A Kansas non-resident deer hunting permit is issued through a limited drawing: you apply between April 1 and April 25 for the 2025 season, pay a $25 non-refundable application fee, and if drawn, pay $400 for an antlered deer permit along with a $125 non-resident hunting license.1Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Deer – Section: Nonresident Deer Permits 20252Kansas Secretary of State. Kansas Register Vol. 44, No. 35 – K.A.R. 115-2-1 Permits are capped, so the drawing decides who hunts.
How To Apply
Non-resident deer permits are allocated by drawing because demand exceeds the number available. For the 2025 season, applications are accepted from April 1 through April 25, and the $25 application fee is not refunded whether or not you are drawn.1Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Deer – Section: Nonresident Deer Permits 2025 The number of non-resident permits is set by the department each year based on deer population trends, deer-vehicle collision data, harvest age structure, and habitat condition.3Kansas Revisor of Statutes. K.S.A. 32-937
What It Costs
Plan on three charges:
- $25 non-refundable application fee
- $400 non-resident antlered deer permit
- $125 non-resident hunting license, valid for one year from the date of purchase
These amounts are set under Kansas regulation.2Kansas Secretary of State. Kansas Register Vol. 44, No. 35 – K.A.R. 115-2-1
Hunting License and Hunter Education
The permit alone is not enough. Non-residents generally must also hold a valid Kansas hunting license to hunt deer in the state.4Kansas Revisor of Statutes. K.S.A. 32-919
If you are 16 or older and were born on or after July 1, 1957, you need a hunter education certificate to hunt on land you do not own. When you buy your license, you have to show proof of completion or certify that you have completed the course.5Kansas Revisor of Statutes. K.S.A. 32-920 A hunter education certificate from your home state is typically accepted if the course is officially recognized. Both online and in-person options exist, so finish the course before you travel.
Rules in the Field
Kansas sets deer seasons and divides the state into management units with their own boundaries and dates. Confirm the season and the unit for the ground you plan to hunt before you go.3Kansas Revisor of Statutes. K.S.A. 32-937 Only approved firearms or archery equipment may be used, every harvested deer must be tagged, and you need to follow the department’s reporting instructions after a harvest.
Penalties for Violations
A big game permit violation is punishable by a fine of $500 to $1,000 for a first or second offense, and the court may impose up to six months in a county jail. Prior convictions increase the penalties.6Kansas Revisor of Statutes. K.S.A. 32-1032 A court may also suspend or revoke hunting privileges and order restitution for wildlife taken illegally.