Public Lands Regulations

Laws governing fish, wildlife, and state parks in Kansas can be in the form of a statute passed by the Kansas Legislature or a regulation which is a directive of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Statutes empower agencies to create regulations, and regulations ensure that the statutory goals are practically achieved.

• Kansas statutes can be found on the Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes webpage. KDWP statutes are primarily listed in Chapter 32.
• Kansas regulations can be found on the Kansas Secretary of State's website. KDWP regulations are primarily listed in 115
• Kansas public lands like state fishing lakes and wildlife areas have special use restrictions that can vary by location. Kansas Public Lands Special Use Restrictions
• Summaries of Kansas hunting, furbearing, fishing, and boating regulations can be found in both English and Spanish here.

Frequently Asked about Public Lands Regulations

Please note, this is not a complete list. See the links above to view all current KDWP regulations.

• Some areas listed here have special restrictions in addition to Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks regulations on department lands and waters. For more information, contact individual location offices.
• Commercial guiding of hunters is not allowed on public lands owned or managed by KDWP, including Walk-in Hunting Access areas.
• Camping at state fishing lakes and wildlife areas is allowed in designated areas only and is limited to limited to a stay of not more than seven consecutive days on that department managed land unless otherwise established by posted notice or authorized by written permit from the department (learn about camping at Kansas State Parks). Not all state fishing lakes and wildlife areas allow camping. For those that do, campsites are first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved.
• Camping is not allowed at walk-in hunting areas.
• Target shooting is allowed only in designated areas.
• Baiting while hunting or preparing to hunt is illegal on public lands.
• Only two portable blinds or stands are allowed per hunter. Portable blinds may not be left unattended overnight. Stands and portable blinds must be marked with the owner’s name and address or KDWP number. Decoys may not be left unattended overnight.
• On some wildlife areas, dove fields may be designated as non-toxic shot only by posted notice.

Blinds and Stands on Public Lands and Walk-in Hunting Areas

Blinds and stands may be used on department lands, subject to posted requirements and under the following conditions:

1. Stands may not be placed more than 14 days prior to the season and shall be removed within 14 days of the close of the season;
2. Ladders, screw-in metal steps, and steps attached by ropes, cables, or chains may be used to access stands and must be removed with the stand;
3. Natural blinds may be used and shall be constructed of natural herbaceous materials or woody debris present on site;
4. Any person may use these stands if not occupied;
5. Only two portable blinds or stands per department owned or managed area are allowed per hunter;
6. Marked with the owner’s name and address or KDWP number;
7. Portable blinds may not be left unattended overnight; and
8. Any stand not conforming to the requirements may be removed or destroyed by department staff.

Hunter/ Furharvester Education

Hunter Education Certification

Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must complete an approved hunter education course before hunting in Kansas. Anyone under 27 years old must carry their hunter education card while hunting. Students must be at least 11 years old to be certified. Youth 12-15 who have completed hunter education may hunt without adult supervision (except during youth seasons when adult supervision is required regardless of hunter education). Exceptions include youth 15 and younger who may hunt without hunter education while directly supervised by an adult 18 or older. Anyone 16 or older who has not completed hunter education may purchase up to two apprentice hunting licenses. An apprentice license is valid one year from date of purchase, and the holder must be under the direct supervision of a licensed adult 18 or older when hunting. Hunter education is not required while hunting one’s own land. Duplicate certificates are provided at no cost at KDWP regional, district and state park offices or by calling (620) 672-0773.

Hunter Education

Furharvester Education Certification

Persons born on or after July 1, 1966, must successfully complete a furharvester education course approved by KDWP to purchase a furharvester license or hunt, run, or trap furbearers or trap coyotes on lands other than their own. Course information: (620) 672-5911 or ksoutdoors.com.

Hunting & Furharvester License

To view all Hunting Application and fees visit Application and Fees.

