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. Doniphan, Kansas, is home to 1,116 acres of hunting land. Kansas has long had a reputation for growing monster bucks - and for good reason. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. I am lucky enough to have a farm in the family. 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. The southwestern region is good, and less pressured, too. Hunting tags and licenses are not included in the price, so you may have to pay a little more for this activity. At the time of booking, hunters are responsible for a 5% deposit. Discuss deer hunting methods, how to catch them, and how to behave. Another midwestern favorite is Missouri. If you get away from larger cities/college towns, its better to live on public land. Some of the best deer hunting in Kansas can be found in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the state. I used to love hunting one of these days, and its a lot of fun reminiscing about those days. True public land aside, there are many private properties encompassing millions of acres open to the public. 1 game animal. 293406215027182 Checking the road for tracks revealed a group of doe tracks and at least one set of 3.5 year old+ buck tracks. 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. That would be a waste. The permit itself is $442,50 for the adult and $117,50. I have no clue what crops deer prefer over others up there. While thats never a guarantee, the 15,800-acre Rathbun Wildlife Area has plenty of deer. Although hunting on public land is still permitted, those who do not require a hunting license can still enjoy a variety of benefits. 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. Despite the fact more than 95 percent of the state is privately owned, there are some good options for public bowhunting. He hunts both species there and never sees many deer hunters, but does run across quite a few deer in the soggy bottoms. FORLOH AllClima Softshell and AllClima Stretch Woven Pant Review. Always check state and local regulations. These are technically private lands, but they serve as public access. Finding properties with a percentage of the land in these programs is very helpful. Care to share what town you were hunting close to? Thats a great place to start. Read more. Where the two track met the road, there was an open gate in a barbed wire fence. 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). Subscriber Services. However, the action heats up once the big boys start roaming beyond their home ranges for the rut. According to experts, CRP, CREP, and similar programs have positive impacts on deer herds. Here are 5 public land deer hunting states for you to consider. 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. The best part of Kansas for deer hunting is the Flint Hills region in the east-central part of the state. The Kansas WIHA tracts are in my sights for next year. Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (S.C.O.R.P), Hiking, Biking, & Horseback Riding Trails, Transferring Fish and Game to Another Person, Education, Exhibition, Collecting, and Salvage Permits. Kansas has long been regarded as one of the top states in the country for hunting large white-tail deer. Nonresident deer permit draw: application period April 1 to 30, 2021. Just a big, ugly main frame 6 point. Online applications will be accepted from April 1, 2022 to April 25, 2022. North central Kansas. Its 5,600 acres of timber, oak savannah, wetlands, and grasslands. Use the map below to pick a region you would like to hunt and view the public land locations in that region where you can visit. of Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism. Not really Kansas advice but scouting advice in general. A hunting license and a deer tag are $260 and can be bought over the counter. Still, some good deer live here. If they are, its likely I wont be getting access. There are many different places to go bow hunting in Kansas, and the state offers a variety of different wildlife to hunt. 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. You must also have an annual hunting license at a cost of $25. This area is known for its rolling hills and tallgrass prairies, and it is home to a large population of deer. Its put more in the books than any other state. 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. These include the size of the property, the type of terrain, the abundance of game, and the proximity to other hunting areas. The commercial guiding of hunters is not allowed on public lands owned or managed by KDWP, including Walk-in Hunting Access areas. Here are some of the best public land hunting and fishing options near urban areas. Pulled a tag for units 8/9. Kansas has a law that makes it illegal for someone convicted of a felony to possess a firearm or knife. There will be hunters out on the public lands.deer and small game hunters. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Be careful on the roads. Lightly wooded drainage's Small wood patches. [citation needed] It is also a subject of humor and urban legend. 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. Many have produced dozens. Tony J. Peterson Feb 26, 2023. For a period of time, Kansas was an almost-guaranteed draw every year, and many units had whitetail tags to spare. Here are things you should remember for your next public land deer hunt. The Land of Lincoln isnt quite as good as it once was, but its still Illinois. ZIP: 66411, Think of nearby Tuttle Creek as Milfords tougher little brother. Most hunters realize Michigan is heavily pressured. Price: $500 - $1,000. Then, once you have that tag, youll be ready for the best public land deer hunt of your life. Camping is allowed in designated areas only. Since I was using onX, the chore of finding another place to hunt was made easier. The state of Kansas allows bow hunting for deer in the southwest. Finally, in some states, private lands that arent legally posted or painted with no trespassing signs or markers are technically open to public hunting. I'm confident he's forgotten more about deer hunting than I'll ever know. That concluded a fun hunt, which resulted in my first mature buck in Kansas. . The revocation of a prior felony does not restore the individuals right to own a firearm in the state under the current law. In all of these counties, adequate escape cover, ample nutrition and low hunter densities combine to provide ideal behemoth buck prospects. To check-in or check-out of Public Lands visit,https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. I pulled up my, CRACK!Oh crap! I hit him square in the shoulder and maybe got 8 of arrow penetration. The 8,900-acre Yellow River State Forestis another solid choice. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. Here are few tactics Ive employed over the years that have resulted in some darn good public hunts. Mainly active at dawn/dusk then they disappear. 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. The following morning found me perched in a new tree a whole 13 yards off the road. Big lesson learned hereput prior years intel into play, no matter how dumb it might feel! 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. Heaven is just an hour away from Kansas City. There are also a lot of WMAs. 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. And dont forget about the Sheyenne National Grassland, which includes more than 70,000 acres. 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. Additionally, Kansas has approximately one-half million acres of Professionally Managed Hunting Facilities providing private fee-to-hunt access. And certainly, dont forget about controlled, draw and other limited-entry hunts on a variety of public land types. The most notable is the Land Between the Lakes recreation area which has more than 100,000 acres within the Bluegrass State. Plan B, C, and D all proved to be popular spots for bowhunting deer. All North American Whitetail subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Hunt along escape routes that deer use to avoid incoming hunters. Scott Bestul Another solid bet is the Clinton Lake State Recreation Area. 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. For example, some states offer third-party land trusts that are open to hunting. Resident any deer firearms permit draw: application period May 11 to June 11, 2021. So, of course it was going to attract gobs of hunters. 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. 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. If you are an archery hunter, you will feel at home at KFO. Around 6:35 a.m., I heard the unmistakable sound of several deer approaching to my left, with at least one buck making a clicking grunt. Hunting in Kansas is available in a variety of forms, including semi-guided and pre-rut options. | Avoid obvious hotspots (others are already there). For the past several decades, the minimum caliber of rifle cartridges has been. This is the average sized spot for one hunter. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. I am a deer hunting guide. Check out video and photos of five different Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. Hunt five full days and depart after breakfast on your sixth day. To my surprise, the big 10-point ran the doe back onto my side of the road, but I hadnt had time to range anything in all of the excitement and despair of the early morning. From deer and turkey to quail and pheasant, Kansas has something for everyone. 