PRATT -- In previous years, all but the southwest part of Kansas has opened prairie chicken season on the first Saturday in November. The pheasant season has opened the second Saturday in November, making both species legal on the pheasant opener. This year, however, prairie chicken season will open statewide on the third Saturday in November, the 19th, so pheasant hunters should pass the word and take a pass on chickens opening weekend.

As in past years, prairie chicken hunting is divided into three units. The Northwest Unit covers that portion of Kansas north of Highway I-70 and west of U.S. Highway 281. The East Unit encompasses all of Kansas east of U.S. Highway 281, and the Southwest Unit covers that area south of I-70 and west of U.S. 281. The season in the Northwest and East units runs Nov. 19-Jan. 31 with a daily bag limit of two and a possession limit of eight. In the Southwest Unit, the season runs Nov. 19-Dec. 31 with a daily bag limit of one and a possession limit of four.

Pheasant season runs Nov. 12-Jan. 31 statewide. The daily bag is four roosters, and the possession limit is 16 roosters.

Residents age 16 through 64 are required to have a Kansas hunting license, $20.15. Nonresidents 16 and older must possess a nonresident hunting license, $72.15, and nonresidents 15 and younger must have a junior nonresident hunting license, $37.15. Licenses can be purchased online here , at license vendors throughout the state, and at Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offices.

Anyone 16 or older and born on or after July 1, 1957, must have passed a certified hunter education class. Hunters 15 and younger may hunt without a certified hunter education course if they are under the direct supervision of an adult 18 or older. Hunters age 12-15 may hunt without adult supervision if they have completed a certified hunter education course.

Permission is required to hunt private land.
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