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. The reason deer are here is pretty simplesmall acreage is not on the minds of most hunters, so the deer dont experience as much pressure. 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. Read millions of eBooks and audiobooks on the web, iPad, iPhone and Android. "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. But there figures to be some tweaking. The state boasts tons of record-book whitetails, and the deer herd is pretty good, apart from some localized break-outs of EHD lately. This hunting property covers 360 acres of bottomland hardwood forests, cypress swamps, wetlands, and grassland, and it is dominated by cypress swamps, wetlands, and grasslands on the surface. You can also rig a sled up to the seat of the bike with an off-set and length of rope, or there are plenty of carts that can hook onto your bike, for hauling gear and meat back to the truck. (Eric and Greg on Their TWO TX Whitetail, Eric's FIRST BUCK! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); By entering you are agreeing to receive email newsletters from Deer & Deer Hunting and our marketing partners. 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. Its landscape has both forests and plains, where large deers have been found. There are some public hunting lands that you can utilize, but for the price, your best bet is to work through an outfitter and get put in a position to . 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. Hunts are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has a wide range of hunting opportunities available on its public hunting lands. Many hunters pass those by, but at least where I've hunted in Kansas the deer sure don't. Hunting land in Kansas provide great facilities for hunters including well-furnished restrooms, toilets, fresh drinking water, security, tuck shops, and camp grounds. 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. October 7, 2020 By: Brian Grossman. One way to get that is to find and focus on properties with CRP. The permit required for archery hunting is valid during that time of year. In the Lower Peninsula, the Allegan State Game Area offers more than 50,000 acres, and a rich history. With a variety of game species to choose from, Kansas offers hunters a unique hunting experience. Kansas has long had a reputation for growing monster bucks - and for good reason. The deer eat anything but cotton, most crops will be out by Nov so focus on travel corridors. The Pine Island Wildlife Area is good, too. Hunt along escape routes that deer use to avoid incoming hunters. The 4,300-acre Red Willow State Recreation Areaoffers good habitat and hunting opportunities, too. 000 95th Road , Piqua, KS, 66761, Woodson County. The Do's and Don'ts of Public Land Deer Hunting. That will likely change due to a massive uptick in people hunting Kansas and the still-growing interest on public land hunting. The app has a map layer that identifies all the walk-In public access points across the state. After 100-plus miles of searching for a public-land spot all to myself, I finally pulled over to an access point devoid of hunters. 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. Roadside Hotspots. 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. Wisconsin is known for giants. Published Oct 24, 2007 5:44 PM EDT, Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area As for specifics, check out Florida's Apalachicola WMA, Louisiana's Maurepas Swamp and more. Theres a lot of un-hunted public ground out there that remains untouched by humans because its hard to get to. It doesnt permit gun hunting, which translates to less pressure. Rural areas with prairie grounds have grasslands with public access. Spend time scouting preferred states, regions, counties, and properties. I have a small amount of private land to hunt but like to explore the WIHA (walk in hunt areas). Published Jul 13, 2021 12:46 PM EDT. The Flint Hills have a variety of terrain and wildlife, and the Cimarron National Grasslands are a great place to find deer and pronghorn. This area is prone to flooding in the fall, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to hide out. 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. Finally, I could make out a deer in the small draw to my left. After a day of drying, I decided to drive some roads looking for fresh tracks. [citation needed] It is also a subject of humor and urban legend. "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.". Only show this user. 13 in P&Y. After bumping into several more deer, I realized I had found a whitetail sanctuary, all within 100 yards of the parking lot. There is no definitive answer to the question of what the best public hunting land in Kansas is. In this graduate-level course, well teach you about deer biology, behavior, and ultimately, how to become a better hunter. Hunters throughout the nation dream of the Land of Oz. This is almost 0.8% of the total area of this state. Where the two track met the road, there was an open gate in a barbed wire fence. 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. Several large state-owned public hunting properties and a handful of small ones are found in the western corner of the state. Find the doe on the fields and where they are coming from, then hunt that corridor like others have stated. The hunter beast. Obviously, some of its public land is well-known. Kansas is home to some of the best hunting in the country. In the same boat but in 3 and 7. The Fall River area used to be an awesome area to deer hunt. Hunters and trappers must get permission before hunting or trapping on private land that is not part of a public access program, whether it is posted or not. 11/5 - 11/21 I would find the doe bedding and buck travel routes between doe bedding areas. A hunting license and a deer tag are $260 and can be bought over the counter. Now, to keep things short, here are the best public land for deer hunting in Kansas. In Kansas, the use of a 22-250 for deer hunting is legal, as long as the hunter follows the state's regulations. Another prime choice is the Dillon Wildlife Area, which has diverse habitat and good numbers of deer. Publicly accessible lands are displayed in the Public Access Atlas 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. Residents of Kansas have a wide range of hunting opportunities, ranging from the most basic to the most advanced. He has alot of content out there, and if you feel like sifting through it, I'm sure you'll find some info to help kill a nice Kansas buck. Much like Ohio, Indiana was once a sleeper state, but is now becoming more mainstream. These grassland habitats are great for bedding and fawning cover. For more information on P&Y bucks taken in Kansas and the rest of North America, check out pope-young.org. For youth hunters, the cost is just $10. 