WICHITA, Kan. — Firearm deer season has begun in Kansas.

And if you’re planning trying to get a big one for 2024, you shouldn’t just know when and what to hunt. It’s also important to know what licenses you need to have as well as where to hunt to make sure you’re doing so legally.

Regular firearm deer season began Dec. 4 and goes through Dec. 15 statewide, but that’s not the only hunting season currently active. In addition to regular firearm season, archery season began in September and is going through Dec. 31. You can find the entire list of hunting seasons on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ website.

So, are you planning on going out to hunt deer for 2024? Here’s a quick guide of what you should know before making your plan.

What hunting licenses are available?

While the Kansas wildlife department just got rid of lifetime senior passes, there are still several different options you can purchase.

Anyone from the age 16 through 74 must purchase a hunting license — regardless if they’re a resident of Kansas or not. If you’re hunting deer, you’ll also need to purchase a deer permit.

Adult resident hunting licenses are $27.50 while nonresident licenses are $127.50.

Residents over the age of 74 can purchase a license for $15. Residents under the age of 16 are not required to purchase a license, but nonresidents under that age must pay $42.50.

There’s also the combination fishing/hunting license available for $47.50 for residents and $192.50 for nonresidents.

Hunting licenses can be purchased online through the KDWP’s website, through a licensed agent or in person at any of the department’s offices.

What kinds of deer can you hunt?

Each hunter is only allowed to purchase one permit to hunt one antlered deer.

Other deer permit options vary, and some deadlines have already passed to apply for one this season. These are some of the permits still available to purchase — either online, through the phone or through certain vendors:

— Nonresident Hunt-Own-Land Deer Permit: $87.50

— Special Hunt-Own-Land Relative Deer Permit: $42.50

— Nonresident Antlerless White-tailed Deer Permit: $52.50

Any-Season White-tailed Deer permit (white-tailed deer buck, doe or fawn) are also available:

— General residents: $42.50

— Resident landowner/tenant $22.50

— Nonresident tenant: $87.50

— Resident youth: $12.50

Residents who own land, or are family members or tenants of the land, can purchase Hunt-Own-Land deer permits for $22.50. Those permits apply only to white-tailed or mule deer on land owned/operated by either the tenant or owner. They can be used for muzzleloader-only, archery and firearm seasons.

Permits can be purchased online at gooutdoorskansas.com. You can find a list of all deer permits available on KDWP’s website.

Where can I hunt deer in Kansas?

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has a handy map you can find online at ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Where-to-Hunt.

South-central Kansas is considered to be in region 4 when it comes to hunting areas.

Other requirements for hunting in Kansas

— Everyone hunting deer or with someone who is hunting deer is required to wear orange during open firearm season, including a hat and shirt with a certain area that is orange.

— In firearm season, you can use rifles or handguns as long as they are not fully automatic.

— Deer should be shot between a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour before sunset.

©2024 The Wichita Eagle. Visit at kansas.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.