Whitetail honey-holes on public land are rarely clearly defined. The Wildlife Area surrounds Milford Reservoir, a large, man-made lake, populated by native wetlands plants. I sat there sulking in my tree for about 10 to 15 minutes, when I heard deep grunting behind me. Stay warm this winter and extend your hunts in a new thermal blind fromAmeristep! I would expect food sources to be hit by the deer very late day and very early to some degree but mostly at night. Most of what Im looking at is farm land type areas with creeks that border or run through it. 13 in P&Y. 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. Below is a list of the best overlooked hotspots that produced my best public land bucks. Of course, CRP on its own isnt prime deer habitat, but these places can become important components of whitetail ranges. 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. CRACK!Oh crap! I hit him square in the shoulder and maybe got 8 of arrow penetration. To check-in or check-out of Public Lands visit,https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. Several large state-owned public hunting properties and a handful of small ones are found in the western corner of the state. 1 necessity for a good public-land deer hunt is minimal pressure. Lightly wooded drainage's Small wood patches. Bucks used this area in daylight two years ago, and spot checking the road for tracks showed at least one decent buck had crossed the road there in the last 24 hours. The deer eat anything but cotton, most crops will be out by Nov so focus on travel corridors. Just got to put boots on the ground and hours in the field. 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. Still, it doesnt see the hunting pressure many midwestern states do. Here are things you should remember for your next public land deer hunt. Well Known Rokslider. North central Kansas. It was mid-November, and I quickly discovered that non-residents from across the country had descended on Kansas. There are also a lot of WMAs. Its put more in the books than any other state. Hunting in Kansas is available in a variety of forms, including semi-guided and pre-rut options. E243:Hunting Q & A (Deer Hunting Questions, DIY Elk Answers, Best Pack, Broadhead Discussion, Property Management, Public . I am a deer hunting guide. Getting a nonresident hunting license will set you back $97,50 for the adult and for 15 and younger $42,50. 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. Roadside Hotspots. Hunt along escape routes that deer use to avoid incoming hunters. 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. The hardest part of finding a public land honey-hole often comes down to being able to access it. Most hunters realize Michigan is heavily pressured. For those seeking an abundance of early successional habitat, consider Cedar Bend WMA. Stan Potts doubles down in Montana and Wyoming. Thick, early successional habitat is important, too. 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. 12 Best Public Land Deer Hunts in the Midwest. These are deer hunts that we specialize in. This hunting land in Mitchell County totals 13,200 acres. 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. 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. The Buckeye State keeps my social media newsfeeds as hot with big-buck pictures as draw states like Iowa and Kansas. Still, some good deer live here. Around 7 a.m. a doe and two fawns came right down the two-track, crossed the county road and jumped the fence. 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. Posts: 93. But, it reminded me of the basic rules I needed to follow to get away from the crowds by finding overlooked hunting opportunities on public land. Of these, roughly 15,000 were bucks. 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. We havent seen any 200-class deer in a couple of years, says Silovsky, but theyre here., Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. Thick wetlands and oak and hickory stands give deer there cover and food. The Do's and Don'ts of Public Land Deer Hunting. Sounds easy right? Thanks to everyone for the info. To purchase your Kansas hunting and fishing licenses, permits and boat registrations visit, . 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. 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. In some cases, it even increases browse availability. Publicly accessible lands are displayed in the Public Access Atlas I walked 50 yards from the barn and jumped a deer from its bed. "Decoys can be your best friend when hunting western Kansas," Farris said. Nor do I know how or where they like to bed. At this point, I still cant make out the headgear, and I was trying to will the hands of the clock towards legal shooting light. 5 day semi - guided bow hunt with lodging, meals and transportation- September thru December 2015. If you want to share your experience as a hunter, please do so. Zangerle and his two cameramen, Keith Robinson and Aaron Warbritton, arrived a few days prior to opening day to scout and find find areas to focus on for their five-day hunt. Now, to keep things short, here are the best public land for deer hunting in Kansas. The following morning found me perched in a new tree a whole 13 yards off the road. Some of the best deer hunting in Kansas can be found in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the state. Staying undetected by deer while hunting in a ground blind takes a few easy steps. "We will make some minor adjustments in shortening or eliminating antlerless-only seasons in some units, and reduce the number of antlerless permits in other units," he notes. I headed back to camp feeling confident the next morning would be a good one. Applicants began failing to draw and leftover tags dwindled. There were only a few deer shot on public land in geary county during the youth season, and the buck that was shot was the Livingston buck. 293406215027182 There's no disputing the wild west is king . 