The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission announced that beginning this fall, Kansas will have no fall turkey hunting season due to declining populations at state and regional levels. The decision was arrived at after hearing compelling recommendations over the course of four public meetings.
"We've documented consistent declines in turkey populations over the last 15 years largely due to reduced production levels," said Kent Fricke, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks small game biologist. "These trends are not unique to Kansas. States across the Midwest and Southeast have experienced similar patterns in turkey populations."
Over the past several years, Commissioners have approved other preventative recommendations to reduce the impact of the fall season on turkey populations. In 2017, Commissioners voted to reduce the statewide bag limit from four birds to one bird. In 2019, fall turkey season dates were reduced by 82 days to 41 total.
To learn more about turkey hunting in Kansas, including Kansas' all-new lottery draw for non-resident turkey permits and other regulation changes aimed at population conservation, visit ksoutdoors.com/Hunting then select "Turkey."
