As for specifics, check out Florida's Apalachicola WMA, Louisiana's Maurepas Swamp and more. Find the doe on the fields and where they are coming from, then hunt that corridor like others have stated. The hardest part of finding a public land honey-hole often comes down to being able to access it. Riley 3 is Riley 3. The clinton lake area is in what is called Deer Management Unit 19, (somewhat suburban) asare a lotpublic lake areas from the east state line to Topeka area. Here are things you should remember for your next public land deer hunt. It must be at least 1.28-inches long for a 22 caliber and handgun cartridge. 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. The law does not require a hunting license for people over the age of 75. Location: southeast Kansas Sandy beaches separate palmettos and oaks from the Atlantic. Spend time scouting preferred states, regions, counties, and properties. The island is accessible only by boat, which you must provide. Resident License: $84.50. This area is known for its rolling hills and tallgrass prairies, and it is home to a large population of deer. Theyre right in thinking that, especially if you can find a pocket of unpressured public. The Pine Island Wildlife Area is good, too. Publicly accessible lands are displayed in the Public Access Atlas That's remarkable considering how affordable it is to hunt there. The Fall River area used to be an awesome area to deer hunt. I had done a lot of e-scouting prior to the trip in preparation to find the best ground. 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. Fish & Wildlife Service reporting approximately two million fewer hunters in 2016 than in 2011. That 1400 acre area was saturated with hunters during the rut last year. 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. North central Kansas. Most bowhunters and some shotgun and muzzleloader hunters look to Iowa as an excellent place to chase trophy whitetails. Each hunting day includes one nights lodging and three meals. One guy sitting in the right place can disrupt the deer travel for everybody in the ravine above it. Archery, muzzleloading shotguns, shotguns, and rifles are all permitted during hunting. I let my bow down and looked behind me and saw a huge bodied buck with the goofiest rack. I got a second arrow knocked as quickly as possible and sent the second arrow through the lungs. Also, the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the southeast is a public-land whitetail haven. Most hunters dont think theyll find a big buck cruising a 5-acre stand of timber, and that plays to your advantage. The state of Kansas allows bow hunting for deer in the southwest. The 8,900-acre Yellow River State Forestis another solid choice. P&Y: Typical: 654 . Check out this Big Buck Profile segment from NAW TV: For updated deer-hunting rules and regulations, including information on seasons, bag limits and quotas, visit the KDWP website. Much like Ohio, Indiana was once a sleeper state, but is now becoming more mainstream. You dont need access to thousands, or even hundreds of acres to kill a good buck. Brad was hunting in Wabaunsee County when the largest deer he'd ever laid eyes on walking within bow range. Good! May 30, 2007. Finding properties with a percentage of the land in these programs is very helpful. In the past, it has always seemed to hover around that fifth or sixth spot. These grassland habitats are great for bedding and fawning cover. For youth hunters, the cost is just $10. Sick in Kansas..Again (Using OnX To Find Permission . Both places have great habitat that whitetails need to thrive. 000 95th Road , Piqua, KS, 66761, Woodson County. Read millions of eBooks and audiobooks on the web, iPad, iPhone and Android. Another prime choice is the Dillon Wildlife Area, which has diverse habitat and good numbers of deer. It is a man-made reservoir regarded by many hunters as a prime location for deer hunting. If you're looking for a big deer farm, covered in turkeys, with solid tillable income then you've found it here. ZIP: 66411, Think of nearby Tuttle Creek as Milfords tougher little brother. 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. This program has tall wheat or milo stubble and adjacent habitat. Wisconsin is known for giants. Generalities aside, here are some lands to consider in each state. Hunting areas are accessible through the Kansas Wildlife Improvement Area (WIHA). Oklahoma sells an annual, fiscal-year and 5-day license, so you have a choice depending on the length of your hunt. Hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and camping are all examples of activities that can be done on this land. My first public-land deer hunt in Kansas was almost a complete bust. Kansas, Minnesota, and other states have these programs, even if under different names. | Bow Hunting From The Ground | South Dakota 22 It just doesn't get any better than these two hunts: Tyler's KANSAS Giant 18 pt! I've had trail cameras soaking for most of the y. In the Lower Peninsula, the Allegan State Game Area offers more than 50,000 acres, and a rich history. Walking past others while theyre hunting, Using someone elses treestand (even when legal), NEW insulated fabric on the roof, walls and windows, Heavy-duty 300D quilted fabric with dimensional, quilted exterior for ultimate warmth, Black ShadowGuard coating eliminates shadows and silhouettes, NEW full-size walk-through door for easy entry and exit, 12 large windows (8 triangular, 4 vertical) 33% more than standard blinds, NEW Silent Slide windows and mesh for quick, easy adjustments, Unique pentagon footprint creates a unique silhouette with extra floor space, Premium carabiner and cam buckle rope ties for quick, secure tie-down, Reflective top hub pull strap improves blind visibility at night, Carry bag, ground stakes, high wind tie-down cords included. Augusta, KS. 