The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission announced Sept. 15 that fall turkey hunting season in the state has been canceled. The decision comes after wildlife biologists urged the commission to cancel it due to declining population of the birds throughout the state.

“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.”

This is not the first time commissioners have had to take action. In 2017, they voted to reduce the statewide bag limit from four birds to one. In 2019, fall turkey season dates were reduced from 123 days to 41 days.

Not as many hunters take part in the fall season as they do in the spring, however the cancelation will help the situation.

“The estimated statewide fall harvest of turkey was less than 500 birds in 2022,” Fricke said. “While this is a small proportion of the statewide population, fall harvest is an additive source of mortality for turkeys, especially when hens are harvested.”

A new research project is in the works in the state and set for January 2024 to further examine the wild turkey population.

To learn more about turkey hunting in Kansas, visit ksoutdoors.com/hunting.