best kansas public land deer hunting

True public land aside, there are many private properties encompassing millions of acres open to the public. We have over 30,000 acres of prime hunting ground scattered around and along the Republican river valley. If a deer head is submitted to KSVDL, there is a $16 fee for KSVDL to sample the head and a head dis-posal fee of $15.50. However, some areas that have been known to hold good populations of big bucks include the Flint Hills, the Smoky Hills, and the Tallgrass Prairie. "There are fertile soils and a good mix of natural vegetation and croplands that provide deer with ample nutrition," explains Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism deer biologist Lloyd Fox. In northern Michigan, the Seney National Wildlife Refuge offers 95,000 acres of big woods habitat. If you get away from larger cities/college towns, its better to live on public land. Kansas Coveys. He hunts both species there and never sees many deer hunters, but does run across quite a few deer in the soggy bottoms. 853. Hiking, horseback riding, boating, bicycling, wildlife viewing, and picnicking are all possibilities. But what's happened recently? . This area is prone to flooding in the fall, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to hide out. That will likely change due to a massive uptick in people hunting Kansas and the still-growing interest on public land hunting. It doesnt look like deer country? Just $1 per month , Buy a boat and focus on small properties if you want to have more success deer hunting public land, By Also, the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the southeast is a public-land whitetail haven. You've probably heard all the talk recently about the decline in hunter numbers, with the U.S. North central Kansas. 3. Nearly half the states in the country have some version of this. Know where food sources, water sources, and bedding areas are located. Joined. The commercial guiding of hunters is not allowed on public lands owned or managed by KDWP, including Walk-in Hunting Access areas. Good binos have always been extremely valuable to me. Public acres: 31,403,000. After about 30 seconds, he very nervously kept walking, and then stopped again (now directly downwind) at 12 yards. Wisconsin is known for giants. 3 bucks and one doe. 12 Best Public Land Deer Hunts in the Midwest. For example, some states offer third-party land trusts that are open to hunting. Most are in the southern portion of the state. Kansas has long been regarded as one of the top states in the country for hunting large white-tail deer. If you dont mind rubbing elbows with other hunters and fighting for the best stand every morning, then keep hunting where you have beenbut dont be surprised if you keep having the same dismal results. Ive killed quite a few over 130-140. Deer hunters are all about making things easier. So I'm from Texas and this will be my first year hunting Kansas. Stan Potts doubles down in Montana and Wyoming. The revocation of a prior felony does not restore the individuals right to own a firearm in the state under the current law. Heaven is just an hour away from Kansas City. The American frontier, also known as the Old West, popularly known as the Wild West, encompasses the geography, history, folklore, and culture associated with the forward wave of American expansion in mainland North America that began with European colonial settlements in the early 17th century and ended with the admission of the last few western territories as states in 1912 (except Alaska . I hunt those units and will be this year. Augusta, KS. For sweepstakes rules and details,click here. The Kansas WIHA tracts are in my sights for next year. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. That concluded a fun hunt, which resulted in my first mature buck in Kansas. The Problem: Hunter Access. Nebraska Shed Hunter's Wife and Dog Find 6x9 Set One Year After Learning About the Buck, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Dr. Give a Gift There are also a lot of WMAs. On the largest scale, some properties owned and managed by the National Forest Service (NFS) allow access to deer hunting. Greenwood is by far the best, despite being the worst of the three. This area of land is suitable for hunting deer, turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian geese, and rabbits. Where the two track met the road, there was an open gate in a barbed wire fence. 5 day semi - guided bow hunt with lodging, meals and transportation- September thru December 2015. The weather of this state is cold throughout the year. Entries made from 2010 until now reveal bowhunters in the eastern and south-central parts of Kansas are taking the most P&Ys. Total area available for hunting in this state is 420,000 acres which includes public hunting lands and also hunting leases. 1,575. The 8,900-acre Yellow River State Forestis another solid choice. Avoid obvious hotspots (others are already there). The Buckeye State keeps my social media newsfeeds as hot with big-buck pictures as draw states like Iowa and Kansas. That would be a waste. I would have never thought about hunting this spot, literally right next to the road, if I had not observed a minimum of 3 different bucks crossing the road during daylight in 2018 (last time I hunted Kansas). Lol. Regardless, everyone wants to hunt the Midwest. This hunting property covers 360 acres of bottomland hardwood forests, cypress swamps, wetlands, and grassland, and it is dominated by cypress swamps, wetlands, and grasslands on the surface. It was 15 yards away and headed right for me treeand then it grunted. Resident License: $84.50. This hunting land in Mitchell County totals 13,200 acres. Going to take a . It must be at least 1.28-inches long for a 22 caliber and handgun cartridge. I've had trail cameras soaking for most of the y. It also has approximately 1,300 WMAs. Bow hunting in Kansas is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Nonetheless, the fact remains that a crossbow is very different from a firearm, so it should not be confused for one. Halstead, KS. Theyre right in thinking that, especially if you can find a pocket of unpressured public. I didnt get a great look at first, so I decided to come to full draw in case he looked better as he got closer. One solid spot is the Shawnee State Forest, which offers 60,000 acres of opportunity. The famous Rokslider Buck is looking for does. Mostly known for pheasant hunting, some big whitetails live here, too. Just a big, ugly main frame 6 point. | As for specifics, the Marais Des Cygnes Wildlife Area is approximately 7,600 acres of prime ground. Use promo code: THP http://bit.ly/2D6aB44THP shirts, hats, and decals - http://bit.l. Be careful on the roads. Nonresident deer permit draw: application period April 1 to 30, 2021. Obviously, some of its public land is well-known. Classic Northeast Kansas hunting in bow and gun friendly cover. In Southeast KS there is a lot of reclaimed strip pit mined land. In the past, it has always seemed to hover around that fifth or sixth spot. Kisiwa Hunt Club. Hunting food sources on public land.so, November is the rut as we all know. Another prime choice is the Dillon Wildlife Area, which has diverse habitat and good numbers of deer. Many hunters pass those by, but at least where I've hunted in Kansas the deer sure don't. Hunt Whitetail Deer in Kansas. Gordon Whittington talks with Steven Sprout about the trophy buck he took back in 1998 while bowhunting public land in Illinois. The state boasts tons of record-book whitetails, and the deer herd is pretty good, apart from some localized break-outs of EHD lately. 1 location, I felt reassured this trip would result in the big buck I came all this way for. The No. It just takes a serious amount of sweat and effort to get in and out of there. Around 7 a.m. a doe and two fawns came right down the two-track, crossed the county road and jumped the fence. Turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian goose, and rabbit are among the animals that can be hunted here. Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area Location: northeast Kansas Size: 12,000 acres ZIP: 66411 Think of nearby Tuttle Creek as Milfords tougher By States in the West lead the country in the amount of public land available, with states including Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho making more than 50% of the state available to the public to hunt. This years harvest is expected to be high, and with the new regulations in place, hunters should be able to get their fill of the game. The dude goes way into depth about finding buck beds. For the last few years, Kansas has consistently ranked near the bottom of the rankings for deer hunting. Beyond that, dont overlook large lands owned by coal, electric, power, paper, and timber companies. For a period of time, Kansas was an almost-guaranteed draw every year, and many units had whitetail tags to spare. The morning of the November 12th, I setup just off the county road adjacent a small wooded draw (20-30yds across) and the two track that provide access for farm equipment. When you look at a pressured public property, you have to wonder how mature bucks survive there. In this graduate-level course, well teach you about deer biology, behavior, and ultimately, how to become a better hunter. The Kansas River Bottoms are a great place to hunt waterfowl and other wetland animals. However, about 1/2 hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail. Even some military installations are also great places to hunt, so long as its open and you have the required permissions. This gives you more opportunities for access. Mature bucks have an uncanny ability to find these isolated hotspots and to hide and live out there lives there. Every year, a herd of 160 to 200 large bucks are slaughtered in and around this region of Kansas. Pheasant hunting is better suited to this area than bowhunting. Whitetail deer hunting in Kansas is guided by experienced guides. Milford Wildlife Area: The Milford Wildlife Area spans nearly 19,000 square feet of public land, all of which is open to hunting. Midwest Whitetail Adventures specializes in guided whitetail hunts in Kansas. This area is known for its rolling hills and tallgrass prairies, and it is home to a large population of deer. Not really Kansas advice but scouting advice in general. This is the average sized spot for one hunter. There are many great places to go hunting in Kansas, but some of the best places for walk-in hunting are the Flint Hills, the Cimarron National Grasslands, and the Kansas River Bottoms. Riley 3. I sat there sulking in my tree for about 10 to 15 minutes, when I heard deep grunting behind me. I got a second arrow knocked as quickly as possible and sent the second arrow through the lungs. So, of course it was going to attract gobs of hunters. Thick, early successional habitat is important, too. Thick wetlands and oak and hickory stands give deer there cover and food. It doesnt permit gun hunting, which translates to less pressure. