While those are more rural based, others are more urban and suburban. If they are, its likely I wont be getting access. Focus on thick, early successional habitat. As for specifics, check out Florida's Apalachicola WMA, Louisiana's Maurepas Swamp and more. U.S. entrants only. Here are few tactics Ive employed over the years that have resulted in some darn good public hunts. Please contact us if you want a recommendation from someone who knows how to hunt. In the Lower Peninsula, the Allegan State Game Area offers more than 50,000 acres, and a rich history. The more I look at it, the more I enjoy it. Read millions of eBooks and audiobooks on the web, iPad, iPhone and Android. Of course, many of these hunts are limited draw only, and likely require getting drawn to access. Pulled a tag for units 8/9. Find the doe on the fields and where they are coming from, then hunt that corridor like others have stated. Its 8,100 acres of solid hunting. Whitetail hunters should note that while there are whitetail deer in just about all of the Lower 48 and parts of Canada, for the purposes of this post we are . I had done a lot of e-scouting prior to the trip in preparation to find the best ground. 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. You must also have an annual hunting license at a cost of $25. The American frontier, also known as the Old West, popularly known as the Wild West, encompasses the geography, history, folklore, and culture associated with the forward wave of American expansion in mainland North America that began with European colonial settlements in the early 17th century and ended with the admission of the last few western territories as states in 1912 (except Alaska . Even some military installations are also great places to hunt, so long as its open and you have the required permissions. Most of what Im looking at is farm land type areas with creeks that border or run through it. At this point, I was just looking for a tree to hang my stand in. Not really Kansas advice but scouting advice in general. This land spans 458 acres and is located in Sheridan County, Minnesota. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. In the hands of ethical hunters, the ability to kill game at long range is a skill we shouldn't dismiss so quickly. Theres a lot of un-hunted public ground out there that remains untouched by humans because its hard to get to. After a day of drying, I decided to drive some roads looking for fresh tracks. This map source includes coverage for all 104 wildlife areas in Kansas and is based on the official boundaries published by the Kansas Dept. Hunting areas are accessible through the Kansas Wildlife Improvement Area (WIHA). Collectively, Nebraska has just over 1.2 million acres of publicly accessible lands throughout the state. Be sure and subscribe on YOUTUBE so you can experience all the action on film! Mulvane, KS. Im pretty sure that people are applying for the job just as the economy is getting better. For non-residents, you will need a standard hunting license. 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. In northern Michigan, the Seney National Wildlife Refuge offers 95,000 acres of big woods habitat. Brodie Swisher Deer hunters are all about making things easier. The Flint Hills have a variety of terrain and wildlife, and the Cimarron National Grasslands are a great place to find deer and pronghorn. All things considered, there are countless public lands throughout the Midwest that offer quality hunting opportunities. There's no disputing the wild west is king . Its home to big lands and big bucks. CRACK!Oh crap! I hit him square in the shoulder and maybe got 8 of arrow penetration. 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. October 7, 2020 By: Brian Grossman. There are still many great spots in the east and southeast, even though the majority of WIHA is in the west. Jphunter noticed this year that out-of-state tags are increasing in number. Bow hunting in Kansas is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. Size: 7,600 acres Known as the geographic center of the contiguous 48 states, Kansas' open windswept landscape is right in the heart of the Great Plains. Ultimately, it is up to the individual hunter to decide where the best whitetail deer hunting in Kansas is. You can apply online here or by phone 620-672-0728. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Fish & Wildlife Service reporting approximately two million fewer hunters in 2016 than in 2011. Nonresident deer permit draw: application period April 1 to 30, 2021. Some Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) programground is open to hunting, too. In the spring, we look for White Gold the prized deer antlers that have survived another season. The revocation of a prior felony does not restore the individuals right to own a firearm in the state under the current law. Its been a great place for a long time, but the word is finally getting out. All hunters born between January 1, 1957 and March 1, 1959, are required to have a concealed hunter safety card. "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. 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. 100 Best Public-Land Hunts: Kansas. Milford Wildlife Area: The Milford Wildlife Area spans nearly 19,000 square feet of public land, all of which is open 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. 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 rabbits. . Regardless of the exact ownership, dig up as many of these locally-owned public lands as possible. Hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and camping are all examples of activities that can be done on this land. The dude goes way into depth about finding buck beds. In all of these counties, adequate escape cover, ample nutrition and low hunter densities combine to provide ideal behemoth buck prospects. Sounds easy right? 000 95th Road , Piqua, KS, 66761, Woodson County. Some people hunt with outfitters, own or lease land, knock on doors, and even hunt public lands. Despite the fact more than 95 percent of the state is privately owned, there are some good options for public bowhunting. Other states in the region offer it, but on a lesser scale. Tony J. Peterson Feb 26, 2023. Finally, I could make out a deer in the small draw to my left. In these regions, there are a variety of habitats that support a healthy deer population. North central Kansas. 