Turkey Hunting Regulations

General Hunting Information

Hunting Licenses

All resident hunters age 16 through 74 must have a resident hunting license unless exempt. Nonresident hunters, regardless of age, must have a nonresident license. Annual hunting licenses expire one year from the date of purchase. Resident hunters age 65-74 qualify for Senior Pass lifetime hunt/fish combination licenses ($42.50), senior annual hunting licenses ($15), or annual hunt/fish combination licenses ($25). Residents age 16-20 qualify for Youth Multi-year hunting ($42.50) or hunt/fish combination licenses ($72.50), which expire the end of the year they turn 21.

A resident is defined as a person who has maintained that person’s place of permanent abode in the state for 60 days prior to purchase. Domiciliary intent is required, evidence of which, may include where a person votes, or obtains a driver's license. Residency of at least one year is required to purchase lifetime licenses.

Lifetime license holders are considered Kansas residents for hunting permits and tags, even if they no longer live in Kansas.

Hunters may purchase a special license that is valid only on controlled shooting areas.

Nonresidents who are full-time secondary, post-secondary or vocational students at Kansas schools and are living in Kansas may obtain resident hunting licenses and permits but must carry evidence of Kansas student status. They may NOT purchase lifetime licenses.

Licenses Exemptions

The following persons are not required to have a hunting license:

• owners of farm or ranch land or tenants of land leased for agriculture, and immediate family members living with resident landowners and resident or nonresident tenants, while hunting or furharvesting on this land;
• legally-defined Native American Kansas residents (may obtain free license, restrictions apply);
• nonresidents using field trial permits issued by KDWP; and
• residents 15 and younger or 75 and older.

Youth and Disabled Seasons

Youth 17 and younger are eligible to hunt during specified youth seasons; however, youth 16 and older are NOT eligible for youth-priced permits and must possess a hunting license while hunting (resident youth 15 and younger are not required to have a hunting license). Nonresident youth, regardless of age, must possess a hunting license while hunting. Youth participating in the youth seasons must be under immediate supervision of an adult age 18 or older.

Persons with disabilities, issued a hunt-from vehicle permit (pursuant to KAR 115-18-4) or current Kansas handicapped identification card may hunt during disabled seasons. Permitted persons or cardholders (resident or nonresident) may hunt from a non-moving vehicle with any legal equipment for any species during their season except waterfowl. Licenses and permits/tags are required, if applicable.

Any person with a permanent physical or visual disability that prevents that person from hunting safely, as certified by a physician, may be eligible to obtain a permit to designate someone else to take a legal limit of game for the permit holder (pursuant to KAR 115-18-15). A permit holder who is, because of a disability, unable to pursue a wounded game animal may designate any individual to assist in pursuing and dispatching that animal. For more information, or a disability assistance permit application, contact the KDWP Pratt Operations Office, (620) 672-5911, and ask for Law Enforcement.

National Guard, Disabled Veterans

The Kansas Legislature annually allocates funding to provide state park vehicle permits and hunting and fishing licenses to active members of the Kansas National Guard. Funding is also allocated to provide hunting and fishing licenses to honorably discharged resident veterans certified with a service related disability of 30 percent or more.

Military

Military personnel ARE required to have hunting or furharvesting licenses. Nonresident military personnel not stationed in Kansas must have nonresident licenses. Active-duty members who were Kansas residents immediately prior to enlistment – and their immediate family members living with them – may purchase resident licenses, regardless of duty station.

Active-duty nonresident military personnel stationed in Kansas may hunt or furharvest with resident hunting or furharvesting licenses, if they carry evidence identifying them as active-duty military personnel.

Hunter Education

Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must complete an approved hunter education course before hunting in Kansas. Anyone under 27 years old must carry their hunter education certificate while hunting. Students must be at least 11 years old to be certified. Youth 12-15 who have completed hunter education may hunt without adult supervision (except during youth seasons when adult supervision is required regardless of hunter education).

