2026 Rifle Whitetail

Big Game

The chief big game species in Kansas are White-tailed deer and Mule deer, with limited opportunities for Pronghorn antelope and Elk. Kansas’s permit system distinguishes between residents and non-residents.

White-tailed Deer: Residents can purchase deer permits over the counter – a resident either-sex deer permit (good for one whitetail buck or doe) is guaranteed annually, and residents may also buy additional antlerless tags for whitetail. Non-residents, however, must enter a lottery draw to obtain an Either-Species/Either-Sex Deer Permit (which is the tag that allows a buck). The non-resident deer draw typically has an application window in April with a possibility to apply for a certain management unit and weapon season.

If one wants the chance to harvest a Mule deer, they must apply for the Mule Deer Stamp in addition to the regular draw – only a small number of those are awarded, converting the whitetail tag into an either-species tag if won.

Elk and Pronghorn antelope permits are available only to residents, and are issued by lottery with an exception of archery Pronghorn permits which are available over the counter.

Spring Turkey hunting for residents is OTC, but non-residents must enter a draw for spring turkey permits with applications typically to run in January. If successful, the hunter gets a permit for one bearded turkey in a specific unit.

Small Game

Kansas offers excellent small game and upland bird hunting. A hunting license allows pursuing pheasant, quail, greater prairie chicken, rabbits, and squirrels, among others.

Waterfowl hunters additionally need a Kansas State Waterfowl Stamp and HIP registration, plus the Federal Duck Stamp. There are also some restrictions on non-resident waterfowl hunters on public lands: the number of days they can hunt is limited and a Non-Resident Waterfowl Permit is required.

Otherwise, small game like Dove requires only HIP. Furbearers such as coyotes can be hunted year-round in KS with a license (no bag limit). Night hunting of coyotes with lights or thermal requires a Night Vision Equipment Permit.

Documents Required

• Kansas Hunting License (resident or non-resident).
• Huntable Species Permit
• State and Federal Stamps along with HIP registration for waterfowl (HIP only for upland birds)
• Hunter Education card

Minimum Hunter Age

Kansas does not specify a minimum age to start hunting. Youth 15 and younger do not need to purchase a hunting license and may hunt small game under the supervision of an adult. Kansas law allows youth aged 12–15 who have completed hunter education to hunt big game on their own, but during designated Youth Seasons an adult mentor must accompany even certified youth. All hunters 16+ must have a completed Hunter Education Course.

Apprentice license (available to those 16 and older) allows new hunters to try hunting without the course, but being supervised by a licensed mentor.

More information

• https://ksoutdoors.com/- Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks