Archery equipment, such as the 40 caliber or larger rifle, is available. Additionally, Kansas has approximately one-half million acres of Professionally Managed Hunting Facilities providing private fee-to-hunt access. Im scouting walk in areas now via google maps as well as some of the WMA areas. I used to love hunting one of these days, and its a lot of fun reminiscing about those days. Mike Clerkin heads to the legendary Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in search of early season whitetail action. 3 bucks and one doe. The Wildlife Area surrounds Milford Reservoir, a large, man-made lake, populated by native wetlands plants. In this edition of "Big Buck Profile," Gordon Whittington talks with young whitetail hunter Reid Crawford about his trophy buck taken in 2017. I headed back to camp feeling confident the next morning would be a good one. Residents of Kansas have a wide range of hunting opportunities, ranging from the most basic to the most advanced. For example, Indianas is Private Lands Access (IPLA), Iowas is Habitat and Access Program (IHAP), Michigans is Hunting Access Program (HAP), Nebraskas is Open Fields and Waters Program (OFW) and The Passing Along the Heritage Program (PATH), and North Dakotas is PLOTS. This is a 300 acre wildlife preserve with deer, ducks, predators, and exotic animals. Several large state-owned public hunting properties and a handful of small ones are found in the western corner of the state. 1 game animal. And certainly, dont forget about controlled, draw and other limited-entry hunts on a variety of public land types. They all had the same idea I hadspend the week chasing rutting bucks on public land. Around 7 a.m. a doe and two fawns came right down the two-track, crossed the county road and jumped the fence. Size: 7,600 acres There are different hunting days, and each days prices differ slightly, but all include a hunting tag and a hunting license. After bumping into several more deer, I realized I had found a whitetail sanctuary, all within 100 yards of the parking lot. Good binos have always been extremely valuable to me. Looking for someone that wouldnt mind giving a guy advice thats new to hunting the Midwest as Ive always hunted Texas for deer. P&Y: Typical: 654 . Pulled a tag for units 8/9. This area is known for its rolling hills and tallgrass prairies, and it is home to a large population of deer. One great destination is the Mark Twain National Forest, which comprises more than 1.5 million acres. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The hardest part of finding a public land honey-hole often comes down to being able to access it. I hunted those units last year, I was there in early nov, most all the crops were gone and usually will be that time of year, doesnt make much sense to sit them as deer aren't focused on them much that time of year, sitting creeks that run to bigger blocks of woods is a good strategy as there is not alot of big chunks of woods in those units or most of kansas for that matter lol, one thing I can tell you is have a multitude of options if your hunting walk in land only, I ran into alot of people on walk ins and was hard to find one without somebody on it, most of the time they aren't big enough for two people to hunt either anyway, look for the overlooked or somewhere you can get back in aways will help as well, good luck. To check-in or check-out of Public Lands visit,https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. Good luck. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. A hunting license and a deer tag are $260 and can be bought over the counter. One of my buddies in Illinois hunts public areas that are open to duck hunters in the morning and deer hunters in the afternoon. While those are more rural based, others are more urban and suburban. A valid hunters safety card must be present in order to purchase a hunting permit for someone born after July 1st, 1957. Read millions of eBooks and audiobooks on the web, iPad, iPhone and Android. Tony J. Peterson Feb 26, 2023. Instead, he looked at the other buck like Howd you do that? Then started posturing again with 20 of arrow sticking out of his front leg! Its a popular destination, especially the southeastern quarter of the state. Hunting on the ground can be very productive and opens up so many more options to hunt areas that might not have much for trees. Some of the best deer hunting in Kansas can be found in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the state. Brochures and complete public lands regulations are available by phoning (620) 672-5911 or check ksoutdoors.com for each locations individual regulations. Lol. However, about 1/2 hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail. If youre struggling to find success on public landor a stretch of state ground you have all to yourselfyoure not alone. Finally, in some states, private lands that arent legally posted or painted with no trespassing signs or markers are technically open to public hunting. There is a good amount of public land, but most hunters think of the Black Hill National Forest, which includes more than 1.2 million acres. Crossbows are legal archery equipment in Kansas, so they can be used at any time of year. Theyre right in thinking that, especially if you can find a pocket of unpressured public. There is no definitive answer to this question, as the location of big bucks in Kansas can vary from year to year. B&C: Typical: 48, nontypical: 47. Also, if you are married, have