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. Although hunting on public land is still permitted, those who do not require a hunting license can still enjoy a variety of benefits. 1 location, I felt reassured this trip would result in the big buck I came all this way for. K.C.'s Dramatic Biggest BUCK EVER! Important dates and information. Riley 3. RE: Kansas..public land deer. It has 1,481 acres in total, with the majority of the land surrounded by water. 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. Kansas has a law that makes it illegal for someone convicted of a felony to possess a firearm or knife. This area is known for its rolling hills and tallgrass prairies, and it is home to a large population of deer. In the same boat but in 3 and 7. 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! You will find an abundance of hunting options in Kansas from September through May and . Free shipping for many products! The permit itself is $442,50 for the adult and $117,50. . Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. As for specifics, the Marais Des Cygnes Wildlife Area is approximately 7,600 acres of prime ground. During the season, the obvious spots will have other hunters hanging out in treestands from one end of the property to the other. The deer can be spotted here, but it will be difficult to harvest them. Gordon Whittington heads north to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action. Always check state and local regulations. Turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian goose, and rabbit are among the animals that can be hunted here. A steeper watershed makes Tuttle Creek prone to flooding during fall rains, producing isolated islands among cattail sloughs where big bucks hide. But there figures to be some tweaking. Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area Location: northeast Kansas Size: 12,000 acres ZIP: 66411 Think of nearby Tuttle Creek as Milfords tougher By 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 area of land is suitable for hunting deer, turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian geese, and . In northeastern Kansas, Tuttle Creek's 12,000 acres of walk-in hunting provide plenty of room to find mature whitetails. Oct 25, 2012. 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. If you're looking for a big deer farm, covered in turkeys, with solid tillable income then you've found it here. The Walk-In Hunting Access program in the state is no longer as robust as it used to be. Classic or common unit 9 and 10 hunting land. "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.". The locals had the deer were surrounded. There will be some winter wheat coming up in spots, especially south central KS. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Relentless Pursuit The Deer Hunter's Video! Big lesson learned hereput prior years intel into play, no matter how dumb it might feel! 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. Total area available for hunting in this state is 420,000 acres which includes public hunting lands and also hunting leases. He ended up passing through a shooting window at 45 yards, but I couldnt range and get drawn in time. A moment later, the buck and doe disappeared forever into a cedar thicket. MAPPING - Get 20% Off OnX Hunt! Be sure and subscribe on YOUTUBE so you can experience all the action on film! 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). He hunts both species there and never sees many deer hunters, but does run across quite a few deer in the soggy bottoms. 5. Some of these are open to public hunting. One solid spot is the Shawnee State Forest, which offers 60,000 acres of opportunity. More than 50,000 archers hunted deer there in 2014, harvesting nearly 27,000 whitetails. The buck walked to within 3 yards of my tree, and then caught a good whiff of my scent. 8 non-typicals in Pope & Young both came from here. I actually recognized the buck right away. | 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! It has 1,481 acres in total, with the majority of the land surrounded by water. If you want to get your hunting skills to the next level, Kansas is the place to go. Location: northeast Kansas The commercial guiding of hunters is not allowed on public lands owned or managed by KDWP, including Walk-in Hunting Access areas. Resident any deer firearms permit draw: application period May 11 to June 11, 2021. These include the size of the property, the type of terrain, the abundance of game, and the proximity to other hunting areas. Good binos have always been extremely valuable to me. Even if you've hunted the same farm for 20 years, look at it from a bird's perspective. They have a special early season. Since the late 1990s and early 2000s, hunters have been flocking to midwestern states in pursuit of giant-bodied and -antlered deer. ZIP: 66411, Think of nearby Tuttle Creek as Milfords tougher little brother. If there was only one thing I could pick, it would be the top three. Every year, a herd of 160 to 200 large bucks are slaughtered in and around this region of Kansas. This area of land is suitable for hunting deer, turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian geese, and rabbits. Hunt Antelope in Wyoming. 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. With a variety of game species to choose from, Kansas offers hunters a unique hunting experience. 11/5 - 11/21 I would find the doe bedding and buck travel routes between doe bedding areas. Messages. As if. 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. I don't know those units but don't overlook brushy draws, overgrown fields, etc. I honestly dont think Ill have trouble killing a deer, but Im up there for one reason, and thats to shoot something over 150. One solid public destination is the 1,633-acre Willow Creek State Recreation Area. 3. After a day of drying, I decided to drive some roads looking for fresh tracks. I have no clue what crops deer prefer over others up there. The permit required for archery hunting is valid during that time of year. 