Hunting License Kansas - Steps to Buy Your KS License & Tags

David Harrison  ·  Updated on July 21, 2025

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hunting license kansas

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Kansas hunting license with HunterSafetyUSA:


KS Hunter Education Certification

 

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

You have 4 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Kansas. The first 3 options are presented by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, vs the fourth option (HunterSafetyUSA) is the fastest & allows you to hunt in any state.

  1. Complete an in-person course offered through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. This is available for everyone over the age of 11. Most courses average 12 hours of instruction over two or more days.
  2. An online course offered through the NRA if you're over 18. This takes around 7 hours & asks you to read through the content and watch some videos.
  3. A hybrid online & in-person course if you're over age 11. For this, you will need to complete the 7-hour online course above, as well as a 4-hour in-person field day.
  4. Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Website states that "Hunter Education Certification issued by any state, Canadian Province, or some foreign jurisdictions are deemed to meet the requirements of Kansas Law."

 

What makes our course the best?

First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Kansas), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.


Select Your KS Hunting License

Kansas offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences.

Youth 16 years old or younger must have a valid hunting license (unless exempt under Kansas law) and may hunt during any youth or disabled season under the immediate supervision of an adult 18 years old or older. Permit holders who hunt during the youth or disabled season may also hunt during the regular season.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:​

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person who has lived in Kansas for at least 60 days. All Kansas residents between the ages of 16 and 74 must have a resident hunting license.

  • Annual Hunting License – Required for Kansas residents aged 16 through 74 to hunt legal game species.
  • 5-Year Hunting License – Offers five consecutive years of hunting privileges for residents aged 16 through 74.
  • Combination Hunting & Fishing License – Provides both hunting and fishing privileges for residents aged 16 through 74.
  • 5-Year Combination License – Offers five consecutive years of combined hunting and fishing privileges for residents aged 16 through 74.
  • Apprentice Hunting License – Available to residents aged 16 and older who have not completed a hunter education course; allows hunting under the supervision of a licensed adult.
  • Landowner/Tenant License – Available to residents who own or actively farm at least 80 acres of Kansas land; allows hunting on their own property.

Non-Resident Licenses

All nonresidents must have a nonresident hunting license, in accordance with hunting laws. Nonresidents must purchase a nonresident hunting license even if they own land in Kansas.

A nonresident who is a full-time student enrolled in a public or private high school, post-secondary, or vocational school located in Kansas may purchase resident licenses and permits, except lifetime licenses. While hunting, the student must carry proof of full-time student status.

  • Annual Hunting License – Required for non-residents aged 16 and older to hunt legal game species in Kansas.
  • Youth Hunting License – Available to non-resident hunters under age 16; allows hunting of legal game species.
  • Apprentice Hunting License – Available to non-residents aged 16 and older who have not completed a hunter education course; allows hunting under the supervision of a licensed adult.
  • Combination Hunting & Fishing License – Provides both hunting and fishing privileges for non-residents aged 16 and older.
  • Landowner/Tenant License – Available to non-residents who actively farm at least 80 acres of Kansas land; allows hunting on their own property.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

  • Youth Hunting License – Available to residents and non-residents under age 16; allows hunting of legal game species.
  • Multi-Year Youth License – Available to residents aged 16 to 20; provides hunting privileges until December 31 of the year the individual turns 21.
  • Hunter Education Requirement – Hunters born on or after July 1, 1957, must complete a state-approved hunter education course before obtaining a hunting license. Youth under age 16 may hunt without hunter education certification if supervised by an adult aged 18 or older.
  • Apprentice Hunting License – Allows individuals aged 16 and older to hunt without hunter education certification under the supervision of a licensed adult; can be purchased up to two times.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

  • Annual Hunting License – Available at a reduced fee for residents aged 65 to 74; provides hunting privileges for one year.
  • Combination Hunting & Fishing License – Available at a reduced fee for residents aged 65 to 74; provides both hunting and fishing privileges for one year.
  • Lifetime Combination License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges.

Lifetime Licenses

  • Lifetime Hunting License – Available to Kansas residents; provides lifetime hunting privileges.
  • Lifetime Combination License – Available to Kansas residents; provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges.
  • Lifetime Furharvester License – Available to Kansas residents; provides lifetime furharvesting privileges.

Disability & Military Licenses

  • Disabled Veteran License – Available to Kansas residents with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more; provides free hunting and fishing licenses.
  • National Guard Permit – Available to active members of the Kansas National Guard; provides free hunting, fishing, and park vehicle permits, subject to funding availability.
  • Mobility-Impaired Permit – Allows hunters with mobility impairments to use motorized vehicles to access hunting areas; requires application and physician certification.

Required Endorsements & Tags

  • Deer Permit – Required in addition to a hunting license to hunt deer; specific permits are available for archery, muzzleloader, and firearm seasons. 
  • Turkey Permit – Required to hunt turkeys during spring and fall seasons; permits are unit-specific.
  • Elk and Antelope Permits – Required to hunt elk and antelope; available through a limited draw system.
  • Furharvester License – Required to trap or hunt furbearers such as raccoons, beavers, and bobcats.
  • Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration – Required to hunt migratory birds, including waterfowl; hunters aged 16 and older must also possess a Federal Duck Stamp.
  • Controlled Shooting Area License – Required to hunt on licensed controlled shooting areas; provides extended seasons and bag limits.

KS Hunting licenses expire 365 days from the date of purchase, except for multi-year and lifetime licenses.


Where to buy your Kansas Hunting License

As soon as you receive your permanent Hunter Education Certificate from completing our course (you will get it via email from "TPWD Element LMS" within a few business days), you are eligible to go and buy your hunting license in whichever states you plan on legally hunting in, and the NRA provides additional resources on responsible hunting practices.

To hunt in Kansas, you can purchase your license online through the KDWPT Online Licensing Portal or in person at licensed vendors. A full list of approved vendors can be found on the Kansas License Agent Locator.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Kansas:

 

For more information, you can contact:

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)

Contact Information: Phone: (620) 672-5911 Email: [email protected] Website: ksoutdoors.comksoutdoors.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

 

How much does it cost to get your Hunter Education Certificate?

$29. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, all major credit cards, and signature debit cards. We also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.

 

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Kansas?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Kansas and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Website states that "Hunter Education Certification issued by any state, Canadian Province, or some foreign jurisdictions are deemed to meet the requirements of Kansas Law."

 

Do you need hunters' safety to get a hunting license in Kansas?

Kansas law is clear: due to state regulations, anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must complete hunter education, unless age 15 or younger and hunting under direct supervision (or on land they own) before buying a hunting license.