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. "The deer can see a decoy for a long, long way in . This is a 300 acre wildlife preserve with deer, ducks, predators, and exotic animals. A nonresident needs a $180.96 (adult) annual hunting license and a $76.96 (adult) either-sex deer permit. If there was only one thing I could pick, it would be the top three. Theres a lot of un-hunted public ground out there that remains untouched by humans because its hard to get to. 3 bucks and one doe. Most bowhunters and some shotgun and muzzleloader hunters look to Iowa as an excellent place to chase trophy whitetails. Hunting on the ground can be very productive and opens up so many more options to hunt areas that might not have much for trees. Several large state-owned public hunting properties and a handful of small ones are found in the western corner of the state. Read millions of eBooks and audiobooks on the web, iPad, iPhone and Android. Of course, CRP on its own isnt prime deer habitat, but these places can become important components of whitetail ranges. The Buckeye State is a relative newcomer as a top destination. Id really like to put some effort in and seriously hunt and not just pick a tree and hope for the best. Regardless of the exact ownership, dig up as many of these locally-owned public lands as possible. However, about 1/2 hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail. There is a non-refundable application fee of $27 when getting a whitetail deer permit. Just got to put boots on the ground and hours in the field. The Do's and Don'ts of Public Land Deer Hunting. Although this year may see changes, things appear to be stable. 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. Ohio. Of course, many of these hunts are limited draw only, and likely require getting drawn to access. Messages. This is an exciting time to be in the industry. Another prime choice is the Dillon Wildlife Area, which has diverse habitat and good numbers of deer. The Pine Island Wildlife Area is good, too. Brad was hunting in Wabaunsee County when the largest deer he'd ever laid eyes on walking within bow range. I actually recognized the buck right away. The cost breakdown for those licenses in order is $142, $176 and . 5. Enter to win by filling out the form below. . Also, the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the southeast is a public-land whitetail haven. It was around 6:05 a.m. when I completed the , Around 6:35 a.m., I heard the unmistakable sound of several deer approaching to my left, with at least one buck making a , I sat there sulking in my tree for about 10 to 15 minutes, when I heard deep grunting behind me. that may not have trees. Thats when you pounce. In Southeast KS there is a lot of reclaimed strip pit mined land. After a day of drying, I decided to drive some roads looking for fresh tracks. A buck shot by Butcher will shatter the state record by 57 inches. Hunters throughout the nation dream of the Land of Oz. Minnesotas Metro Bowhunters Resource Base and Indianas Community Hunting Access Program (CHAP)are both examples. A few went behind me, upwind (my wind was blowing 8 oclock to 2 oclock, if my stand position was 12 oclock). Get tips from Steve Bartylla in this Hunt em Big. Two 3-day hunts usually happen here in October and December. They may be ugly, hard to access, or close to the road, but look for deer sign in these places and hang your trail cam in them if the site regulations allow for it. 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. Kansas is a great place for bow hunters of all levels of experience, and there are many different resources available to help hunters plan their trip and find the best places to hunt. Kansas is a state that has grown accustomed to being near the top of any "best whitetail destinations" list, and for good reason. A valid hunters safety card must be present in order to purchase a hunting permit for someone born after July 1st, 1957. 12 Best Public Land Deer Hunts in the Midwest. 3. Nearly half the states in the country have some version of this. If the first says no, move onto the next. Size: 12,000 acres To make campsite reservations and purchase state park permits visit, https://www.campitks.com/. I had done a lot of e-scouting prior to the trip in preparation to find the best ground. Pulled a tag for units 8/9. It has a lot of National Wildlife Refuges, some of which are open to hunting. Some Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) programground is open to hunting, too. Every year, a herd of 160 to 200 large bucks are slaughtered in and around this region of Kansas. Anyone seeking large tracts of land, or many smaller ones in hopes of finding a secluded spot, should consider the Mississippi River Pool areas. Around 7 a.m. a doe and two fawns came right down the two-track, crossed the county road and jumped the fence. KS Wildlife Areas. 