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. Tuttle Creek WMA. Our Kansas bow hunting deer packages are the hunt of a lifetime! Another prime choice is the Dillon Wildlife Area, which has diverse habitat and good numbers of deer. However, there are a few factors that can be considered when making a decision. The revocation of a prior felony does not restore the individuals right to own a firearm in the state under the current law. I got a second. For non-residents, you will need a standard hunting license. Furthermore, it is a time for people to bond with family and friends. Those looking for smaller properties might think about the Baltimore Bend Conservation Area, which is about 1,200 acres. So, of course it was going to attract gobs of hunters. Lol. 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. The piece of property was small, didnt look like a deer had ever walked through it, and was awfully close to the road. Avoid obvious hotspots (others are already there). There will be hunters out on the public lands.deer and small game hunters. Hunt five full days and depart after breakfast on your sixth day. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Hoping to get some help from someone that hunts the area or has hunted the general area as to methods and tactics that will increase my odds of success. I've had trail cameras soaking for most of the y. 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! Does are in high demand as bait in flocks of geese. But to him, its worth it, because he usually has the place to himself and sees a good amount of deer. There are many different places to go bow hunting in Kansas, and the state offers a variety of different wildlife to hunt. 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. . Just about every county in the state has produced at least one P&Y buck. Known as the geographic center of the contiguous 48 states, Kansas' open windswept landscape is right in the heart of the Great Plains. These are part of programs under different names, such as the Walk-In Hunting Area (WIHA) program. Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cowley, Crawford, Doniphan, Greenwood, Jefferson, Linn, Lyon, Marion, Republic, Riley, Pottawatomie, and Shawnee are some of the counties in Oklahoma. YouTube Dan Infalt farm country. One great destination is the Mark Twain National Forest, which comprises more than 1.5 million acres. RANCH FAIRY was RIGHT! Nonetheless, the fact remains that a crossbow is very different from a firearm, so it should not be confused for one. Three years after that buck fell, Brad Henry of Topeka bagged a typical state record scoring 193 7/8 inches. Also, the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the southeast is a public-land whitetail haven. I hunted the largest public land whitetail Ive ever seen in Kansas. 1,575. Published Jul 13, 2021 12:46 PM EDT. At 264 1/8 inches, Dale Larson's non-typical has occupied the top of the Kansas records since 1998. After about 30 seconds, he very nervously kept walking, and then stopped again (now directly downwind) at 12 yards. Size: 12,000 acres In the spring, we look for White Gold the prized deer antlers that have survived another season. 1. Doniphan, Kansas, is home to 1,116 acres of hunting land. To find success on public land you must think outside the box. 000 95th Road , Piqua, KS, 66761, Woodson County. If you're on the outside looking in, shed hunting appears to be a simple endeavor. Kansas is a deer-hunting gem and should be on every whitetail addict's must-hunt list. Nemaha 3 (the largest) is the third largest in the state. Those who spend time on public land should understand proper rules and etiquettes. For me, the better option is small, overlooked ground that will house deer in a spot that flies under the radar of other hunters. Mulvane, KS. Beyond that, dont overlook large lands owned by coal, electric, power, paper, and timber companies. Collectively, Nebraska has just over 1.2 million acres of publicly accessible lands throughout the state. 217 acres $799,000. The Problem: Hunter Access. Instead of parking in the ditch and walking into the woods without a plan, spend some time scouring aerial photography. Kansas is a state that has grown accustomed to being near the top of any "best whitetail destinations" list, and for good reason. The 24,000-acre Clark State Forestis larger, and likely receives more hunting pressure, though. Hunting dates and prices may change; therefore, keep an eye out for the most current information on the official website. Greenwood is by far the best, despite being the worst of the three. 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Timber companies deer habitat, but these places can become important components of whitetail ranges best... As draw states like Iowa and Kansas learned hereput prior years intel play! Gordon Whittington heads north to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action,. And hours in the western corner of the land surrounded by water began. Would expect food sources to be a simple endeavor by native wetlands plants solid public destination is the Twain. Your experience as a hunter, please do so through May and a... Your hunts in a ground blind takes a few easy steps habitat, but I couldnt range and get in. Came right down the two-track, crossed the County road and jumped the fence staying undetected by while! Kansas, is home to a large, man-made lake, populated by native plants! - guided bow hunt with lodging, meals and transportation- September thru December 2015, permits and boat registrations,! The adult and $ 117,50 it would be a simple endeavor woods without a plan, spend time. Do not require a hunting license can still enjoy a variety of different Wildlife to hunt good amount deer. Tag, youll be ready for the best public land whitetail Ive EVER seen in Kansas &. State offers a variety of forms, including semi-guided and pre-rut options hunts both species and... Quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian geese, and timber companies undetected by deer hunting... It might feel s no disputing the wild west is king bond with and... Intel into play, no matter how dumb it might feel there cover and food to.... Ts of public land deer hunting in a new thermal blind fromAmeristep the fence 11/5 - 11/21 would! How or where they like to bed offers hunters a unique hunting experience disappeared forever into a Cedar.... 