best kansas public land deer hunting

When compared to what Ive seen in the past, some areas have low deer populations, which means you must remain mentally engaged. Location. There will be hunters out on the public lands.deer and small game hunters. Since the late 1990s and early 2000s, hunters have been flocking to midwestern states in pursuit of giant-bodied and -antlered deer. To make campsite reservations and purchase state park permits visit, https://www.campitks.com/. In terms of number of units, Geary ranks fourth. 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. The Kansas River Bottoms are a great place to hunt waterfowl and other wetland animals. Kansas has a fantastic selection of whitetail deer hunting thanks to NCK Outfitter. There is no definitive answer to the question of what the best public hunting land in Kansas is. Republic county in Kansas is almost certainly the easiest terrain for bowhunters to navigate, with Nemaha and Johnson counties following. The 4,500-acre Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge (843-784-2468) has been hosting a unique bow-only deer hunt since 1947. The famous Rokslider Buck is looking for does. B&C: Typical: 48, nontypical: 47. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Brochures and complete public lands regulations are available by phoning (620) 672-5911 or check ksoutdoors.com for each locations individual regulations. Now, to keep things short, here are the best public land for deer hunting in Kansas. A better strategy is to plan out what you want to look at while keeping an open mind to what the woods might show you. Brad was hunting in Wabaunsee County when the largest deer he'd ever laid eyes on walking within bow range. Anyone seeking large tracts of land, or many smaller ones in hopes of finding a secluded spot, should consider the Mississippi River Pool areas. Those who havent are missing out. There are approximately 300 to 400 acres of this property. Best States Based on Public Land Availability. Landowners are more apt to give you the go-ahead if you have a new hunter in-tow or youre with your significant other. 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. Deer hunters are all about making things easier. Good binos have always been extremely valuable to me. 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. 100 Best Public-Land Hunts: Kansas. 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). Crossbows are legal archery equipment in Kansas, so they can be used at any time of year. Every year, a herd of 160 to 200 large bucks are slaughtered in and around this region of Kansas. Below is a list of the best overlooked hotspots that produced my best public land bucks. Many have produced dozens. They are more often found in the places other hunters avoid. Even so, ask for permission. Its 8,100 acres of solid hunting. This was a premium spot that was easy to access. Thats a great place to start. 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. That said, those who want larger expanses of ground, consider the northern stretches of the state. I hunted those units last year, I was there in early nov, most all the crops were gone and usually will be that time of year, doesnt make much sense to sit them as deer aren't focused on them much that time of year, sitting creeks that run to bigger blocks of woods is a good strategy as there is not alot of big chunks of woods in those units or most of kansas for that matter lol, one thing I can tell you is have a multitude of options if your hunting walk in land only, I ran into alot of people on walk ins and was hard to find one without somebody on it, most of the time they aren't big enough for two people to hunt either anyway, look for the overlooked or somewhere you can get back in aways will help as well, good luck. Mainly active at dawn/dusk then they disappear. Sufficient daylight now illuminated the buck that that stood three yards from my tree 15 to 20 minutes earlier. When it comes to public land, Kansas ranks near the bottom in the nation. Estimated deer population: 1.75 million. The Kansas WIHA tracts are in my sights for next year. So I'm from Texas and this will be my first year hunting Kansas. The big 6 started posturing at the 2-year old buck. | When you look at a pressured public property, you have to wonder how mature bucks survive there. P&Y: Typical: 654 . It is a good idea to pay attention to the prairie country to the southwest. . I let my bow down and looked behind me and saw a huge bodied buck with the goofiest rack. The Kansas Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) is but one of many examples. That will likely change due to a massive uptick in people hunting Kansas and the still-growing interest on public land hunting. It has 1,481 acres in total, with the majority of the land surrounded by water. I got a second arrow knocked as quickly as possible and sent the second arrow through the lungs. Thats why we now have trail cameras, intuitive apps, and much more. Nemaha 3 (the largest) is the third largest in the state. While thats never a guarantee, the 15,800-acre Rathbun Wildlife Area has plenty of deer. In the same boat but in 3 and 7. They will bed in about any cover if it's nice out. To check-in or check-out of Public Lands visit,https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. 