Kansas Archery Deer Hunts
Six full days, Sunday through Friday, with Saturdays reserved for arrival and departure. Our Kansas archery deer hunt covers the most active part of the whitetail season, from the pre-rut in late October through the rut into Thanksgiving.
Choosing Your Week
Late October is pre-rut. Bucks are still following established patterns, the ground has not seen the pressure that builds later in the season, and you get an early opportunity at mature deer.
From around November 1 through Thanksgiving, the rut changes the way deer use the property. This is the window most hunters ask for, and those weeks fill first every year. If you want to hunt the rut, booking early is important.
How the Hunting Works
Our archery setups are built around close-range opportunities. Bait sites are positioned 20 to 25 yards from the stand, and most archery shots are 20 to 30 yards.
Depending on the farm and current deer movement, you may hunt from a 1.5-person Muddy ladder stand, a box blind, a hang-on stand, or a brushed-in ground blind. Hang-on stands give our guides another option when deer movement shifts and a different setup makes sense.
Every farm is pre-scouted and baited before you arrive. Each morning, your guide chooses the best setup using recent scouting information, wind direction, historical data, trail camera information, what you have been seeing during the hunt, and their experience with the property.
10,000 Acres Across Kansas Deer Units 4, 7, 8, and 14
Our whitetail properties cover 10,000 acres across Kansas deer units 4, 7, 8, and 14. Properties range up to 1,200 acres, with multiple smaller parcels spread across the hunting units. We lease private ground with 100% exclusivity, giving our guides different options when conditions or deer movement change.
The eastern properties feature rolling hills, open pasture, and cedar thickets. Farther west, the ground becomes flatter, with river bottoms, farmland, and CRP. The western ground also tends to provide more consistent wind conditions.
Stand Options for Archery Hunters
We maintain around 100 ladder stands and 30 box blinds, along with hang-on stands for archery hunters and brushed-in ground blinds when a different setup is needed. Your guide is not locked into one stand for the entire week. The goal is to put you in the best situation for the deer movement and conditions that day.
Controlled Hunting Pressure
We typically have 8 to 12 hunters in a week, with two to three hunters per guide, and 50 to 70 deer hunters across the full season. Having multiple properties allows us to spread hunters out and rest individual farms rather than putting the same pressure on the same ground every day.
Our Whitetail Standard
We have a strict 140-inch minimum for bucks. There are no trophy fees on bucks that meet the minimum. If a buck scores 130 to 139 inches, the additional fee is $500. A buck scoring under 130 inches carries a $1,500 additional fee.
A 140- to 170-inch deer is a more realistic expectation for this style of hunting. A 170-inch deer is not behind every tree, and a 200-inch deer is very uncommon. Larger bucks are possible, but hunters need to be comfortable passing deer and accepting the risk that comes with waiting for the right opportunity.
Recent Results
Archery Hunt Rates
The archery hunt is six full hunting days, Sunday through Friday. Saturday is reserved for arrival and departure.
The 2027 archery hunts are fully booked. Click the button below to join our waiting list and be notified if a cancellation or additional opening becomes available.
Kansas Deer Hunting Application Dates and Costs
2027 Deer Application Dates
The 2027 nonresident deer application dates have not yet been announced. The application period typically opens on April 1. For reference, the deadline for the 2026 draw was April 24, 2026.
Hunters planning a 2027 deer hunt should prepare for the application period in April and check the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) website for the confirmed dates.
Nonresident Deer License and Permit Costs
The following are the latest published 2026 prices to help nonresident hunters budget for 2027. The 2027 fees have not yet been confirmed.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual nonresident hunting license | $125.00 |
| Deer draw application fee | $27.50 |
| Deer permit if successful | Included in the total below |
| Total if successful | $477.50 |
| Preference point only* | $25.00 |
* Preference point costs exclude additional processing or agent fees. The $477.50 successful adult permit total includes the application fee, while the annual hunting license is separate. Online convenience fees may also apply.
What Does the Standard Deer Permit Include?
The standard permit includes one whitetail deer of either sex and one additional antlerless whitetail deer at no extra permit cost.
If you fill your tag early and want to harvest another doe, an additional permit may be required. The additional cost quoted for this option is $250. Contact King Whitetails to confirm the applicable permit and cost before your hunt.
Your Kansas Deer Tag
Kansas is a draw state for nonresident deer hunters. Once you have booked your hunt, we help you through the deer application process one-on-one at no additional charge. We can also help you understand preference points and plan for future seasons.
What Is Included
- Six full days of guided archery hunting
- Lodging at our lodge on the Smoky Hill River
- Three meals per day
- Transportation to and from your stand
- Game retrieval
- Access to our walk-in cooler for hanging game
- One-on-one help with your Kansas deer draw application at no additional charge
- Professional post-harvest photographs for all hunts
- Taxidermy preparation
- Skull capping for deer hunts
- Cape preparation for deer hunts
Game Care and Processing
Diamond A Processing in Junction City, Kansas
King Whitetails hunters can have their deer processed at Diamond A Processing in Junction City, Kansas.
Take Your Deer Home
Diamond A offers rush processing for hunters who want their venison processed quickly and ready to take home after the hunt.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic processing. Includes: skinning, basic cuts, and grinding. | $180.00 |
| One-business-day rush | $360 (180 basic + $180 rush) |
| Two-business-day rush | $315 ($180 basic + $135 rush) |
| Three-business-day rush | $270 ($180 basic + $90 rush) |
Prices are from the 2026–2027 price list and are subject to change. Confirm current prices directly with Diamond A Processing.
Donate Your Deer
Through Hunters Feeding the Hungry, you can donate your deer to help provide venison to Kansas families in need. Diamond A Processing and HFH cover $105 of the $180 processing cost, leaving you to pay $75.
For additional services and information, contact Diamond A Processing at 785-223-5776 or visit diamondaprocessing.com.
What to Bring
Plan for changing Kansas weather during the archery season. Bring base, mid, and outer layers, waterproof or Gore-Tex boots, a safety harness and lanyard, binoculars, a rangefinder, and a flashlight with a red or green light. A large cooler is recommended for taking meat home.
Whitetail Hunt FAQs
How long is the Kansas archery deer hunt?
The archery hunt is 6 full hunting days, Sunday through Friday. Saturday is reserved for arrival and departure.
What are typical archery shot distances?
Most archery shots are 20 to 30 yards. Bait sites are positioned 20 to 25 yards from the stand.
When is the best time to hunt Kansas whitetails with a bow?
Late October offers pre-rut hunting when deer are still on established patterns and the ground has seen less pressure. From around November 1 through Thanksgiving, the hunt moves into the rut, which is the most requested window.
What stands do archery hunters use?
Depending on the property and deer movement, archery hunters may hunt from 1.5-person Muddy ladder stands, box blinds, hang-on stands, or brushed-in ground blinds.
What is the minimum buck size?
King Whitetails has a strict 140-inch minimum. Bucks scoring 130 to 139 inches carry a $500 additional fee, while bucks scoring under 130 inches carry a $1,500 additional fee.
Have more questions? Visit our complete Kansas Hunting FAQs for additional information about booking, travel, gear, and hunting with King Whitetails.
What Hunters Are Saying
Hunt Kansas Whitetails With King Whitetails
Most people come to Kansas looking for big crop fields. We hunt places where the Flint Hills force big bucks to live differently. Our job is to use the ground, the information, and the conditions to give you the best opportunity we can during your six days in the stand.
Ready to plan your Kansas archery deer hunt? Contact King Whitetails at 785-307-0506 to discuss available dates, the draw process, and the hunt that fits you best.