Non Resident Deer Hunting Regulations in Kansas
Kansas regulates hunting on state property based on what kind of animal you're hunting, when you're hunting it and whether you're a resident of the state. Anyone looking to hunt deer legally in the state of Kansas must obtain a hunting license, and different licenses exist for residents and nonresidents. Resident hunters only have to obtain a license if they're between the ages of 16 and 74, but nonresident hunters need a license at all ages – and they're subject to other special requirements, as well.
Applying for a Nonresident Deer Permit
Nonresidents looking to hunt deer must first obtain a nonresident deer permit (in addition to a nonresident hunting license) via drawing, and the window for application is usually quite small. In 2018, for example, nonresident hunters had only from April 1 to April 27 to apply for their deer permit. In addition to the license cost of $97.50 (or $42.50 for junior hunters age 15 and younger), nonresident hunters must pay $443 for a white-tailed deer permit (or $118 if the hunter is 15 or younger).
Purchase your hunting license and apply for a deer permit online through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism's website. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application early to ensure a timely drawing and notification. The bag limit on a nonresident deer permit is one white-tailed deer, buck, doe or fawn and one white-tailed anterless deer.
If you're unsuccessful in the draw for nonresident hunter permits, you'll receive a refund and preference in the next year's drawing.
Other Nonresident Permits
If a nonresident owns land in Kansas and wants to hunt deer on that property, he or she must purchase a nonresident hunt-own-land deer permit. This permit goes for about $88 and is valid for any white-tailed or mule deer on land owned or operated by the nonresident landowner. It's only good during muzzleloader-only, archery and firearm seasons, using the equipment that's legal for each respective season.
Permits of the same price are also available to the immediate relatives of Kansas landowners. Both these permits and nonresident hunt-on-own-land deer permits are up for purchase from the beginning of August through the end of the year.
Nonresident tenants also have special deer hunting permits available to them. Individuals who qualify as tenants in Kansas, but not state residents, may purchase a nonresident tenant deer permit for about $88 from Aug. 1 through the end of December. However, they must first purchase a $53 nonresident anterless white-tailed deer permit, valid for any white-tailed deer without a visible antler.
Nonresident Exceptions
The state of Kansas makes exceptions for nonresident license and permit regulations for nonresidents who are registered as full-time students in Kansas. If that's your situation, you can purchase resident licenses and permits, which are much less expensive to obtain. Nonresident students hunting with resident licenses and permits must carry evidence of being a full-time student whenever they are hunting.