Hunting and Fishing in Cheyenne County

Migratory (Mourning, white-winged): Sept. 1 – Nov. 29, 2023. Daily bag limit: 15 (The daily bag limit applies to mourning and white-winged doves, single species or in combination. Possession limit: 45

Exotic (Eurasian collared, ringed turtle): Year-round. Daily bag limit: No limit. Possession limit: No limit

West Zone: Oct. 21 – Dec. 17, 2023

Youth/Disability: Nov. 4-5, 2023
Regular: Nov. 11, 2023 – Jan. 31, 2024

PHEASANT

• Area Open: Statewide
• Daily Bag Limit: 4 cocks in regular season
• NOTE: Pheasants in possession for transportation must retain intact a foot, plumage, or some part that will determine sex.

 QUAIL

• Area Open: Statewide
• Daily Bag Limit: 8 in regular season

Date: 09/15/2023 – 01/31/2024

Location: Greater Prairie Chicken Unit

• Daily Bag Limit: 2 

June 1, 2023 – Feb. 28, 2024

Year-round

• Cottontail & Jackrabbit
• Regular: All year
• Area Open: Statewide
• Daily bag limit: 10
• Possession limit: 30

Nov. 10, 2023 – Mar. 10, 2024

Youth/Disability: April 1-16, 2024
Archery: April 8-16, 2024
Regular: April 17 – May 31, 2024

High Plains Unit: Sept. 16-24, 2023
Low Plains Unit: Sept. 9-24, 2023

Dark Geese (Canada, Cackling, Brant): Oct. 28-29, 2023
and Nov. 1, 2023 – Feb. 11, 2024
Dark Geese White-fronted: Oct. 28 – Dec. 31, 2023
and Jan. 20 – Feb. 11, 2024
Light Geese (Ross’, Snow, Blue): Oct. 28-29, 2023
and Nov. 1, 2023 – Feb. 11, 2024
Spring Conservation Order: Feb. 12 – April 30, 2024

High Plains Zone – Youth: Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2023
High Plains Zone: Oct. 7 – Dec. 31, 2023
and Jan. 19-28, 2024

DUCK LIMITS

6 ducks, any combination of six ducks and/or mergansers which may include no more than five mallards (only two of which may be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one scaup and one pintail.

• Season: 09/16/2023 – 09/24/2023
• Area open: West of Hwy. U. S. 283
• Daily bag limit: 6 teal (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal)  
• Possession limit: 18 teal in possession (any combination of teal: blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal)
• Stamps Required: Kansas HIP Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp

Youth/Disability: Sept. 7-15, 2024
Muzzleloader: Sept. 16-29, 2024
Archery: Sept. 16 – Dec. 31, 2024
Pre-rut Firearm Whitetail Antlerless-only:
Oct. 12-14, 2024
Extended Pre-rut Firearm Whitetail Antlerless-only
Unit 12: Oct. 10-15, 2023
Regular Firearm: Dec. 4 – Dec. 15, 2024
Extended Firearm Whitetail Antlerless-only
(Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14 and 16): Jan. 1-14, 2024

Date: 01/01/2024 – 01/01/2025 Location: Statewide. Season Limit: No limit

There is no closed season for trapping or hunting coyotes. Motor vehicles and radios in vehicles may be used to hunt coyotes only. Furharvester license is required to trap and sell; hunting license is required to hunt and sell.

Date: 07/01/2024 – 10/31/2024

• Daily bag limit: 8
• Possession limit: 24

Date: 06/01/2023 – 02/29/2024

• Area Open: Statewide
• Daily bag limit: 5
• Possession limit: 20

EAGLE CONVENIENCE STORE #12 – License/Permit Agent
218 EAST HWY 36
ST FRANCIS , KS 67756
(785) 332-3222

MAJESTIC SERVICE – License/Permit Agent
405 S RIVER
ST. FRANCIS , KS 67756
(785) 332-2905

CHEYENNE COUNTY CLERK – License/Permit Agent
212 E. WASHINGTON
ST. FRANCIS , KS 67756
(785) 332-8800

