Kansas 2025-2026 Hunting Season Preview – Wildlife Units & Access Info
Kansas offers diverse and abundant hunting opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. From the thrill of deer hunting in the fall to spring turkey pursuits and year-round small game adventures, the Sunflower State’s wildlife management areas provide excellent terrain for both novice and experienced sportspeople. This guide covers everything you need to know about upcoming field excursions in Kansas, including season dates, permit requirements, and zone information.
📅 Quick Reference: Key Species & Dates for Kansas Hunt
| Species | Season Dates | Method | Permits Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitetail Deer | Sept 15 – Dec 31, 2025 | Archery | Valid deer permit |
| Regular Deer | Dec 3-14, 2025 | Firearm | Valid deer permit |
| Spring Turkey | Apr 15 – May 31, 2026 | Firearm/Archery | Turkey permit |
| Pheasant & Quail | Nov 8, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | Shotgun | Small game license |
| Mourning Dove | Sept 1 – Nov 29, 2025 | Shotgun | HIP Permit |
| Waterfowl | Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 25, 2026 | Shotgun | Multiple stamps required |
🦌 Big Game: Archery & Rifle Opportunities
Deer Seasons
The Sunflower State provides excellent whitetail opportunities across multiple timeframes:
Archery Season 🏹
- Dates: September 15 – December 31, 2025
- Location: Statewide
- Equipment: Bow/crossbow only
- Permits: Valid deer permit for designated units
Muzzleloader Season
- Dates: September 15-28, 2025
- Location: Statewide
- Requirements: Hunter orange mandatory
Regular Firearm Season
- Dates: December 3-14, 2025
- Location: Statewide
- Equipment: Center-fire rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders
- Special Notes: Hunter orange required
Youth & Disability Season
- Dates: September 6-14, 2025
- Requirements: Youth 17 & under with adult supervision
- Equipment: All legal methods allowed per permit
Extended Antlerless Opportunities
- Pre-rut Antlerless: October 11-13, 2025 (Statewide)
- January Extended: January 1-18, 2026 (Selected units)
- Unit 12 Extended: October 14-19, 2025
Elk Opportunities 🦬
Outside Fort Riley:
- Archery: September 15 – December 31, 2025
- Muzzleloader: September 1-30, 2025
- Firearm Segments:
- First: August 1-31, 2025
- Second: December 3-14, 2025
- Third: January 1 – March 15, 2026
Fort Riley Elk:
- Muzzleloader/Archery: September 1-30, 2025
- Firearm Segments: October 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (Multiple segments)
Antelope Adventures 🦌
- Archery: September 20-28, 2025 (Units 2, 17, 18)
- Muzzleloader: September 29 – October 6, 2025
- Firearm: October 3-6, 2025
- Permits: Drawing required for all antelope tags
🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall & Youth
Spring Turkey (2026)
The crown jewel of Kansas gamebird opportunities:
Youth/Disabled Season
- Dates: April 1-14, 2026
- Requirements: Youth 17 & under with adult supervision
- Bag Limit: One bearded bird per permit
Archery-Only Season
- Dates: April 6-14, 2026
- Equipment: Bow/crossbow only
- Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
Regular Spring Season
- Dates: April 15 – May 31, 2026
- Equipment: Shotguns (shot sizes 2-9), archery equipment
- Units: Residents may choose Units 1-3, 5-6; Unit 4 by lottery only
- Nonresidents: Lottery draw for all units (Application: Jan 14 – Feb 14, 2025)
🦫 Furbearers & Predators
General Furbearer Season
- Dates: November 12, 2025 – February 28, 2026
- Species: Badger, bobcat, mink, muskrat, raccoon, opossum, fox, striped skunk, weasel
- License: Furharvester license required
Extended Raccoon/Opossum
- Dates: March 1 – November 11, 2025
- Methods: Cage traps, dog-proof traps only
- Restrictions: No artificial light except for treed animals
Beaver & Otter Trapping
- Dates: November 12, 2025 – March 31, 2026
- License: Furharvester permit required
Coyote (Year-round) 🐺
- Season: January 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026 (All year)
- Bag Limit: No limit
- Special Equipment: Motor vehicles and radios permitted for coyote only
- Night Vision Season: January 1 – March 31, 2025 (Special permit required)
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant & Quail
Youth Season
- Dates: November 1-2, 2025
- Bag Limits: 4 cock pheasants, 8 quail daily
Regular Season
- Dates: November 8, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- Daily Limits: 4 cock pheasants, 8 quail
- Note: Pheasants must retain identifying features during transport
Greater Prairie Chicken
- Season: Currently closed – check KDWP for updates
- Historical Areas: Traditional prairie regions
🐿️ Small Game Species
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | Year-round | 10 | 30 |
| Jackrabbit | Year-round | 10 | 30 |
| Fox/Gray Squirrel | June 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | 5 | 20 |
| Bullfrog | July 1 – Oct 31, 2025 | 8 | 24 |
🦆 Migratory Birds & Waterfowl
Early Season Teal
High Plains (West of US Hwy 283)
- Dates: September 20-28, 2025
- Bag Limit: 6 teal (any combination)
