Kansas Hunters, I need your help!

[mtlee]

Here's whats going on...

I have been wanting to take a trip somewhere west and hunt since last season. I've been talking about it with my hunting buddies and trying to get things organized to leave around the 2nd week of December (I'll know for sure once I get my exam schedule) and staying for 4-5 days. I have never hunted outside of SC, heck I haven't left the SE but a handful of times! One of the members on this site has offered some help and I really appreciate it! I would like to primarily hunt quail, but would also like to run into a few pheasant. What is the best way to find out where to hunt? I know there are lots of WIHA's all over the state, but to be honest I'm pretty overwhelmed and clueless on where to begin. The Kansas Fish and Game website has a ton of info. I would like this trip to be a success, I know its going to be a learning experience for us all. So, what suggestions do yall have on obtaining information about where to hunt? Obviously I don't expect people to give up there secret spots, but a point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[muddycreek]

pm me

[gwgdog66]

I had very good luck in the SW part of Kansas last year. Most of the WIHA's were close to crop fields. We limited out early every day.

[prairiefirepointers]

Check out my site and go to the Prairie Wind Hunting Link.. If your interested in a CSA.
Terry is a great guy and he's not a big operation.. He prefers self guided hunts but will guide you with dogs if needed.
Prices are very reasonable.. Tell him I sent ya.

[Ditch__Parrot]

There is a new rule that all out of state hunters have to take at least 5 rabbits home with them.(lol) just kiddin, (I wish)

[Chief_dog]

The far southwestern part of the state experienced its driest year in over 100 years. This was ground zero for the dust bowl, so that's really saying something. The precipitation from last July through the end of this July was under 5 1/2 inches total. We never even had a spring green-up. We received several inches in August and early September which finally gave us some cover, but it came way too late for us to grow any birds. We got almost no hatch whatsoever on quail, pheasants, or prairie chickens.

[gwgdog66]

I had very good luck in the SW part of Kansas last year. Most of the WIHA's were close to crop fields. We limited out early every day.

Mtlee,

My bad. You were wanting primarily quail and I was talking Pheasant. Where I was the only covey we seen flushed when we run into a ditch. The Pheasant was good.

[muddycreek]

No birds in KS

[tfbirddog2]

I wouldnt consider SC, KS west yet it is west of you.Im not telling my hot spots , but should be good.Im with MC no birds here Good luck.I do know Medicine Lodge area is usually very good easy mix bag.

[mtlee]

I just wanted to thank all those who replied and especially those who have PM'ed me. I plan on contacting yall soon, I've just been bogged down with clinic and exams for the last week or so!!

[oakcreek]

They have a full book with all the walkin hunting areas in it. If you follow I-70 west through kansas there is a lot of WHA land and a lot of pheasants. You can find a few coveys of quail around Russel and Hays area. Feel free to give me a call I might be able to help you find some good places to go

[KYwired]

I'm new to this form and I'd like to apologize in advance for hijacking this thread. I'm in Kentucky and am considering putting together a trip to try to get my young dog on some wild birds. I've been to the Kansas Fish and Wildlife website. It seems the Region 3 around Hays has the best reports. I'd like to get on quail and pheasant. I will be doing the WIHA's and was wondering if anyone here knows which offer the best opportunities.

I would appreciate any advice that anyone is willing to provide.

[bean1031]

Sw kansas is the place to go this year for shure!

[Chasin' Mearns]

Why Kansas? I have hunted there half a dozen times. It is good but there are other options as I now prefer a long sleeve t shirt in December.........

[mtlee]

Why Kansas? I have hunted there half a dozen times. It is good but there are other options as I now prefer a long sleeve t shirt in December.........

I figured it was about the closest place to drive w/ the best hunting.....

[Chasin' Mearns]

Will try to send you a PM.

Steve

[KYwired]

I was looking at Kansas because of the drive from Central Kentucky. Its about 13 hours to Hays. I'm looking at 20 hours to Dakotas.

[mtlee]

UPDATE

The hunting party has gone from 4, down to 2. Which is perfectly fine w/ me except now we have 10 hrs driving shifts a piece instead of 5....but oh well. I like hunting w/ a small number of people. We will be heading out to Larned, KS Saturday afternoon and arriving sometime Sunday afternoon. Weather is looking nice and COLD (unlike this h*ll hole :roll: )

Cross yall's fingers we'll get into some BIRDS...I'll be sure to take the camera!! Anybody out there this weekend and next week...give me a shout!!

[Prairie Hunter]

MTlee,

The weather is warming up in KS this weekend (60 by Sun.), but might drop back down on Monday. There is plenty of walk-in land in the area you are going, and I heard the bird numbers are good. I plan to hunt the same area the 1st week of Jan. Hopefully, there will be a little snow on the ground by then.

