WHERE DO I GET A HUNTING LICENSE & HIP STAMP?

Annual Hunting License - All resident hunters age 16 through 74 must have a resident hunting license unless exempt by Kansas Law. You can purchase a license online, on the KS Outdoors app, or at local stores such as Cabela’s, WalMart, or KDWPT office. A deer permit must be purchased for every deer hunter regardless of their age. All of these items can be purchased at once on the KDWPT website.

WHERE TO HUNT

Two deer species thrive in Kansas: the mule deer and the white-tailed deer.

On the KDWPT website, you can find Kansas Deer Management Maps that are open the the public as long as you have an appropriate tag for that unit.

Private landowners are another avenue to pursue for land access. If you know a landowner, ask how you can help them and in return hunt their ground.

Special Hunt Opportunities: While all hunters can opt to pursue game on their own by utilizing the state’s public lands, staff at KDWPT seek to create additional hunting opportunities through the department’s Special Hunts program. Through this limited draw program, hunters can gain temporary, exclusive access to private lands, wildlife areas, state parks, federal lands and city- or county-owned properties not normally hunted, ensuring a memorable experience. Hundreds of special hunt opportunities are available each fall, all at no cost. Resident and nonresident hunters may apply. Through the online application process, hunters will select hunts by species, equipment, location and more – These opportunities change every season so be sure to apply if you want a chance to draw a permit!

Kansas has an access program called the Walk-In Hunting Area (WIHA) Program and I-WIHA for deer hunting access.  This leases private land for public use, either openly or by electronic check-in.

Techniques

Deer are creatures of habit and most active at dawn and dark.  They bed during the day and travel to food sources (agriculture fields, browse, etc)  in the evening as they’re nocturnal.  

As a result of this movement they establish trails and hunters' keys on these areas using signs such as tracks and scat.  Rubs and scrapes are also other telltale signs for deer presence.  

Baiting, the artificial placement of some type of feed, is legal for deer hunting in Kansas (except on public lands).  

methods of take

Hunters can use various kinds of bows, including crossbows, compound and recurves during the archery seasons.  Firearm hunters include those using muzzleloaders or centerfire rifles.  Shotgun hunting is also legal with slugs, but not popular.  

regulations and safety

All deer hunters must have a deer permit.  Permits are valid based on species and units and vary from 1-5, depending on units.  

Only one permit is valid for an antlered deer (buck).  All others are for antlerless deer.  

Whitetail deer permits for both archery and firearms are available over-the-counter.  Mule deer permits are available by drawing and zone.

Blaze orange is required for ALL hunters during any open firearms season.  Archery hunters can wear only camouflage during the archery-only portion of the season.  

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

There is a special youth-only deer hunting opportunity prior to the regular seasons.   

Centerfire rifles are capable of shooting long distances and projectiles may travel a mile or more.  Always be sure of your target and what lies beyond.  

Never shoot at sound or movement.

Table fare.

The entire deer can be cut up similar to a cow or pig, either by you or a local processing shop for a fee.

The best cuts are similar to beef and include the tenderloin, loin and roasts.

Deer meat is very palatable and can be used in nearly every recipe used for domestic beef. Ground deer meat is extremely versatile and can be used in soups, burgers, spaghetti and meatloafs.

Many hunters enjoy making their own summer sausage or jerky.