But to him, its worth it, because he usually has the place to himself and sees a good amount of deer. To check-in or check-out of Public Lands visit,https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. The best part of Kansas for deer hunting is the Flint Hills region in the east-central part of the state. But there figures to be some tweaking. Thats why you typically find a parking lot full of pickup trucks when you show up at such locations. This is a 300 acre wildlife preserve with deer, ducks, predators, and exotic animals. I pulled up my binos to take in the the sight of a very symmetrical 140-150 class 10pt. If you're on the outside looking in, shed hunting appears to be a simple endeavor. Anyone seeking large tracts of land, or many smaller ones in hopes of finding a secluded spot, should consider the Mississippi River Pool areas. If you get away from larger cities/college towns, its better to live on public land. Lightly wooded drainage's Small wood patches. Hunt along escape routes that deer use to avoid incoming hunters. Look for WIHA with tree lines near crops. Archery, muzzleloading shotguns, shotguns, and rifles are all permitted during hunting. Big, attractive pieces of public land are easy to find. Hunting land in Kansas provide great facilities for hunters including well-furnished restrooms, toilets, fresh drinking water, security, tuck shops, and camp grounds. Check out video and photos of five different Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. In most cases, this involves water and flood plains, but dry land with great habitat exists throughout. There are many different places to go bow hunting in Kansas, and the state offers a variety of different wildlife to hunt. 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. Oct 25, 2012. 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. Every gate had at least one truck parked beside it. Crossbows are legal archery equipment in Kansas, so they can be used at any time of year. Size: 7,600 acres Both places have great habitat that whitetails need to thrive. Hunting tags and licenses are not included in the price, so you may have to pay a little more for this activity. Estimated deer population: 1.75 million. Those whove been to the Cornhusker State realize how good it is. Beyond that, dont overlook large lands owned by coal, electric, power, paper, and timber companies. The Land of Lincoln isnt quite as good as it once was, but its still Illinois. Although hunting on public land is still permitted, those who do not require a hunting license can still enjoy a variety of benefits. There are a lot of public venues that are a mix of lakes and islands and large tracts of land. Brochures and complete public lands regulations are available by phoning (620) 672-5911 or check ksoutdoors.com for each locations individual regulations. There's no disputing the wild west is king . In the same boat but in 3 and 7. 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. Big-Timber Hideouts. Landowners are more apt to give you the go-ahead if you have a new hunter in-tow or youre with your significant other. Despite being located in the Midwest, it is still one of the best places in the country to hunt whitetails. Roadside Hotspots. Discuss deer hunting methods, how to catch them, and how to behave. I am a deer hunting guide. 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. 11/5 - 11/21 I would find the doe bedding and buck travel routes between doe bedding areas. In the Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, and parts of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, have pretty swampy public, too. Kansas Clays & Arrows . The floodplain of the winding Marais des Cygnes River features some of the most extensive timber stands in this predominantly prairie state. Then, once you have that tag, youll be ready for the best public land deer hunt of your life. And certainly, dont forget about controlled, draw and other limited-entry hunts on a variety of public land types. 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. 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. Halstead, KS. 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. Its 8,100 acres of solid hunting. Midwest Whitetail Adventures specializes in guided whitetail hunts in Kansas. Well Known Rokslider. In addition to the variety of sand hill plum pastures, mature hedge rows, creek bottoms, agricultural fields, and CRP, we have a diverse range of habitat types on our 12,000 acres. To purchase your Kansas hunting and fishing licenses, permits and boat registrations visit, . Another solid bet is the Clinton Lake State Recreation Area. During the season, the obvious spots will have other hunters hanging out in treestands from one end of the property to the other. The total area available for hunting in this state is 2,525,000 acres which is almost 5.7% of the whole area of this state. Classic or common unit 9 and 10 hunting land. If you want to get your hunting skills to the next level, Kansas is the place to go. This is an exciting time to be in the industry. There is no definitive answer to this question, as the location of big bucks in Kansas can vary from year to year. The 8,900-acre Yellow River State Forestis another solid choice. The Open Fields and Waters Program provides financial incentives to private landowners willing to allow public, walk-in access for hunting, trapping and fishing. If the distance is too far to walk I ride in on a mountain bike or eBike. Deer Hunting; Elk Hunting; Hunting Dogs; Predator Hunting; Small Game Hunting; . If youre looking to add a little excitement to your next Kansas whitetail deer hunting trip, consider booking a guided hunt. Im always on the lookout for such spots. Read more. Sounds easy right? The Flint Hills region, in particular, is known for its large and healthy deer herd. 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. True public land aside, there are many private properties encompassing millions of acres open to the public. Taken in south-central Kansas, Kenny Fowler's 23-point monster buck is a spectacular whitetail that demonstrates the state's trophy potential. 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). As for specifics, check out Florida's Apalachicola WMA, Louisiana's Maurepas Swamp and more. Those 2 units are pretty big. 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. Pheasant hunting is better suited to this area than bowhunting. This area is known for its rolling hills and tallgrass prairies, and it is home to a large population of deer. 1. Toss in 60,000 acres of Walk-in Hunting Access (private land leased for public hunting by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks) in four adjacent counties, and youve got a whitetail wonderland. Location: northeast Kansas So I'm from Texas and this will be my first year hunting Kansas. 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. Thanks to everyone for the info. - Tuesday October 26, 2021 - Josh Honeycutt. Hunts are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Iowa - the corn state is one of the most sought-after states for hunting mature bucks, because the trophy potential is huge. Three years ago that started to change. It is a man-made reservoir regarded by many hunters as a prime location for deer hunting. 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. One solid pick is the Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area. In the hands of ethical hunters, the ability to kill game at long range is a skill we shouldn't dismiss so quickly. Even if you've hunted the same farm for 20 years, look at it from a bird's perspective. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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! 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. We have searched out the best properties in our area to ensure you a quality hunt. 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. 5 day semi - guided bow hunt with lodging, meals and transportation- September thru December 2015. Those who havent are missing out. The island is accessible only by boat, which you must provide. 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! Resident whitetail any season permit: purchase through Dec. 31, 2021. In this edition of "Big Buck Profile," Gordon Whittington talks with young whitetail hunter Reid Crawford about his trophy buck taken in 2017. Here are things you should remember for your next public land deer hunt. Oklahoma sells an annual, fiscal-year and 5-day license, so you have a choice depending on the length of your hunt. 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. Im scouting walk in areas now via google maps as well as some of the WMA areas. 1 location, I felt reassured this trip would result in the big buck I came all this way for. For example, some states offer third-party land trusts that are open to hunting. 13 in P&Y. For those seeking an abundance of early successional habitat, consider Cedar Bend WMA. Many hunters pass those by, but at least where I've hunted in Kansas the deer sure don't. Hunting ducks is a great way to enjoy this land. They are more often found in the places other hunters avoid. That would be a waste. In the spring, we look for White Gold the prized deer antlers that have survived another season. I used to love hunting one of these days, and its a lot of fun reminiscing about those days. Hunting food sources on public land.so, November is the rut as we all know. Some of these are open to public hunting. There are also a lot of WMAs. I looked behind my stand, across the county road, and caught sight of two bucks now chasing this doe, 80 yards from my location. Also, there are plenty of other destinations available. The counties with the most all-time entries include Butler (129), Barber (107), Comanche (87), Greenwood (74) and Sumner (73). Since the late 1990s and early 2000s, hunters have been flocking to midwestern states in pursuit of giant-bodied and -antlered deer. Subscriber Services. In northeastern Kansas, Tuttle Creek's 12,000 acres of walk-in hunting provide plenty of room to find mature whitetails. JavaScript is disabled. Also, the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the southeast is a public-land whitetail haven. 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. When compared to what Ive seen in the past, some areas have low deer populations, which means you must remain mentally engaged. Bethel Prairie Conservation Areais only 260 acres, but its archery and muzzleloader only. Want to be the first to get our premium content? Brad was hunting in Wabaunsee County when the largest deer he'd ever laid eyes on walking within bow range. Hunt five full days and depart after breakfast on your sixth day. Getty: twildlife. 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. Some Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) programground is open to hunting, too. 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. Now, to keep things short, here are the best public land for deer hunting in Kansas. Further southeastward, states have public county lands and forests. All things considered, there are countless public lands throughout the Midwest that offer quality hunting opportunities. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Thats when you pounce. The Buckeye State is a relative newcomer as a top destination. Oct 14, 2017. Conservation groups are hailing the decision as a significant win for public access. Despite a slight increase in harvested land from the late 1990s, the harvest has declined since 2010. This is a much smaller area, but offers opportunity. If they are, its likely I wont be getting access. 000 95th Road , Piqua, KS, 66761, Woodson County. Eighteen percent hunted land they owned, and only 11 percent . Best States Based on Public Land Availability. Few hunters consider it, but those who do discover pleasant surprises along timbered creek drains do so. Kansas. Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area is widely regarded as one of the best spots in the state to hunt trophy bucks! The weather of this state is cold throughout the year. Main thing is be mobile, Ive sat an area on one side of a creek on public and not seen more than a few doe pairs in a few days and decided to cross the creek at noon and had 3 bucks dogging a hot doe. The state of Kansas allows bow hunting for deer in the southwest. Hunting can be an excellent way to spend time outdoors and to connect with nature. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. Public land: 2 million acres, between state WMAs and federal areas. So Im from Texas and this will be my first year hunting Kansas. Also, the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the southeast is a public-land whitetail haven. The famous Rokslider Buck is looking for does. In terms of number of units, Geary ranks fourth. I got a second. 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 . They all had the same idea I hadspend the week chasing rutting bucks on public land. Good binos have always been extremely valuable to me. It has 1,481 acres in total, with the majority of the land surrounded by water. Focus on thick, early successional habitat. Always check state and local regulations. Spend time scouting preferred states, regions, counties, and properties. It might be known as the Sunflower State, but Kansas also grows monster bucks by the bushel. Kansas Whitetail Hunting Public Land. All hunters born between January 1, 1957 and March 1, 1959, are required to have a concealed hunter safety card. Become a D+DH Insider for FREE! 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. 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. I decided what the heck, Im going to arrow this freak!, so I drew back and touched off a shot at 23 yds. Avoid obvious hotspots (others are already there). Deer hunters from both resident and nonresident backgrounds continue to flock to this area. Published Oct 24, 2007 5:44 PM EDT, Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area RANCH FAIRY was RIGHT! Be sure and subscribe on YOUTUBE so you can experience all the action on film! The cost breakdown for those licenses in order is $142, $176 and . By some miracle, he didnt bolt after the arrow hit him. In northeastern Kansas, Tuttle Creek's 12,000 acres of walk-in hunting provide plenty of room to find mature whitetails. The dude goes way into depth about finding buck beds. 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. Its all about pressure on public land and if you can get to place where deer feel secure, youre apt to have more success. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. 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. 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. I didnt have much hope of that doe attracting any bucks, since she still had her fawns. 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. I headed back to camp feeling confident the next morning would be a good one. Location: southeast Kansas On the evening of November 12th, I relayed the mornings events to my hunting buddy, Joel. Preferred states, regions, counties, and timber companies swampy public too. 3 and 7 8,900-acre Yellow River state Forestis another solid bet is the place to bow... 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