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Compound Bow Hunting in Kansas — Trophy Whitetail on the Great Plains

Whitetail DeerMule DeerAntelopeWild Turkey

📅 2026 Season & License Info

Archery Season Open

September 15

Archery Season Close

December 31

Min Draw Weight

35 lbs

Resident License

$28/yr

Non-Resident License

$97.50/yr + draw tag

Top Species

Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Antelope, Wild Turkey

📍 Top Public Hunting Spots

WIHA Walk-In Hunting Areas

1,200,000+ acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Pheasant

Kansas's incredible Walk-In Hunting Access program opens private land to public hunters. Over 7 million acres enrolled statewide.

Cimarron National Grassland

108,000 acres

Mule Deer, Antelope, Turkey

Southwest Kansas. Mule deer and antelope on open plains. Unique western hunting experience.

Cheney State Park WMA

9,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey

Central Kansas river bottom. Productive deer habitat near agricultural fields.

⚖️ Kansas Archery Regulations

  • •Minimum draw weight: 35 lbs
  • •Non-residents must enter draw for whitetail deer
  • •WIHA maps available free from KDWP — giant resource for public land hunters
  • •Sunday hunting allowed

💡 Expert Tips for Kansas

  • →Kansas WIHA program is one of the best public hunting programs in America — use it
  • →Non-resident whitetail draw takes 1–2 points for most applicants — start accumulating points
  • →December rut in Kansas can be exceptional — second rut activity into late November/December
  • →River drainages (Smoky Hill, Arkansas, Cimarron) concentrate giant bucks in agricultural settings
⚠️ Regulation Disclaimer: Hunting regulations change annually. Always verify current season dates, bag limits, and equipment requirements with the Kansas state wildlife agency before hunting. This information is for planning purposes only.

Kansas Bowhunting FAQ

Kansas's Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) program pays private landowners to open their land to public hunting. Over 1.2 million acres are enrolled statewide, and maps are available free from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. WIHA land varies yearly as landowner participation changes — always get current maps before the season.