- Daily bag limit: There is no limit on Eurasian collared or ringed turtle doves, but any taken during the migratory dove season in addition to the mourning and white-winged dove daily bag must have a fully-feathered wing attached while being transported.
Location: Statewide
- Cottontail & Jackrabbit
- Regular: All year
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 10
- Possession limit: 30
Location: Statewide
Season Dates (statewide): All year
Season Limit: No limit
There is no closed season for trapping or hunting coyotes. Motor vehicles and radios in vehicles may be used to hunt coyotes only. Furharvester license is required to trap and sell; hunting license is required to hunt and sell.
Location: Statewide
Equipment: Artificial light, scopes and equipment that amplify visible light, and thermal imaging scopes and thermal imaging equipment may be used to hunt coyotes from Jan. 1 thru March 31 (use of this equipment is not permitted on department lands and waters, including WIHA, and may not be used in conjunction with the use of a vehicle);
Permit Required: Night Vision Equipment Permit required
Location: Statewide
Location: Statewide
Otter Bag Limits and Management Units
NO OPEN TRAPPING OR HUNTING SEASON ON ANY OTHER FURBEARERS
Location: Unit Specified on Permit
Spring Turkey - Youth/Disabled; open to any person having a valid turkey permit or second turkey game tag (not available in 2024) who is age 17 or younger, while under the immediate supervision of an adult who is age 18 or older and any person with a disability as defined in K.S.A. 8-1,124.
Non-resident hunters may obtain a spring turkey permit by lottery draw for Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6. Non-resident permits are only valid in the Unit indicated. The application period is 01/14/25 – 02/14/25. Any leftover non-resident spring turkey permits will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis on a date set after the drawing is completed and the public is notified of the date.
There will be no additional game tags (valid for a second turkey) available in 2025 for resident and non-resident hunters.
Location: Unit Specified on Permit
Spring Turkey - Archery Only
- Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Legal Equipment: Recurve or compound bows and crossbows.
- Permit Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.
- Bag Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.
- Dogs may not be used in spring season.
Non-resident hunters may obtain a spring turkey permit by lottery draw for Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6. Non-resident permits are only valid in the Unit indicated. The application period is 01/14/25 – 02/14/25. Any leftover non-resident spring turkey permits will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis on a date set after the drawing is completed and the public is notified of the date.
There will be no additional game tags (valid for a second turkey) available in 2025 for resident and non-resident hunters.
Location: Unit Specified on Permit
- Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Legal Equipment: Shotguns using shot sizes 2-9; long, recurve or compound bows and crossbows.
- Permit Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.
- Bag Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.
- Dogs may not be used in spring season.
Resident hunters may obtain a spring turkey permit – valid for one turkey with a visible beard – in Units 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6; Spring turkey permits for Unit 4 are available only by lottery draw.
Non-resident hunters may obtain a spring turkey permit by lottery draw for Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6. Non-resident permits are only valid in the Unit indicated. The application period is 01/14/25 – 02/14/25. Any leftover non-resident spring turkey permits will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis on a date set after the drawing is completed and the public is notified of the date.
There will be no additional game tags (valid for a second turkey) available in 2025 for resident and non-resident hunters.
Spring Turkey - Youth/Disabled; open to any person having a valid turkey permit or second turkey game tag (not available in 2024) who is age 17 or younger, while under the immediate supervision of an adult who is age 18 or older and any person with a disability as defined in K.S.A. 8-1,124.
Non-resident hunters may obtain a spring turkey permit by lottery draw for Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6. Non-resident permits are only valid in the Unit indicated. The application period is 01/14/25 – 02/14/25. Any leftover non-resident spring turkey permits will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis on a date set after the drawing is completed and the public is notified of the date.
There will be no additional game tags (valid for a second turkey) available in 2025 for resident and non-resident hunters.
Youth 17 and younger, who possess a valid deer permit, may hunt during this special deer season only while under the immediate supervision of an adult 18 or older. Any person who possesses a valid deer permit and has a permit to hunt from a vehicle pursuant to K.A.R. 115-18-4 or a disability assistance permit issued pursuant to K.A.R. 115-18-15 may also hunt during this season. All resident and nonresident permits are valid, and equipment restrictions designated on permits apply. Hunter orange is required.
