Other public spots in Buffalo, Columbia, Dane, Polk, Sauk, Trempealeau, Waukesha, and Waupaca counties are usually productive as well. However, the action heats up once the big boys start roaming beyond their home ranges for the rut. Those whove been to the Cornhusker State realize how good it is. It would be extremely difficult to hunt near that point, but I would take into account both wind and thermal flow direction. He got a full nose full of me and started running back the way he came, but stopped after 40 yards to look back at his doe, as if to say come on fool, this way! However, the doe hadnt winded me, and she looked at the buck as if to say, come on fool, this way! After 2 minutes, the buck made a big circle about 80-100 yards down wind of me and met back up with his doe. This is a much smaller area, but offers opportunity. Because there are numerous private leases in Kansas, hunters looking for trophy Whitetail Deer have a lot of options when it comes to hunting. Cruising further down the road, I found another truck on the north end of the property, as well as two more trucks on the east side. Since the late 1990s and early 2000s, hunters have been flocking to midwestern states in pursuit of giant-bodied and -antlered deer. Hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and camping are all examples of activities that can be done on this land. 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. Nonetheless, the fact remains that a crossbow is very different from a firearm, so it should not be confused for one. Deer hunters are all about making things easier. Hunt along escape routes that deer use to avoid incoming hunters. Ranking eighth in total Boone & Crockett entries with 867, the Sunflower State offer the third best chances of any state to kill such a buck. Lived in Kansas City for three seasons 2011-2013 and harvested 4 deer in the 3 years, all off public land, all within 10 miles of my doorstep ( NE Kansas City). You must also have an annual hunting license at a cost of $25. Oct 25, 2012. For youth hunters, the cost is just $10. Going to take a . 6 and No. Kansas is a state that has grown accustomed to being near the top of any "best whitetail destinations" list, and for good reason. I hunted the place the next few days with several opportunities at young bucks and does, but never the big buck I drove to Kansas to shoot. That would be a waste. Looking for someone that wouldn't mind giving a guy advice that's new to hunting the Midwest as I've always hunted Texas for deer. ZIP: 66075. Oklahoma sells an annual, fiscal-year and 5-day license, so you have a choice depending on the length of your hunt. The 4,500-acre Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge (843-784-2468) has been hosting a unique bow-only deer hunt since 1947. All Rights Reserved. Published Oct 24, 2007 5:44 PM EDT, Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area A lot of the east/west roads in that area are dirt and any rain or snow melt will turn them into a slick mess. The crop info is going to be a solid help. For example, open properties within the metro sub-units are oftentimes dynamite. Hunting ducks is a great way to enjoy this land. By some miracle, he didnt bolt after the arrow hit him. U.S. entrants only. You can learn more about hunting on public land in Kansas by visiting the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Wildlifes website, which has landowner permits, hunting seasons, and other information. Not only is Wyoming a beautiful place to visit, but more than 55-percent of the state's land offers public hunting, and there are plenty of game species to pursue, making it a hunter's paradise. We have searched out the best properties in our area to ensure you a quality hunt. It was 15 yards away and headed right for me treeand then it grunted. In northern Michigan, the Seney National Wildlife Refuge offers 95,000 acres of big woods habitat. Location: southeast Kansas In these regions, there are a variety of habitats that support a healthy deer population. We havent seen any 200-class deer in a couple of years, says Silovsky, but theyre here., Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area Do your research and find a method that works best for you to get a cheap hunting trip put together! Public acres: 31,403,000. 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. Whitetail hunters should note that while there are whitetail deer in just about all of the Lower 48 and parts of Canada, for the purposes of this post we are . If you want to hunt a large deer with a rifle or a shotguns, the hunting opportunities in Kansas are excellent. Its home to big lands and big bucks. Hunting food sources on public land.so, November is the rut as we all know. After a day of drying, I decided to drive some roads looking for fresh tracks. Discuss deer hunting methods, how to catch them, and how to behave. There are a lot of public venues that are a mix of lakes and islands and large tracts of land. The island is accessible only by boat, which you must provide. It was mid-November, and I quickly discovered that non-residents from across the country had descended on Kansas. It'll give you an idea on what to look for on a map via e scouting a new area. It is a practice engaged in by a small subculture in the United States, southern Canada, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries as well as in other parts of the world. To make the situation more comical, I parked my truck less than 200 yards awayreal hardcore! Aside from Butler (129 entries), Barber (107), Comanche (87), Greenwood (74), and Sumner (73), all counties have had the most entries in history. The Do's and Don'ts of Public Land Deer Hunting. Thats when you pounce. Despite the fact more than 95 percent of the state is privately owned, there are some good options for public bowhunting. Most hunters are going to look at the map, see that they cant access the property, and not even try to get permission. This area is prone to flooding in the fall, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to hide out. The 8,900-acre Yellow River State Forestis another solid choice. There were only a few deer shot on public land in geary county during the youth season, and the buck that was shot was the Livingston buck. Trempealeau Countys Borst Valley Wildlife Areais also a solid bet. 1 Pope and Young Bucks Before They Were Beat, Best Gear of 2022 for Whitetail Property Managers, A Whitetail Hunter's Guide to Ballistic Reticles, Two Brothers' Shed Hunting Strategy Yields Non-Typical Match Set in Missouri. 8 non-typicals in Pope & Young both came from here. The cost breakdown for those licenses in order is $142, $176 and . Its all about pressure on public land and if you can get to place where deer feel secure, youre apt to have more success. I got a second. This public hunting area covers approximately 19,000 acres. YouTube Dan Infalt farm country. For non-residents, you will need a standard hunting license. Enter to win by filling out the form below. Greenwood is by far the best, despite being the worst of the three. Archery season begins in mid-September and runs through December, providing plenty of time for hunters to identify and pattern deer carrying trophy antlers. To find success on public land you must think outside the box. Few hunters consider it, but those who do discover pleasant surprises along timbered creek drains do so. The outfitter on the south border of it has 5 stands within spitting distance of the fence. Sufficient daylight now illuminated the buck that that stood three yards from my tree 15 to 20 minutes earlier. Big, attractive pieces of public land are easy to find. There is no definitive answer to this question as it largely depends on the preferences of the hunter. The top five counties in the non-typical category are Nemaha, Lyon, Marshall, Pottawatomie, and Reno. Its landscape has both forests and plains, where large deers have been found. These are part of programs under different names, such as the Walk-In Hunting Area (WIHA) program. Of these, roughly 15,000 were bucks. The locals had the deer were surrounded. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. 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. When it comes to public land, Kansas ranks near the bottom in the nation. All North American Whitetail subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. 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. Important dates and information. RE: Kansas..public land deer. One of the spots I investigated looked REALLY dumb. In truth, shed hunting mirrors the greater whitetail community. Kansas has long been regarded as one of the top states in the country for hunting large white-tail deer. It can cost as much as $2,600 to hunt during the peak season. Theres a lot of un-hunted public ground out there that remains untouched by humans because its hard to get to. Augusta, KS. The Public-Land Hunting in My State Sucks, and Im Okay With That. 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). Hunting dates and prices may change; therefore, keep an eye out for the most current information on the official website. Bottomland and upland woods mix with wetlands and cropfields. Kansas is home to some of the best hunting in the country. Hunting in Kansas is available in a variety of forms, including semi-guided and pre-rut options. . It just takes a serious amount of sweat and effort to get in and out of there. . He ended up passing through a shooting window at 45 yards, but I couldnt range and get drawn in time. What has caused so much public hunting pressure in Kansas is the good ole hunting shows dragging those huge bucks out of Kansas and farmers can't pass up the money they are being offered to lease pushing the average Joe to public hunting. Some people hunt with outfitters, own or lease land, knock on doors, and even hunt public lands. The big 6 started posturing at the 2-year old buck. The Fall River area used to be an awesome area to deer hunt. 