Commission Big Game Permits

Nonprofit organizations based or operating in Kansas that actively promote wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage are eligible to participate in the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission's Big Game Permit program. Through this program, eligible nonprofits get a chance to draw one of seven special big game permits, which can then be sold to raise money for conservation-based projects.

2026 Application Period open now through December 26, 2025:

• 2026 Commission Big Game Permit Application
• 2026 Commission Big Game Permit Application Guidelines

Application Guidelines

Pursuant to K.S.A. 32-970, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Commission is authorized to issue up to seven Commission Big Game Permits per calendar year. Of the seven Commission Big Game Permits, up to one may be an elk permit, up to one may be an antelope permit, and the remaining balance may be any deer permits. Such permits are only available to nonprofit organizations that actively promote wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage. Only one Commission Big Game Permit may be issued to a qualified organization, but this limitation does not preclude active individual chapters of the same organization from being issued permits. Applications from individual chapters of the same organization must be completed and submitted by an active member of that chapter. Organizations are not eligible to receive a Commission Big Game Permit more than once in a three-year period. Organizations that oppose hunting and fishing shall not be eligible for award of a Commission Big Game Permit.

Applications must include:

• Completed application form
• Copy of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Articles of incorporation
• Mission statement
• List of events held during the previous calendar year which promoted wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage in Kansas, including the event date and an estimated number of participants.

Organizations receiving Commission Big Game Permits must market the permit to the public to receive the maximum financial benefit available to both the organization and the department. Organizations awarded Commission Big Game Permits by random draw must pay to the department the price established by rules and regulations for the highest value of the type of permit awarded. If the organization is Kansas Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, not less than 15 percent of the amount retained by the organization must be remitted to the department for use on jointly approved projects. For any other organization, not less than 85 percent must be remitted to the department for use on jointly approved projects. The remainder may be spent at the organization’s discretion.

The completed application shall be submitted no later than December 26th, 2025, to:

Sarah Navarro
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
512 SE 25th Ave.
Pratt, KS 67124
sarah.navarro@ks.gov

The Commission shall conduct a random drawing from the pool of eligible organizations to award Commission Big Game Permits at the January 8th, 2026, KDWP Commission meeting held on location or virtually on Zoom.

Upon receipt of payment for the Commission Big Game Permit by the winning organization, the department’s licensing section will issue a voucher signifying the type of permit awarded. Once the voucher is obtained by the final recipient, the final recipient shall return the voucher to the Licensing Section of the Department, and a permit shall be issued in the final recipient’s name. After a Commission Big Game Permit is issued in the name of the final recipient, it shall not be transferred to any other individual for any reason. As a reminder, 115-4-11(b)(3) states, “If an individual is a final recipient of a commission deer permit, the individual shall not possess more than one regular antlered deer permit and one commission deer permit.” Any Commission Big Game Permit shall be subject to the restrictions of the season, sex, equipment type or hunt units as issued on the permit by the department.

Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Kansas provides free, permanent hunting and fishing licenses to qualifying disabled veterans.

The military service member must be honorably discharged, reside in the state of Kansas, and have service-connected disabilities of at least 30%. (K.S.A. 32-934)

Please allow 2 weeks for processing of all applications.

Apply Online or In App

1. Visit gooutdoorskansas.com or the GoOutdoorsKS app. (Android or Apple/iOS)
2. Select Buy Licenses, Permits, and Tags (online) or Purchase Licenses (in app).
3. Log-in to your Go Outdoors Kansas account or enroll as a new customer.
4. Certify your Kansas residency in the pop up window.
5. In app only: Select Purchase Licenses option once again.
6. Select Customer Applications
   • Online: from the menu bar located directly above your name.
   • In App: from the menu at the top right corner of the screen. Scroll down to the Apply Online header and choose Customer Applications.
7. Add the Disabled Veterans Hunting & Fishing License Application to your cart.
8. Go to your cart and select Checkout.
9. Review the application instructions in the pop-up window and click Okay
10. Complete all fields and upload applicable supporting documentation*.
11. Click Submit

Apply by Mail

1. Download and complete the Kansas Disabled Veterans Hunting & Fishing License Application.
2. Complete the application and return it with all applicable supporting documentation by mail to:
   
   Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
   Attention: Licensing
   512 SE 25th Ave
   Pratt, KS 67124-8174

The following supporting documentation is required with all applications:

• Applicant’s current Kansas driver’s license or KS ID showing proof of residency
• Applicant’s current disabled veterans entitlement papers showing proof of at least 30% disability
• If applying for a hunting license, a copy of the applicant's Hunter’s Education Card (if born on or after July 1, 1957)

Free American Indian Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Licenses

Kansas Law (K.S.A. 32-929) directs the secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, upon submission of satisfactory proof thereof, shall issue free licenses to hunt, fish and trap to any person residing in the state who is enrolled as an American Indian on a Tribal membership roll which is federally recognized by the United States Department of Interior.