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. Free shipping for many products! Another midwestern favorite is Missouri. If youre looking to add a little excitement to your next Kansas whitetail deer hunting trip, consider booking a guided hunt. Know where food sources, water sources, and bedding areas are located. I personally do not know how much pressure that area gets but I know around here the crop fields on public usually have a lot of pre set stands around them. Since I was using onX, the chore of finding another place to hunt was made easier. I used to love hunting one of these days, and its a lot of fun reminiscing about those days. [citation needed] It is also a subject of humor and urban legend. The southwestern region is good, and less pressured, too. Its home to big lands and big bucks. Better to keep the access no one else has than to ruin it by shooting a giant and never be allowed to hunt there again. Its a popular destination, especially the southeastern quarter of the state. 5. So I'm from Texas and this will be my first year hunting Kansas. Deer hunters are all about making things easier. 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. Its 8,100 acres of solid hunting. Nor do I know how or where they like to bed. This land spans 458 acres and is located in Sheridan County, Minnesota. The aerial above is 160 acres at 1/2 by 1/2 mile square. farm fields, and mountainous terrain. Just got to put boots on the ground and hours in the field. Deer-nado Public Land Chronicles: Texas Rut-Fest Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of our public land adventures and watch our intense product reviews! There is a non-refundable application fee of $27 when getting a whitetail deer permit. Adventure awaits. This area of land is suitable for hunting deer, turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian geese, and . I have a small amount of private land to hunt but like to explore the WIHA (walk in hunt areas). I sat there sulking in my tree for about 10 to 15 minutes, when I heard deep grunting behind me. At this point, I was just looking for a tree to hang my stand in. One great destination is the Mark Twain National Forest, which comprises more than 1.5 million acres. 293406215027182 Hunter Burkhardt, 27, a Jayhawk State native, has taken a plethora of deer with his bow, including three massive bucks from the Big OReilly class. It was exactly the kind of spot Ive had success hunting public at home in Tennesseesmall, overlooked pieces of property that draw and hold deer during the rut because every hunter in the county is trying to run an arrow through them. Then, he suddenly changed course and began to exit the two track towards the wooded draw. The crop info is going to be a solid help. The locals had the deer were surrounded. One buck and the doe were with Archery and the two others were with rifle. Hunting: How to Read the Land for Deer . Avoid obvious hotspots (others are already there). Taken in south-central Kansas, Kenny Fowler's 23-point monster buck is a spectacular whitetail that demonstrates the state's trophy potential. It was 15 yards away and headed right for me treeand then it grunted. On the largest scale, some properties owned and managed by the National Forest Service (NFS) allow access to deer hunting. CRACK!Oh crap! I hit him square in the shoulder and maybe got 8 of arrow penetration. Other programs are lesser known. So, of course it was going to attract gobs of hunters. Location. Those whove been to the Cornhusker State realize how good it is. I decided to give it a sit the next morning, game on! In northeastern Kansas, Tuttle Creek's 12,000 acres of walk-in hunting provide plenty of room to find mature whitetails. Many have produced dozens. This land spans 458 acres and is located in Sheridan County, Minnesota. It was around 6:05 a.m. when I completed the hang part of my hang and hunt. In Southeast KS there is a lot of reclaimed strip pit mined land. Hunt Whitetail Deer in Kansas. Mostly known for pheasant hunting, some big whitetails live here, too. Some of these are open to public hunting. I got a second. "The state also has many acres of tall grass and CRP fields [Conservation Reserve Program] that provide perfect fawning areas.". The brochure includes information on hunting seasons, regulations, and where to find aid stations near you. 