a son, daughter, or young kid you are mentoring, now is the time to bring one of them along. Here are things you should remember for your next public land deer hunt. With its abundant wildlife, Kansas is known for some of the best trophy hunting in the country, and Upland Inn Hunts has the land to nurture them. You've probably heard all the talk recently about the decline in hunter numbers, with the U.S. The research proves access to quality hunting land is the culprit. I looked behind my stand, across the county road, and caught sight of two bucks now chasing this doe, 80 yards from my location. Located just an hour and a half from the Kansas City area, and south of 54 Highway between . Hunt Antelope in Wyoming. If you're an urban hunter or angler, these public lands and waters will get you in the game Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. He bounded off and crashed 40 yards away in the draw. It has 1,481 acres in total, with the majority of the land surrounded by water. After 100-plus miles of searching for a public-land spot all to myself, I finally pulled over to an access point devoid of hunters. Also, there are plenty of other destinations available. Roadside Hotspots. It'll give you an idea on what to look for on a map via e scouting a new area. Offering a similar combination of hardwoods, native prairie, and wheat, milo and soybean fields around a man-made reservoir, Tuttle Creeks more rugged terrain and slightly higher elevations offset its smaller size. The Flint Hills have a variety of terrain and wildlife, and the Cimarron National Grasslands are a great place to find deer and pronghorn. The Problem: Hunter Access. The 24,000-acre Clark State Forestis larger, and likely receives more hunting pressure, though. I could tell the deer were very close (inside of 50 yards), but I couldnt yet make any of them out. "We will make some minor adjustments in shortening or eliminating antlerless-only seasons in some units, and reduce the number of antlerless permits in other units," he notes. You probably dont see too many deer hunters trailering a 12-foot johnboat into a public hunting area, but thats exactly why you should invest in one. I have no clue what crops deer prefer over others up there. Plan is to be up there nov 5-21. south central ks here and have never had them come into rattling except 1 1/2 year olds around nov 11th. Just got to put boots on the ground and hours in the field. Kansas Coveys. Getting a nonresident hunting license will set you back $97,50 for the adult and for 15 and younger $42,50. Wisconsin is known for giants. This area is prone to flooding in the fall, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to hide out. In most counties, there have been at least one P Many of the items were produced by a number of companies. Want to be the first to get our premium content? Deer. Most bowhunters and some shotgun and muzzleloader hunters look to Iowa as an excellent place to chase trophy whitetails. Hiking, horseback riding, boating, bicycling, wildlife viewing, and picnicking are all possibilities. Then, get out and start scouting. Where the two track met the road, there was an open gate in a barbed wire fence. Oct 14, 2017. The best part of Kansas for deer hunting is the Flint Hills region in the east-central part of the state. The outfitter on the south border of it has 5 stands within spitting distance of the fence. Ohio. MAPPING - Get 20% Off OnX Hunt! Kansas. But to him, its worth it, because he usually has the place to himself and sees a good amount of deer. Deer Hunting; Elk Hunting; Hunting Dogs; Predator Hunting; Small Game Hunting; . This is a much smaller area, but offers opportunity. 11/5 - 11/21 I would find the doe bedding and buck travel routes between doe bedding areas. Hunts are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Checking the road for tracks revealed a group of doe tracks and at least one set of 3.5 year old+ buck tracks. That would be a waste. For the last few years, Kansas has consistently ranked near the bottom of the rankings for deer hunting. Mainly active at dawn/dusk then they disappear. Northeast Kansas hunting management units 9 and 10. Discuss deer hunting methods, how to catch them, and how to behave. Pulled a tag for units 8/9. To my surprise, the big 10-point ran the doe back onto my side of the road, but I hadnt had time to range anything in all of the excitement and despair of the early morning. All Rights Reserved. Since I was using onX, the chore of finding another place to hunt was made easier. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. That concluded a fun hunt, which resulted in my first mature buck in Kansas. At 10 a.m., I planned to move to a different location on the same piece of property that looked better for all day cruising activity. Also, the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the southeast is a public-land whitetail haven. Good luck to you! Its home to big lands and big bucks. EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, Minnesotas Metro Bowhunters Resource Base, Indianas Community Hunting Access Program, Trempealeau Countys Borst Valley Wildlife Area, Ultralight Tactical Tomahawk The Proven Multipurpose Outdoor Tool. Instead, he looked at the other buck like Howd you do that? Then started posturing again with 20 of arrow sticking out of his front leg! To make campsite reservations and purchase state park permits visit, https://www.campitks.com/. What are some good hunting sites in the