Good luck! Let us know how you did.

[mtlee]

Ok, so I've been MIA over Christmas break coming and going here there and everywhere. I just got the pictures uploaded and decided to give an update on how our trip went....

The 20 hr drive (which I made all by myself while my best buddy was dozing off every 5 min) was pretty brutal. The weather took a nasty turn once we hit the Cabelas in Kansas City...it was COLD!! Overall the trip was a blast and I'll definitely do it again next year (and the next,etc ). We killed birds everyday, not in huge quantities but for 2 Southern boy with a KS Hunting Atlas, Garmin GPS, and no clue where or what we were doing I'd say it was a success. We moved several large coveys of quail (shot a few, missed a lot). A saw A LOT of pheasant. The dogs did great despite the cold and begin pointing the Phez after a few run-ins w/ them. The snow and thick CRP grass made them hold fairly tight....some of the time! I Want to thank Ross (Yawallac) for letting me taking a few of his pointers out there since I'm a dog short at the time...and 1 of the 2 I have with me right now is a tiny pup (who busted cover all week and impressed the heck out of me). I contemplated keeping one of the females he let me borrow and telling him I lost her out there... Thanks to all that helped me out w/ PMs, etc. We had a blast! And No, the shorthair wasn't the only one to find birds, but she was the only one who'd sit still for a picture!!

Me



My Buddy Will

[muddycreek]

Glad you had fun! Looks like you timed it exactly right, nothing like hunting in a little snow! How did the dogs do on the roosters? From the looks of it great!

[blanked]

wow a breeder that will let you take one of his dogs out of state for a trial before you buy!!! now that man stands behind his dogs

[birdogg42]

Are those rabbits i see on the hood of your truck?

[mtlee]

Glad you had fun! Looks like you timed it exactly right, nothing like hunting in a little snow! How did the dogs do on the roosters? From the looks of it great!

Dogs did well after a few encounters...I was surprised how fast they caught on. As far as the snow goes, I wish we had some here....been hunting in a t-shirt the last 4 days and STILL burning up!

[mtlee]

Are those rabbits i see on the hood of your truck?

Yep...they'd just run out in front of us.....reflex shooting :roll:

[mtlee]

wow a breeder that will let you take one of his dogs out of state for a trial before you buy!!! now that man stands behind his dogs

How much did Ross pay you to say that?

[birdhunt]

those high powered dogs hold good on those bunnies??

[mtlee]

those high powered dogs hold good on those bunnies??

No bunnies shot over points, or for dogs running them. Mine got #5 on the TT collar for running a rabbit. We shot them just randomly when they ran out in front of us. I don't want my bird dogs after rabbits

[jakemaster]

Wow Mtlee sure looks like fun.By the looks of the truck you might have over packed for a college road trip.What a way to forget about exam week.

[mtlee]

Wow Mtlee sure looks like fun.By the looks of the truck you might have over packed for a college road trip.What a way to forget about exam week.

Well between me and my buddy we could probably fill up a gooseneck livestock trailer full of crap when we travel! We had a blast. Next year we're thinking about making a it a 2 week trip, maybe head somewhere after KS to watefowl hunt...its my last year before I have to delve into the "real world." :roll: No 3 week Christmas breaks then!

[muddycreek]

You weren't too far from one of the great waterfowl areas in the US, Cheyenne Bottoms. It wa sclosed when you were here, but usually reopens the last week or two of Dec. Many years it will be froze over in Dec, but if not it can be great. How did you like the wide open spaces? Kinda nice to let a dog roll through the grass, just hoping those roosters hold.

[mtlee]

You weren't too far from one of the great waterfowl areas in the US, Cheyenne Bottoms. It wa sclosed when you were here, but usually reopens the last week or two of Dec. Many years it will be froze over in Dec, but if not it can be great. How did you like the wide open spaces? Kinda nice to let a dog roll through the grass, just hoping those roosters hold.

Yea, we passed by Cheyenne Bottoms several times. We also saw fields COVERED by snow and canada geese. I mean 1,000s of them! We knocked on a few doors and nobody was home. My buddy and I decided that no one actually lives in KS...they just build houses and leave, kinda strange. I did enjoy the wide open spaces, but I missed the TREES!!

[Chatrodgers]

Hey Matt,

Ross said you might be able to point me to some woodcock in the Francis Marion. Would you mind giving me a call to discuss some areas you have been? As you know, the season ends Jan. 31. Did you leave any birds for the Kansas locals? 843-323-9285.

Thanks

Chatham