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 . There will be hunters out on the public lands.deer and small game hunters. Every gate had at least one truck parked beside it. However, about 1/2 hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail. Focus on thick, early successional habitat. 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. To find success on public land you must think outside the box. Swampy, marsh areas are a good place to slip in on a buck, because most other hunters wont want to walk into these nasty locations. Classic or common unit 9 and 10 hunting land. Even if you've hunted the same farm for 20 years, look at it from a bird's perspective. Michigan Hunter Shoots 200-class Non-typical After Oversleeping That Morning, Oklahoma Hunter Shoots Target Buck That's Locked Up with Another Giant, Illinois Hunter Sprints to Close the Distance On 21-point Bedded Buck, A Look Back at No. Where the two track met the road, there was an open gate in a barbed wire fence. Several large state-owned public hunting properties and a handful of small ones are found in the western corner of the state. If you want to learn more about hunting in Kansas, keep an eye out for the most recent hunting information on the website. . Deer: Balancing Expectations for Small Properties, Get to Know Your Neighbors for Better Deer Herd Management, Big Buck Profile: Reid Crawford Kansas Buck, Choosing Correct Magnification for Rifle Scope, Big Buck Profile: Troy Metzger's East Illinois Giant. Few hunters consider it, but those who do discover pleasant surprises along timbered creek drains do so. There are a lot of public venues that are a mix of lakes and islands and large tracts of land. This area of land is suitable for hunting deer, turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian geese, and rabbits. The weather of this state is cold throughout the year. Ive hunted in 1 of every 2 places where Ive seen a deer greater than 8 inches long. 1,575. I hunt via ambush 95% of the time so calls/rattles are not part of my plan.. By that time of year they have transitioned off of beans/alfalfa fields into the milo, corn, and winter wheat fields (they will still hit the beans/alfalfa, but not like corn/milo). Most of the land in Kansas is privately owned. At 25 yards, he came to a complete stop. Well primarily hunt deer from stands, which are located in areas with a long history of producing large bucks at the right time. Halstead, KS. 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. In northeastern Kansas, Tuttle Creek's 12,000 acres of walk-in hunting provide plenty of room to find mature whitetails. Despite being located in the Midwest, it is still one of the best places in the country to hunt whitetails. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). Midwest Whitetail Adventures specializes in guided whitetail hunts in Kansas. Aside from Butler (129 entries), Barber (107), Comanche (87), Greenwood (74), and Sumner (73), all counties have had the most entries in history. Kansas is home to some of the best hunting in the country. These are deer hunts that we specialize in. This gives you more opportunities for access. Mulvane, KS. Hunt five full days and depart after breakfast on your sixth day. The deer eat anything but cotton, most crops will be out by Nov so focus on travel corridors. For those seeking action on that open-to-all-land, here are some of the public-land hunts available in each state. Greenwood is by far the best, despite being the worst of the three. Finally, I could make out a deer in the small draw to my left. Going to take a . Deer Hunting; Elk Hunting; Hunting Dogs; Predator Hunting; Small Game Hunting; . For those seeking an abundance of early successional habitat, consider Cedar Bend WMA. Despite the fact more than 95 percent of the state is privately owned, there are some good options for public bowhunting. Thats a bucket list deer for me. 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. That concluded a fun hunt, which resulted in my first mature buck in Kansas. This is an exciting time to be in the industry. In this edition of "Big Buck Profile," Gordon Whittington talks with young whitetail hunter Reid Crawford about his trophy buck taken in 2017. Id hate to waste 3-4 days sitting crops that they arent feeding in or going to. "I green score for a lot of guys who have no intention of entering their buck into the record books, so there are a lot more trophies taken than hunters realize.". 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. This is a much smaller area, but offers opportunity. 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). With public and private land options, as well as a variety of seasons and regulations, hunters can find the perfect hunting opportunity in Kansas. (Eric and Greg on Their TWO TX Whitetail, Eric's FIRST BUCK! Beyond that, dont overlook large lands owned by coal, electric, power, paper, and timber companies. Also, if that sliver of property is surrounded by good private-land habitat, has decent bedding cover, a food source, or a river bottom cutting through it, you should drop a pin because its likely bucks are using it. I could tell the deer were very close (inside of 50 yards), but I couldnt yet make any of them out. Oct 14, 2017. Hunter Burkhardt, 27, a Jayhawk State native, has taken a plethora of deer with his bow, including three massive bucks from the Big O'Reilly class. 