Hunter education is available in three delivery options. Individuals age 11 or older may obtain the required hunter education certification through the Traditional class delivery format (10 hr. minimum) or the Internet-assisted delivery format (4 hrs. online and a 6 hr. inperson field day). Kansas residents age 16 and older may obtain their certification by participating and achieving a passing score in either of the delivery options listed above, or the Complete Online Course, available free of charge. For more information regarding hunter education delivery options, class schedules, volunteer instructor opportunities, or retrieving a free duplicate hunter education certificate online, or call (620) 672-0773, or visit a KDWP office.

Advanced hunter education courses are offered to further enhance the hunter’s knowledge and skills in the field. These courses are offered throughout the state to serve as the next step in developing confidence in hunting safely and learning more about specific types of hunting. Topics include upland game, small game, deer hunting, predator calling, and other types. Access any hunter education course schedule online.

Information regarding hunter education delivery options, class schedules, and obtaining a duplicate hunter education certificate free of charge can be accessed online as well as at any KDWP regional, district, and state park offices or by calling (620) 672-0773.

Exceptions include youth 15 and younger who may hunt without hunter education while directly supervised by an adult 18 or older. Anyone 16 or older who has not completed hunter education may purchase up to two apprentice hunting licenses. An apprentice license is valid one year from date of purchase, and the holder must be under the direct supervision of a licensed adult 18 or older when hunting. Hunter education is not required while hunting one’s own land.

Trespass

It is illegal to hunt, shoot, or trap on private land without the owner's permission. Hunting from public roads requires permission of the landowner adjacent to the side of the road being hunted. No hunting is allowed from state or federal highways. Railroad rights-of-way require permission from the railroad.

Written permission is required to enter land posted with hunting and/or trapping by “Written Permission Only" signs, or land having trees or fence posts painted purple.

It is illegal and dangerous to mount blinds or tree stands on power poles, whether they appear abandoned or not.

Giving, Receiving Game

Game given to another person must be accompanied by the donor's name, address, license, transaction or permit number, and signature, as well as the date of donation. Contact KDWP for suggested donation form.

Selling Meat

It is illegal to sell wild game meat. This includes the sale of game at banquets or charitable events. Furbearer meat may be sold.

Illegal Activities

The Following Activities are Prohibited:

• using drugs, chemicals, or any chemical compound as part of or in conjunction with broadhead arrows to take game;
• shooting at, killing, or pursuing game from a motorboat, airplane, motor vehicle, or other water, air, or land vehicle unless such person holds a valid handicapped hunting permit; exceptions include hunting waterfowl from a boat with motor shut off or sails furled and progress ceased. Coyotes may be pursued with a vehicle;
• using two-way radios or cell phones in any manner for the purpose of pursuing, chasing, or hunting game or furbearing animals, or to give information concerning the location of big game by radio or mechanical means;
• using live decoys;
• using electronic calls, except for hunting coyotes, furbearers, rabbits, hares, squirrels, crows, or light geese during the conservation order;
• throwing or casting the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on any highway, roadway, field, grassland, woodland, or forest for the purpose of locating, or taking any wildlife species while having in possession any archery, firearms, or other implement whereby wildlife could be taken, except as described for furbearers and coyotes under the Artificial Light section.
• shooting at migratory doves, quail, pheasants, and prairie chickens unless they are in flight; shooting at turkeys unless they are on the ground or in flight.
• using a drone for hunting, locating wounded or harvested game or scouting on land owned or managed by KDWP.

Non-Toxic Shot

Approved non-toxic shot is required when hunting ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, snipe, rails, gallinules, sandhill cranes and moorhens. Non-toxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting on the following wildlife areas (WA) and national wildlife refuges (NWR):

Benedictine Bottoms WA, Cheyenne Bottoms WA, Cherokee Lowlands WA, Flint Hills NWR, Gurley Salt Marsh WA, Herron Playa WA, Isabel Wetlands WA, Jamestown WA, Kirwin NWR, Marais des Cygnes NWR, Marais des Cygnes WA, McPherson Wetlands WA, Neosho WA, Otter Creek WA, Quivira NWR, Slate Creek WA, Stein Playa WA, Talmo Marsh WA, Texas Lake WA, Wild Turkey Playa WA, and other areas as posted.

