Upland Bird Hunting in Kansas

Pheasant, Quail, and Prairie Chickens

Welcome to the heartland of upland bird hunting, where the rolling prairies of Kansas set the stage for an exhilarating pursuit of game birds. The abundant thrill of going after game like bobwhite quail and ring-necked pheasant has made Kansas one of the more popular destinations among bird hunters in the world. Roaming the expansive grasslands for upland birds holds a special place for many hunting enthusiasts in Kansas.

Though our rolling hills and steppe-like provide a habitat for the amazingly vibrant greater and lesser prairie chickens, hunting is only permitted for the greater prairie chickens. These beautiful birds can be spotted throughout the Northern and Central regions of the state.

Where to Hunt Upland Game

Upland birds can be found throughout Kansas, and all upland bird populations fluctuate annually. Please refer to the Upland Bird Forecast which is published each September. The forecast provides up-to-date information about bird numbers around the state (Source: KDWP).

Pheasant Range Map

The ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) may be the most popular game bird in the state of Kansas, with between 110,000 and 150,000 hunters pursuing the species each season

Quail Range Map

Number Two on the upland bird draw is the bobwhite quail. And Kansas generally ranks within the top three states in quail harvest. While quail can be found statewide, populations are generally better in the east. The southeast region of the state is usually the top quail…

Prairie Chicken Range Map

Kansas currently harbors two species of prairie grouse. The greater prairie chicken ( Tympanuchus cupido) is much more abundant than the lesser prairie chicken ( T. pallidicinctus). A third species of prairie grouse, the sharp-tailed grouse ( T. phasianellus) disappeared from…

When to Hunt Upland Game

Each September, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks releases an annual Upland Bird Forcast to assist Hunters around the state. Summaries are available on the KDWP website. You can also find the full report by clicking here.

Upcoming Seasons - 2024/25

Pheasant & Quail:
- Nov. 9 - Jan. 31, 2025
Greater Prairie Chicken:
- Sept. 15- Jan. 31, 2025

Upland Bird Seasons

Upcoming Upland Bird Seasons

Upland Bird Forecast

Number Two on the upland bird draw is the bobwhite quail. And Kansas generally ranks within the top three states in quail harvest. While quail can be found statewide, populations are generally better in the east. The southeast region of the state is usually the top quail…

Species & Misconceptions

All upland bird populations fluctuate annually according to weather and habitat conditions. That's why we've included some additional information from the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) on the various upland bird species and some common misconceptions. You can download the full report by clicking here.

Pheasant Hunting

The ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) may be the most popular game bird in the state of Kansas, with between 110,000 and 150,000 hunters pursuing the species each season

Quail Hunting

Number Two on the upland bird draw is the bobwhite quail. And Kansas generally ranks within the top three states in quail harvest. While quail can be found statewide, populations are generally better in the east. The southeast region of the state is usually the top quail…

Greater Prairie Chicken Hunting

The traditional stronghold of greaters in Kansas is the Flint Hills, a roughly 50-mile-wide band of tallgrass prairie that extends from the Oklahoma border northward nearly to the Nebraska line in the eastern third of the state.

Upland Bird Misconceptions

Learn about common misconceptions about Upland Birds in Kansas from the Dept. of Wildlife and Parks

Permits & Tags

Outdoorsmen and women in Kansas can purchase their hunting or fishing licenses online by visiting gooutdoorskansas.com. If you'd like more information on upcoming draws, permits, or fees, please visit the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks website on applications and fees.