A lifetime hunting license in Kansas offers a long-term arrangement for avid hunters, eliminating the need for annual renewals. This option solidifies a lasting commitment to the state’s outdoor traditions and secures hunting privileges through a single purchase.
Available Kansas Lifetime Hunting Licenses
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) provides several lifetime license options tailored to residents. The primary offerings include a Resident Lifetime Hunting License, a Resident Lifetime Combination Hunt/Fish License, and a Resident Lifetime Furharvester License.1Kansas State Legislature. 32-930 Lifetime Hunting, Fishing and Furharvesting Licenses
For younger residents, the state has introduced the Kansas Kids’ Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License, available for children under the age of seven. While the state previously offered a lifetime pass for seniors, this option is no longer available for purchase, though previously issued passes remain valid. Discounted annual licenses, however, are still available for residents aged 65 to 74.
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
Securing a Kansas lifetime license is contingent upon meeting specific state requirements, primarily centered on residency. An applicant must have maintained a permanent home in Kansas for at least one year prior to applying. This is a more stringent requirement than the 60-day residency rule for annual licenses, and proof of domiciliary intent, such as a Kansas driver’s license or state tax returns, may be required.
Beyond residency, hunter education is a mandatory prerequisite for many applicants. Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, is required to have completed an approved hunter education course.2Kansas State Legislature. 32-919 Hunting Licenses Proof of this certification must be provided during the application process. Age-specific licenses, like the youth option, require the applicant to be within the specified age range at the time of application.
Scope of Hunting Privileges
While a lifetime hunting license grants lifelong general hunting privileges, it is important to understand its limitations. The license covers the hunting of small game species but does not automatically include all permits for every type of hunting. Holders must still acquire separate permits to pursue big game animals such as deer, elk, antelope, and wild turkey.
The lifetime license does not exempt the holder from federal or state requirements for migratory bird hunting. A hunter must still purchase a new state waterfowl habitat stamp annually and obtain a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as a duck stamp, each year.3Kansas State Legislature. 32-939 Stamps All hunters must also register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) if they plan to hunt migratory birds.
A unique benefit for lifetime license holders is the retention of resident status for permit applications even if they move out of state. This means a former resident with a lifetime license can still apply for Kansas’s competitive big game permit drawings as a resident, a significant advantage.
Cost of Kansas Lifetime Licenses
The fees for Kansas lifetime licenses are set by the KDWP and vary based on the type of license and the applicant’s age. The standard Resident Lifetime Hunting License costs $502.50, and the Resident Lifetime Combination Hunt/Fish License is priced at $962.50. A Lifetime Furharvester License is also available for $502.50.
For young children, the Kansas Kids’ Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License has a tiered cost: $302.50 for those five and younger, and $502.50 for children who are six or seven years old. The KDWP also offers payment plans for some adult lifetime licenses, allowing the cost to be spread over eight quarterly installments with an associated finance charge.
Preparing Your Lifetime License Application
To apply, you must gather specific information for the official application form, which can be downloaded from the KDWP website. The application requires your Social Security Number for purposes related to child support enforcement. Ensure all information is entered accurately to avoid processing delays.
You will need to provide the following:
- Your full legal name
- Residential address
- Date of birth
- Physical characteristics
- Kansas driver’s license number
- Your hunter education certificate number, if applicable
If you are applying for a child, you will need to provide their information. For gift purchases, the preparer can sign the application before a notary and submit it with special instructions.
Submitting Your Application and Post-Submission Process
Once the application form is complete, it must be submitted by mail to the KDWP’s licensing office in Pratt. Faxed applications are not accepted. The completed form should be mailed along with the appropriate payment.
Accepted payment methods for mailed applications are check or money order. After submission, the KDWP will process the application. Upon approval, the department will mail the physical lifetime license card to the applicant, serving as permanent proof of their hunting privileges.