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Wild turkeys were reintroduced into Kansas in the 1960s and 1970s, and the program has been a great success. Today, huntable populations of turkeys exist in nearly every county. Statewide turkey populations peaked in 2008 and have experienced a declining trend for the last 15 years. The Rio Grande subspecies is most prevalent in the western two-thirds of the state—primarily Turkey Hunt Units 1, 2, 4 and 5. Low numbers in the southwest (Unit 4) provide only limited hunting. The Eastern subspecies is common in the northeast and southeast regions of the state (Units 3 and 6), where populations peaked in the mid-2000s and have experienced declines in recent years.
Hunting Application and Fees
Lottery Draw: Nonresident Spring Turkey Permits
Nonresident spring turkey permits are available only by lottery draw.
Application Period: 01/13/2026 - 02/13/2026
Preference points can only be purchased during the application period.
Nonresident permits are only valid in a single Unit. Nonresident hunters may apply for a spring turkey permit in Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6. Any leftover nonresident spring turkey permits will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis on a date to be determined after the draw is completed.
To apply for a 2026 nonresident turkey permit in Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6:
Note: Hunters who qualify as a "resident" or "nonresident tenant" may still purchase a spring turkey permit in Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 either over the counter or online.
Application Period: 01/13/2026 - 02/13/2026 (Opening date of application period subject to change) There are no paper applications or mail in forms.
To apply for a 2026 spring turkey permit in Unit 4:
Note: Unit 4 spring turkey permits are only available for hunters who qualify as a "resident" or "nonresident tenant."
A total of 375 spring turkey permits are available for Unit 4. Out of these permits, 200 are reserved for resident landowners/tenants and nonresident tenants of land within Unit 4.
Kansas youth may purchase a youth spring turkey permit valid statewide for $7.50
Unit 4 Spring Turkey Application Fees (internet convenience fee not included):
There is a $7.50 nonrefundable application fee. Unsuccessful applicants will be issued a preference point. If you do not want to apply for a permit and want to purchase a preference point only, you may do so online by selecting Spring Turkey Preference Point Application. Only one point may be obtained per year.
At checkout, you’ll have the option to select either printed or electronic delivery of your permit.
How To: E-tag/Submit Your Harvest Report
Group hunt applications accommodate those who do not want to hunt unless their hunting partners draw also. Applicants (up to 5) must apply for the same unit and the same weapon choice. Each person will make application and there will be a question on the application about groups.
The first applicant in the group to apply would select the create group option on this question. This will create a group and you will be given a group number.
Each applicant applying after the group has been set up would select the join group option and they would fill in the Group number. Applicant will be asked at the time of application to select the choice of permit delivery (print and mail, or E-Tag / Mobile to the mobile app Go Outdoors Kansas).
Note:
All individuals, regardless of land ownership and age, must possess a valid Spring Turkey Permit to hunt turkeys and a valid Kansas hunting license is required of all residents age 16 through 74 and all nonresidents, except persons hunting on their own land.
No person shall apply for or purchase more than one Spring Turkey Permit. Permits obtained through false representation, misrepresentation, or in excess of the number authorized shall be invalid.
Any resident or nonresident tenant may purchase a spring turkey permit over the counter valid in Units 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. A spring turkey permit is valid for one bearded turkey. All other nonresident hunters must apply for a spring turkey permit through the lottery draw for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 (see above for details).
No game tags will be available for the 2026 season.
Resident hunters age 15 and younger may purchase youth permits at a reduced fee. Youth permits are valid statewide, including Unit 4. Nonresident youth will be subject to the lottery draw for permits.
The information in this website is a service to hunters. It has been prepared as a guide only. This is not a complete list of regulations. For more detailed legal information, contact the department's Law Enforcement Division. Complete regulations may also be viewed and printed online.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
All individuals regardless of land ownership and age, must have in possession a valid permit to hunt spring turkey. In addition to the permit, a valid Kansas hunting license is required (unless exempt by Kansas law). Hunters may hunt only within the management unit printed on his or her permit.
All Kansas residents and qualifying nonresident tenants may purchase a Spring Turkey Permit valid in Units 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 over-the-counter, at GoOutdoorsKansas.com or on the GoOutdoorsKS mobile app.
Resident: A resident is defined as a person who has maintained a permanent abode in the state for 60 days immediately prior to purchase. Domiciliary intent is required, evidence of which may include the location where the person votes, pays personal income taxes or obtains a driver’s license. Members of the armed services on active duty who were Kansas residents at the time of entering the service – and immediate family members living with them – are considered residents. Members of the armed services on active duty and officially stationed in Kansas may purchase resident licenses and permits (including applying for a Unit 4 permit), except for lifetime licenses. Any holder of a Kansas lifetime hunting license who has moved from the state may apply for and purchase permits as a resident. Any person who is a registered full-time student in residence at a public or private secondary, post secondary, or vocational school located in Kansas may purchase resident licenses and permits (including applying for a Unit 4 permit), except lifetime licenses. While hunting, the student must carry evidence of being a full-time student residing in Kansas.
Resident Youth: Resident hunters age 15 or younger may purchase youth permits at a reduced fee. Youth permits are valid statewide, including Unit 4.