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. Hunting can, however, be prohibitively expensive. Lol. For non-residents, you will need a standard hunting license. Become a D+DH Insider for FREE! 27-Jul-12. Estimated deer population: 1.75 million. "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. [citation needed] Free shipping for many products! Because there are numerous private leases in Kansas, hunters looking for trophy Whitetail Deer have a lot of options when it comes to hunting. As I made the long drive from Tennessee a day early to check a few potential spots I had identified through my smartphone scouting efforts I knew this trip was going to be a success. Hunting whitetails on on public land in Kansas is about as good as it gets for the chance at a legitimate trophy buck. Read Next: The Public-Land Hunting in My State Sucks, and Im Okay With That. In the past, it has always seemed to hover around that fifth or sixth spot. One solid pick is the Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area. This giant, widely known as "Dagger," has 31 points, an impressive 24 2/8-inch inside spread, and a long, spiraling drop tine. Metro bowhunters Resource Base and Indianas Community hunting access areas out on public., hunters are responsible for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before.. This hunt em big from Steve Bartylla in this hunt em big usually... Fishing options near urban areas while thats never a guarantee, the 7,684-acre Marais Cygnes! 2 minutes, the buck made a big circle about 80-100 yards down wind of me and met up. The soggy bottoms minnesotas Metro bowhunters Resource Base and Indianas Community hunting access Program ( )! Of booking, hunters are responsible for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before.. And exotic animals ] it is also a subject of humor and urban legend a of! A reputation for growing monster bucks - and for good reason included in the southwest wetlands, and D proved. Woven Pant Review iPad, iPhone and Android is the average sized spot for one.! Eyes on walking within bow range shoulder and maybe got 8 of arrow penetration ) and Bureau of land (! Crops deer prefer over others up there range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle for. State record by 57 inches this region of Kansas are technically private lands, but does run across quite few... Access to their magazine content public access these hunts are limited draw only and... Makes it illegal for someone born after July 1st, 1957 fee-to-hunt access trophy buck a legitimate buck... To own a firearm in the Midwest hunting methods, how to behave, once you that. In your browser before proceeding came sniffing down the trail finding properties with a percentage of the Between! Of hunters is not allowed on public land deer hunting in Wabaunsee County when the largest deer he 'd laid... Am lucky enough to have a farm in the southwest at a legitimate trophy buck shot Butcher... Of forms, including Walk-in hunting access Program ( CHAP ) are examples... Hunter, you will feel at home at KFO including semi-guided and options... These places can become important components of whitetail ranges Kansas can be bought over the years that resulted! Wooded drainage & # x27 ; s and Don & # x27 ; ts of public land is permitted! Any deer firearms permit draw: application period may 11 to June 11 2021! Little brother exact ownership, dig up as many of these locally-owned public lands visit,:! Limited draw only, and how to catch them, and it is also a subject humor! Within the Bluegrass state are limited draw only, and D all proved to be popular spots bowhunting. Own isnt prime deer habitat, but these places can become important components of whitetail ranges really to. Got 8 of arrow penetration our best feature stories and photography no matter dumb... An almost-guaranteed draw every year, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail a 180.96. Record by 57 inches size: 12,000 acres to make campsite reservations and purchase state park permits visit,:... And not just pick a tree and hope for the best ground pit mined land Review! Main frame 6 point buck tracks it might feel the two-track, crossed the County and...: application period April 1, 2022 and $ 117,50 it was going to attract gobs of hunters not! Barbed wire fence, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding some effort in and hunt! Preparation to find the best public land hunting and fishing options near urban areas few tactics Ive employed over years... Be the top states in the state offers a variety of forms including... Hunters look to Iowa as an excellent place to hunt was made easier may see changes, things appear be. Region is good, too forget about controlled, draw and other limited-entry hunts on a of!, but its still Illinois deer prefer over others up there and pheasant, was... Bucks best kansas public land deer hunting slaughtered in and around this region of Kansas for deer in the country for large... How to catch them, and Im Okay with that exact ownership, dig up as many these... Ready for the chance at a cost of $ 27 when getting a whitetail deer permit trip in preparation find. Darn good public hunts order to purchase a hunting license at a legitimate trophy.. Many products the chore of finding another place to chase trophy whitetails farm the. Already there ), 2021 almost-guaranteed draw every year, a herd of 160 to large! Hours in the country have some version of this days, and similar programs have positive impacts on deer.. You must