Kansas 2025 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.
Kansas Wildlife Seasons at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the main game species available in Kansas and when you can pursue them:
| Species | Season Type | Opening Date | Closing Date | Permitted Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | 09/15/2025 | 12/31/2025 | Bow, Crossbow |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | 09/15/2025 | 09/28/2025 | Muzzleloader, Archery |
| Deer | Regular Firearm | 12/03/2025 | 12/14/2025 | Firearms |
| Turkey (Spring) | Archery Only | 04/07/2025 | 04/15/2025 | Bows, Crossbows |
| Turkey (Spring) | Regular | 04/16/2025 | 05/31/2025 | Shotguns (2-9 shot), Bows |
| Pheasant & Quail | Regular | 11/09/2024 | 01/31/2025 | Various |
| Waterfowl | Varies by Zone | See Zone Details | See Zone Details | Various |
| Squirrel | Regular | 06/01/2024 | 02/28/2025 | Various |
| Rabbit | Regular | Year-round | Year-round | Various |
🦌 Big Game: Archery & Rifle Seasons
Deer Seasons
The pursuit of whitetail and mule deer represents the most popular outdoor activity for many Kansas sportspeople. The state offers multiple opportunities with different equipment types throughout the fall and early winter.
Archery Season:
- Dates: September 15 – December 31, 2025
- Location: Statewide
- Equipment: Bows and crossbows
- Notes: This extended period gives bow hunters ample opportunity across all management units
Muzzleloader Season:
- Dates: September 15 – September 28, 2025
- Location: Statewide
- Equipment: Muzzleloaders or archery equipment
- Notes: Hunter orange required
Regular Firearm Season:
- Dates: December 3 – December 14, 2025
- Location: Statewide
- Notes: The most popular deer harvest period in Kansas
Youth and Disability Season:
- Dates: September 6 – September 14, 2025
- Location: Statewide
- Notes: Youth 17 and younger must be supervised by an adult 18 or older
Pre-rut Whitetail Antlerless-only:
- Dates: October 11 – October 13, 2025
- Location: Statewide
- Notes: Any permit that allows harvest of white-tailed antlerless deer is valid
Antelope Seasons
For those seeking pronghorn adventures, Kansas offers limited opportunities in specific units:
- Archery: September 21 – 29, 2024 (Units 2, 17, and 18)
- Muzzleloader: September 30 – October 7, 2024 (Units 2, 17, and 18)
- Firearm: October 4 – 7, 2024 (Units 2, 17, and 18)
Elk Seasons
Kansas provides elk hunting opportunities both on Fort Riley and in other designated units:
Outside Fort Riley:
- Archery: September 16 – December 31, 2024
- Muzzleloader: September 1 – 30, 2024
- Firearms: Three segments (August 1-31, 2024; December 4-15, 2024; January 1 – March 15, 2025)
Fort Riley:
- Muzzleloader/Archery: September 1 – 30, 2024
- Firearms: October 1 – December 31, 2024 (divided into three monthly segments)
🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall, Youth
Spring turkey season is divided into different segments to accommodate various hunters and equipment preferences:
Spring Youth/Disabled:
- Dates: April 1 – 15, 2025
- Location: Unit specified on permit
- Notes: Open to youth 17 and younger under adult supervision and persons with qualifying disabilities
Spring Archery Only:
- Dates: April 7 – 15, 2025
- Location: Unit specified on permit
- Equipment: Recurve or compound bows and crossbows
Spring Regular (Firearm/Archery):
- Dates: April 16 – May 31, 2025
- Location: Unit specified on permit
- Equipment: Shotguns using shot sizes 2-9; bows and crossbows
- Bag Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit
Permit Information:
- Resident hunters may obtain permits valid in Units 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6
- Unit 4 permits available only by lottery draw
- Non-resident permits available by lottery draw (application period: January 14 – February 14, 2025)
- No additional game tags for second turkey available in 2025
🐾 Furbearers
Kansas offers various opportunities for furbearer hunting and trapping:
Furbearer Hunting & Trapping:
- Dates: November 13, 2024 – February 28, 2025
- Species: Badger, bobcat, mink, muskrat, raccoon, opossum, swift fox, red fox, gray fox, striped skunk, weasel
- Location: Statewide
- License: Furharvester license required
Extended Hunting and Trapping (Raccoon, Opossum):
- Dates: March 1 – November 11, 2025
- Location: Statewide
- Notes: Only cage/box traps and dog-proof foot encapsulating traps allowed during extension
Beaver and Otter Trapping:
- Dates: November 8, 2024 – March 31, 2025
- Location: Statewide
Coyote:
- Season: Year-round
- Night Vision Equipment: Permitted January 1 – March 31, 2025 (special permit required)
- Notes: No closed season for trapping or hunting coyotes
🐰 Small Game Seasons
Small game provides excellent opportunities for beginners and seasoned sportspeople alike:
Squirrel:
- Dates: June 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025
- Daily Bag Limit: 5
- Possession Limit: 20
Rabbit (Cottontail & Jackrabbit):
- Season: Year-round
- Daily Bag Limit: 10
- Possession Limit: 30
Pheasant & Quail:
- Youth Season: November 2-3, 2024
- Regular Season: November 9, 2024 – January 31, 2025
- Pheasant Bag Limit: 4 cocks
- Quail Bag Limit: 8
Bullfrog:
- Dates: July 1 – October 31, 2024
- Daily Bag Limit: 8
- Possession Limit: 24
🦆 Waterfowl Seasons
Kansas is divided into several waterfowl zones, each with specific season dates:
Duck Seasons
High Plains Unit:
- First Segment: October 12, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Second Segment: January 17-26, 2025
- Bag Limit: 6 ducks total with species restrictions
Low Plains Early Zone:
- First Segment: October 12 – December 8, 2024
- Second Segment: December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Low Plains Late Zone:
- First Segment: October 26 – December 29, 2024
Low Plains Southeast Zone:
- First Segment: November 9, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Second Segment: January 11-26, 2025
Youth/Veteran/Active Military Waterfowl Weekends:
- High Plains and Low Plains Early: October 5-6, 2024
- Low Plains Late: October 19-20, 2024
- Low Plains Southeast: November 2-3, 2024
Goose Seasons
Dark Geese:
- First Segment: October 26-27, 2024
- Second Segment: November 6, 2024 – February 16, 2025
- Bag Limit: 6 (including Brant)
White-fronted Geese:
- First Segment: October 26 – December 29, 2024
- Second Segment: January 25 – February 16, 2025
- Bag Limit: 2
Light Geese:
- First Segment: October 26-27, 2024
- Second Segment: November 6, 2024 – February 16, 2025
- Bag Limit: 50
🦢 Other Migratory Bird Seasons
Dove (Mourning and Whitewing):
- Dates: September 1 – November 29, 2024
- Bag Limit: 15 total (mourning and white-winged combined)
Exotic Dove (Eurasian Collared, Ringed Turtle):
- Season: Year-round
- Bag Limit: No limit
Teal:
- Low Plains: September 14-29, 2024
- High Plains: September 21-29, 2024
- Bag Limit: 6
Sandhill Crane:
- Central Zone: November 6, 2024 – January 2, 2025
- West Zone: October 19 – December 15, 2024
- Bag Limit: 3
Other Migratory Birds:
- Crow: November 10, 2024 – March 10, 2025
- Rail: September 1 – November 9, 2024
- Snipe: September 1 – December 16, 2024
- Woodcock: October 12 – November 25, 2024
🗺️ 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!
