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 HIP Stamp (Harvest Information Program) must be purchased as well.All of these items can be purchased at once on the KDWPT website.

Seasons & open areas

Kansas is home to some of the best pheasant, quail and prairie chicken hunting in the country.

Kansas has one of the largest prairie chicken populations and is historically in the top few states in pheasant and quail harvest.

The best pheasant hunting occurs in the western one-third of Kansas, while the best quail hunting is found in the eastern one-half of the state.  However, in recent years southwest Kansas has produced incredible quail hunting, too.  The central portion of the state offers excellent opportunities for all three species of upland birds.

Kansas prairie chicken season has several options, including an early season option in September.  The southwest one-third of Kansas is closed to all prairie chicken hunting due to populations of lesser prairie chickens.  

Pheasant and quail season opens statewide on the second Saturday in November and runs through the end of January.  

The KDWPT has a Walk-In Hunting Area (WIHA) and I-WIHA Program that leases private land for public access.  Much of this land is ideal for upland bird hunting.  

Techniques

Nearly all upland bird hunting involves walking and flushing birds to flight.  

Hunters target thicker cover for pheasants including Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grass, weedy fence lines and overgrown agricultural fields gone fallow. 

Hunters target edges for quail including riparian corridors, field edges and drainages.  

Hunters using well-trained pointing and flushing dogs increase their chances for success and can make the hunt even more enjoyable.  Additionally, their ability to find downed birds in thick cover is valuable. 

firearms & ammo

20 or 12 gauge, with the latter more popular.  

Best size shot for quail is 7 ½ or 8.

Best size shot for pheasants and prairie chickens is 4 or 6.  

Shotguns do not need to be plugged.

regulations & Safety

Non-toxic shot is NOT required in most areas for upland bird hunting, although it is required for ALL hunting on state and federal waterfowl areas.  

The daily bag limit on greater prairie chickens is two.  All chicken hunters must purchase a $2.50 permit before hunting.

The daily bag limit on pheasants is 4.  Only male, rooster, pheasants may be harvested.  Pheasants must have a foot or plumage attached to identify sex during transport.    

The daily bag limit on quail is 8.  

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

While blaze orange isn’t required for upland bird hunting, it’s highly recommended to wear a vest and hat.  The most hunting accidents (hunting is still safer than sports, showering and other daily activities) in Kansas occur when hunters are swinging on upland birds. 

Always know where your hunting partners are and never shoot at low birds for the safety of hunting dogs.

table fare

Pheasant and quail have a pleasing, delicate white meat that is delicious served in various dishes.  Some hunters prefer to remove the meat from the bone and use it accordingly.