PHEASANT
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily Bag Limit: 4 cocks in youth season
- NOTE: Pheasants in possession for transportation must retain intact a foot, plumage, or some part that will determine sex.
QUAIL
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily Bag Limit: 8 in youth season
Daily Bag Limit: Youth 17 and younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers with same daily bag limits as during the regular seasons.
Possession Limit: same as regular seasons.
Stamps/Permits Required: Resident youth hunters under 16 years of age do not need any stamps or permits. Nonresident youth need a nonresident hunting license, a Kansas HIP Permit and State Waterfowl Permit.
Daily Bag Limit: Youth 17 and younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers with same daily bag limits as during the regular seasons.
Possession Limit: same as regular seasons.
Stamps/Permits Required: Resident youth hunters under 16 years of age do not need any stamps or permits. Nonresident youth need a nonresident hunting license, a Kansas HIP Permit and State Waterfowl Permit.
Daily Bag Limit: Youth 17 and younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers with same daily bag limits as during the regular seasons.
Possession Limit: same as regular seasons.
Stamps/Permits Required: Resident youth hunters under 16 years of age do not need any stamps or permits. Nonresident youth need a nonresident hunting license, a Kansas HIP Permit and State Waterfowl Permit.
Daily Bag Limit: Youth 17 and younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers with same daily bag limits as during the regular seasons.
Possession Limit: same as regular seasons.
Stamps/Permits Required: Resident youth hunters under 16 years of age do not need any stamps or permits. Nonresident youth need a nonresident hunting license, a Kansas HIP Permit and State Waterfowl Permit.
January Deer Season - Extended Firearms Whitetail Antlerless Only
Any permit that allows the harvest of a white-tailed antlerless deer is valid during this season. Equipment and unit restrictions on permit apply. Hunter orange is required.
The following permits may be used during this season in units specified on permit, using muzzleloader or archery equipment: Resident or Nonresident Muzzleloader Either-species/Either-sex Permit, Resident Any-Season White-tailed Deer Permit, Nonresident Muzzleloader White-tailed Deer Permit, Hunt-Own-Land Permit, Special Hunt-Own-Land Permit, Antlerless White-tailed Deer Permit, and Antlerless Either-Species Deer Permit. Hunter orange is required.
Youth 17 and younger, who possess a valid deer permit, may hunt during this special deer season only while under the immediate supervision of an adult 18 or older. Any person who possesses a valid deer permit and has a permit to hunt from a vehicle pursuant to K.A.R. 115-18-4 or a disability assistance permit issued pursuant to K.A.R. 115-18-15 may also hunt during this season. All resident and nonresident permits are valid, and equipment restrictions designated on permits apply. Hunter orange is required.
Smoky Hill ANG Firearms Deer Season
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
Ft. Leavenworth Deer Season (in addition to DMU 19 season dates)
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
Fort Leavenworth Deer Season (in addition to DMU 19 season dates)
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
Fort Leavenworth Deer Season (in addition to DMU 19 season dates)
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
Fort Leavenworth Deer Season (in addition to DMU 19 season dates)
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
Fort Leavenworth Deer Season (in addition to DMU 19 season dates)
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
**PROPOSED SEASON DATES**
The following unfilled permits are valid during this season using archery equipment only for antlerless whitetails: Resident and Nonresident Archery Either-species/Either-sex permit, Nonresident Archery White-tailed Deer permit, Resident Any-Season White-tailed Deer permit, Hunt-Own-Land Permit (valid for Unit 19), Special Hunt-Own-Land permit (valid for Unit 19), and Antlerless White-tailed Deer permit. A valid hunting license is required, unless exempt by Kansas law. NOTE: Unit 10A is Ft. Leavenworth and is open only to military personnel.
Antelope Season - Muzzleloader
Antelope Season Dates - Firearm
Elk Season Outside Fort Riley - Archery
Elk Season Outside Fort Riley - Firearm
Elk Season Outside Fort Riley - Firearm
January Elk Season Outside Fort Riley - Firearm
Elk Season Outside Fort Riley - Muzzleloader
Elk Season - Firearm Season for Holders of Any-Elk Permits - Fort Riley
Elk Season - Muzzleloader and Archery - Fort Riley
Spring Turkey - Archery Only
- Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Legal Equipment: Recurve or compound bows and crossbows.
- Permit Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.
- Bag Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.