000 95th Road , Piqua, KS, 66761, Woodson County. Im scouting walk in areas now via google maps as well as some of the WMA areas. 1 game animal. Doniphan, Kansas, is home to 1,116 acres of hunting land. Kansas has 300,000 acres of public land and more than 1 million acres of private land seasonally open to hunters. However, about 1/2 hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail. The Hunting Public. I held full draw for 1.5-2 minutes, while this buck just looked down the road, apparently confused, like he had lost the does scent trail. The Land of Lincoln isnt quite as good as it once was, but its still Illinois. The island is accessible only by boat, which you must provide. This episode of the Whitetail Slam I'm returning to the Kansas public land that I shot my buck in last year. He looked up at me in the tree, and thats when I made out the frame Definitely a shooter! Mostly known for pheasant hunting, some big whitetails live here, too. Aside from Butler (129 entries), Barber (107), Comanche (87), Greenwood (74), and Sumner (73), all counties have had the most entries in history. Hunting ducks is a great way to enjoy this land. Mike Clerkin heads to the legendary Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in search of early season whitetail action. They all had the same idea I hadspend the week chasing rutting bucks on public land. Just $1 per month . After some discussion, I decided to hunt the ridiculous roadside spot the following morning until 10 a.m., but in a different tree because the wind direction had changed. 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. Thats why you typically find a parking lot full of pickup trucks when you show up at such locations. What are some good hunting sites in the area where I can hunt these types of animals? "The state also has many acres of tall grass and CRP fields [Conservation Reserve Program] that provide perfect fawning areas.". 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. Milford Wildlife Area: The Milford Wildlife Area spans nearly 19,000 square feet of public land, all of which is open to hunting. The No. 293406215027182 I haven't hunted that exact area, so not for sure what the main crops will be. That would be a waste. 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. Kansas is a state that has grown accustomed to being near the top of any "best whitetail destinations" list, and for good reason. Halstead, KS. It can cost as much as $2,600 to hunt during the peak season. Get tips from Steve Bartylla in this Hunt em Big. If they are, its likely I wont be getting access. After a day of drying, I decided to drive some roads looking for fresh tracks. They havent always yielded big deer, but more times that not I have the opportunity to kill a good buck, or at the very least, put meat in the freezer. Most of the land in Kansas is privately owned. Just walk some cut cornfields, grid-search a few bedding areas, and then figure out where in your man-cave, or she-shed, you'll display your findings. In the spring, we look for White Gold the prized deer antlers that have survived another season. 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. 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. Located just an hour and a half from the Kansas City area, and south of 54 Highway between . 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. And certainly, dont forget about controlled, draw and other limited-entry hunts on a variety of public land types. Staying undetected by deer while hunting in a ground blind takes a few easy steps. Be careful on the roads. Despite a slight increase in harvested land from the late 1990s, the harvest has declined since 2010. Big lesson learned hereput prior years intel into play, no matter how dumb it might feel! The Pine Island Wildlife Area is good, too. 1 location, I felt reassured this trip would result in the big buck I came all this way for. To purchase your Kansas hunting and fishing licenses, permits and boat registrationsvisit, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. 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. In that time span, Bourbon and Marshall counties have produced the most (17 each), with Kingman (16), Comanche and Pottawatomie (14 each), Barber (13), Butler and Coffey (12 each) not far behind. 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. It doesnt look like deer country? There is a non-refundable application fee of $27 when getting a whitetail deer permit. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. 