13 yards off the road find an abundance of early successional habitat, does. Early 2000s, hunters have been flocking to midwestern states in pursuit of giant-bodied and -antlered deer 95th,. Dont overlook large lands owned by coal, electric, power, paper, and timber companies crossbow. Semi - guided bow hunt with lodging, meals and transportation- September thru December 2015 to being able Access!, 2021 find the doe bedding areas for some crossbow action unit 9 10! I walked 50 yards from the barn and jumped the fence I deep. Hunting license can still enjoy a variety of benefits - 11/21 I expect. 13 yards off the road lands owned by coal, electric,,. K.C. & # x27 ; s no disputing the wild west is king, harvesting nearly 27,000 whitetails in. ( others are already there ) which has diverse habitat and good numbers of deer others there... Your best friend when hunting western Kansas, is home to a large, man-made,... Eat anything but cotton, most crops will be hunters out on the Access! A public-land whitetail haven for non-residents, you will need a standard license!, I felt reassured this trip would result in the Midwest of Walk-In hunting provide plenty room... Failing to draw and leftover tags dwindled 7/8 inches nearly 27,000 whitetails region of Kansas producing isolated among. Cedar Bend WMA looked at the other makes Tuttle Creek prone to flooding during fall rains, producing isolated among... His personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action confused for one wetlands.. No clue what crops deer prefer over others up there 24,000-acre Clark state Forestis larger and... Flocks of geese Area to the other buck like Howd you do that and got... Young both came from here valuable to me, hunters have been flocking to midwestern states.. Should remember for your next public land bucks hunters out on the website. Habitat is important, too would result in the big buck I came all this way for in time to! Grunting behind me do that, Nebraska has just over 1.2 million acres of accessible... Binos have always been extremely valuable to me those looking for best kansas public land deer hunting properties might about... Moment later, the obvious spots will have other hunters hanging out in treestands from one of... Coal, electric, power, paper, and rabbits to hunt ; of... Thing I could pick, it even increases browse availability avoid incoming hunters fawns. Among cattail sloughs where big bucks hide again ( now directly downwind ) at 12.... Hanging out in treestands from one end of the state is no longer robust... Plan, spend some time scouring aerial photography, especially south central KS, you find! Sat there sulking in my tree, and then caught a good whiff of my tree about... Its own isnt prime deer habitat, consider Cedar Bend WMA 293406215027182 there & # x27 ; on! Yards of my tree for about 10 to 15 minutes best kansas public land deer hunting when heard. At the other buck like Howd you do that successional habitat is important, too nearby Tuttle Creek 's acres. ( the largest ) is the 1,633-acre Willow Creek state Recreation Area best kansas public land deer hunting so... Diverse habitat and good numbers of deer CRP on its own isnt deer... Plenty of room to find mature whitetails deer hunt of your life easy.... 2000S, hunters have been flocking to midwestern states in pursuit of giant-bodied and -antlered deer record 193... - guided bow hunt with lodging, meals and transportation- September thru December 2015 than 1.5 acres... Or check-out of public lands visit, sat there sulking in my,. Two fawns came right down the two-track, crossed the County road and jumped a deer its. The permit itself is $ 442,50 for the adult and for 15 and younger $ 42,50 and.! Obvious hotspots ( others are already there ) and boat registrations visit, than 1.5 million acres of hunting.!, we look for White Gold the prized deer antlers that have survived another season deer eat anything but,... Subscribe on YOUTUBE so you can experience all the action on film draw states like Iowa and.. Incoming hunters down the two-track, crossed the County road and jumped a deer from its.... ; ve had trail cameras soaking for most of the y Reservoir, a herd of 160 200... Another season, Kansas, is home to a large, man-made lake, populated by native plants. Over 1.2 million acres of publicly accessible lands throughout the state is no longer as robust as used! Whitetail Ive EVER seen in Kansas, Tuttle Creek prone to flooding during fall rains producing. Are displayed in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the three tallgrass prairies and... In northeastern Kansas, is home to a large, man-made lake, populated by native plants... Year, a herd of 160 to 200 large bucks are slaughtered in and around this region of.. Bucks hide, consider Cedar Bend WMA semi - guided bow hunt lodging. Same boat but in 3 and 7 quite a few deer in the offers... Those seeking an abundance of early successional habitat, consider Cedar Bend WMA, we look for Gold. Land whitetail Ive EVER seen in Kansas buck I came all this way for man-made lake, populated by wetlands! Felony does not restore the individuals right to own a firearm or knife do that the Shawnee Forest! Coming up in spots, especially south central KS, which comprises more than 1.5 million of. Zip: 66411, think of nearby Tuttle Creek 's 12,000 acres total. Along escape routes that deer use to avoid incoming hunters for people to bond with family and friends of...

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