- Dogs may not be used in spring season.
Non-resident hunters may obtain a spring turkey permit by lottery draw for Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6. Non-resident permits are only valid in the Unit indicated. The application period is 01/14/25 – 02/14/25. Any leftover non-resident spring turkey permits will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis on a date set after the drawing is completed and the public is notified of the date.
There will be no additional game tags (valid for a second turkey) available in 2025 for resident and non-resident hunters.
- Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Legal Equipment: Shotguns using shot sizes 2-9; long, recurve or compound bows and crossbows.
- Permit Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.
- Bag Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.
- Dogs may not be used in spring season.
Resident hunters may obtain a spring turkey permit – valid for one turkey with a visible beard – in Units 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6; Spring turkey permits for Unit 4 are available only by lottery draw.
Non-resident hunters may obtain a spring turkey permit by lottery draw for Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6. Non-resident permits are only valid in the Unit indicated. The application period is 01/14/25 – 02/14/25. Any leftover non-resident spring turkey permits will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis on a date set after the drawing is completed and the public is notified of the date.
There will be no additional game tags (valid for a second turkey) available in 2025 for resident and non-resident hunters.
Spring Turkey - Youth/Disabled; open to any person having a valid turkey permit or second turkey game tag (not available in 2024) who is age 17 or younger, while under the immediate supervision of an adult who is age 18 or older and any person with a disability as defined in K.S.A. 8-1,124.
Non-resident hunters may obtain a spring turkey permit by lottery draw for Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6. Non-resident permits are only valid in the Unit indicated. The application period is 01/14/25 – 02/14/25. Any leftover non-resident spring turkey permits will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis on a date set after the drawing is completed and the public is notified of the date.
There will be no additional game tags (valid for a second turkey) available in 2025 for resident and non-resident hunters.
MIGRATORY DOVE (Mourning, white-winged)
- Season: 09/01/2024 - 11/29/2024
- Area open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 15 (The daily bag limit applies to mourning and white-winged doves, single species or in combination.
- Possession limit: 45
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit
EXOTIC DOVE (Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves only)
- Season: 01/01/2024 - 12/31/2024
- Area open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: No limit
- Possession limit: No limit
- There is no limit on Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves, but any taken in addition to a limit of mourning and white-winged doves during the migratory dove season must have a fully-feathered wing attached during transport.
RAIL (Sora and Virginia)
- Season: 09/01/2024 - 11/09/2024
- Area open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 25
- Possession limit: 75
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit
SNIPE
- Season: 09/01/2024 - 12/16/2024
- Area open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 8
- Possession limit: 24
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Stamp
WOODCOCK
- Season: 10/12/2024 - 11/25/2024
- Area open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 3
- Possession limit: 9
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit
TEAL, HIGH PLAINS ZONE
- Season: 09/21/2024 - 09/29/2024
- Area open: West of Hwy. U. S. 283
- Daily bag limit: 6 teal (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal)
- Possession limit: 18 teal in possession (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal)
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
TEAL, LOW PLAINS ZONE
- Season: 09/14/2024 - 09/29/2024
- Area open: East of Hwy. U. S. 283
- Daily bag limit: 6 teal (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal)
- Possession limit: 18 teal in possession (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal)
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
DUCKS, HIGH PLAINS UNIT
- Season: 10/12/2024 - 01/05/2025 and 01/17/2025 - 01/26/2025
- Area open: High Plains Zone (see map)
- Daily bag limit: 6 (Limit Info)
- Possession limit: Three times the daily limit
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
DUCKS, LOW PLAINS EARLY ZONE
- Season: 10/12/2024 - 12/08/2024 and 12/21/2024 - 01/05/2025
- Area open: Early Zone (see map)
- Daily bag limit: 6 (Limit Info)
- Possession limit: Three times the daily limit
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
DUCKS, LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE
- Season: 10/26/2024 - 12/29/2024 and 01/18/2025 - 01/26/2025
- Area open: Late Zone (see map)
- Daily bag limit: 6 (Limit Info)
- Possession limit: Three times the daily limit
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
DUCKS, LOW PLAINS SOUTHEAST ZONE
- Season: 11/09/2024 - 01/05/2025 and 01/11/2025 - 01/26/2025
- Area open: Southeast Zone (see map)
- Daily bag limit: 6 (Limit Info)
- Possession limit: Three times the daily limit
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
6 ducks, any combination of six ducks and/or mergansers which may include no more than five mallards (only two of which may be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one scaup and one pintail.