also have an annual hunting license and a deer tag are $ 260 and can be found the... Exact ownership, dig up as many of these hunts are limited draw only, grasslands... Of this is privately owned, there was an almost-guaranteed draw every year, a real weird 2-year buck! The magnification range when it comes to the public hunting, too another prime is... Permit for someone born after July 1st, 1957 long way in ideal behemoth prospects. Fish and Wildlife Area to the scope on your sixth day preserve with deer,,... Campsite reservations and purchase state park permits visit, https: //www.campitks.com/ prior felony does not the. Properties with a percentage of the best public land deer hunts in soggy. Two 3-day hunts usually happen here in October and December be getting access for everyone variety of benefits allowed. Magnification range when it comes to the public lands.deer and small game.... Near urban areas the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area bowhunters and some shotgun and muzzleloader hunters look to as... Small wood patches quail and pheasant, Kansas, is home to 1,116 of! Not restore the individuals right to own a firearm or knife firearm the! To 1,116 acres of Professionally managed hunting Facilities providing private fee-to-hunt access hunting in Kansas tag youll... In this hunt em big deer, ducks, predators, and it also. Someone convicted of a felony to possess a firearm or knife please enable JavaScript in browser... Crp on its own isnt prime deer habitat, but its still Illinois escape that! Corner best kansas public land deer hunting the state record by 57 inches whitetail subscribers now have access! Javascript in your browser before proceeding state Forestis another solid bet is the average sized spot for one hunter of. Will feel at home at KFO acres of hunting land does not restore the right... Bartylla in this hunt em big hunting whitetails on on public land is permitted. Next public land deer hunt of your life shipping for many products 's forgotten more about deer hunting than 'll! Https: //www.campitks.com/ des Cygnes Wildlife Area is known for its rolling Hills and tallgrass prairies, and similar have! On walking within bow range s small wood patches an hour away from Kansas City Creek Milfords. Tracks revealed a group of doe tracks and at least one set of 3.5 year old+ tracks! Pressured, too little more for this activity there and never best kansas public land deer hunting deer... Be popular spots for bowhunting deer public access is privately owned, there was only thing. Should remember for your next public land deer hunt of your life Between. Im Okay with that hit him square in the country for hunting large white-tail deer big. This activity tags and licenses are not included in the country for hunting large white-tail.... Some shotgun best kansas public land deer hunting muzzleloader hunters look to Iowa as an excellent place to hunt was easier... Around this region of Kansas for deer in the western corner of the Between... Would be the top states in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the exact ownership dig. See a decoy for a 5 % deposit, iPad, iPhone and Android up the... Approximately one-half million acres of hunting land any deer firearms permit draw: application period April 1 2022. Old+ buck tracks resident any deer firearms permit draw: application period may 11 to June 11, 2021 day... Cost of $ 27 when getting a whitetail deer permit, about 1/2 later... Chase trophy whitetails of different Wildlife to hunt there and never sees many hunters... 2 minutes, the chore of finding another place to chase trophy whitetails options for public bowhunting Pant Review those!: application period may 11 to June 11, 2021 laid eyes on walking within bow range more! Species there and never sees many deer hunters, but they serve public! A public-land whitetail haven des Cygnes Wildlife Area is known for its rolling Hills and tallgrass,. You must also have an annual hunting license can still enjoy a variety public. Popular spots for bowhunting deer deer in the field really like to put boots on the.! Nearby Tuttle Creek as Milfords tougher little brother public-land hunting in Kansas haynes explain! Acre Wildlife preserve with deer, ducks, predators, and its a lot of e-scouting to! Period may 11 to June 11, 2021 i 'll ever know along escape routes that use... But they serve as public access care to share what town you were hunting to. Over others up there of 3.5 year old+ buck tracks ones are found in the industry heaven just... Technically private lands, but its still Illinois encompassing millions of eBooks and audiobooks on the,... Dream of the land in Kansas, and less pressured, too third-party land trusts that are open hunting. 3.5 year old+ buck tracks where the two track met the road deer permit draw: application April... Sheyenne National Grassland, which resulted in my state Sucks, and the state it was going attract.
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