Kansas 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Kansas's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens between December 2, 2026 and December 19, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 31, 2026.
Archery deer season runs Sep 14-Dec 31, 2026.
Duck season runs Oct 10, 2026-Jan 3, 2027 (High Plains Unit).
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Kansas KDWPT.
- firearm deer
- opens Dec 2-19, 2026 by zone
- archery deer
- Sep 14-Dec 31, 2026
- duck
- Oct 10, 2026-Jan 3, 2027
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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
22 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 1st Segment
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 2nd Segment
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 3rd Segment
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - WAO 1st Segment
Fort Riley Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Permits also required. All dates subject to cancelation for military training.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 8A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular
Zone: Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range, Subunit 4A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 4th Segment
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular 5th Segment
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular
Excludes December 24 & 25. Fort Riley Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Permits also required. All dates subject to cancelation for military training.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 8A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Regular
Excludes December 24 & 25. Fort Riley Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Permits also required. All dates subject to cancelation for military training.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 8A
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - WAO
Whitetail Antlerless Only
Zone: Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10A
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerYouth and Disability · Statewide | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerMuzzleloader · Statewide | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Pre-Rut WAO · StatewideWhitetail Antlerless Only | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Extended Pre-Rut WAO · Unit 12 OnlyWhitetail Antlerless Only | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - WAO 2nd Segment · Fort Riley, Subunit 8AFort Riley Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Permits also required. All dates subject to cancelation for military training. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Extended WAO 2nd Segment · Units 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 16Whitetail Antlerless Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Extended WAO 3rd Segment · Units 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 19Whitetail Antlerless Only. No extended WAO in Units 1, 2, 17, and 18. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearm - Extended WAO 1st Segment · Unit 3 OnlyWhitetail Antlerless Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery - Extended WAO · Fort Leavenworth, Subunit 10AWhitetail Antlerless Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery - Extended WAO · Unit 19 OnlyWhitetail Antlerless Only | Upcoming |
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall - Residents Only
Excluding 12-day period beginning the Wednesday after Thanksgiving (deer - firearm season)
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall - Residents Only
Excluding 12-day period beginning the Wednesday after Thanksgiving (deer - firearm season)
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Youth and Disability
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Archery Only
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Regular (Firearms and Archery)
Zone: Statewide
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 - 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
Elk
Firearm - 1st Segment
October 1-31 each year.
Zone: Fort Riley, Subunit 2a
Waterfowl
21 listed rowsCanada and Cackling Goose
Regular - 2nd Segment
Second Segment: November 4, 2026-February 14, 2027
Duck
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
Regular - Late Zone 1st Segment
First Segment: October 31, 2026-January 3, 2027
Zone: Low Plains Unit - Late Zone
Light Goose
Regular - 2nd Segment
Second Segment: November 4, 2026-February 14, 2027
White-Fronted Goose
Regular - 1st Segment
First Segment: October 31, 2026-January 3, 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
Duck
Regular - Southeast Zone 2nd Segment
Second Segment: January 16-31, 2027
Zone: Low Plains Unit - Southeast Zone
Duck
Regular - 2nd Segment
Second Segment: January 22-31, 2027
Zone: High Plains Unit
Duck
Regular - Late Zone 2nd Segment
Second Segment: January 23-31, 2027
Zone: Low Plains Unit - Late Zone
White-Fronted Goose
Regular - 2nd Segment
Second Segment: January 23-February 14, 2027
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada and Cackling GooseRegular - 1st SegmentFirst Segment: October 31-November 1, 2026 | Closed | |
| 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 | |
| DuckYouth, Veteran, and Active Military · Low Plains Unit - Late ZoneLow Plains Unit, Late Zone: October 17-18, 2026 | Closed | |
| DuckYouth, Veteran, and Active Military · Low Plains Unit - Southeast ZoneLow Plains Unit, Southeast Zone: October 24-25, 2026 | Closed | |
| Light GooseRegular - 1st SegmentFirst Segment: October 31-November 1, 2026 | Closed | |
| Light GooseConservation OrderConservation Order: February 15-April 30, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| TealRegular · Low Plains Unit | Closed | |
| TealRegular · High Plains Unit | Closed |
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.
Sandhill Crane
Regular
2026: October 17-December 13, 2026
Zone: West Crane Zone
Snipe
Regular
September 1-December 16 each year.
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.
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Kansas Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Kansas?
Archery deer season runs Sep 14-Dec 31, 2026. Firearm deer season opens between December 2, 2026 and December 19, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 31, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Kansas KDWPT.
When is Kansas's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens between December 2, 2026 and December 19, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 31, 2026. Check zone and permit details with Kansas KDWPT before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Kansas?
Spring turkey season runs Apr 14-May 31, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
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.
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