The American Indian licenses issued by the State of Kansas apply to hunting, fishing, and trapping in Kansas only, and are not recognized by any other state.

Applicants must provide acceptable proof of tribal enrollment number in the form of a legal document issued by the tribal office certifying the named person's enrollment number.

How to Apply for an American Indian Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping License

Apply online at license.gooutdoorskansas.com.

1. Log In or Sign Up for an Account
2. Select Customer Applications (under the picture of a deer)
3. Click Apply next to the American Indian Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Application
4. Go to your Cart and Checkout
5. Upload the required documents and click Submit
6. Print your license (your license will remain null and void until the required hunter or furharvester education is completed.)

You can also complete a paper application at any KDWP office or call 620-672-5911.

Additional Education Requirements

Kansas law requires anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 to have a certificate of competency showing that they have successfully completed an approved hunter education course before hunting.

Anyone born on or after July 1, 1966 must successfully complete an approved furharvester education course and be able to produce upon request a certificate of competency, before hunting, running, trapping, or pursuing furbearing animals.

If you are of such age, that portion of your license is null and void until the required education course is completed. If the course cards are issued by a state other than Kansas, a copy of the other state’s education card(s) must be provided.

For a replacement license, please call the Pratt Operations Office 620-672-5911 or log into your account at license.gooutdoorskansas.com to reprint your license.

Mobile App

You can now use the Go Outdoors Kansas mobile app to show proof of your licenses

GoOutdoorsKS allows hunters and anglers to purchase licenses and permits, sync current licenses, submit harvest reports, and find useful tools such as regulations. This app is available on IOS and Android devices.

Kids Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License

Applications are now available!

Select the following link to download a Kansas Kids Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License application.

• KS Kids Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Application (PDF)

Kansas Kids Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License FAQ

Select the following link to download a list of FAQs regarding the Kansas Kids Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License.

• Download Kids Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License FAQ

Controlled Shooting Area Operator License

Controlled Shooting Areas (CSAs) are privately- owned and managed hunting areas licensed by KDWP that provide an extended upland game bird hunting season. The License to Establish a Controlled Shooting Area is an application process. To obtain an application packet, please contact Sarah Navarro by email at sarah.navarro@ks.gov or by phone at 620-672-5911.

• CSA Operators FAQ
• CSA Fees
• CSA Reporting Guide
  •  CSA Hunter Register
  • CSA Hunter Register
  • CSA Transportation of Birds
  • CSA Transportation of Birds
  • CSA Annual Release Report

Falconry Trapping Authorization 

Kansas Resident Falconers do not need a trapping permit for general trapping. Kansas Resident Falconers must notify the state of intent to capture peregrine by submitting the Falconry Trapping Authorization Application.

Non-resident Falconers must submit the Falconry Trapping Authorization Application form to be issued a trapping permit for falconry in Kansas. 

Falconry Trapping Authorization Application

Falconry Frequently Asked Questions

Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit Information

Included below are files containing all required forms and documentation for becoming a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. The Regulation pertaining to wildlife rehabilitation in Kansas is K.A.R.115-18-1 (also included below). Wildlife rehabilitation permits are applied for and issued annually (permits expire Dec. 31 each year). Any and all facilities where wildlife will be housed for rehabilitation purposes will require an annual inspection from KDWP Law Enforcement personnel.

All application materials were revised in 2017, so please review all forms carefully for renewals and applications. All application and reporting forms are now pdf files with fillable fields. Please complete all possible information electronically within the form prior to printing for signatures.

If you have any questions, please contact the Wildlife Division at 620-672-5911.

Additional Resources

• National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
• The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
• Rehabilitation Transfer of Wildlife Request
• Application for Rehabilitation Permit
• Subpermittee Authorization Request - Form 1
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities Inspection - Form 2
• Rehabilitation Report - Form 3
• Rehabilitation Hands-On Experience Report Form - New Applicants
• 115-18-01 Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit - Application, Reporting and General Provisions
• 115-18-10 Importation and Possession of Certain Wildlife - Prohibition, Permit Requirement and Restrictions
• 115-15-01 Nongame, Threaten and Endangered Species
• 115-15-02 Nongame, Species In Need of Conservation

Special Event Permits

Special events conducted on KDWP managed lands and waters require special event permits if one of the following conditions exists:

• An entrance, admission, or participation fee is charged;
• Food, merchandise, or services are offered for sale;
• The exclusive use of a facility or a specified land or water area is required;
• An organized or advertised competition will be conducted;
• Sound will be amplified that may disrupt area users; or
• Temporary structures, other than blinds or common camping equipment, will be erected.

Applications for special event permits are available at most KDWP offices. Each application for a special event permit shall be made to KDWP not less than five weekdays before the event. The special event permit fee is negotiated based on event type, required services, and lost revenue; the maximum fee is $200. Payment must accompany each application.