During this time of social distancing and isolation, Kansas state parks, fishing lakes and wildlife areas will remain open to the public. But effective March 23, 2020, all Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) offices will close for two weeks to prevent potential spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. KDWPT staff plan to resume essential business activities beginning April 6. Until then, outdoor enthusiasts in Kansas can benefit from the department’s online and mobile services, which offer nearly all of the same purchasing and reservation services available in-office, without risk.
Licenses and Permits
Kansas hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased electronically from kshuntfishcamp.com, at most license vendors, and through KDWPT’s mobile app – HuntFish KS.
- Purchase a license or permit from kshuntfishcamp.com by clicking “Licenses and Applications.”
- To find a license vendor nearest you, visit ksoutdoors.com, click “Licenses and Permits,” then “Locations to buy Licenses/Permits by County.”
- To download the HuntFish KS mobile app to your Android device, visit https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aspiraconnect.hf.ks. To download the HuntFish KS mobile app to your Apple/iOS device, visit https://apps.apple.com/us/app/huntfish-ks/id1456586235?ls=1.
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State Park Reservations
All Kansas state parks remain open, and campsites, cabins and yurts can be reserved online through ReserveAmerica.com and KDWPT’s mobile app – CampIt KS.
- View available campgrounds and make a reservation through ReserveAmerica.com by entering “Kansas” into the search bar. Select the down arrow next to “Filters.” Under “Interest In,” select “Campgrounds.” Under “Facility Type,” select “State,” then click “Apply Filters.”
- To download the CampIt KS mobile app to your Android device, visit https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aspiraconnect.ra.ks. To download the CampIt KS mobile app to your Apple/iOS device, visit https://apps.apple.com/us/app/campit-ks/id1449813035?ls=1.
Boat Registrations
All vessels powered by motor (gasoline, diesel or electric) or sail must be registered and numbered in Kansas. A registration is valid for three years from date of purchase.
- To register a vessel for the first time, complete the “Application for Certificate of Number Kansas Boating Act Form” here, https://ksoutdoors.com/Boating/Registering-Your-Boat. Then, mail it with the $42.50 registration fee to: KDWPT Pratt Operations Office, Attn: Boat Registration, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.
- To renew a boat registration, visit kshuntfishcamp.com and click “Boat Renewal.”
Nonresident Deer Draw Applications
The application period for the 2020 Kansas nonresident deer draw is April 1-24. Applications can be made online here, https://www.kshuntfishcamp.com/signinWithIdentifierAndDob.page.
During this time of social distancing and isolation, you can visit ksoutdoors.com for frequently-asked questions, and other information that will make your time outdoors more enjoyable – like a day spent fishing. Anglers should check out the Fishing Forecast page to find the best places to catch the kind and size of fish they prefer. If you just want to catch fish, type “Whatever’s Biting” into the search box for a list of the top 20 lakes and reservoirs that give you the best chance to catch a fish. And district fisheries newsletters are also great sources of information for anglers. They can be found by clicking “News,” then “All Agency Newsletters.” You can even sign up to have the newsletters emailed directly to you.