1. Some of the best deer hunting in Kansas can be found in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the state. The research proves access to quality hunting land is the culprit. In Southeast KS there is a lot of reclaimed strip pit mined land. 12 Best Public Land Deer Hunts in the Midwest. Only show this user. Deer-nado Public Land Chronicles: Texas Rut-Fest Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of our public land adventures and watch our intense product reviews! Offering a similar combination of hardwoods, native prairie, and wheat, milo and soybean fields around a man-made reservoir, Tuttle Creeks more rugged terrain and slightly higher elevations offset its smaller size. of Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism. There is no definitive answer to the question of what the best public hunting land in Kansas is. Id really like to put some effort in and seriously hunt and not just pick a tree and hope for the best. That said, those who want larger expanses of ground, consider the northern stretches of the state. Its put more in the books than any other state. Enter to win by filling out the form below. The No. However, there are a few factors that can be considered when making a decision. Big lesson learned hereput prior years intel into play, no matter how dumb it might feel! Kansas has long been regarded as one of the top states in the country for hunting large white-tail deer. For more information on P&Y bucks taken in Kansas and the rest of North America, check out pope-young.org. In Kansas, the use of a 22-250 for deer hunting is legal, as long as the hunter follows the state's regulations. The Public-Land Hunting in My State Sucks, and Im Okay With That. It was 15 yards away and headed right for me treeand then it grunted. Lol. Those who spend time on public land should understand proper rules and etiquettes. After years of public hunting under my belt, I should have known better. 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. The island is accessible only by boat, which you must provide. To purchase your Kansas hunting and fishing licenses, permits and boat registrationsvisit, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. If you want to learn more about hunting in Kansas, keep an eye out for the most recent hunting information on the website. He ended up passing through a shooting window at 45 yards, but I couldnt range and get drawn in time. 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. Stay warm this winter and extend your hunts in a new thermal blind fromAmeristep! The Do's and Don'ts of Public Land Deer Hunting. Messages. But man, Id love to break the 150 mark! Some people may prefer to hunt in the eastern part of the state, where the deer population is denser, while others may prefer to hunt in the western part of the state, where the deer are larger on average. EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, Minnesotas Metro Bowhunters Resource Base, Indianas Community Hunting Access Program, Trempealeau Countys Borst Valley Wildlife Area, Ultralight Tactical Tomahawk The Proven Multipurpose Outdoor Tool. I used to love hunting one of these days, and its a lot of fun reminiscing about those days. Still, some good deer live here. I simply had to pick one out, and head that direction, though I had no real clue how good or bad the properties were because I had never physically been on them. Private Lands. As if. 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. A moment later, the buck and doe disappeared forever into a cedar thicket. Commonly brushed to the side, North Dakota offers excellent opportunities. Hunt in between bedding areas on travel routes mid day, hunt just off doe bedding early to late morning and hunt between doe bedding and food for last call. Spend time scouting preferred states, regions, counties, and properties. This area is prone to flooding in the fall, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to hide out. Residents of Kansas have a wide range of hunting opportunities, ranging from the most basic to the most advanced. K.C.'s Dramatic Biggest BUCK EVER! B&C: Typical: 48, nontypical: 47. The total area available for hunting in this state is 2,525,000 acres which is almost 5.7% of the whole area of this state. Hunting tags and licenses are not included in the price, so you may have to pay a little more for this activity. 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. Archery season begins in mid-September and runs through December, providing plenty of time for hunters to identify and pattern deer carrying trophy antlers. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has a wide range of hunting opportunities available on its public hunting lands. Crossbows are legal archery equipment in Kansas, so they can be used at any time of year. Brochures and complete public lands regulations are available by phoning (620) 672-5911 or check ksoutdoors.com for each locations individual regulations. The Kansas River Bottoms are a great place to hunt waterfowl and other wetland animals. Thick wetlands and oak and hickory stands give deer there cover and food. 1 necessity for a good public-land deer hunt is minimal pressure. Greenwood is by far the best, despite being the worst of the three. Northeast Kansas hunting management units 9 and 10. The Buckeye State is a relative newcomer as a top destination. So Im from Texas and this will be my first year hunting Kansas. There is a non-refundable application fee of $27 when getting a whitetail deer permit. Legal shooting light began at 6:40 a.m. Theyre too close, I thought. 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. Mike Clerkin heads to the legendary Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in search of early season whitetail action. Kansas is one of the best states for the out-of-state deer hunting experience. Avoid obvious hotspots (others are already there). Roadside Hotspots. Ive hunted in 1 of every 2 places where Ive seen a deer greater than 8 inches long. Public land: 2 million acres, between state WMAs and federal areas. According to experts, CRP, CREP, and similar programs have positive impacts on deer herds. My hunt in 2020 didnt 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. Three years ago that started to change. They have a special early season. 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. This is a much smaller area, but offers opportunity. This area of land is suitable for hunting deer, turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, Canadian geese, and . 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