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EAGLE CONVENIENCE STORE #12 – License/Permit Agent
218 EAST HWY 36
ST FRANCIS , KS 67756
(785) 332-3222

MAJESTIC SERVICE – License/Permit Agent
405 S RIVER
ST. FRANCIS , KS 67756
(785) 332-2905

CHEYENNE COUNTY CLERK – License/Permit Agent
212 E. WASHINGTON
ST. FRANCIS , KS 67756
(785) 332-8800

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• Lifetime Senior Resident Hunt/Fish Combination: $42.50
• Senior Resident Fish: $15.00
• Senior Resident Combination Hunt/Fish: $25.00
• Resident 1-Day Fish License: $6.00
• Resident Fishing: $27.50
• Resident Combination Fish & Hunt: $47.50
• 5 Year Resident Fish License: $102.50

• Nonresident Fishing: $77.50
• Nonresident Combination Fish & Hunt: $192.50
• Nonresident Five-Day Fishing: $27.50
• Nonresident 1-Day Fishing: $12.50

• Trout Permit: $14.50 (adult), $7 (youth)
• Paddlefish Permit: $12.50
• Youth (15 and younger) Paddlefish Permit: $7.50
• Hand Fishing Permit: $27.50
• Bass Pass: $14.50
• Three Pole Permit: $8.50

The South Fork Wildlife Area is located 12.5 miles northeast of Saint Francis in Cheyenne County. The area is bisected by the Republican River, and has a mixture of grasslands, crop fields and riparian timber. The grasslands are periodically grazed or burned in the spring to increase range health. Food plots are planted, and many consist of wheat, corn, milo, sunflower, and alfalfa.

White-tailed deer, mule deer and Rio Grande turkeys are transient visitors moving on and off the area throughout the year. Pheasant and quail populations are low but do provide some hunting opportunity. The river bottom can provide some great waterfowl hunting if there is any water in the river during season.  This property allows  multiple opportunities for hunting upland birds, deer, and waterfowl.  Other wildlife are present on the area such as coyotes and rabbits. 

Location: 12.5 miles northeast from St. Francis, KS. From US Hwy 36 and KS. Hwy 27 junction, travel north 5.33 miles and turn East on County Road T.  Continue East 4 miles.  Turn Right and travel .16 miles to River Road.  Turn Left (NE) on River Road and travel 8.5 miles to the wildlife area kiosk and parking area.

  The St. Francis Wildlife Area is located three miles west and two miles south of St. Francis. The area is bisected by the Republican River, and is a mixture of grasslands, crop fields and riparian timber. The grasslands are occasionally grazed or burned in the spring to increase range health. Food plots are planted, and many consist of wheat, corn, milo, sunflower, and alfalfa.

 WILDLIFE 
     White-tailed deer, Mule deer and Rio Grande turkeys are transient visitors moving on and off the area throughout the year. Spring turkey hunting has been known to produce some exciting action! Pheasant, quail and prairie chickens can be found on the area and offer some good upland hunting for the dedicated hunter. Waterfowl numbers fluctuate from year to year depending on the availability of water. The area can produce a good duck hunt when there is water present in the river bottom. During busier seasons wildlife may be driven off the area from pressure. 
 

 FISHING 
     Two sandpits are located on the St. Francis Wildlife Area, one on each side of the river. These pits are stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill. Quality fishing opportunities are limited due to the pressure these ponds receive. The North Pit is open to walk-in fishing only, while the South pit provides easy vehicle access to the shoreline. 

Located 3 miles West and 2 miles South from St. Francis, KS.  One mile West of St. Francis on US Hwy 36, turn south on River Road.  River Road (blacktop) curves Southwest after approximately .5 miles.  Continue on River Road 2.75 miles and turn north on County Rd. 11.  Continue North .5 miles to the parking area. 

History The Saint Francis Wildlife Area is 480 acres of public land located 4 miles Southwest of St. Francis. The Republican River flows through the property and provides some excellent habitat and a diverse population of wildlife. This area is mainly upland with riparian timber along the river and food plots strategically placed throughout.  It offers a great opportunity for all kinds of outdoor recreation.