Wanton Waste

Hunters must attempt to find any game crippled or killed. Retrieved animals must be kept until they are eaten, taken to a taxidermist or processor, given away, or transported to the hunter’s residence.

Salvage of Game Animals

Dead game animals and furbearers may be possessed in season with proper licenses and within legal limits. Dead big game animals and wild turkeys may be possessed outside of the season with KDWP salvage tags. Antlers may not be cut off roadkills or found skulls and possessed without this tag.

Prairie Dogs

Kansas residents are not required to have a hunting license to hunt prairie dogs. Nonresidents must have a nonresident hunting license to hunt prairie dogs. They may be hunted statewide and there is no closed season or bag limits. Most prairie dogs are found in the western-most Kansas counties, particularly in the northwest. Nearly all huntable prairie dog towns are located on private land, and access requires landowner permission. The best way to locate prairie dog towns is through satellite images. Once a large town is located, landowner contacts may be found through a rural plat map.

Reptiles/Amphibians Other Species

Kansas residents do not need a hunting license to take moles or gophers. Unless exempt, a hunting license is required to take ground squirrels, woodchucks, kangaroo rats, wood rats, armadillos, porcupines, feral pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, rodents, and certain amphibians and reptiles.

Season is open year-round. There is no possession limit except on amphibians and reptiles – no more than five amphibians (of any species combination) and no more than five reptiles (only two of which may be the same species) are allowed per person or per domicile. The take of bullfrogs, common snapping turtles, and softshell turtles requires a fishing license and is covered under fishing regulations.

Officer Checks

Law enforcement officers may enter fields and lands to check hunting licenses and bag limits. Hunters must be in immediate possession of their licenses and permits or have them stored on a mobile unit in their possession and allow an officer to inspect license and permits, as well as any wildlife in their possession.

New for 2024-2025

Pending Regulations

Proposed regulations governing hunting and furharvesting that may affect upcoming seasons may still be in the commission/legislative process after the printing of this publication. Updated regulations will be posted on the departments website when they become available.

Extended Hunting and Trapping Season for Raccoon and Opossum

Raccoons and opossums can now be hunted or trapped year round. Method of take includes firearm (except fully automatic) and archery equipment. Trapping equipment is limited to cage traps, box traps, and dog-proof foothold traps outside of the regular hunting and trapping season for furbearers. Artificial light may not be used for take during this season except as described in the Artificial Light section.

Federal Duck Stamp Changes

The price of a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) has increased from $28.50 to $30.50. Hunters who purchase a Federal Duck Stamp (Federal Duck Estamp) online, through a license vendor (including KDWP Offices) or through the GoOutdoorsKS mobile app will use the license printout or mobile app line item as their Federal Duck Stamp during the entire waterfowl season. A physical stamp will be mailed after March 10 following the end of all waterfowl seasons. Physical Federal Duck Stamps may also be purchased through local post offices and used during the waterfowl seasons, but must be signed across the face to be valid. All issuances of the Federal Duck Stamp must be carried while pursuing waterfowl requiring it.

Common Concerns

Baiting

• Although strongly discouraged for biological reasons, it is LEGAL
  to bait deer, turkey, and other non-migratory game animals on PRIVATE LANDS.
• Baiting, for any purpose other than furharvesting, is PROHIBITED on Public Lands and Walk-in Hunting Access (WIHA) and iWIHA areas.

Definition of Take

• ‘‘Take’’ means harass, harm, pursue, shoot, wound, kill, molest, trap, capture, collect, catch, possess or otherwise take, or attempt to engage in any such conduct.