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. For more information on P&Y bucks taken in Kansas and the rest of North America, check out pope-young.org. The Buckeye State keeps my social media newsfeeds as hot with big-buck pictures as draw states like Iowa and Kansas. 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. Hunting whitetails on on public land in Kansas is about as good as it gets for the chance at a legitimate trophy buck. The Kansas WIHA tracts are in my sights for next year. That said, those who want larger expanses of ground, consider the northern stretches of the state. . There are also a lot of WMAs. You can apply online here or by phone 620-672-0728. In the same boat but in 3 and 7. Roadkill cuisine is preparing and eating roadkill, animals hit by vehicles and found along roads.. 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. 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. K.C.'s Dramatic Biggest BUCK EVER! 100 Best Public-Land Hunts: Kansas. I haven't hunted that exact area, so not for sure what the main crops will be. Despite a slight increase in harvested land from the late 1990s, the harvest has declined since 2010. The 4,500-acre Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge (843-784-2468) has been hosting a unique bow-only deer hunt since 1947. We havent seen any 200-class deer in a couple of years, says Silovsky, but theyre here., Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area Deer. The Flint Hills region is also relatively remote, so hunters can enjoy a more pure hunting experience without a lot of human activity in the area. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Big lesson learned hereput prior years intel into play, no matter how dumb it might feel! 3. Tuttle Creek covers an area 12,000 acres located in the northeast of Kansas. All things considered, there are countless public lands throughout the Midwest that offer quality hunting opportunities. Ive killed quite a few over 130-140. I pulled up my binos to take in the the sight of a very symmetrical 140-150 class 10pt. D+DH In-Depth is our premium, comprehensive corner on Americas No. There is no definitive answer to this question, as the location of big bucks in Kansas can vary from year to year. But if I do get permission with the promise that Ill leave the buck alone, I will pass along any intel to the owner if I see big rubs, scrapes or the deer itself. As for specifics, the Marais Des Cygnes Wildlife Area is approximately 7,600 acres of prime ground. 6 and No. Republic county in Kansas is almost certainly the easiest terrain for bowhunters to navigate, with Nemaha and Johnson counties following. 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. Gordon Whittington talks with Steven Sprout about the trophy buck he took back in 1998 while bowhunting public land in Illinois. Regardless of the exact ownership, dig up as many of these locally-owned public lands as possible. You must also have an annual hunting license at a cost of $25. I also use a kayak or boat to slip into hard-to-reach places (and sometimes throw the bike in the boat if I need to go in further once Im ashore). Published Oct 24, 2007 5:44 PM EDT, Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area Even some military installations are also great places to hunt, so long as its open and you have the required permissions. Then, get out and start scouting. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In Kansas, the use of a 22-250 for deer hunting is legal, as long as the hunter follows the state's regulations. Deer densities are lower, but its easier to get away from other hunters. Kansas has a plethora of hunting opportunities, which is no surprise given the fact that the state is home to some of the best firearm manufacturers in the country, such as Winchester and Remington. For the last few years, Kansas has consistently ranked near the bottom of the rankings for deer hunting. I am lucky enough to have a farm in the family. Kansas has 300,000 acres of public land and more than 1 million acres of private land seasonally open to hunters. Because there are numerous private leases in Kansas, hunters looking for trophy Whitetail Deer have a lot of options when it comes to hunting. Kisiwa Hunt Club. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 223 works well for deer hunting in Kansas. Below is a list of the best overlooked hotspots that produced my best public land bucks. So Im from Texas and this will be my first year hunting Kansas. Big-Timber Hideouts. Three years ago that started to change. Other states in the region offer it, but on a lesser scale. Some of the best deer hunting in Kansas can be found in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the state. There is no definitive answer to the question of what the best public hunting land in Kansas is. It just takes a serious amount of sweat and effort to get in and out of there. It has 1,481 acres in total, with the majority of the land surrounded by water. Other public spots in Buffalo, Columbia, Dane, Polk, Sauk, Trempealeau, Waukesha, and Waupaca counties are usually productive as well. One Rifle to do it all Or a rifle for each occasion? After years of public hunting under my belt, I should have known better. He sold his first story to Field & Stream a few years later and has been contributing to the brand ever since. Turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian goose, and rabbit are among the animals that can be hunted here. Eighteen percent hunted land they owned, and only 11 percent . A permit, map, and brochure are required for residents, which cost $15 each. Public acres: 31,403,000. Trained as a high school English teacher and coach, Scott Bestul left that lucrative field to pursue anotheras a full-time freelance writer in 1990. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. They have a special early season. Within a few minutes, I heard two snort wheezes, approximately 150-200 yards away. Brian Butcher will become the first person to ever take a non-typical, non-typical deer in Kansas if he captures his 321 3/8 buck. Some people hunt with outfitters, own or lease land, knock on doors, and even hunt public lands. The Hunting Public. For example, some states offer third-party land trusts that are open to hunting. Gordon Whittington talks with 13-year-old Troy Metzger about the 2016 hunt that landed the young man a monster non-typical buck on this edition of Big Buck Profile. Jphunter noticed this year that out-of-state tags are increasing in number. Of course, CRP on its own isnt prime deer habitat, but these places can become important components of whitetail ranges. 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; . For me, the better option is small, overlooked ground that will house deer in a spot that flies under the radar of other hunters. Hunters throughout the nation dream of the Land of Oz. You are using an out of date browser. One of the reasons often cited for this loss is lack of access . Become a D+DH Insider for FREE! While those are more rural based, others are more urban and suburban. Nonetheless, the fact remains that a crossbow is very different from a firearm, so it should not be confused for one. Estimated deer population: 1.75 million. Kansas has a fantastic selection of whitetail deer hunting thanks to NCK Outfitter. 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. It might be known as the Sunflower State, but Kansas also grows monster bucks by the bushel. Known as the geographic center of the contiguous 48 states, Kansas' open windswept landscape is right in the heart of the Great Plains. Gordon Whittington heads north to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action. It has 1,481 acres in total, with the majority of the land surrounded by water. It would be extremely difficult to hunt near that point, but I would take into account both wind and thermal flow direction. I'm confident he's forgotten more about deer hunting than I'll ever know. I didnt have much hope of that doe attracting any bucks, since she still had her fawns. I am a deer hunting guide. He had a 4-point side, and the opposite side consisted of a 10-12 spike, with one point coming straight off the back of the spike. In most counties, there have been at least one P Many of the items were produced by a number of companies. 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. For example, there are numerous things you should never do on public lands. To make the situation more comical, I parked my truck less than 200 yards awayreal hardcore! Kansas has long had a reputation for growing monster bucks - and for good reason. 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. Two 3-day hunts usually happen here in October and December. Good binos have always been extremely valuable to me. Discuss deer hunting methods, how to catch them, and how to behave. 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. 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. This vast ground now reaches into units 4,6,7,8 & 14. Lol. The Land of Lincoln isnt quite as good as it once was, but its still Illinois. Many hunters pass those by, but at least where I've hunted in Kansas the deer sure don't. Whitetail Mule Deer [DVD] 2002 at the best online prices at eBay! The deer can be spotted here, but it will be difficult to harvest them. Missouri Hunting: In Missouri there are less public hunting lands so people move towards hunting lands to hunt their desired animals. To reserve your trip date and hunting lodge, a $400 deposit is required. Saddle Setups, Ground Hunting, Shot Placement on Deer by with a free trial. Tony J. Peterson Feb 26, 2023. In one survey conducted by Southwick Associates, researchers found 38 percent of respondents counted on family or friends to allow them to hunt, while 28 percent turned to public land. Some people may prefer to hunt in the eastern part of the state, where the deer population is denser, while others may prefer to hunt in the western part of the state, where the deer are larger on average. Kansas has a law that makes it illegal for someone convicted of a felony to possess a firearm or knife.