Landowners/Tenants: Residents who own or operate 80 acres or more of Kansas farm or ranch land located in the unit intended to hunt; or residents or nonresident tenants actively engaged in the agricultural operation of 80 acres or more of Kansas farm or ranch land for the purpose of producing agricultural commodities or livestock and must:
Members of the immediate family who live with a resident landowner or qualifying tenant may purchase or apply for a resident spring turkey permit as a landowner or as a tenant, but at least 80 acres must be owned by such landowner or operated by such tenant for each permit sought.
Nonresidents (By Draw Only): Nonresidents are defined as those persons not meeting the requirements of a resident as defined above. Spring Turkey Permits for nonresidents and nonresident youth must be obtained through a pre-season draw. A limited number of permits are issued and are valid only within the unit applied for. A $12.50 nonrefundable application fee is due at the time of application. Successful applicants will be charged the remaining permit fee. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a preference point for future draws. A $12.50 preference point may be purchased instead of applying for the current draw. Applications can be made at GoOutdoorsKansas.com, on the GoOutdoorsKS mobile app or by calling 833-587-2164.
There is no minimum age to hunt turkeys in Kansas. Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must be certified by an approved course in hunter education before they can hunt in Kansas except that anyone age 15 and younger may hunt without hunter education certification provided they are under the direct supervision (immediate audible and visual control) of an adult age 18 or older. Persons age 16 or older who have not completed a hunter education course are eligible to purchase up to two apprentice hunting licenses, which allow the license holder to hunt while accompanied by a licensed adult age 18 or older. Hunting licenses, including apprentice licenses, are valid 365 days from date of purchase. In addition to the license, a permit is also required to hunt turkeys in Kansas. Hunters who have completed an approved hunter education course must carry their certificate, or card, while hunting until age 27. Only persons hunting on their own land are exempt from this requirement. Except during the youth season, hunters age 12 to 15 may hunt without adult supervision, provided they possess a valid hunter education certificate and valid turkey permit.
Youth and disabled permit holders may use any legal equipment during the spring youth/disabled season and archery season.
Spring Turkey Permit valid in Units 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6. Your permit specifies the unit or units in which you may hunt. This graphic shows the current boundaries for the turkey units.
Spring Turkey Permits for Unit 4 must be obtained through a pre-season drawing. The limited number of permits issued are valid only in Unit 4. Two hundred of these permits are reserved for applicants who qualify as landowners or tenants in that unit.
Post-Harvest Instructions
At the time of purchase, hunters will have the option of a paper carcass tag or mobile/E-tag.
Sign permit prior to hunting to validate it. After an animal is harvested, the carcass tag must be signed, dated and attached to the animal in a visible manner before the carcass is moved from the harvest site.
Paper permits and tags purchased online must be printed at the time of purchase. To protect non-waterproof paper tags, cut it from the permit, place it in a clear plastic bag and attach it to the animal with a zip-tie or other secure manner.
The carcass tag must remain attached to the animal during transport and kept with the meat until it is consumed, given to another or otherwise disposed of.
Hunters using paper tags can complete a voluntary harvest report if they wish to “bone-out” in the field. Visit ksoutdoors.com/harvest-reporting and follow the online instructions on how to complete the harvest report for your animal.
Hunters who choose electronic delivery at the time of purchase will store their permits and tags on their mobile device in the GoOutdoorsKS mobile app. After harvest, open the GoOutdoorsKS mobile app and follow the instructions for the e-tag appropriate for the species/sex of harvest. A confirmation number will work the same as harvest reporting for a hunter wanting to bone out an animal and transport only meat from the harvest site.
The beard of the wild turkey must remain naturally attached to the breast while in transit from the site of the kill to the permittee’s residence or to a place of processing or preservation unless the permittee has obtained a transportation confirmation number through electronic registration, or the permittee retains photographs necessary for electronic registration until registration occurs. “Electronically registering” shall mean submitting required information and digital photographs of the turkey breast and completed carcass tag showing signature on a completed carcass tag.
Electronic Registration of Turkey
Nonresidents must also meet other states' requirements while in transit or possession of deer and turkey carcasses.
A Kansas hunting license is required (unless exempt by Kansas law) to assist a turkey permit holder. Such assistance may include calling. Any person with a permanent physical or visual disability that prevents the person's ability to hunt safely, as certified by a physician, may be eligible to obtain a permit to designate someone else to take a legal limit of game for the permit holder. However, a permittee who is, because of disability, unable to pursue a wounded wild turkey may designate any individual to assist in pursuing and dispatching a wild turkey wounded by the disabled permittee. For more information or application contact the KS Dept. of Wildlife & Parks Pratt office. (620) 672-5911
A voluntary option for transporting harvested spring turkey allows hunters to register through the Internet, using photos taken at the harvest site. This is not a telephone registration system, and it is not required unless you want to transport your turkey without evidence of sex attached. (Without this system, the beard must remain attached to the breast until it arrives at a commercial place of processing, preservation, or the permit holder's residence.)
Once a transportation confirmation number is obtained or the hunter retains photographs necessary for electronic registration, the hunter may then transport the carcass without the beard attached.
For complete directions on this process, go to the Electronic Turkey Check-in Application.