How to Get Your Kansas Hunting License
A Kansas hunting license is required for residents age 16 through 74 and for non-residents of any age to legally take wildlife in the state. Residents pay $27.50 for the annual license, while non-residents pay $127.50. Hunters born on or after July 1, 1957 must complete an approved hunter education course before hunting, though the course itself isn't required to purchase a license.
Licenses are sold through GoOutdoorsKansas.gov, at KDWP offices, and at licensed vendors statewide. A Kansas hunting license is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, not a fixed calendar year.
This guide walks you through how to get your Kansas hunting license and hunter education certification, step by step.
What Is a Hunting License in Kansas?
A Kansas hunting license is the legal document that allows you to take wildlife in the state. It's issued by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and comes in several forms, including a standard resident or non-resident license, a discounted Senior Resident license for ages 65 to 74, and a Resident Apprentice license that lets new hunters try the sport before completing hunter education.
The license itself is separate from your hunter education certification. The certification proves you completed an approved safety course, and once you earn it, it's valid for life. The license, on the other hand, expires 365 days after purchase and must be bought again to keep hunting.
Who Needs a Hunting License in Kansas?
Kansas law requires a hunting license for residents age 16 through 74, and for non-residents of any age. Several groups are exempt, including residents under 16, residents 75 and older, and landowners (plus their immediate family) hunting on their own land.
Hunter education works on a separate track from the license itself. Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must complete an approved hunter education course before hunting on land other than their own, unless they use one of Kansas's built-in alternatives. The minimum age to earn certification is 11.
Because Kansas offers both a youth supervision exemption and an apprentice license, the practical breakdown looks like this:
- Under 16: may hunt without hunter education if directly supervised by a licensed adult 18 or older; residents under 16 also need no hunting license at all.
- Age 16 and older, first-time hunter: can purchase up to two Resident or Nonresident Apprentice licenses, valid one year each, to hunt under adult supervision without completing hunter education.
- Age 16 and older, born on or after July 1, 1957: must complete hunter education before buying a standard license, once apprentice options are exhausted.
- Born before July 1, 1957: exempt from hunter education, but still needs a license unless another exemption applies.
Whichever category applies to you, keep proof of your license and, if required, your certification on hand while hunting.
How to Get Your Kansas Hunting License (Step-by-Step)
Getting licensed in Kansas is flexible thanks to the apprentice license option, which lets new hunters try the sport before committing to a full hunter education course. Here's the full process from start to finish.
- Complete an approved hunter education course if you were born on or after July 1, 1957 and aren't using an apprentice license.
- Purchase your license at GoOutdoorsKansas.gov, at a KDWP office, or at a licensed vendor.
- Select your license type: resident ($27.50), non-resident ($127.50), or Senior Resident ($15) if you're 65 to 74.
- Add species-specific permits as needed, such as a deer permit or spring turkey permit.
- Carry your digital or printed license, plus your hunter education certification, any time you hunt.
Once you've completed these steps, you're fully licensed and ready for the field. The sections below cover hunter education and license purchase in more detail.
Step 1: Complete an Approved Hunter Education Course
Kansas offers a genuinely free path to certification, though the language and format options are worth knowing before you pick one.
- Free online course (English, via KDWP's NRA partnership): Kansas residents 18 and older can complete a free online course offered directly through KDWP in partnership with the NRA.
- Free online course (Spanish, via Hunter-Ed): Hunter-Ed's Kansas course is offered in Spanish at no cost to residents 16 and older, developed in partnership with KDWP.
- Traditional in-person course: Open to anyone 11 and older, this option runs a minimum of 10 hours, typically 12 hours over two or more days, taught by volunteer instructors statewide.
Whichever format you choose, hunters under 27 must carry their hunter education card while hunting, even after the license itself is issued.
Step 2: Purchase Your License
Once you have your hunter education certification, if it applies to you, you can buy your license through the KDWP website, by phone at 1-833-587-2164, or at a KDWP office or licensed vendor.
You'll need a government-issued photo ID, proof of hunter education if required, and payment.
Step 3: Add Permits and Go Hunting
A standard Kansas hunting license doesn't cover deer, turkey, elk, or antelope. Each of these requires a separate permit, and several run through a limited draw system rather than over-the-counter sales, especially for non-resident deer hunters.
Once your license and any permits are in hand, you're ready to hunt. Before you head out, review general hunting safety practices to make sure you're field-ready.
Kansas Hunting License Requirements by Age
Let's look at the requirements for hunting licenses in Kansas by age.
Kansas Hunting License Requirements (by Age) | ||
| Age | Requirement | Supervision/Hunter Education |
| Under 16 | No license required for residents. Non-residents under 16 need a license ($42.50). | May hunt without hunter education under direct supervision of a licensed adult 18 or older |
| 16–64, first-time hunter | Standard resident ($27.50) or non-resident ($127.50) license, or apprentice license | Apprentice license available (up to twice) instead of hunter education |
| 16–64, born on or after July 1, 1957 | Standard resident or non-resident license required | Must complete hunter education once apprentice licenses are exhausted |
| 65–74 | Senior Resident license ($15) | Required if born on or after July 1, 1957 |
| 75 and older (residents) | Exempt from license requirement | Exempt from hunter education |
Species permits: Deer, turkey, elk, and antelope each require a separate permit in addition to the base license, regardless of age.
Season dates and bag limits vary by species and unit, so check before you plan a hunt.
Hunter Safety Course: Format and Cost
Kansas stands out for offering a fully free path to certification, in either English through KDWP's NRA-partnered course or Spanish through Hunter-Ed. The chart below offers a quick overview of those formats.
Kansas Hunter Safety Course Formats Comparison | ||||
| Format | Provider | Cost | Time | Exam |
Free Online (English, 18+) | KDWP and NRA | Free | A few hours | Online certification exam included |
Free Online (Spanish, 16+) | Hunter-Ed and KDWP | Free | A few hours | Online certification exam included |
Traditional In-Person (11+) | KDWP volunteer instructors | Free | 10-12+ hrs | Written exam and hands-on skills included |
Once you earn your certification through any of these formats, it's good for the rest of your hunting life. The license itself is the only part you'll renew, and that happens every 365 days.
What to Bring When Buying Your License
Make sure you have the right documentation handy to purchase your Kansas hunting license. You'll need:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Hunter education certification, if required for your birth year
- Payment (credit or debit card online or by phone, or check or card in person)
- Proof of Kansas residency, if applying for resident rates
Kansas Hunting Laws and Penalties
Hunting without a required license in Kansas violates K.S.A. 32-919 and is prosecuted under the state's general wildlife violation penalty statute. Fine amounts are set by KDWP's citation schedule and can vary based on the specific circumstances of the violation, with repeat offenses carrying steeper consequences, including potential loss of hunting privileges.
Make sure you review Kansas's hunting laws and regulations for the full requirements.
What About Reciprocity?
Kansas accepts hunter education certifications from any U.S. state or Canadian province, since the state's own program is built to IHEA-USA standards. Other IHEA-USA-compliant states and provinces return the favor and accept a Kansas hunter education certification.
The hunting license itself, however, is not transferable. Hunters visiting from out of state still need to purchase a Kansas non-resident license.
What Out-of-State Visitors Need to Know
Non-residents can hunt in Kansas with a non-resident license ($127.50), or $42.50 for those 15 and younger. Deer hunters should plan ahead, since non-resident white-tailed deer permits ($477.50, including the application fee) run through a competitive spring draw rather than over-the-counter sales.
Start Your Kansas Hunter Safety Course Today
Kansas offers a genuinely free path to certification, either through KDWP's English-language NRA course or Hunter-Ed's Spanish-language course for residents 16 and older. Complete it at your own pace and earn a lifetime Kansas hunter education certification.
Approved by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) | Last verified August 7, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a hunting license in Kansas?
A: Yes, if you're a resident 16 through 74, or a non-resident of any age, you need a hunting license in Kansas. Residents under 16 and residents 75 and older are exempt, along with landowners hunting their own property.
Q: How old do you have to be to get a Kansas hunting license?
A: Kansas residents don't need a license until age 16, and non-residents need one at any age. The minimum age to complete hunter education itself is 11, though the license requirement doesn't apply until 16.
Q: How much does a Kansas hunting license cost?
A: A resident annual license costs $27.50. A non-resident annual license costs $127.50. A Senior Resident license for ages 65 to 74 costs $15. Prices reflect KDWP's current published fee schedule.
Q: Does a Kansas hunting license expire?
A: Yes, Kansas hunting licenses expire, but not on a fixed date. A Kansas license is valid for 365 days from the date you buy it, so your renewal date depends on your purchase date.
Q: Can I take Kansas's hunter education course entirely online?
A: Yes. Kansas offers a free English-language online course through KDWP's NRA partnership for residents 18 and older, and a free Spanish-language online course through Hunter-Ed for residents 16 and older.
Q: Do I need hunter education in Kansas?
A: Yes, if you were born on or after July 1, 1957. Kansas also lets first-time hunters purchase up to two apprentice licenses to hunt under supervision before completing the course.
Q: What if I'm visiting Kansas to hunt?
A: Non-residents need a non-resident license ($127.50, or $42.50 for those 15 and younger) to hunt in Kansas. Deer hunters should apply early for the non-resident draw, since most white-tailed deer permits aren't available over the counter.
Q: What's the penalty for hunting without a license in Kansas?
A: Hunting without a license in Kansas is a citable violation of K.S.A. 32-919, prosecuted under the state's wildlife violation penalty statute. Fine amounts vary by circumstance and repeat offenses can lead to suspension of hunting privileges.
