Everything You Need to Know About Elk Hunting in Kansas
Kansas has elk. Most people do not realize that, and the ones who do often misunderstand how the hunting opportunity actually works here. This is not Colorado. It is not Montana. The elk population is small, the permits are limited, and the whole system runs differently than what you might expect from a typical western elk hunt.
But for Kansas residents willing to put in the time and play the long game, there is a real chance to chase elk without ever leaving the state. And for those looking at Kansas hunting land for sale with elk potential in mind, understanding how the permit system works is the first step toward making a smart purchase.
Where Kansas Elk Actually Live
The main herd lives on and around Fort Riley, a 101,000-acre military installation in the northeastern part of the state. Wildlife managers released elk there in the late 1980s, and the herd has been free-ranging ever since. Current estimates put the Fort Riley herd somewhere between 125 and 250 animals, depending on the year.
Elk have been spotted in more than 20 other Kansas counties over the years. Sightings pop up near Topeka, around the Kansas City area, and as far north as the Nebraska border. In January 2024, a herd of nearly 100 elk wandered near Manhattan along Highway 18, making local news. But these scattered animals are unpredictable. Fort Riley remains the only place in Kansas with a consistent, huntable elk population.
Two other herds exist but are not huntable. The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge near McPherson keeps a captive herd in a 2,200-acre enclosure. And Morton County, in the far southwest corner, has a small population on the Cimarron National Grassland, but that area is entirely closed to elk hunting.
How the Permit System Works
Kansas uses a limited draw for elk permits, and the odds are steep. Demand has surged in recent years. The 2024 season saw over 2,500 applications and bonus point purchases, a new record and a 31 percent increase over the previous year. Those applications compete for roughly 30 limited draw permits, split between Kansas residents and active duty military personnel stationed at Fort Riley.
The application window typically runs from mid May through mid-June. For the 2025 season, applications were accepted May 13 through June 13. The 2026 dates have not been finalized yet, but expect a similar timeframe. You can apply online through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks at gooutdoorskansas.com or by phone at 1-833-587-2164.
The application fee runs $12.50, which also covers a bonus point if you do not draw.
Bonus Points (Not Preference Points)
This is where Kansas differs from some Western states. Kansas elk permits use a bonus point system, not a preference point system. Each bonus point gives you one additional chance in the draw, but it does not guarantee anything. Someone with zero points can still beat out someone with ten points. It just becomes less likely as points accumulate.
You lose all your bonus points if you fail to apply for or purchase a point for five consecutive years. So if you are building points, stay consistent.
The Once in a Lifetime Rule
Here is something that catches people off guard. If you have ever drawn an any elk or bull only permit in Kansas, you cannot apply for another one. Ever. You can still apply for antlerless-only permits after that, but your shot at a bull is a one-time deal in this state.
Types of Elk Permits in Kansas
Kansas offers several permit categories, and each one works a little differently.
Limited Draw Either Sex Permits
These are the permits everyone wants. Twelve are authorized each year for Fort Riley hunts. They are valid during any open season with legal equipment for that season. This is your chance at a bull.
Limited Draw Antlerless Only Permits
These are split into three segments for Fort Riley, with six permits available per segment.
- The first segment covers October.
- The second segment covers November.
- The third segment covers December.
Your permit is only valid during the segment you draw.
Hunt Own Land Permits
Landowners in Units 2 and 3 can purchase unlimited hunt own land permits. These are valid on your own property during any open elk season. This option exists because elk have spread onto private lands around Fort Riley, and landowners need a legal way to deal with them.
General Resident Permits
Kansas residents can buy over-the-counter permits for hunting outside Fort Riley and outside Unit 1 (Morton County). These permits cover most of the state, but elk density outside the Fort Riley area is extremely low. Hunters who buy these tags are betting on encountering a wandering elk somewhere they already have private land access.
The 2024 season saw 229 general permits sold statewide, the highest number in Kansas history. That increase reflects both a growing elk population outside the base and more animals moving onto private ground.
Season Dates
Season structure depends on where you are hunting. The dates below reflect the 2025 to 2026 season. The firearms season outside Fort Riley runs through March 15, 2026, so some of these dates are still active.
