Kansas offers some of the best hunting in the Midwest — world-class pheasant and quail, excellent whitetail deer, and unlimited year-round coyote hunting. Here’s what experienced Kansas hunters carry.
Kansas Deer Hunting Rifles
Kansas deer season runs September through January across archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons. The western Kansas plains demand long-range capability, while eastern Kansas timber suits shorter-range calibers.
Budget: Under $500
- Ruger American — .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor ($449)
- Savage Axis II XP — includes scope ($399)
- Mossberg Patriot — .30-06 Springfield ($399)
Premium: $500+
- Savage 110 Hunter — AccuTrigger ($599)
- Weatherby Vanguard — Sub-MOA guarantee ($649)
- Tikka T3x Lite — Best trigger under $800 ($749)
Predator Rifles — Coyote & Hog
Coyote hunting is year-round in Kansas with no bag limit. The AR-15 platform in .223 Remington or .224 Valkyrie is the Kansas standard for predator control. Semi-auto allows fast follow-up shots. Popular choices: S&W M&P15 Sport II, PSA PA-15, Sig M400 Tread.
Kansas Shotguns — Pheasant & Waterfowl
Kansas is a top-5 pheasant state. The Mossberg 500 Field/Security Combo gives you a bird barrel and a defensive barrel in one package. Serious bird hunters go for the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 or budget-friendly Stoeger M3000. For Kansas waterfowl on reservoirs like Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira NWR, a 3.5″ chamber 12-gauge is essential.
Kansas Hunting Seasons
- Deer — Archery: September 1 – December 31
- Deer — Rifle: Late November – mid December
- Deer — Muzzleloader: Mid September
- Pheasant: Early November – January 31
- Quail: Early November – January 31
- Turkey — Spring: April
- Turkey — Fall: October
- Coyote: Year-round, no limit
- Waterfowl: October – January (split seasons)
Gear Up for Kansas Season
Rifles, shotguns, and optics shipped to your Kansas FFL.