When is Kansas Rifle Season?
When Is Kansas Rifle Season?
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) regulates hunting seasons in the state, including rifle season. Rifle season is a popular time for hunters to pursue a variety of game, including white-tailed deer, elk, and pronghorn. The length of rifle season varies depending on the species and the specific hunting unit.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Kansas rifle season, including the dates, bag limits, and other regulations. We’ll also provide tips for hunters who are planning to participate in rifle season in Kansas.
Dates and Bag Limits
Rifle season for white-tailed deer in Kansas typically runs from November 15 to January 15. The bag limit is two deer per hunter, with one antlered deer and one antlerless deer.
Rifle season for elk in Kansas typically runs from November 15 to December 15. The bag limit is one elk per hunter.
Rifle season for pronghorn in Kansas typically runs from September 1 to December 31. The bag limit is two pronghorn per hunter.
Regulations
In addition to the dates and bag limits, there are a number of other regulations that hunters need to be aware of when participating in rifle season in Kansas. These regulations include:
- Hunters must have a valid Kansas hunting license and a permit for the species they are hunting.
- Hunters must wear hunter orange during rifle season.
- Hunters must abide by the posted property boundaries and hunting regulations.
Tips for Hunters
Here are a few tips for hunters who are planning to participate in rifle season in Kansas:
- Scout the area before the season to find good hunting spots.
- Pay attention to the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
- Be safe and responsible when handling firearms.
- Practice ethical hunting and respect the rights of other hunters.
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| Date | Species | Season |
|---|---|---|
| November 15-December 11 | Deer | Archery |
| December 12-January 1 | Deer | Muzzleloader |
| January 2-February 28 | Deer | Rifle |
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General Rifle Season Dates
General rifle season in Kansas runs from November 15 to January 31. The season is open for all game species except for white-tailed deer, which have their own specific hunting seasons.
Dates for Different Game Species
The following table lists the dates for different game species during general rifle season in Kansas:
| Game Species | Dates |
|—|—|
| Antelope | November 15 to January 31 |
| Bear | November 15 to January 31 |
| Elk | November 15 to January 31 |
| Goat | November 15 to January 31 |
| Pronghorn | November 15 to January 31 |
| Turkey | November 15 to January 31 |
Bag Limits for Each Species
The following table lists the bag limits for each game species during general rifle season in Kansas:
| Game Species | Bag Limit |
|—|—|
| Antelope | 2 |
| Bear | 1 |
| Elk | 1 |
| Goat | 2 |
| Pronghorn | 2 |
| Turkey | 2 |
Special Rifle Season Dates
In addition to general rifle season, Kansas also has a number of special rifle seasons for specific game species. These seasons are typically shorter than general rifle season and have different bag limits.
Dates for Different Game Species
The following table lists the dates for different game species during special rifle season in Kansas:
| Game Species | Dates |
|—|—|
| Black bear | October 1 to November 30 |
| Buffalo | September 1 to December 31 |
| Deer | September 1 to January 31 |
| Elk | September 1 to January 31 |
| Moose | September 1 to December 31 |
| Mountain lion | September 1 to December 31 |
| Pronghorn | September 1 to January 31 |
| Turkey | April 1 to May 31 |
Bag Limits for Each Species
The following table lists the bag limits for each game species during special rifle season in Kansas:
| Game Species | Bag Limit |
|—|—|
| Black bear | 1 |
| Buffalo | 1 |
| Deer | 10 |
| Elk | 1 |
| Moose | 1 |
| Mountain lion | 1 |
| Pronghorn | 2 |
| Turkey | 2 |
Rifle season is a popular time to hunt in Kansas, and there are a variety of game species to choose from. By understanding the dates and bag limits for each species, you can make the most of your hunting experience.
3. Late Rifle Season Dates
The late rifle season in Kansas is open for deer, elk, and antelope. The season dates vary depending on the species and the area of the state.
- Deer: The late rifle season for deer in Kansas is open from November 15 to January 31. The season is divided into two phases: the early phase, which runs from November 15 to December 15, and the late phase, which runs from December 16 to January 31. The early phase is open for antlerless deer only, while the late phase is open for both antlerless and antlered deer.
- Elk: The late rifle season for elk in Kansas is open from November 15 to January 31. The season is open for both bulls and cows.
- Antelope: The late rifle season for antelope in Kansas is open from November 15 to January 31. The season is open for both bucks and does.
What are the bag limits for each species?
- Deer: The bag limit for deer in Kansas is two antlered deer or three antlerless deer.
- Elk: The bag limit for elk in Kansas is one bull.
- Antelope: The bag limit for antelope in Kansas is one buck or two does.
4. Archery Only Season Dates
The archery only season in Kansas is open for deer, elk, and antelope. The season dates vary depending on the species and the area of the state.
- Deer: The archery only season for deer in Kansas is open from September 1 to January 31. The season is divided into two phases: the early phase, which runs from September 1 to December 15, and the late phase, which runs from December 16 to January 31. The early phase is open for antlerless deer only, while the late phase is open for both antlerless and antlered deer.
- Elk: The archery only season for elk in Kansas is open from September 1 to January 31. The season is open for both bulls and cows.
- Antelope: The archery only season for antelope in Kansas is open from September 1 to January 31. The season is open for both bucks and does.
What are the bag limits for each species?
- Deer: The bag limit for deer in Kansas is two antlerless deer or three antlered deer.
- Elk: The bag limit for elk in Kansas is one bull.
- Antelope: The bag limit for antelope in Kansas is one buck or two does.
The late rifle season and archery only season in Kansas offer hunters a variety of opportunities to harvest deer, elk, and antelope. By understanding the dates and bag limits for each species, hunters can make the most of their time in the field.
When is Kansas Rifle Season?
- General Rifle Season: November 13-December 11, 2023
- Antlerless Only Rifle Season: November 13-December 11, 2023
- Late Archery Season: December 12-January 15, 2024
- Muzzleloader Season: January 16-February 1, 2024
What are the bag limits for each species?
- White-tailed deer: 2 antlered deer, 2 antlerless deer
- Mule deer: 1 antlered deer, 1 antlerless deer
- Antelope: 1 antelope
- Prairie dog: 10 prairie dogs
What are the regulations for hunting with a rifle?
- All hunters must have a valid Kansas hunting license and a permit for the species they are hunting.
- Rifles must be .22 caliber or larger.
- Ammunition must be non-toxic.
- Hunters must wear blaze orange clothing during hunting hours.
Where can I hunt in Kansas?
There are over 2 million acres of public hunting land in Kansas, including state parks, wildlife areas, and national forests. You can find a list of public hunting lands on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website.
I’m new to hunting, can you recommend any resources?
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks offers a variety of hunting education courses for both new and experienced hunters. You can find more information on their website.
I have more questions, who can I contact?
You can contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks at (785) 296-2281 or visit their website at www.ksoutdoors.com.
Kansas rifle season is a time-honored tradition for many hunters in the state. It offers a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and pursue big game animals. However, it is important to be aware of the dates and regulations for rifle season, as well as the safety precautions that should be taken. By following these guidelines, you can have a safe and successful hunting experience.