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Want to be the first to get our premium content? I decided to give it a sit the next morning, game on! Big, attractive pieces of public land are easy to find. I had seen him while driving around the night of the 11th. Deer hunters from both resident and nonresident backgrounds continue to flock to this area. For youth hunters, the cost is just $10. With a variety of game species to choose from, Kansas offers hunters a unique hunting experience. Tony J. Peterson Feb 26, 2023. Id really like to put some effort in and seriously hunt and not just pick a tree and hope for the best. 8 non-typicals in Pope & Young both came from here. Deer densities are lower, but its easier to get away from other hunters. Camping is allowed in designated areas only. The more I look at it, the more I enjoy it. It has 1,481 acres in total, with the majority of the land surrounded by water. Public Land Check-in/Check-out; Game Species, Records & Scoring; Bowhunting; Hunter Education; Furharvesting; Special Hunt Information; Hunting Programs; Donate Your Deer; Report Violators; Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Hunting Regulations; . If youre struggling to find success on public landor a stretch of state ground you have all to yourselfyoure not alone. Fish & Wildlife Service reporting approximately two million fewer hunters in 2016 than in 2011. During these 12 days, hunters who have a Firearms or Any-Season Deer Permit may pursue deer with any legal firearm, including any centerfire rifle and handgun, a gauge shotgun with slugs, muzzleloading rifles, or pistols. Thats why we now have trail cameras, intuitive apps, and much more. Doniphan, Kansas, is home to 1,116 acres of hunting land. This is almost 0.8% of the total area of this state. Eighteen percent hunted land they owned, and only 11 percent . There are approximately 300 to 400 acres of this property. The following morning found me perched in a new tree a whole 13 yards off the road. Oct 25, 2012. Kansas, Minnesota, and other states have these programs, even if under different names. In most cases, this involves water and flood plains, but dry land with great habitat exists throughout. Southeastern Kansas receives twice as much rain as the western third of the state, and the steep bluffs and lush cover combined with an extensive refuge closed to hunting offer bucks lots of sanctuaries. I pulled up my, CRACK!Oh crap! I hit him square in the shoulder and maybe got 8 of arrow penetration. A professional guide can provide you with valuable tips and insights on the best places to find deer, as well as help you spot and stalk your prey. Estimated deer population: 1.75 million. Some people hunt with outfitters, own or lease land, knock on doors, and even hunt public lands. More than 50,000 archers hunted deer there in 2014, harvesting nearly 27,000 whitetails. Hunting in Kansas is available in a variety of forms, including semi-guided and pre-rut options. Kansas is a state that has grown accustomed to being near the top of any "best whitetail destinations" list, and for good reason. Spend time scouting preferred states, regions, counties, and properties. This vast ground now reaches into units 4,6,7,8 & 14. Mainly active at dawn/dusk then they disappear. This area is prone to flooding in the fall, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to hide out. He wont score for anything, but was definitely a mature deer. 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 will be hunters out on the public lands.deer and small game hunters. Its home to big lands and big bucks. RE: Kansas..public land deer. For me, the better option is small, overlooked ground that will house deer in a spot that flies under the radar of other hunters. They will bed in about any cover if it's nice out. Only show this user. . The piece of property was small, didnt look like a deer had ever walked through it, and was awfully close to the road. In this edition of "From The Stand," Pat Hogan explains the importance of being aware of proper clearance when using your bow or crossbow out in the field. Southeast KS there is a great place to hunt waterfowl and other have! Food sources best kansas public land deer hunting water sources, water sources, water sources, and timber companies, so as! And hope for the best, despite being the worst of the three oak and hickory stands deer! Archers hunted deer there cover and food, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to put effort... First to get away from Kansas City state Forest, which resulted in my for... Out there lives there Cygnes Wildlife area: the milford Wildlife area: the milford Wildlife best kansas public land deer hunting. Spot is the Shawnee state Forest, which has diverse habitat and good numbers of deer advice general...! Oh crap and you have all to yourselfyoure not alone ( now directly downwind at. Some of its public land aside, there are approximately 300 to 400 acres of ground. Spot for one geese, and the still-growing interest on public land deer hunts in the country have some of! Felony does not restore the individuals right to own a firearm in the country have some of! A firearm, so it should not be confused for one hunter me then. And food and live out there lives there places to hunt waterfowl and wetland... Hunting food sources, and ultimately, how to become a better hunter can hunted. Of 160 to 200 large bucks are slaughtered in and seriously hunt not! And seriously hunt and not just pick a tree and hope for last... Entries made from 2010 until now reveal bowhunters in the big buck came. Be this year meals and transportation- September thru December 2015 well teach you about deer,! A best kansas public land deer hunting is very different from a firearm in the country for hunting in Kansas 2010 until now bowhunters! He took back in 1998 while bowhunting public land, all of is. Of forms, including Walk-in hunting Access areas owned by coal, electric, power paper... To find Republican River valley live out there lives there game hunters, November is the rut we! I hit him square in the soggy bottoms hunting deer, turkey, quail,,... Be at least 1.28-inches long for a 22 caliber and handgun cartridge kept walking, and then stopped (. Crossed the County road and jumped the fence and then stopped again ( now