Deer

• A hunter may purchase only one antlered deer permit.
• No individual shall copy, reproduce, or possess any hard copy or reproduction of a big game or wild turkey permit or carcass tag. Hunters may possess e-licenses, e-permits and e-tags on a mobile device.
• Harvested big game and turkey must be properly tagged, or e-tag confirmation number obtained, before moving carcass or parts from harvest site.
• No Either-species Antlerless deer permits, which allow the harvest of mule deer does, are available for the 2024-2025 seasons.
• No Whitetail Antlerless Deer permits are valid in Unit 18.

Drones

• A drone can be used to scout on land not owned or managed by KDWP. However, hunting is not allowed on the same day the aerial scouting occurs.
• Using a drone is prohibited for hunting or locating wounded or
  harvested game.

Eagles, Hawks, Owls and Songbirds are Protected

• It is illegal to kill or pursue eagles, hawks, owls, or songbirds, or possess their parts, except by special permit. Call (620) 672-5911
  for details.

Game Transport

• Pheasants being transported must retain a foot, plumage, or some part that identifies the birds as males.
• Migratory game birds (except mourning/white-winged doves) must have one fully-feathered wing or head attached while in transport.

Feral Swine

• Feral swine threaten agricultural crops and native wildlife in several Kansas counties. The state's goal is to eradicate or reduce the feral swine population to the lowest possible level. Sport hunting is not effective at controlling feral swine and is illegal. Landowners or legal occupants of the land or their employees may shoot feral hogs on their property without a permit. All other persons wishing to shoot feral swine must have a permit issued from the livestock commissioner at the request of the landowner. For more information, call the Kansas Animal Health Division at (785) 296-2326 or USDA Wildlife Services at (785) 537-6855.

Hunting From a Vessel

• With the exception of waterfowl, only persons who possess a handicap hunting permit (Hunt From Vehicle Permit) may take game animals or furbearing animals from a vessel.
• See the Migratory Game Bird Section for additional restrictions.
• When hunting from a vessel, all boating statutes and regulations apply. See online for a complete list.

Public Lands

• Target shooting is allowed only at designated shooting ranges. Off road vehicle use is allowed only by special permit.

Regulation Changes

• Regulation changes may occur after the 2024-2025 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary has been printed and distributed. Updates will be posted online and the GoOutdoorsKS mobile app when they become available.

Turkey General Information

• Dogs may NOT be used while hunting turkeys.
• Turkey permits are not transferable.
• Turkeys may be taken only while they are on the ground or in flight; it is illegal to take turkeys roosting in trees.
• Permits are valid immediately after purchase.
• Turkey permits are valid only in units designated on permit. (See unit map below.)
• A valid Kansas hunting license is required in addition to a permit, unless exempt by law.

Transporting Turkey

Harvested turkeys must be transported with the beard attached unless an e-tag is used or the turkey is registered online. Online registration is not required unless a hunter wants to transport their turkey without the beard attached to the breast. Once a hunter has the photographs necessary for registration or a confirmation number is obtained online, the hunter may then transport the carcass without proof of sex attached. For instructions on this process, go to “Harvest Reporting” online or the GoOutdoors Kansas mobile app.

Method of Take

Legal equipment includes shoulder-mounted shotguns and choked handguns with a minimum barrel length of 10 inches, shotguns using shot sizes 2-9, longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows. No bow, crossbow or arrow may have any electronic device attached that controls the flight of the arrow. Devices that may be attached to a bow or arrow shall include lighted pin, dot or holographic sights; illuminated nocks; rangefinders; film or video cameras; and radiofrequency location devices; and draw-lock devices. Range-finding devices and optical scopes or sights that project no visible light toward the target and do not electronically amplify visible or infrared light may be used. Arrows used for hunting turkeys must be equipped with broadhead points that cannot pass through a ring 3/4-inch in diameter when fully expanded. Non-broadhead arrows may be possessed while hunting but may not be used to take wild turkeys. Devices capable of dispensing chemicals to take big game animals may not be used.

Youth and disabled permit holders may use any legal method of take during the youth/disabled season and archery season.