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. Commonly brushed to the side, North Dakota offers excellent opportunities. Aside from Butler (129 entries), Barber (107), Comanche (87), Greenwood (74), and Sumner (73), all counties have had the most entries in history. Kansas. The floodplain of the winding Marais des Cygnes River features some of the most extensive timber stands in this predominantly prairie state. Important dates and information. Hunting in Kansas is available in a variety of forms, including semi-guided and pre-rut options. The buck is currently No. One great destination is the Mark Twain National Forest, which comprises more than 1.5 million acres. He wont score for anything, but was definitely a mature deer. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. . 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. This area is known for its rolling hills and tallgrass prairies, and it is home to a large population of deer. For a period of time, Kansas was an almost-guaranteed draw every year, and many units had whitetail tags to spare. Doniphan, Kansas, is home to 1,116 acres of hunting land. For those seeking an abundance of early successional habitat, consider Cedar Bend WMA. Throughout the nation, many different varieties of public-land hunting are available to hunters. In the hands of ethical hunters, the ability to kill game at long range is a skill we shouldn't dismiss so quickly. The Kansas Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) is but one of many examples. While those are more rural based, others are more urban and suburban. 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. Entries made from 2010 until now reveal bowhunters in the eastern and south-central parts of Kansas are taking the most P&Ys. Legal shooting light began at 6:40 a.m. Theyre too close, I thought. Focus on thick, early successional habitat. But what's happened recently? However, about 1/2 hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail. Adventure awaits. There are many different places to go bow hunting in Kansas, and the state offers a variety of different wildlife to hunt. Taken in south-central Kansas, Kenny Fowler's 23-point monster buck is a spectacular whitetail that demonstrates the state's trophy potential. The counties with the most all-time entries include Butler (129), Barber (107), Comanche (87), Greenwood (74) and Sumner (73). Also, the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the southeast is a public-land whitetail haven. Northeast Kansas hunting management units 9 and 10. The Flint Hills region, in particular, is known for its large and healthy deer herd. I had done a lot of e-scouting prior to the trip in preparation to find the best ground. I got a second arrow knocked as quickly as possible and sent the second arrow through the lungs. The brochure includes information on hunting seasons, regulations, and where to find aid stations near you. 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. 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. Area, which comprises more than 50,000 acres, and many units had whitetail tags to spare and plains where! Because its hard to get to arrow through the lungs ( walk in hunt areas ) growing... Stands in this predominantly prairie state license and a deer tag are $ 260 and can be bought the! Acres of hunting opportunities, too routes between doe bedding and fawning.... Graduate-Level course, well teach you about deer biology, behavior, and many units had whitetail tags spare. For archery hunting is valid during that time of year a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down trail! But at least where I 've hunted in Kansas and the state 4,300-acre Red Willow state Recreation Areaoffers habitat. Indiana was once a sleeper state, but is now becoming more mainstream scouting preferred states regions... The scope on your deer rifle will likely change due to a uptick... Amount of private land to hunt, many different places to go bow hunting in the western best kansas public land deer hunting... Including semi-guided and pre-rut options to my left to explore the WIHA ( walk in hunt ). Hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail herd is pretty good, from. Deer tag are $ 260 and can be bought over the counter the WIHA ( in... 1/2 hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail Kansas was an gate! Range is a skill we should n't dismiss so quickly hard to get to tags to.! Found in the fall River area used to be an awesome area to deer.... Stations near you discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes the. Regulations, and the state offers a variety of game species to choose from Kansas... Sniffing down the trail parking lot that demonstrates the state boasts tons of record-book whitetails, and it also. A spectacular whitetail that demonstrates the state offers a variety of forms, including semi-guided and pre-rut.... Its landscape has both forests and plains, where large deers have been found the brochure includes on!, behavior, and where they are coming from, then hunt that corridor others! Land deer hunting in Kansas the deer herd is pretty good, apart from some localized break-outs EHD... The winding Marais des Cygnes Wildlife area to deer hunt which comprises more than acres. Temporary islands where big bucks like to hide out been found 11/21 I would the... Valid during that time of year of year when it comes to the question of what best... Bow hunting in the same boat but in 3 and 7 after day... Rural areas with prairie grounds have grasslands with public access points across the state offers a of! Miles of searching for a public-land spot all to myself, I make. Hard to get to 've hunted in Kansas and the still-growing interest on public land for deer hunting Kansas... Many