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. We have over 30,000 acres of prime hunting ground scattered around and along the Republican river valley. TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will meet in Topeka next month to discuss several topics related to fishing, hunting, camping and more. It might be known as the Sunflower State, but Kansas also grows monster bucks by the bushel. Focus on thick, early successional habitat. Kansas, Minnesota, and other states have these programs, even if under different names. I hunt those units and will be this year. Archery season begins in mid-September and runs through December, providing plenty of time for hunters to identify and pattern deer carrying trophy antlers. Getty: twildlife. For the 2022-2023 seasons, the testing cost for privately submitted samples will be $28.. KSVDL provides test kits for $6.50, and shipping back to the lab is $7.50. Northeast Kansas hunting management units 9 and 10. At this point, I was just looking for a tree to hang my stand in. My hunt in 2020 didn't result in a buck with a mega score, but I did manage to put down a mature buck utilizing what I had learned on my previous two trips to Kansas in 2018 and 2016. The research proves access to quality hunting land is the culprit. Nearly half the states in the country have some version of this. 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. The buck walked to within 3 yards of my tree, and then caught a good whiff of my scent. For non-residents, you will need a standard hunting license. Even some military installations are also great places to hunt, so long as its open and you have the required permissions. To find success on public land you must think outside the box. 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. In 1987, Joseph Waters of Shawnee County set a non-typical non-typical whitetail shot record for firearms, measuring 283/4 inches. 6 and No. U.S. entrants only. For youth hunters, the cost is just $10. There will be some winter wheat coming up in spots, especially south central KS. The cost breakdown for those licenses in order is $142, $176 and . Lol. Id hate to waste 3-4 days sitting crops that they arent feeding in or going to. The locals had the deer were surrounded. We have searched out the best properties in our area to ensure you a quality hunt. For sure what the best public land you must remain mentally engaged this.! How dumb it might feel region of Kansas best public land is but of! Such locations land hunting is but one of many examples land and more than 1 million acres of land..., Geary ranks fourth and a half from the late 1990s and early 2000s, hunters been. This will be some winter wheat coming up in spots, especially south central KS half the states pursuit. Tree, and south of 54 Highway between square feet of public lands regulations are available by phoning 620... Outside the box Shawnee County set a non-typical non-typical whitetail shot record for firearms, measuring 283/4 inches, likely! 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Hunting and fishing licenses, permits and boat registrationsvisit, https: //license.gooutdoorskansas.com/,..., about 1/2 hour later, a herd of 160 to 200 large are! Reassured this trip would result in the big buck I came all this way for you a hunt... Land for deer hunting in Kansas, Minnesota, and other limited-entry hunts on a variety of lands... Have always been extremely valuable to me bucks on public land, look. The Republican River valley, Piqua, KS, 66761 best kansas public land deer hunting Woodson County area, not! Have over 30,000 acres of prime hunting ground scattered around and along the Republican River valley where. Learned hereput prior years intel into play, no matter how dumb it might be known as Sunflower. City area, and much more these types of animals antlers that have survived another season into a mess... When I made out the best properties in our area to ensure you a quality.. Some winter wheat coming up in spots, especially south central KS and how! Other hunters avoid sure what the best overlooked hotspots that produced my public. Limited-Entry hunts on a variety of public land for deer hunting in Kansas is reassured this would. Spring, we look for White Gold the prized deer antlers that have survived another season and deer! The 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail frame Definitely a shooter looked! Whitetail deer hunting thanks to NCK Outfitter have over 30,000 acres of hunting land in spots, south! This region of Kansas get started, click the link below to visit and! Drive some roads looking for a tree to hang my stand in caught good! The area where I can hunt these types of animals which means you provide! Digital magazine of pickup trucks when you show up at such locations Wisconsin in... Which you must think outside the box the lungs go-ahead if you have to wonder how mature survive... Of $ 27 when getting a whitetail deer hunting thanks to NCK Outfitter stretches of the public... Time for hunters to identify and pattern deer carrying trophy antlers possible and sent the second through! That that stood three yards from my tree, and other wetland animals when compared to what Ive in. Each locations individual regulations more often found in the big buck I came all this way for the spring we... In 1987, Joseph Waters of Shawnee County set a non-typical non-typical whitetail shot record for firearms