In previous years, all but the southwest portion of Kansas has opened for prairie chicken hunting on the first Saturday in November.

This year, however, prairie chicken season will open statewide on the third Saturday in November, the 19th.

As in past years, prairie chicken hunting is divided into three units.

The Northwest Unit is north of Highway I-70 and west of U.S. 281. The East Unit encompasses all of the state east of U.S. 281. And the Southwest Unit covers that area south of I-70 and west of U.S. 281.

The season in the Northwest and East units will run next Saturday through Jan. 31 with a daily bag limit of two and a possession limit of eight.

In the Southwest Unit, the season will run from next Saturday through Dec. 31 with a daily bag limit of one and a possession limit of four.

Pheasant season began Saturday and will run through Jan. 31 statewide. The daily bag is four roosters, and the possession limit is 16 roosters.

Residents age 16 through 64 are required to have a Kansas hunting license.

Nonresidents 16 and older must possess a nonresident hunting license. And nonresidents 15 and younger must have a junior nonresident hunting license.

Licenses can be purchased at www.kdwp.state.ks.us, at state license vendors and at Wildlife and Parks offices.

Anyone 16 or older and born on or after July 1, 1957, must have passed a certified hunter education class.

Hunters 15 and younger may hunt without a certified hunter education course if they are under the direct supervision of an adult 18 or older.

Hunters age 12-15 may hunt without adult supervision if they have completed a certified hunter education course. Permission is required to hunt private land.