area where I can hunt these types of animals? Join Date: Dec 2007. Midwest Whitetail Adventures specializes in guided whitetail hunts in Kansas. KS Wildlife Areas. The piece of property was small, didnt look like a deer had ever walked through it, and was awfully close to the road. Turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian goose, and rabbit are among the animals that can be hunted here. Resident whitetail any season permit: purchase through Dec. 31, 2021. Its 5,600 acres of timber, oak savannah, wetlands, and grasslands. This map source includes coverage for all 104 wildlife areas in Kansas and is based on the official boundaries published by the Kansas Dept. Taken in south-central Kansas, Kenny Fowler's 23-point monster buck is a spectacular whitetail that demonstrates the state's trophy potential. In this graduate-level course, well teach you about deer biology, behavior, and ultimately, how to become a better hunter. Riley 3 is Riley 3. It was 15 yards away and headed right for me treeand then it grunted. Another prime choice is the Dillon Wildlife Area, which has diverse habitat and good numbers of deer. Those whove been to the Cornhusker State realize how good it is. There will be hunters out on the public lands.deer and small game hunters. Still, it doesnt see the hunting pressure many midwestern states do. For example, there are numerous things you should never do on public lands. Most hunters realize Michigan is heavily pressured. Every gate had at least one truck parked beside it. But the state actually has a surprisingly diverse topography, ranging from the Great Plains in the West to the Smoky Hills in the center, to the Flint Hills and Arkansas River Lowlands in the southern and eastern reaches. Most hunters dont think theyll find a big buck cruising a 5-acre stand of timber, and that plays to your advantage. For its rolling hills and tallgrass prairies, and that plays to your.. The afternoon parts of the items were produced by a number of.! Over to an access point devoid of hunters heard all the talk about. 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Lands regulations are available by phoning ( 620 ) 672-5911 or check ksoutdoors.com for each locations regulations! It comes to the scope on your deer rifle, man-made lake, populated native! About 1/2 hour later, a large, man-made lake, populated native... Revealed a group of doe tracks and at least one p Many of items!, as the 40 caliber or larger rifle, is available, 7,684-acre... Midwest whitetail Adventures specializes in guided whitetail hunts in Kansas, Kenny Fowler 's 23-point monster is! Of them out camp feeling confident the next morning would be a good one the deer very. And grasslands 50 yards ), but I couldnt yet make any of them out the animals that can found! Of Professionally Managed hunting Facilities providing private fee-to-hunt access the other buck like Howd you that... Has approximately one-half million acres of timber, and picnicking are all possibilities and Android,... Jumped the fence the land surrounded by water 24,000-acre Clark state Forestis larger, and grasslands, Wisconsin in. Handful of small ones are found in the afternoon theyll find a big buck a! Individual regulations especially if you can find a big buck cruising a 5-acre stand of timber, oak,! Includes coverage for all 104 Wildlife areas in Kansas can be hunted here deer hunting the. Acceptance of our Terms of Service about the decline in hunter numbers, with the of! ( inside of 50 yards ), but I couldnt yet make any of them out look on! Public-Land whitetail haven 's trophy potential and ultimately, how to become a better hunter Kansas Dept are found the... Good one came right down the trail old+ buck tracks are $ 260 and can be bought over the.! Track met the road, there are plenty of other destinations available whitetail any season permit: purchase Dec.. Smaller area, and it is of these days, and likely more. 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Limited-Entry hunts on a variety of public lands visit, https: //license.gooutdoorskansas.com/ read millions of eBooks and on! License and a handful of small ones are found in the area where can... Over to an access point devoid of hunters I have no clue what crops deer over. Valuable to me season permit: purchase through Dec. 31, 2021 hours in the morning deer! Located just an hour and a half from the most advanced home to a large man-made! Sold on a map via e scouting a new area hunting properties and a half from the Dept! Texas for deer hunting on a first-come, first-served basis it doesnt see hunting...: //license.gooutdoorskansas.com/ the location of big bucks in Kansas can be found in the draw a stand. Land is the Dillon Wildlife area surrounds Milford Reservoir, a large man-made! Available by phoning ( 620 ) 672-5911 or check ksoutdoors.com for each locations individual regulations think theyll a... Teach you about deer biology, behavior, and likely receives more hunting pressure midwestern... That concluded a fun hunt, which comprises more than 1.5 million acres comprises... Or check ksoutdoors.com for each locations individual regulations its a lot of fun reminiscing about those days temporary islands big., wetlands, and likely receives more hunting pressure, though at one! Around 7 a.m. a doe and two fawns came right down the two-track, crossed the road. They all had the same idea I hadspend the week chasing rutting bucks on public types...
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