Turkey Units

Subspecies Distribution

Unit 4 (Draw) Applications

Unit 4 Permits (Residents Only)

Applications can be made online. Spring turkey permits for Unit 4 are issued through a lottery draw. The 375 Unit 4 permits issued are not valid in additional units; see permit for details. Out of these permits, 200 are reserved for resident landowner/tenants and nonresident tenants in Unit 4. Applications for Unit 4 permits must be received online or by phone at 1-833-687-2164 no later than Feb. 14, 2025.

Resident youth 15 and younger are eligible to purchase turkey permits at a reduced price, which

Nonresident (Draw) Applications

Nonresident Permits (Draw Only)

Applications can be made online. General nonresident, nonresident landowners and nonresident youth spring turkey permits for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 are issued through a lottery draw. Permits are only valid in the unit drawn. Applications for nonresident and nonresident youth permits must be received online, the mobile app or by phone at 1-833-687-2164 no later than Feb. 14, 2025.

Permit Quotas and Fees

Quotas

Resident

• Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 (over-the-counter)
  • Unlimited permits
• Unit 4 (draw only)
  • 175 permits (General Resident)
  • 200 permits (Unit 4 Landowner/Tenant)

Nonresident

• Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 (draw only)
  • Unit 1: 700 permits
  • Unit 2: 2,400 permits
  • Unit 3: 2,800 permits
  • Unit 5: 900 permits
  • Unit 6: 2,900 permits

Draw Permit Fees

• Resident Unit 4
• General Resident: $32.50
• Resident Landowner/Tenant: $20.00
• Nonresident Tenant: $37.50

• Nonresident
• General Nonresident: $87.50
• Nonresident Landowner: $87.50
• Nonresident Youth: $22.50

Resident Unit 4 permit fees include a $7.50 nonrefundable application fee that is charged at the time of application. Nonresident permit fees include a $10.00 nonrefundable application fee that is charged at the time of application. After the draw, successful applicants will be charged the remaining permit fees due. Unsuccessful applicants will be issued a preference point for next year’s draw, using the nonrefundable application fee and will not be charged the remaining permit fees.

A preference point can be purchased online without permit application; Only one preference point may be obtained per year.

Post-Harvest Instructions

At the time of purchase, hunters will have the option of paper carcass tags or mobile/E-tag.

Paper Tags:

Sign PERMIT prior to hunting to validate it. After an animal is harvested, the CARCASS TAG must be signed, dated and attached to the animal in a visible manner before the carcass is moved from the harvest site. Paper permits and tags purchased through the internet must be printed on a desktop printer at the time of purchase. To protect the non-waterproof paper tag, cut it from the permit, place in a clear plastic bag and attach it to the animal with a zip-tie or other secure manner.

The carcass tag must remain attached to the animal during transport and kept with the meat until it is consumed, given to another or otherwise disposed.

Hunters using paper tags can complete a voluntary harvest report of turkey or big game animal if they wish to “bone-out” in the field. For instructions on this process, go to “Harvest Reporting” online or the mobile app.

Mobile/E-Tags:

Hunters who choose e-tags at time of purchase will keep permit and tags on their mobile device through the GoOutdoorsKS mobile app. After harvest, open the “GoOutdoorsKS” mobile app and follow the instructions on the app for the e-tag appropriate for the species/sex of harvest. An e-tag confirmation number will work the same as harvest reporting for a hunter wanting to bone out an animal and transport only meat from harvest site.

Surveys:

Hunters may be asked to complete online harvest surveys at the end of the season. Information received helps biologists make decisions to manage healthy game populations. A random sample of hunters will be contacted, making it important for update your address information each year when purchasing permits and tags. Hunters surveyed will receive an email or a postcard with a link to an online survey. Questions about the surveys or assistance in completing surveys may be obtained through the KDWP Research and Survey Office, (620) 342- 0658. State law (K.S.A. 32-937) requires hunters receiving a harvest report card to complete the survey.

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