COOTS
- Season: Same as duck seasons
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily Bag Limit: 15
- Possession Limit: 45
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
YOUTH, VETERAN AND ACTIVE MILITARY WATERFOWL SEASONS
(Youth 17 and younger)
- High Plains Unit: 10/05/2024 - 10/06/2024
- Low Plains Early Zone: 10/05/2024 - 10/06/2024
- Low Plains Late Zone: 10/19/2024 - 10/20/2024
- Low Plains Southeast Zone: 11/02/2024 - 11/03/2024
CANADA GEESE
- Season: 10/26/2024 - 10/27/2024 and 11/06/2024 - 02/16/2025
- Area open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 6 (including Brant)
- Possession limit: 18
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE
- Season: 10/26/2024 - 12/29/2024 and 01/25/2025 - 02/16/2025
- Area open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 2
- Possession limit: 6
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
LIGHT GEESE
- Season: 10/26/2024 - 10/27/2024 and 11/06/2024 - 02/16/2025
- Area open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 50
- Possession limit: No limit
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
LIGHT GEESE, CONSERVATION ORDER
- Season: 02/17/2025 - 04/30/2025
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily Limit: Unlimited
- Possession Limit: Unlimited
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp
- Equipment Restrictions: During the Conservation Order, unplugged shotguns and electronic calls may be used. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
SANDHILL CRANE, CENTRAL ZONE
- Season: 11/06/2024 - 01/02/2025
- Daily bag limit: 3
- Possession limit: 9
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, Sandhill Crane Permit
SANDHILL CRANE, WEST ZONE
- Season: 10/19/2024 - 12/15/2024
- Daily bag limit: 3
- Possession limit: 9
- Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, Sandhill Crane Permit
PHEASANT
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily Bag Limit: 4 cocks in regular season
- NOTE: Pheasants in possession for transportation must retain intact a foot, plumage, or some part that will determine sex.
QUAIL
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily Bag Limit: 8 in regular season
PHEASANT
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily Bag Limit: 4 cocks in youth season
- NOTE: Pheasants in possession for transportation must retain intact a foot, plumage, or some part that will determine sex.
QUAIL
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily Bag Limit: 8 in youth season
- Daily Bag Limit: 2
- View prairie chicken map
Otter Bag Limits and Management Units
NO OPEN TRAPPING OR HUNTING SEASON ON ANY OTHER FURBEARERS
Season Dates (statewide): All year
Season Limit: No limit
There is no closed season for trapping or hunting coyotes. Motor vehicles and radios in vehicles may be used to hunt coyotes only. Furharvester license is required to trap and sell; hunting license is required to hunt and sell.
Equipment: Artificial light, scopes and equipment that amplify visible light, and thermal imaging scopes and thermal imaging equipment may be used to hunt coyotes from Jan. 1 thru March 31 (use of this equipment is not permitted on department lands and waters, including WIHA, and may not be used in conjunction with the use of a vehicle);
Permit Required: Night Vision Equipment Permit required
Species: Raccoon, opossum
Furharvester license required.
Hunting and trapping by methods that are legal during the general furbearer season are allowed, except that only traps allowed during the extended season are cage or box traps and dog-proof (DP) foot encapsulating traps. Artificial light is prohibited except as permitted for taking treed or trapped furbearers during the general season.
NOTE: All furbearer hunting, trapping, and running seasons begin at 12:00 a.m. on opening day and close at midnight of closing day.
Species: badger, bobcat, mink, muskrat, raccoon, opossum, swift fox, red fox, gray fox, striped skunk, weasel.
Species: bobcat, red fox, and gray fox.
Legal hours for running furbearers is 24 hours daily. Furbearers cannot be killed or taken during the running season. A furharvester license is required to run furbearers. It is illegal to possess any firearm or other hunting or trapping equipment while pursuing these animals during the running season.
- Daily bag limit: 8
- Possession limit: 24
- Area Open: Statewide
- Limit: No Limit
- Cottontail & Jackrabbit
- Regular: All year
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 10
- Possession limit: 30
- Area Open: Statewide
- Daily bag limit: 5
- Possession limit: 20