Kansas
Not available
Wild Turkey Population
Eastern, Rios and hybrids
Turkey Subspecies
32,427
Number of Licenses Sold Annually
Variies
Resident hunting license, $27.50; turkey permit, $25 (units 1, 2, 3, 5, 6); resident Unit 4 application fee, $32.50
Cost of Resident License and Permit
$212.50
Nonresident hunting license, $127.50; nonresident spring turkey permit lottery draw fee, $10; permit, $75
Cost of Non-Resident License and Permit
Photo by Paul Tessier
Two turkey subspecies are available in Kansas — Rios in the west, Easterns to the east, with hybrids of the two in the middle. Though admittedly, flocks don't read such posts as this, so birds of this variation might end up anywhere. In the end, they're wild, and they're turkeys.
Kansas turkeys have experienced a rough patch lately, and the state has changed its regulations in response. The state has switched from over-the-counter nonresident tags to a lottery draw. Further, the spring season bag limit is one turkey. Residents can still purchase an over-the-counter turkey tag in units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, but must apply for a tag in Unit 4. The fall season has been suspended.
Sunflower State hunters took 14,989 turkeys during Spring 2023. What’s Kansas habitat like? Expect prairie river bottoms to hill-country timber and farmland. The northeastern and north-central regions hold good flock numbers. Although outfitters have some land tied up, hunts are often affordable, and they make good options for the turkey hunter short on time. These guides will put you on birds. Also, Kansas is as great a place as ever for knocking on doors and getting access. Much like Nebraska to the north, farmers here aren't enamored with seed-eating turkeys. Finally, Kansas' Walk-In-Hunting Areas program provides private lands open to hunting across the state (more than 300,000 acres of it).