Hunting License

All resident hunters age 16 through 74 must have a resident hunting license unless exempt. Nonresident hunters, regardless of age, must have a nonresident license. Annual hunting licenses expire one year from the date of purchase. Resident hunters age 65-74 qualify for senior annual hunting licenses ($15), or annual hunt/fish combination licenses ($25). Residents age 16-20 qualify for Youth Multi-year hunting ($42.50) or hunt/fish combination licenses ($72.50), which expire the end of the year they turn 21. A resident is defined as a person who has maintained that person’s place of permanent abode in the state for 60 days prior to purchase. Domiciliary intent is required, evidence of which may include where a person votes, pays personal income taxes, or obtains a driver's license. Residency of at least one year is required to purchase lifetime licenses. Lifetime license holders are considered Kansas residents for hunting permits and tags, even if they no longer live in Kansas. Hunters may purchase a special license that is valid only on controlled shooting areas. Nonresidents who are full-time secondary, post-secondary or vocational students at Kansas schools and are living in Kansas may obtain resident hunting licenses and permits but must carry evidence of Kansas student status. They may not purchase lifetime licenses.

Furharvesting License

A furharvester license is required to hunt, trap, or pursue (run) furbearing animals, or to sell their pelts. A furharvester license is required to trap coyotes, and a hunting license is required to hunt them. The same license required to take coyotes is required to sell their pelts. Unlicensed, non-participating observers may accompany a licensed furharvester but may not carry or use equipment, control dogs, or otherwise assist with furharvesting activities. Residents 15 and younger may purchase a junior furharvester license at a reduced price. Youth 13 and younger accompanied by a licensed furharvester are exempt.

Reptiles, Amphibians & Other Species

A hunting license is required to take amphibians and reptiles.

Hunting season for amphibians and reptiles is open year-round and no more than five total of any combination of amphibian may be possessed per person or domicile, whichever is reached first, and no more than five reptiles and no more than two individuals of any reptile species per person and/or domicile, whichever is reached first. For the purpose of this regulation (KAR 115-20-2), "domicile" shall mean the address you declare in legal documents to pay taxes, receive social security, vote, bank, permanent abode, and register vehicles and animals.

The take of bullfrogs, common snapping turtles, and softshell turtles requires a fishing license and is covered under fishing regulations.

No threatened, endangered, or species in need of conservation can be taken with a hunting license. (KAR 115-15-1 and 115-15-2)

Other Species

• A hunting license is required to take ground squirrels, woodchucks, kangaroo rats, wood rats, armadillos, porcupines, feral pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, and rodents. Season is open year-round. There is no possession limit for these species.
• Kansas residents do not need a hunting license to take moles or gophers.
• A commercial prairie rattlesnake special event permit is required to take prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) on a commercial basis, including rattlesnake roundups. Prairie rattlesnakes may only be taken by hand, snake hook, or snake catcher tongs. No other rattlesnake species may be taken commercially. Timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) are a species in need of conservation and protected from any form of take.

Additional Information

Call our Pratt Operations Office at 620-672-5911 for more information.

Get Your Hunting or Fishing License

Falconry

General Falconry Information

For information on becoming a Kansas Falconer, or to obtain an application packet, please call 620-672-5911.

115-14-11. Falconry; general provisions (a) states, "Each falconer hunting or trapping raptors in Kansas shall possess any current hunting license, unless exempt pursuant to K.S.A. 32-919 and amendments thereto, and any other state or federal stamp, permit, certificate, or other issuance that may be required for hunting the species that the falconer is hunting. In addition, each nonresident falconer shall possess a current nonresident hunting license while participating in a falconry field trial or a department-approved special event."

Complete text of all Kansas Falconry regulations can be found at the Kansas Secretary of State website, underArticle 14.

Falconry Season Information

Season: Same as regular seasons.

Check the Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulation Summary book for regular season dates, daily bag limits, possession limits, and stamps/permits required.

115-14-11. Falconry; general provisions (b) states, "Any falconry raptor may kill wildlife, including animals killed outside the established hunting season, if it was not the intent of the falconry permittee to kill the wildlife. The falconry raptor may be allowed to feed on the wildlife, but the permittee shall not take the wildlife, or any part of the wildlife, into possession."

