News

September smiles on hunters

After months with nothing to do but plan, scout and dream, hunters are in action now that September has arrived. Of course it kicks off with the dove season, which opened Sept. 1, but there’s so much more to come.

While not as popular as doves, snipe and rail hunting seasons also opened Sept. 1. The snipe season runs through Dec. 16, and the daily bag limit is 8, possession limit is 24. Rail season closes Nov. 9, and the daily bag limit is 25, possession limit is 75.

On Sept. 3 the deer season for youth 16 and younger and hunters with disabilities begins. This is a firearm season, allowing qualified hunters to hunt with the legal equipment listed on their permit. Youth hunters 15 and younger qualify for reduced price deer permits. The season is open through Sept. 11.

On Sept. 10, the Early Teal Season opens in the Low Plains Duck Zone (the portion of Kansas east of Kansas Highway 281). The Early Teal Season opens on Sept. 17 in the High Plains Zone, and the season closes on Sept. 25 in both zones. Daily bag limit on teal is 6 and the possession limit is 18. Hunters must have a hunting license, unless exempt by law, and all hunters required to have a hunting license must also have a Kansas State Waterfowl Permit and a Kansas HIP permit. All hunters 16 and older must also have a Federal Duck Stamp.

On Sept. 12, the Muzzleloader and Archery Deer seasons open. The Muzzleloader Deer Season ends Sept. 25, and the Archery Deer Season is open through Dec. 31, 2016. In addition to a deer permit valid during the Archery or Muzzleloader seasons, all hunters must also have a Kansas hunting license, unless exempt by law. Equipment and unit restrictions listed on permit apply.

The Early Prairie Chicken season opens on Sept. 15 in the Greater Prairie Chicken Unit. This season is open through Oct. 15, and allows hunters to walk up prairie chickens while the birds are still in loose flocks and are likely to hold for pointing dogs. In addition to a hunting license, all hunters need a $2.50 prairie chicken permit to hunt prairie chickens.

For more information on hunting seasons, license and permit requirements, and regulations, pick up the 2016 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary wherever licenses are sold, or go online, www.ksoutdoors.com. September is only 30 days long, so get ready and get busy.