Kansas 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Kansas's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 14-15, 2026.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 14, 2026 and closes Dec 31, 2026.
Spring - Youth and Disability Wild Turkey opens Apr 1, 2027 and closes Apr 13, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Kansas KDWPT.
- firearm deer
- Nov 14-15, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 14-Dec 31, 2026
- spring turkey
- Apr 1-13, 2027
Free Kansas wallpaper
Kansas 2026-27
Save to Photos → set as your lock screen. See all 50 states →
Get Kansas’s dates + next season’s wallpaper in your inbox
Key seasons by species
How to read Kansas's seasons
Deer units and the nonresident draw come first
Kansas issues deer permits by management unit, and nonresident tags are allocated through a draw, so the season windows below matter only once you hold a permit for a specific unit and weapon.
Check unit boundaries, permit types, and application deadlines with the official Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Kansas KDWPT before hunting.
Deer
21 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery
Regular Archery 2026: September 14-December 31, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Pre-Rut WAO
Pre-Rut, Whitetail Antlerless Only (WAO). 2026: October 10-12, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Extended Pre-Rut WAO
Extended Pre-Rut, Whitetail Antlerless Only (WAO) - Unit 12 Only. 2026: October 13-18, 2026
Zone: Unit 12 Only
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 1st Segment
Regular Firearms 1st Segment. 2026: November 14-15, 2026
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 2nd Segment
Regular Firearms 2nd Segment. 2026: November 21-22, 2026
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 3rd Segment
Regular Firearms 3rd Segment. 2026: November 26-29, 2026
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - WAO 1st Segment
Firearms WAO 1st Segment. 2026: November 27-29, 2026
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 8A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular
Regular Firearms 2026: December 2-13, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular
2026: December 2-13, 2026
Zone: Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range, Subunit 4A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 4th Segment
Regular Firearms 4th Segment. 2026: December 5-6, 2026
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 5th Segment
Regular Firearms 5th Segment. 2026: December 12-13, 2026
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular
Fort Riley Regular Firearms: December 19-23 and 26-31, 2026. Excludes December 24 & 25. Fort Riley Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Permits also required.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 8A
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerYouth and Disability2026: September 5-13, 2026 | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerMuzzleloader2026: September 14-27, 2026 | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - WAO · Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10AFirearms WAO: January 1 through third Sunday after January 3. 2027: January 1-24, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - WAO 2nd Segment · Fort Riley, Subunit 8AFirearms WAO 2nd Segment. 2027: January 1-17, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Extended WAO 1st Segment · Unit 3 OnlyExtended WAO 1st Segment, Unit 3 Only. 2027: January 1-10, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Extended WAO 3rd Segment · Units 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 19Extended WAO 3rd Segment. Listed as 2026: January 1-24, 2027 in source (dates are for 2026-2027 season year). No extended WAO in Units 1, 2, 17, and 18. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Extended WAO 2nd Segment · Units 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 16Extended WAO 2nd Segment. 2027: January 1-17, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery - Extended WAO · Unit 19 OnlyExtended Archery Whitetail Antlerless Only (WAO), Unit 19 Only. 2027: January 25-31, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery - Extended WAO · Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10AExtended Archery WAO. 2027: January 25-31, 2027 | Upcoming |
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall - Residents Only
2026: October 31-December 1, 2026 and December 14, 2026-January 31, 2027. Excludes 12-day period beginning the Wednesday after Thanksgiving (deer firearm season).
Wild Turkey
Spring - Youth and Disability
2027: April 1-13, 2027
Wild Turkey
Spring - Archery Only
2027: April 5-13, 2027
Wild Turkey
Spring - Regular (Firearms and Archery)
2027: April 14-May 31, 2027
Elk
Elk
Archery
2026: September 14-December 31, 2026. Unit 1 closed to elk hunting.
Zone: Statewide except Fort Riley Subunit 2a and Unit 1
Elk
Firearm - 1st Segment
October 1-31 each year.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 2a
Elk
Firearm - 2nd Segment
November 1-30 each year.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 2a
Elk
Firearm - 3rd Segment
December 1-31 each year.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 2a
Elk
Firearm - 2nd Segment
Wednesday after Thanksgiving through second following Sunday. 2026: December 2-13, 2026
Zone: Statewide except Fort Riley Subunit 2a and Unit 1
Elk
Firearm - Extended Season
January 1-31 each year.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 2a
Elk
Firearm - 3rd Segment
January 1-March 15 each year.
Zone: Statewide except Fort Riley Subunit 2a and Unit 1
Elk
Firearm - 1st Segment
August 1-31 each year. Unit 1 closed to elk hunting.
Zone: Statewide except Fort Riley Subunit 2a and Unit 1
Elk
Muzzleloader
September 1-30 each year. Unit 1 closed to elk hunting.