On Fort Riley (Subunit 2a)
- Muzzleloader and Archery: September 1 through September 30
- Firearms (Any Elk Permit Holders): October 1 through December 31
- Antlerless Firearms First Segment: October 1 through October 31
- Antlerless Firearms Second Segment: November 1 through November 30
- Antlerless Firearms Third Segment: December 1 through December 31
- Extended Firearms (All Unfilled Limited Draw Permits): January 1 through January 31, 2026
Outside Fort Riley (Statewide except Fort Riley, Subunit 2a, and Unit 1)
- Muzzleloader: September 1 through September 30
- Archery: September 11 through December 31
- Firearms (Antlerless Only): August 1 through August 31
- Firearms: December 3 through December 14, and January 1 through March 15, 2026
The extended firearms season outside Fort Riley gives hunt own land and general permit holders a long window. But finding elk on private land away from the installation takes serious scouting and often years of patience.
Hunting on Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a working military installation first and a hunting destination second. Military training takes priority, and portions of the base can close without notice. Hunters have reported entire seasons where elk were visible in closed training areas but completely inaccessible.
To hunt on Fort Riley, you need to:
- Create an account at fortriley.isportsman.net.
- Complete the required 10-minute online safety briefing.
- Obtain a Fort Riley Elk Permit (free) through iSportsman after completing the briefing.
- Purchase a Fort Riley Conservation Permit through iSportsman.
- Display a vehicle pass in your windshield while on the installation.
Having a state elk permit alone does not get you on base. You must complete the Fort Riley process separately.
The best areas for elk on Fort Riley include Outdoor Recreation Areas C, F, H, K, L, M, P, and Q. Elk tend to bed in timbered areas during temperature extremes and use side hills in the prairie for bedding spots with good visibility.
What Permits Cost
Here is the fee breakdown for Kansas residents:
- Either Sex Permit: $302.50
- Landowner/Tenant Either Sex: $152.50
- Resident Antlerless Only: $152.50
- Landowner/Tenant Antlerless Only: $77.50
- Hunt Own Land Antlerless Only: $77.50
- Hunt Own Land Either Sex: $152.50
- Youth Either Sex (15 and under): $127.50
- Youth Antlerless Only (15 and under): $52.50
- Application/Bonus Point Fee: $12.50
Permit fees are only charged if you draw. The application fee gets charged regardless.
Tagging and Harvest Reporting
Kansas uses electronic tagging through the Go Outdoors KS mobile app. You must tag your elk through the app before moving the carcass. All game harvested on Fort Riley also needs to be reported during checkout on iSportsman.
The state collects teeth and tissue samples from harvested elk for population data. Be prepared to provide samples when requested. For a full breakdown of tagging requirements and other rules, check out our guide to Kansas hunting regulations.
Planning Your Application
If you are serious about Kansas elk, start building points now. Apply every year during the application window. The draw odds are steep, and consistency is the only way to improve your chances over time.
If you own or are considering purchasing land in the Fort Riley buffer area, look into the hunt own land permit option. It is the only way to hunt elk on private land without going through the limited draw.
Check the KDWP website before each application period for updated dates, fees, and regulations. Season structures can shift slightly from year to year.
And if you draw a Fort Riley permit, plan for flexibility. Military training closures are unpredictable. Successful hunters scout multiple areas and adjust daily based on what opens up.
How We Can Help
At Red Cedar Land Company, we help buyers find recreational and agricultural land across Kansas. If elk hunting is part of your long-term plan, we can help you identify properties in Unit 2 near Fort Riley where hunting own land permits are an option. We know which areas have seen elk activity, which tracts offer the right mix of habitat, and how to evaluate a property for realistic hunting potential.
Whether you are looking for elk opportunity, whitetail ground, or a combination of both, we are here to help you find land that fits your goals. Reach out to our team to start the conversation.
Sources
- KDWP Elk Hunting Information covers season dates, unit boundaries, and general elk hunting rules in Kansas.
- KDWP Antelope and Elk Permit Applications explains the application process, fees, bonus points, and group hunt options.
- Fort Riley iSportsman provides base access requirements, safety briefings, and current hunting alerts for Fort Riley.
- K.A.R. 115-25-8 Elk Regulations contains the official Kansas administrative regulations for elk seasons, bag limits, and permit allocations.