Complete text of all Kansas Falconry regulations can be found at the Kansas Secretary of State website, underArticle 14.

Migratory Extended Falconry

• High Plains Extended: Close
• Early Zone Extended: Feb. 24 - March 10, 2026
• Late Zone Extended: Feb. 24 - March 10, 2026
• Southwest Zone Extended: Feb. 24 - March 10, 2026
• Daily Bag Limit: No more than three migratory birds, including coot, dove, rail, crow, snipe, woodcock, and any migratory species - in combination such as one dove, one duck, and one woodcock or three doves. (Falconers may not exceed other limits on migratory birds. Be sure to check bag limits in the current Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulation Summary book.)
• Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit.
• Stamps/Permits Required: Kansas HIP Permit, Kansas Waterfowl Permit, Federal Duck Stamp

Falconry Trapping Information

• General Trapping: January 1 - December 31
• Peregrine Trapping: September 20 - October 20
• 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Falconry FAQ

Needing additional information about Kansas Falconry? Click on the link above to view our most frequently asked questions.

Falconry Trapping & Release Application

Non-Resident falconers are required to provide a copy of their current falconry permit in addition to the above trapping application. Non-resident Falconers: Please email completed application and copy of current falconry license to sarah.navarro@ks.gov.

Falconry Trapping Authorization Application

Peregrine Falcon in Kansas

The trapping season for passage peregrine falcons is Sept 20 - Oct 20, 2024.

The Kansas allocation for passage peregrine falcon take is 5 for 2024. Trapping activities are only permitted east of the 100th meridian in Kansas.

The season will be open until 5 peregrines have been captured or the season ends. Falconers must notify the Department via email before any capture is attempted. Falconers capturing a peregrine must immediately email the Department. After the quota has been reached, the season is closed. A notice of closure will be posted at the top of this page and an email sent to all falconers who have notified the Department of their intent to attempt capture.

There is potential for capturing a peregrine in excess of the quota on the day the quota is met. Falconers capturing a peregrine after the quota has been met must immediately release the bird upon notification by the Department. Determination of which capture is in excess of the quota will be based on the date and time of the emailed notification of capture.

Each falconer shall apply for and receive a permit from the Department before attempting to take a peregrine from the wild in Kansas. Due to the difference in trapping season dates, this permit could be in addition to a general falconry take permit if one has already been issued. Falconers must make sure their falconry permit allows for the take of passage peregrine falcons (general falconer or master falconer).

If not indicated on trapping application, you must email Jake George at jake.george@ks.gov and Sarah Navarro at sarah.navarro@ks.gov for notification of intent to attempt capture or to report a capture.

Fish and Wildlife Service Requirements

Falconers taking a passage peregrine are required to report their capture to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by completing a 3-186a form.

Certified Game Breeders

Regulation 115-12-3: A game breeder permit shall be required to engage in the business of raising and selling the following wildlife:

• species of reptiles or amphibians that are native to or indigenous to Kansas;
• mountain lion, Felis concolor Linnaeus;
• wolf, Canis lupus Say;
• black bear, Ursus americanus Pallas; and
• grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis Ord. (Authorized by and implementing L. 1991,Chapter 106, section 1; effective Feb. 10, 1992.)

Resources

• Game Breeder Regulations, 115-12
• Game Breeder Special Permit Regulations, 115-18
• List of Certified Game Breeders

Note: The Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215, et. seq.) and specifically K.S.A. 45-230 provides that “no person shall knowingly sell, give or receive, for the purpose of selling or offering for sale any property or service to persons listed therein, any list of names and addresses contained in or derived from public records...” Violating these provisions may subject violators to civil penalties. See K.S.A. 45-230 for more information.

Dead game animals and furbearers may be possessed in season with proper licenses and within legal limits. Dead big game animals and wild turkeys may be possessed outside of the season with KDWP salvage tags. Antlers may not be cut off roadkills or found skulls and possessed without this tag.

Contact your local game warden or KDWP office to obtain a salvage tag.