Special Hunts
Limited-entry hunting opportunities
Special Hunts are limited‑entry, application‑only opportunities that allow hunters to access areas not normally open to unrestricted hunting, including state parks, wildlife areas, and wildlife refuges. Participation is intentionally limited to ensure a safe, high‑quality experience for all hunters. Special Hunts provide access only. All required licenses, permits, tags, stamps, and Hunter Education certifications still apply unless exempt.
Application Timeline
The Special Hunts program includes two seasons: Fall/Winter Special Hunts and Spring Special Turkey Hunts. Each season has its own application period and draw.
Applications for Fall 2026-Winter 2027 Special Hunts will open around July 1, 2026 and remain open for the month. The draw will take place in early August 2026.
Applications for Spring 2027 Special Turkey Hunts will open in March 2027. The draw will take place in April 2027.
Fall 2026-Winter 2027 Special Hunts list coming soon!
- Special Hunts provide access only. All licenses, permits, tags, stamps, and Hunter Education are still required.
- Non‑resident deer hunters must have drawn a deer permit for the Deer Management Unit where the hunt is located in the April lottery to be eligible.
- Resident‑only hunts require all participants to be Kansas residents, not just the applicant.
- Participants in special hunts at state parks will need state park vehicle entrance permits to enter the park.
- Hunting success is not guaranteed. Hunts vary based on location and management, and KDWP cannot control migrations, wildlife movement, weather, or environmental conditions.
- Hunter Education requirements apply to all special hunts.
How To Apply
- Applications must be made online through the Special Hunt Application Portal.
- Review hunts and dates before applying. You can apply for up to three choices per species.
- You may only submit one application per Special Hunt period (once for Fall/Winter and once for Spring).
Past Special Hunts
Fall 2024-Winter 2025
- There were 404 Total Hunts Offered for the 2024-2025 Fall/Winter Season
- There were 755 Total Permits Available (some hunts offer more than 1 permit)
- The hunts occurred on 29 Wildlife Areas, 6 State Parks, 2 State Fishing Lakes, 2 Private Lands, 7 County owned properties, 2 National Wildlife Refuges, and 1 Corps of Engineers Lake. Special Hunts occur on areas not open to unlimited hunting.
- Download 2024-2025 season hunt statistics (PDF)
Spring 2025
- There were 19 Hunts with 83 individual permits available this spring.
- There were 8 Open, 7 Youth, and 4 Mentor hunts available.
- Hunts were located on 6 different locations:
- Buck Creek Wildlife Area
- Kansas River Wildlife Area - Fitzgerald
- Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge
- Noe Wildlife Area
- Prairie Center
- Grand Osage Wildlife Area
Fall 2023/Winter 2024
Draw Statistics for hunts during the 2023-2024 season.