Low Plains (East of US Hwy 283)
- Dates: September 13-21, 2025
- Bag Limit: 6 teal (any combination)
Mourning Dove Season 🕊️
- Dates: September 1 – November 29, 2025
- Daily Bag: 15 mourning/white-winged doves
- Stamps: Kansas HIP Permit required
- Note: Eurasian collared doves have no limit (year-round)
🦆 Ducks, Mergansers & Zone Information
Kansas divides waterfowl opportunities into distinct zones:
High Plains Zone (Western Kansas)
First Segment: October 11, 2025 – January 4, 2026 Second Segment: January 16-25, 2026
- Daily Bag: 6 ducks/mergansers (species restrictions apply)
- Youth Weekend: October 4-5, 2025
Low Plains Early Zone
First Segment: October 11 – December 7, 2025 Second Segment: December 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Youth Weekend: September 27-28, 2025
Low Plains Late Zone
Season: November 1, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Youth Weekend: October 18-19, 2025
Low Plains Southeast Zone
First Segment: November 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026 Second Segment: January 10-25, 2026
- Youth Weekend: October 25-26, 2025
🦢 Geese & Other Waterfowl
Dark Geese (Canada, Brant)
First Segment: November 1, 2025 – January 4, 2026 Second Segment: November 5, 2025 – February 15, 2026
- Daily Bag: 6 geese (including Brant)
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross)
Regular Season: November 1-2 & November 5, 2025 – February 15, 2026
- Daily Bag: 50 birds
- Conservation Order: Extended opportunities with special regulations
White-fronted Geese
First Segment: November 1, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Second Segment: January 24 – February 15, 2026
- Daily Bag: 2 birds
🦆 Additional Waterfowl Species
Sandhill Cranes 🕊️
Central Zone: November 6, 2025 – January 6, 2026 West Zone: October 19 – December 14, 2025
- Daily Bag: 3 cranes
- Special Permit: Sandhill Crane Permit required
Other Migratory Birds
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodcock | Oct 11 – Nov 24, 2025 | 3 | HIP Permit |
| Rail (Sora/Virginia) | Sept 1 – Nov 9, 2025 | 25 total | HIP Permit |
| Snipe | Sept 1 – Dec 16, 2025 | 8 | HIP Permit |
| Crow | Nov 10, 2025 – Mar 10, 2026 | No limit | None |
🎯 Additional Game Species & Opportunities
Special Military Installation Seasons
Several military installations offer unique opportunities:
Fort Riley: Extended deer and elk seasons with special regulations Fort Leavenworth: Additional deer opportunities (military personnel only for Unit 10A) Smoky Hill ANG: Special firearm deer season
Running Season (Furbearers)
- Dates: March 1 – November 5, 2025
- Species: Bobcat, red fox, gray fox
- Note: No taking allowed – pursuit only with furharvester license
🗺️ Kansas Hunting Zones Map
For detailed waterfowl zone maps and management unit boundaries, visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Maps page.
🎟️ License Details
Resident Licenses:
- Annual hunting license
- Deer permits (either-species/either-sex, antlerless, etc.)
- Turkey permits
- Furharvester license
- State waterfowl stamp and Federal waterfowl stamp (for waterfowl hunting)
- Kansas HIP stamp (for migratory bird hunting)
Non-Resident Options:
- Non-resident hunting license
- Special permits for deer, turkey, and other game
- Application periods for limited draw permits
Youth Options:
- Discounted licenses for residents under 16
- Special youth seasons for deer, turkey, pheasant, quail, and waterfowl
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need separate tags for different deer seasons?
A: No, your deer permit is valid during any season that allows the equipment type specified on your permit.
Q: Can I hunt on public lands in Kansas?
A: Yes, Kansas offers Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) areas, public wildlife areas, and other public lands for hunting. Always check specific regulations for each area.
Q: Is night hunting allowed in Kansas?
A: Night hunting is prohibited except for coyotes with a special night vision equipment permit (January 1-March 31).
Q: How do I apply for limited draw permits?
A: Applications for limited draw permits (like Unit 4 spring turkey) are available on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website during specified application periods.
Q: What hunting equipment is legal in Kansas?
A: Legal equipment varies by season and species. Always check the current regulations for specific requirements.
Related Resources
- Nebraska Hunting Seasons
- Missouri Hunting Seasons
- Oklahoma Hunting Seasons
- Colorado Hunting Seasons
Final Thoughts
Kansas offers remarkable outdoor adventures for hunters of all experience levels. From the expansive grasslands of the west to the timbered areas in the east, the Sunflower State provides diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Before heading out, always verify the most current regulations and obtain the proper permits. Consider joining a local conservation organization to support wildlife habitat improvement and connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Good luck and safe hunting!