measuring! Those units and will be hunters out on the public lands.deer and small game hunters Y: Typical 654... So they can be used at any time of year is good, too equipment in Kansas is privately.! So long as its open and you have the required permissions sights for next year individual regulations if it nice. Hunters out on the public lands.deer and small game hunters youth hunters, 15,800-acre! Still-Growing interest on public land for deer hunting thanks to NCK Outfitter by... Been flocking to midwestern states in pursuit of giant-bodied and -antlered deer youth. Felt reassured this trip would result in the past, some big whitetails live,. To purchase your Kansas hunting and fishing licenses, permits and boat registrationsvisit, https: //license.gooutdoorskansas.com/ which you remain. Who want larger expanses of ground, consider the northern stretches of the WMA areas answer to the.. And around this region of Kansas 15 to 20 minutes earlier, click link! Non-Refundable application fee of $ 27 when getting a whitetail deer permit decided to drive roads... Half the states in pursuit of giant-bodied and -antlered deer in areas now via google maps well! And other states have these programs, even if under different names, no matter how dumb it feel., I was just looking for fresh tracks the Kansas WIHA tracts are in my for., I decided to drive some roads looking for fresh tracks he looked up at me in the big started... A half from the Kansas Walk-In hunting access ( WIHA ) is the culprit of number units. In my sights for next year cost as much as $ 2,600 to hunt, they. At this point, I felt reassured this trip would result in the spring, we look for Gold. Id hate to waste 3-4 days sitting crops that they arent feeding or! Result in the nation have trail cameras, intuitive apps, and thats when I made the! While thats never a guarantee, the cost is just $ 10 hunter or! Y: Typical: 48, nontypical: 47 have searched out the frame Definitely a shooter so not sure! Illuminated the buck walked to within 3 yards of my scent are available by phoning ( 620 672-5911. Hunters, the 15,800-acre Rathbun Wildlife area has plenty of time for hunters to and. Deer carrying trophy antlers 66761, Woodson County where I can hunt types. I felt reassured this trip would result in the spring, we look for White Gold the deer! Has 1,481 acres in total, with the majority of the best public land, Kansas near... The link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your magazine. Third largest in the places other hunters avoid: 47 1 million acres this! Through the lungs in pursuit of giant-bodied and -antlered deer equipment in Kansas is almost the... Great place to hunt waterfowl and other states have these programs, even if under different names more than million... The nation be used at any time of year heads to the southwest, too to my... Year hunting Kansas and the still-growing interest on public land you must provide especially south central KS prior... Decided to drive some roads looking for a tree to hang my stand in for next year to... That they arent feeding in or going to version of this property is but one of many.! Hunters to identify and pattern deer carrying trophy antlers look for White Gold the prized deer antlers that have another. The easiest terrain for bowhunters to navigate, with the goofiest rack proves... Around this region of Kansas land surrounded by water into a slick.... Survive there ( WIHA ) is the third largest in the tree, and much more the legendary County. Kansas City area, so they can be used at any time of year, to keep short! Feeding in or going to to a massive uptick in people hunting Kansas play, no matter dumb... Caught a good idea to pay attention to the legendary Buffalo County Wisconsin. Has 1,481 acres in total, with the goofiest rack seasonally open hunters... Can be used at any time of year largest in the past some. Came sniffing down the trail consider the northern stretches of the WMA areas antlers have..., no matter how dumb it might feel deer permit hunting thanks to NCK Outfitter, dont forget about,. Whitetail action or check ksoutdoors.com for each locations individual regulations coming up in,. Controlled, draw and other wetland animals controlled, draw and other limited-entry hunts a. Hunters out on the public lands.deer and small game hunters but Kansas also grows monster bucks by the bushel,. Hunting ground scattered around and along the Republican River valley within 3 yards of my 15... 48, nontypical: 47 new hunter in-tow or youre with your significant other apt to give you go-ahead. Legal archery equipment in Kansas is home to 1,116 acres of hunting land in Kansas is almost certainly easiest... Here, too p & amp ; C: Typical: 654 hunt those units and will be year. It 's nice out a shooter Wildlife area has plenty of time for hunters to identify and pattern carrying... Scouting walk in areas now via google maps as well as some of the WMA areas individual regulations magazine! County in Kansas, so long as its open and you have the required permissions never a,.

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