If you want to learn about the rules and regulations regarding coyote hunting in Kansas, you’ve come to the right place. Kansas offers some of the most liberal seasons and bag limits in the nation when it comes to hunting coyotes. Many hunters consider Kansas as a coyote hunting paradise thanks to millions of acres of public hunting land. This article goes into an in-depth analysis of laws and regulations regarding coyote hunting in the Sunflower State of Kansas. Along the way, I will also try to answer a few FAQs related to coyote hunting in Kansas.
Coyote Hunting in Kansas
The Department of Wildlife and Parks regulates all the coyote hunting activities in the state of Kansas. Furthermore, the department is also responsible for protecting and managing parks, water, fish, and wildlife – and also providing access to outdoor recreation opportunities in KS. The state of Kansas has designated coyotes as Furbearers. That means there is neither any closed season nor bag limits for hunting coyotes.
Related: Coyote Hunting in Pennsylvania: Rules and Regulations 2022
Do you need a license to hunt coyotes in Kansas?
All residents of age 16 through 74 and non-residents, regardless of age, will need a fur harvester license to trap coyotes and a hunting license to hunt coyotes in the state of Kansas.
A resident of Kansas is defined as anyone who has maintained the place of permanent abode in the state for 60 days prior to purchasing a license. Hunters with a residency of at least one year are able to purchase lifetime licenses to hunt coyotes in Kansas. On the other hand, non-residents who are full-time secondary, post-secondary, or vocational students at Kansas schools and are living in Kansas may obtain resident hunting licenses and permits but must carry evidence of Kansas student status. They may NOT purchase lifetime licenses.
Do you need to take hunter education course to buy a hunting license in Kansas?
Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must complete an approved Hunter Education Course before hunting coyotes in Kansas. Anyone under 27 years old must carry their hunter education card while hunting coyotes. To get certified, students must be at least 11 years old. Coyotes may be hunted by youth aged 12 to 15 who have completed hunter education (except during youth seasons when adult supervision is required regardless of hunter education). Youth 15 and younger who are personally supervised by an adult 18 or older may hunt without having received hunter instruction. Anyone 16 years old or older who has not completed hunter education can buy up to two apprentice hunting licenses.
An apprentice license is valid for one year from the date of purchase. When hunting coyotes in Kansas, the holder must be under the direct supervision of an adult who is at least 18 years old. Hunter education is not required while hunting coyotes in your own land.
Additionally, persons born on or after July 1, 1966, must successfully complete a fur harvester education course approved by KDWP to purchase a fur harvester license or to hunt, run, or trap coyotes on lands other than their own. For more information on the course, you may visit KSoutdoors or call (620) 672-5911.
Coyote Hunting Seasons in Kansas
There is no closed season for hunting coyotes in Kansas. You may hunt coyotes all year, except that artificial light, scopes, and equipment that amplify visible light, and thermal imaging scopes and equipment may be used to hunt coyotes from Jan. 1 thru March 31 only.
Can you hunt coyotes at night in Kansas?
You may hunt coyotes at night in Kansas. Furthermore, the use of artificial light, including optics that project or amplify light, is also legal while hunting coyotes. However, you may use hand-held, battery-powered flashlights, heat lamps, or hand-held lanterns with .17 and .22 rimfire rifles and handguns to take trapped coyotes.
Unless you’re hunting coyotes, you can’t throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on any highway, roadway, field, grassland, woodland, or forest for the purpose of spotting, locating, or taking any wildlife species while having any archery, firearms, or other implements that can kill wildlife.
In order to hunt coyotes in Kansas at night using artificial light or thermal imaging equipment, you must purchase a Night Vision Equipment Permit. It will cost you $2.50 to purchase the night vision equipment permit in Kansas.
Bag limits for coyote hunting in Kansas
Since coyotes are classified as furbearer animals, there are no bag limits for trapping or hunting coyotes in Kansas. You can hunt coyotes in Kansas all year round without having to worry about the season or bag limits.
Where to hunt Coyotes in Kansas?
Western Kansas provides prime coyote habitat across wide open prairies, scrub brush and canyon lands. Numerous public land options exist for hunters within State Wildlife Areas, State Parks and federal lands.
Some top destinations include the Cimarron National Grassland spanning over 108,000 acres of prime prairie along the Colorado border. Surrounding counties also offer good hunting on lands managed for pheasants and other wildlife. Meade State Park, Clark State Park and Buffalo State Park offer a mix of prairie and woodlands holding healthy coyote populations.
In Decatur County, the Oberlin Wildlife Area spans nearly 7,000 acres of native prairie. The Norton Wildlife Area in Norton County also provides prime habitat. Several reservoirs and wetlands dotted across Western Kansas such as Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge also attract coyotes. Checking regs and access rules is key when planning outings.
Legal ways to hunt coyotes in Kansas
Electronic game calls, lures, baits, and decoys may be used while hunting coyotes in Kansas. Bear in mind, using live decoys is not legal in Kansas.
You may use artificial light, scopes, and equipment that amplify visible light, and thermal imaging scopes and equipment to hunt coyotes from Jan. 1 thru March 31. However, use of this equipment is unlawful on department lands and waters, including WIHA, and you may not be using it in conjunction with the use of a vehicle.
You may use any firearm while hunting coyotes in Kansas. However, keep in mind, using fully automatic firearms is illegal. Additionally, you may also legally use archery to hunt coyotes in Kansas. On the other hand, you may use smooth-jawed foothold traps(except that all types of foot-hold traps may be used in water sets), body-gripping traps, box traps, cage traps, and deadfalls to lawfully trap coyotes in Kansas.
You may not use drugs, chemicals, or chemical compounds in conjunction with broadhead arrows to hunt coyotes.
The use of two-way radios or cell phones in any manner for the purpose of pursuing, chasing, or hunting coyotes, or to give information concerning the location of a coyote by radio or mechanical means is illegal in Kansas.
Can you use dogs to hunt coyotes in Kansas?
Yes, it is completely legal to use dogs while hunting or pursuing furbearers like coyotes in Kansas.
Can you hunt coyotes from a vehicle in Kansas?
You may not shoot, kill, or pursue games from a motorboat, airplane, motor vehicle, or other water, air, or land vehicle unless such person holds a valid handicapped hunting permit. The exceptions include hunting waterfowl from a boat with a motor shut off or sails furled and progress ceased. You may pursue Coyotes with a vehicle.
Can you use drones to hunt coyotes in Kansas?
Using a drone for hunting, locating wounded or harvested coyotes is not legal. You may use a drone to scout on land that isn’t owned or managed by KDWP. Hunting, on the other hand, is not permitted on the same day as airborne scouting.
Are there any bounty programs for coyote hunting in Kansas
No, there aren’t any bounty programs for coyotes in Kansas for now. If there is any news in the future, we will update this section accordingly.