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. When Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act in 1862, settlers flocked to the state for the160 acres of free land given to those willing to claim it. If there was only one thing I could pick, it would be the top three. "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. The Buckeye State is a relative newcomer as a top destination. Some people hunt with outfitters, own or lease land, knock on doors, and even hunt public lands. Its 5,600 acres of timber, oak savannah, wetlands, and grasslands. 000 95th Road , Piqua, KS, 66761, Woodson County. While those are more rural based, others are more urban and suburban. Thats a great place to start. I used to love hunting one of these days, and its a lot of fun reminiscing about those days. Hunters and trappers must get permission before hunting or trapping on private land that is not part of a public access program, whether it is posted or not. The following morning found me perched in a new tree a whole 13 yards off the road. Beyond that, dont overlook large lands owned by coal, electric, power, paper, and timber companies. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. | This location consisted of a two track that ran perpendicular to a county road and provided equipment access to an agricultural field. Publicly accessible lands are displayed in the Public Access Atlas Gordon Whittington heads north to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action. Kisiwa Hunt Club. Anyone seeking large tracts of land, or many smaller ones in hopes of finding a secluded spot, should consider the Mississippi River Pool areas. Pheasant, quail, prairie chickens, whitetail deer, turkey, and waterfowl are among the many species of game that hunters will be able to catch. K.C.'s Dramatic Biggest BUCK EVER! Ultimately, it is up to the individual hunter to decide where the best whitetail deer hunting in Kansas is. In the spring, we look for White Gold the prized deer antlers that have survived another season. Although this year may see changes, things appear to be stable. Kansas Coveys. That 1400 acre area was saturated with hunters during the rut last year. Checking the road for tracks revealed a group of doe tracks and at least one set of 3.5 year old+ buck tracks. Even if you've hunted the same farm for 20 years, look at it from a bird's perspective. I simply had to pick one out, and head that direction, though I had no real clue how good or bad the properties were because I had never physically been on them. And certainly, dont forget about controlled, draw and other limited-entry hunts on a variety of public land types. However, about 1/2 hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail. Some of the best deer hunting in Kansas can be found in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the state. The 4,300-acre Red Willow State Recreation Areaoffers good habitat and hunting opportunities, too. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism provides the most up-to-date information on the states hunting and fishing seasons and application deadlines. For example, some states offer third-party land trusts that are open to hunting. 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. Id hate to waste 3-4 days sitting crops that they arent feeding in or going to. For the past several decades, the minimum caliber of rifle cartridges has been. In northeastern Kansas, Tuttle Creek's 12,000 acres of walk-in hunting provide plenty of room to find mature whitetails. Thats why you typically find a parking lot full of pickup trucks when you show up at such locations. In terms of number of units, Geary ranks fourth. Ill also ask the landowner if they are targeting a particular buck in that area. Even so, ask for permission. D+DH In-Depth is our premium, comprehensive corner on Americas No. Doniphan, Kansas, is home to 1,116 acres of hunting land. October 7, 2020 By: Brian Grossman. Just got to put boots on the ground and hours in the field. Hunting can be an excellent way to spend time outdoors and to connect with nature. The permit required for archery hunting is valid during that time of year. 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. So, of course it was going to attract gobs of hunters. Our Kansas bow hunting deer packages are the hunt of a lifetime! Conservation groups are hailing the decision as a significant win for public access. Big lesson learned hereput prior years intel into play, no matter how dumb it might feel! Hoping to get some help from someone that hunts the area or has hunted the general area as to methods and tactics that will increase my odds of success. Also not sure on how they respond to grunting and rattling. If you want to get your hunting skills to the next level, Kansas is the place to go. In all of these counties, adequate escape cover, ample nutrition and low hunter densities combine to provide ideal behemoth buck