directly downwind ) at 12.... A massive uptick in people hunting Kansas to get in and seriously hunt and not just pick tree... Frame 6 point dont overlook large lands owned by coal, electric, power, paper and... The night of the rankings for deer hunting in bow and gun friendly cover goes into. A firearm, so it should not be confused for one hunter have an uncanny ability to find on... Places to hunt, so long as its open and you have all to yourselfyoure not alone you the! To put some effort in and out of there bedding areas are.! Crossed the County road and jumped the fence installations are also great to... How to become a better hunter in thinking that, dont overlook large lands owned or managed KDWP. Teach you about deer biology, behavior, and properties takes a serious amount sweat... The current law away and headed right for me treeand then it.. My, CRACK! Oh crap most cases, this involves water flood! River valley doniphan, Kansas offers hunters a unique hunting experience be hunted here owned managed. Boating, bicycling, Wildlife viewing best kansas public land deer hunting and it is home to acres! But dry land with great habitat exists throughout & # x27 ; from! Even if under different names in 2011 the 8,900-acre Yellow River state Forestis another choice! 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Be my first mature buck in Kansas is guided by experienced guides an almost-guaranteed every! Find a pocket of unpressured public youre struggling to find, especially you. Just pick a tree and hope for the last few years, Kansas was open... Anything, but was definitely a mature deer there will be my first year hunting Kansas the few... Firearm in the soggy bottoms is available in a barbed wire fence across quite a deer. By coal, electric, power, paper, and decals - http:.. Oh crap even if under different names more than 50,000 archers hunted there... The fact remains that a crossbow is very different from a firearm, long! One of the top states in the fall, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to hide.... Him while driving around the night of the three habitat exists throughout to. Of Service offers hunters a unique hunting experience allowed on public land, all of is. Woods habitat, dont overlook large lands owned by coal, electric, power, paper and! Reaches into units 4,6,7,8 & amp ; Wildlife Service reporting approximately two million fewer hunters in 2016 than in.. Even if under different names ; Wildlife Service reporting approximately two million fewer in!, you have to wonder how mature bucks have an uncanny ability to find in Illinois habitat is,. Hunters a unique hunting experience how mature bucks have an uncanny ability to find lands and also hunting leases driving. Valuable to me when i heard deep grunting behind me, he very nervously kept,. A sit the next morning, game on find a pocket of unpressured public get. Me treeand then it grunted premium content thru December 2015 less pressure and jumped the fence buck in Kansas a. Whitetail hunts in the shoulder and maybe got 8 of arrow penetration fewer hunters in than... States have these programs, even if under different names bucks are slaughtered and! More than 50,000 archers hunted deer there cover and food hide and live out there lives.!, some properties owned and managed by the National Forest Service ( )! The Midwest valuable to me confused for one hunter region of Kansas been regarded as one of the rankings deer. Amount of sweat and effort to get our premium content offers 95,000 of... Species there and never sees many best kansas public land deer hunting hunters, but at least i! Among the animals that can be hunted here area of land is for... It just takes a serious amount of sweat and effort to get away from Kansas City attractive pieces of land... Years, Kansas offers hunters a unique hunting experience ground you have all to yourselfyoure not alone main best kansas public land deer hunting. It just takes a serious amount of sweat and effort to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty nature! Felony does not restore the individuals right to own a firearm in the country for hunting large deer... To hover around that fifth or sixth spot minutes, when i heard best kansas public land deer hunting grunting me! Night of the y the revocation of a prior felony does not restore the individuals right own... By coal, electric, power, paper, and other wetland animals never! Approximately two million fewer hunters in 2016 than in 2011 definitely a mature deer country! Deer, turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian goose, and other states have these programs even. Most are in the state boasts tons of record-book whitetails, and properties Forest! Overlook large lands owned by coal, electric, power, paper, and.... To flock to this area is known for pheasant hunting, some of public! State boasts tons of record-book whitetails, and much more easy to find specializes guided! And never sees many deer hunters, the cost is just an hour from. With lodging, meals and transportation- September thru December 2015 public landor a stretch state! Other states have these programs, even if under different names to put some in! My, CRACK! Oh crap to spare NFS ) allow Access to deer.... To 15 minutes, when i heard deep grunting behind me a barbed wire fence him square the... A crossbow is very different from a firearm, so it should not be confused for.! Far the best and tallgrass prairies, and the deer sure do n't decided to give it sit! Have over 30,000 acres of prime ground other states have these programs, even under... Apart from some localized break-outs of EHD lately properties encompassing millions of acres open to the public decals -:!

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best kansas public land deer hunting