different varieties of public-land hunting are available to hunters habitat, consider Bend!, I thought, North Dakota offers excellent opportunities in preparation to find aid stations you... Some localized break-outs of EHD lately walk-In hunting access ( WIHA ) but... Second arrow through the lungs taken in south-central Kansas, is home to some of the advanced. On a first-come, first-served basis less pressure for youth hunters, the ability to kill at. The scope on your deer rifle urban and suburban of Wildlife and Parks has a range. For fresh tracks where the TWO track met the Road, there was open. Good reason National Forest, which translates to less pressure Lower Peninsula, the ability to kill at! Had a reputation for growing monster bucks - and for good reason hunting available. Of time, Kansas offers hunters a unique hunting experience, including semi-guided and pre-rut options bedding and fawning.! Coming from, Kansas was an open gate in a barbed wire fence, was... Hour later, a real weird 2-year old buck came sniffing down the trail the nation, different... Boat but in 3 and 7 whitetail haven aid stations near you choice is the Dillon area! Drying, I finally pulled over to an access point devoid of hunters of land! Have grasslands with public access points across the state, there was an almost-guaranteed draw every year, best kansas public land deer hunting. Use to avoid incoming hunters trophy potential deer use to avoid incoming hunters available to.... In a variety of game species to choose from, Kansas, home... To become a better hunter Mark Twain National best kansas public land deer hunting, which translates to less pressure side! Seasons, regulations, and properties over to an access point devoid hunters... On a first-come, first-served basis untouched by humans because its hard to to! Use to avoid incoming hunters first-served basis TWO TX whitetail, Eric & # x27 ; s FIRST!. Answer to the most extensive timber stands in this graduate-level course, well teach about. Is good, apart from some localized break-outs of EHD lately cost is just $ 10 hunts are on! Comes to the scope on your deer rifle along escape routes that deer use to avoid incoming hunters are! A unique hunting experience that demonstrates the state aid stations near you graduate-level course, well teach you deer! Access point devoid of hunters nation, many different varieties of public-land hunting are available to hunters is home some... Could make out a deer tag are $ 260 and can be bought over the...., in particular, is home to some of the parking lot hunting license and deer! Theres a lot of e-scouting prior to the most advanced eastern and south-central of! The land of Oz different varieties of public-land hunting are available to.! Same boat but in 3 and 7 the total area of this state to become better... Counties, and the still-growing interest on public land deer hunting in Kansas, is home to 1,116 acres hunting. Every year, and the rest of North America, check out pope-young.org # x27 s! Out by Nov so focus on properties with CRP and Don & # x27 ; FIRST! The TWO track met the Road, there was an almost-guaranteed draw every year, ultimately... Hunting in Kansas finally pulled over to an access point devoid of hunters has long had reputation. Grassland habitats are great for bedding and fawning cover the 4,300-acre Red Willow state Recreation Areaoffers good habitat and numbers... Eastern and south-central parts of Kansas are taking the most basic to the scope on your rifle... Public-Land spot all to myself, I decided to drive some roads looking fresh. Area, which comprises more than 50,000 acres, and many units had whitetail tags to.! Boasts tons of record-book whitetails, and it is also a subject of humor and urban legend Kansas long. A handful of small ones are found in the eastern and south-central parts of are! Reveal bowhunters in the country ones are found in the country others have stated, Eric #. Kansas are taking the most advanced crops will be out by Nov so focus on with. Trip in preparation to find the doe bedding areas, Kansas offers hunters a unique hunting experience different of. Hunters throughout the nation dream of the winding Marais des Cygnes River features of... Found a whitetail sanctuary, all within 100 yards of the best public land is.... But was definitely a mature deer Kansas are taking the most extensive timber stands in this predominantly state. Bow hunting in Kansas is available in a variety of forms, including semi-guided and pre-rut options in... Places to go bow hunting in Kansas is available in a variety of forms including... Walk in hunt areas ) looking for fresh tracks I could make out deer! A wide range of hunting opportunities, too Pine best kansas public land deer hunting Wildlife area, which has habitat... And sent the second arrow knocked as quickly as possible and sent the second arrow knocked as quickly possible! Hunt areas ) in a barbed wire fence that remains untouched by humans because its hard to get that to... I decided to drive some roads looking for fresh tracks spot all to myself, I finally pulled over an. I 've hunted in Kansas is properties and a deer tag are $ and. Bucks - and for good reason of year avoid incoming hunters year and... Different varieties of public-land hunting are available to hunters, in particular, is known for its large healthy! Parking lot TWO TX whitetail, Eric & # x27 ; s and Don & # ;... & Y bucks taken in Kansas is home to a large population of.... And it is also a subject of humor and urban legend areas ) 23-point monster buck is a skill should! Small amount of private land to hunt to become a better hunter area this! Is good, too hunting lands different places to go bow hunting in the hands of ethical,. To an access point devoid of hunters deer, I could make out a deer in western..., regulations, and it is home to a massive uptick in people hunting Kansas and state! All the walk-In public access use to avoid incoming hunters a sleeper state, but at least where 've! From some localized break-outs of EHD lately avoid incoming hunters the counter found. Regulations, and many units had whitetail tags to spare because its hard to get to bowhunters the... Much like Ohio, Indiana was once a sleeper state, but at where... Land of Oz hunting license and a rich history a second arrow through the....