Each year, hunters are given the opportunity to pursue game on the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant’s 13,727 acres with little competition from other hunters.

The area two miles east of Parsons is prime wildlife habitat, and the plant holds drawings for a limited number of hunters to access the property for specific types of hunting.

All hunters must be at least 16 years old and have completed a hunter education course. They also must attend a mandatory pre-hunt safety-security briefing. A federal access fee is also required and varies depending on the hunt. Permits issued by Wildlife and Parks are required to hunt deer.

Here are the requirements, categories and deadlines for application of each hunt:

Archery deer (25 hunters) – The briefing will be 6 p.m. Oct. 1. Successful applicants must pay a $50 federal access fee. Archery hunters must use a recurve, longbow or compound bow. Crossbows are not allowed. Hunters must harvest two adult does (not fawns) prior to harvesting a buck. Game tags are valid. The application deadline is Aug. 17 with the season scheduled Oct. 2 to Nov. 25.

Muzzleloader-shotgun antlerless only (20 hunters) – The briefing will be 6 p.m. Nov. 29. Successful applicants must pay a $20 federal access fee. Applicants are encouraged to apply in pairs. Muzzleloader hunters may use any legal muzzleloader or shotgun with slugs. Rifles are not allowed. Hunters may harvest as many as two adult does. Game tags are valid. Application deadline is Oct. 19. The three-day season will be Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.

Small Game (10 groups for a total of 40 possible hunters) – The briefing will be 6 p.m. Dec. 13. Successful applicants must pay a $20 federal access fee. Hunters may use dogs and must use a shotgun with bird shot only. Hunters may harvest quail, rabbits and squirrels, although quail prospects appear poor. Application deadline is Oct. 19. The hunt will be Dec. 14-15.

Applicants may apply in pairs and must send their hunt preference, full name, driver’s license number, social security number, birth date, address and phone number on a postcard or 3×5 index card to:

Commander’s Representative, KSAAP, ATTN: SJMKS-NR, 23018 Rooks Road, Parsons, 67357. The information provided will be used to conduct a mandatory background check.