Zone: Statewide except Unit 1
Elk
Archery and Muzzleloader
September 1-30 each year.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 2a
Waterfowl
21 listed rowsDuck
Regular - 1st Segment
First Segment: October 10, 2026-January 3, 2027
Zone: High Plains Unit
Duck
Regular - Early Zone 1st Segment
First Segment: October 10-December 6, 2026
Zone: Low Plains Unit - Early Zone
Duck
Youth, Veteran, and Active Military
Low Plains Unit, Late Zone: October 17-18, 2026
Zone: Low Plains Unit - Late Zone
Duck
Youth, Veteran, and Active Military
Low Plains Unit, Southeast Zone: October 24-25, 2026
Zone: Low Plains Unit - Southeast Zone
Canada and Cackling Goose
Regular - 1st Segment
First Segment: October 31-November 1, 2026
Duck
Regular - Late Zone 1st Segment
First Segment: October 31, 2026-January 3, 2027
Zone: Low Plains Unit - Late Zone
Light Goose
Regular - 1st Segment
First Segment: October 31-November 1, 2026
White-Fronted Goose
Regular - 1st Segment
First Segment: October 31, 2026-January 3, 2027
Canada and Cackling Goose
Regular - 2nd Segment
Second Segment: November 4, 2026-February 14, 2027
Light Goose
Regular - 2nd Segment
Second Segment: November 4, 2026-February 14, 2027
Duck
Regular - Southeast Zone 1st Segment
First Segment: November 7, 2026-January 3, 2027
Zone: Low Plains Unit - Southeast Zone
Duck
Regular - Early Zone 2nd Segment
Second Segment: December 19, 2026-January 3, 2027
Zone: Low Plains Unit - Early Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DuckYouth, Veteran, and Active Military · Low Plains Unit - Early ZoneLow Plains Unit, Early Zone: September 26-27, 2026 | Closed | |
| DuckYouth, Veteran, and Active Military · High Plains UnitHigh Plains Unit: October 3-4, 2026 | Closed | |
| DuckRegular - Southeast Zone 2nd Segment · Low Plains Unit - Southeast ZoneSecond Segment: January 16-31, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| DuckRegular - 2nd Segment · High Plains UnitSecond Segment: January 22-31, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| DuckRegular - Late Zone 2nd Segment · Low Plains Unit - Late ZoneSecond Segment: January 23-31, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| Light GooseConservation OrderConservation Order: February 15-April 30, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| TealRegular · Low Plains Unit | Closed | |
| TealRegular · High Plains Unit | Closed | |
| White-Fronted GooseRegular - 2nd SegmentSecond Segment: January 23-February 14, 2027 | Upcoming |
Dove
Exotic Dove (Eurasian collared or ringed turtledove)
Regular
January 1-December 31 each year.
Mourning and Whitewing Dove
Regular
September 1-November 29 each year.
Pheasant
Pheasant
Youth
2026: November 7-8, 2026
Pheasant
Regular
2026-2027: November 14, 2026-January 31, 2027
Quail
Quail
Youth
2026: November 7-8, 2026
Quail
Regular
2026-2027: November 14, 2026-January 31, 2027
Grouse
Greater Prairie-Chicken
Regular
September 15 through January 31 annually.
Lesser Prairie-Chicken
Regular
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
The lesser prairie-chicken season remains closed.
Rabbit
Cottontail and Jackrabbit
Open Season
January 1 through December 31 each year.
Cottontail and Jackrabbit
Running
March 1-November 1 each year.
Squirrel
Squirrel
Regular
2026-2027: June 1, 2026-February 28, 2027
Furbearer
Bobcat, Red Fox, and Gray Fox
Running
2026: March 1-November 11, 2026
Opossum
Extended Season
2026 extended season: March 1-November 17, 2026
Raccoon
Extended Season
2026 extended season: March 1-November 17, 2026
Badger, Bobcat, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Swift Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, and Weasel
General Furbearer Season
2026-2027: November 18, 2026-February 28, 2027
Beaver
Trapping
2026-2027: November 18, 2026-March 31, 2027
Opossum
Regular
2026-2027: November 18, 2026-February 28, 2027
Otter
Trapping
2026-2027: November 18, 2026-March 31, 2027
Raccoon
Regular
2026-2027: November 18, 2026-February 28, 2027
Migratory Birds
Rail (Sora and Virginia)
Regular
September 1-November 9 each year.
Snipe
Regular
September 1-December 16 each year.
Sandhill Crane
Regular
2026: October 17-December 13, 2026
Zone: West Crane Zone
Woodcock
Regular
2026: October 17-December 1, 2026
Crow
Regular
November 10-March 10 each year.
Sandhill Crane
Regular
2026-2027: November 11, 2026-January 7, 2027
Zone: Central Crane Zone
Duck (Falconry)
Extended Falconry
High Plains Zone: closed. Low Plains, all Zones: February 24-March 10, 2027
Zone: Low Plains, all Zones (Early, Late and Southeast)
Pronghorn
Antelope
Archery
2026: September 19-27, 2026
Antelope
Muzzleloader
2026: September 28-October 5, 2026
Antelope
Firearm
2026: October 2-5, 2026
Coyote
Coyote
Open Hunting and Trapping
January 1-December 31 each year.
Coyote
Night Vision - 2nd Segment
2026-2027 2nd Segment: September 28-December 1, 2026. Excludes antlered deer firearm seasons.
Coyote
Night Vision - 3rd Segment
2026-2027 3rd Segment: December 14, 2026-March 31, 2027. Excludes antlered deer firearm seasons.
Coyote
Night Vision - 1st Segment
2026-2027 1st Segment: September 1-4, 2026. Excludes antlered deer firearm seasons.
Other
Bullfrog
Regular
July 1 through October 31 each year.
The Friday Hunting Briefing.
Gear deals worth grabbing, the week's hunting news, and field-tested picks — curated every Friday by a hunter, for hunters. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
🎯 While you wait for opening day
Practice in Hunting Homestead
Build a property, plant food plots, and take shots with real ballistics in our free browser game. No download — season's always open.
Kansas Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Kansas?
September 14, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Kansas; it is archery white-tailed deer Sep 14-Dec 31, 2026.
When is Kansas's firearm deer season?
Nov 14-15, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Kansas. Check zone and permit details with Kansas KDWPT before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Kansas?
April 1, 2027 is the first listed spring turkey opener for Kansas; the listed window is Apr 1-13, 2027.
Do I need a license to hunt in Kansas?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Kansas hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Kansas KDWPT.
Explore more hunting seasons
Nearby states