Kansas Rifle Deer Hunts
Our Kansas rifle deer hunt gives you five full hunting days, plus arrival and departure days. The hunt takes place in December after the rut, when mature whitetails have shifted back toward food and the open Kansas ground can offer longer shooting opportunities.
The December Rifle Hunt
By December, the November rut is behind us and deer are often more focused on food. That changes the way we hunt compared with the archery weeks. We use the terrain, food sources, historical information, and current deer movement to put you in a position where a rifle gives you the reach to take advantage of the property.
Beginning in 2028, the rifle hunt will change from the current five full hunting days to one seven full day hunt hunt.
How the Hunting Works
Rifle shots typically range from 50 to 100 yards, with opportunities out to 200 yards depending on the property, visibility, and conditions. Some farms open up into crop fields, CRP, and river bottoms, while other properties provide more cover and shorter opportunities.
Our farms are pre-scouted and baited before the season. Each morning, your guide considers recent scouting information, wind direction, historical data, trail camera information, what you have been seeing during the hunt, and their experience with the property when deciding where to put you.
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. We lease private ground with 100% exclusivity, and individual properties range up to 1,200 acres. Multiple smaller parcels across the hunting units give our guides options when deer movement, weather, or hunting pressure changes.
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.
Rifle Stands and Setups
We maintain around 100 ladder stands and 30 box blinds, along with other setups selected for the property and current deer movement. Rifle hunters may hunt from elevated stands or box blinds where the terrain gives us the visibility needed for longer shots.
Your guide makes the daily stand decision rather than simply putting you in the same location for the entire hunt. The goal is to use the information we have that morning and put you where the conditions give you the best opportunity.
Controlled Hunting Pressure
We typically have 8 to 12 deer hunters in a week, with two to three hunters per guide, and 50 to 70 deer hunters across the full season. Multiple properties allow us to spread hunters out and rest individual farms instead of concentrating pressure on the same ground.
Our Whitetail Standard
We have a strict 140-inch minimum for bucks. There is no additional fee for a buck that meets or exceeds the minimum. A buck scoring 130 to 139 inches carries a $500 additional fee, while 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
Rifle Hunt Rates
The 2027 rifle hunt provides five full hunting days, plus arrival and departure days. Beginning in 2028, the rifle hunt will be one seven full day hunt.
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.
Rifle Recommendation
We recommend a .30-caliber rifle that you shoot confidently, with a 3x9 scope or larger. The right rifle is the one you know how to shoot accurately and comfortably at the distances you may encounter in Kansas.
What Is Included
- Fully guided rifle deer 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
- Base, mid, and outer layers for changing December weather
- Waterproof or Gore-Tex boots
- Safety harness and lanyard
- Binoculars and a rangefinder
- Flashlight with a red or green light
- Large cooler for taking meat home
- Hunter orange hat or vest for firearm hunters
Hunter Orange Requirements for Kansas Deer Hunting
Kansas requires hunters to wear hunter orange, also known as blaze orange, during firearm deer seasons. The requirements include an orange hat and at least 200 square inches of orange on the upper body.
1. Wear an Orange Hat
Your hat or other headwear must have an exterior that is at least 50% bright hunter orange. The required orange must be visible from all directions.
2. Wear at Least 200 Square Inches of Orange on Your Upper Body
Hunters must wear at least 200 square inches of hunter orange on the upper half of their body, including:
At least 100 square inches visible from the front.
At least 100 square inches visible from the back.
3. Camouflage Is Allowed
Hunter camouflage is permitted as long as it meets the required orange area and visibility requirements.
Kansas Rifle Deer Hunt FAQs
How long is the Kansas rifle deer hunt?
The 2027 rifle hunt provides 5 full hunting days, plus arrival and departure days. Beginning in 2028, the rifle hunt will change to one 7-full-day hunt.
What are typical rifle shot distances?
Rifle shots typically range from 50 to 100 yards, with opportunities out to 200 yards depending on the property, visibility and conditions.
What rifle and scope do you recommend?
We recommend a .30-caliber rifle that you shoot confidently, with a 3x9 scope or larger.
When does the Kansas rifle deer hunt take place?
Our rifle hunt takes place in December after the rut, when deer are often more focused on food.
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 hunt.
Ready to plan your Kansas rifle deer hunt? Contact King Whitetails at 785-307-0506 to discuss available dates, the draw process, and the hunt that fits you best.