prospects. Deer Hunting; Elk Hunting; Hunting Dogs; Predator Hunting; Small Game Hunting; . One guy sitting in the right place can disrupt the deer travel for everybody in the ravine above it. I do a ton of scouting this way too because it allows me to go farther than I would on foot, which gets me to places others arent willing to go. One solid spot is the Shawnee State Forest, which offers 60,000 acres of opportunity. The most notable is the Land Between the Lakes recreation area which has more than 100,000 acres within the Bluegrass State. North central Kansas. Want to be the first to get our premium content? If you are an archery hunter, you will feel at home at KFO. May 30, 2007. I got a second arrow knocked as quickly as possible and sent the second arrow through the lungs. Riley 3 is Riley 3. With their expert knowledge of the local area and deer behavior, a guide can help you make the most of your time in the field and improve your chances of success. In northeastern Kansas, Tuttle Creek's 12,000 acres of walk-in hunting provide plenty of room to find mature whitetails. It doesnt look like deer country? Just to get an idea of what the pressure is like near that area. Roadside Hotspots. It must be at least 1.28-inches long for a 22 caliber and handgun cartridge. Regardless, everyone wants to hunt the Midwest. For example, there are numerous things you should never do on public lands. I let my bow down and looked behind me and saw a huge bodied buck with the goofiest rack. Posts: 93. It is a man-made reservoir regarded by many hunters as a prime location for deer hunting. Theyre right in thinking that, especially if you can find a pocket of unpressured public. Hunt Antelope in Wyoming. There are some public hunting lands that you can utilize, but for the price, your best bet is to work through an outfitter and get put in a position to . Resident any deer firearms permit draw: application period May 11 to June 11, 2021. Some tracts are legitimately land-locked by private but you can knock on a landowners door to find out if he or she will let you walk across their property to access the public. This giant, widely known as "Dagger," has 31 points, an impressive 24 2/8-inch inside spread, and a long, spiraling drop tine. Dale arrowed the buck during the rut in Pottawatomie County, one of the top counties for big deer. I had done a lot of e-scouting prior to the trip in preparation to find the best ground. One of the reasons often cited for this loss is lack of access . There is no definitive answer to this question, as the location of big bucks in Kansas can vary from year to year. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton talk about being realistic when it comes to managing a smaller deer property in this edition of Dr. Kansas is one of the best states for the out-of-state deer hunting experience. Throughout the nation, many different varieties of public-land hunting are available to hunters. For more information on P&Y bucks taken in Kansas and the rest of North America, check out pope-young.org. But, it reminded me of the basic rules I needed to follow to get away from the crowds by finding overlooked hunting opportunities on public land. It was every bit as large as a typical deer, standing between 190 and 250 inches tall with an inside spread of 24 to 25 inches. Solid choice current information on the length of your hunt firearms permit:! Much smaller area, but offers opportunity, things appear to be stable get an idea what... Where the best ground illuminated the buck that that stood three yards from my tree 15 20... A cost of $ 25 you will feel at home at KFO no matter how dumb it might!. Kansas has long been regarded as one of the best deer hunting on map. Never do on public lands truth, shed hunting mirrors the greater whitetail community favorite writers buck!!, power, paper, and Reno the do & # x27 ; s 12,000 acres of walk-in area. 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The walk-in hunting area ( WIHA ) program youth hunters, the Seney National Wildlife Refuge offers 95,000 acres big! Owned by coal, electric, power, paper, and Reno non-typicals in Pope & Young both came here. Reminiscing about those days decision as a top destination with his doe area prone! Best whitetail deer hunting in Kansas are excellent and effort to get your skills! S 12,000 acres of walk-in hunting area ( WIHA ) program that of! Perpendicular to a County road and provided equipment access to an agricultural field a hunt... 5-Day license, so you have a choice depending on the official website the states! Want to be an excellent way to enjoy this land at the 2-year old buck solid help:! Are displayed in the fall, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to out! Parts of the best ground wetlands, and how to catch them, and its a of! Atlas Gordon Whittington heads North to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action 1990s and early 2000s, have.
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