|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Kansas Mule Deer Hunting
|
Overview - An Underutilized, Abundant ResourceMule deer are one of Mid America Hunting Association's most underutilized resources. We lease tens of thousands of acres in central and western Kansas, primarily for pheasant and quail hunting. As with most good Mid West bird hunting properties, whether crop land or CRP, this same land supports excellent populations of deer. This primarily open country is ideal habitat for mule deer. Some of these leases hold both mule deer and whitetail deer - with quality hunting opportunities for both. Trophies - Monster MuliesWe repeatedly get reports from pheasant hunters about the monster mule deer bucks they jump while hunting Mid America Hunting Association leases in western Kansas. Yet, very few hunters will make the highway drive across Kansas to harvest a mulie (the same drive the pheasant hunters make regularly). Land owner reports, and shed antlers retrieved my Mid America Hunting Association staff members while scouting the properties, confirm these monster sightings. The members who do make the effort for Kansas mulies are often rewarded with wallhangers. BowhuntingBowhunting opportunities for mulies are outstanding. Even in the open country of western Kansas, tree stand hunting is possible in thinly wooded creek bottoms and hedge rows. The chance for a Pope and Young trophy is probably greatest pursuing mule deer. Fall archery turkey hunting can be combined with archery mule deer hunting. MuzzleloaderFor the muzzleloader hunter, the opportunity to hunt as did the pioneer Kansas plainsmen is here again, with special permits and seasons. Mule Deer HabitatOpen country in central and western Kansas, including open prairie, CRP, wheat and other crop fields, and brushy draws. For the bowhunter and some muzzleloader hunters, tree stands can be set in thinly wooded creek bottoms and in some thinly wooded hedgerows - both of which serve as natural funnels for cover seeking big bucks (many older mule deer bucks exhibit habits similar to their whitetail counterparts). Waterholes offer another close range alternative for the bowhunter and muzzleloader hunter. LicensingAlways check with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks regarding the most recent license information. Kansas uses a drawing system for firearms and muzzleloader deer permits. Applications are available in the late spring and are due in by mid July for the primary drawing. One or more leftover permit drawings occur thereafter. Many of the units supporting mule deer figure into the leftover permit drawings regularly. Archery permits are available over the counter. You cannot enter the primary firearms permit drawing and have a statewide any deer archery permit. Multiple additional antlerless deer tags may also be available, depending on game management area. Mid America Hunting Association can help you plan mule deer hunts, including providing recommendations regarding which leases to hunt in each game management area, to suit your style of hunting. It is best to start working with the Mid America Hunting Association staff regarding out of state hunting plans before state permit drawings. Non-ResidentsIt is common for Mid America Hunting Association members who live in Missouri to hunt Kansas, and Kansas offer non-resident licenses to support this. If you are from a state other than Kansas or Missouri interested in taking advantage of the superior mule deer hunting opportunities in Kansas, Mid America Game Bird Association can provide you a place to hunt, on a reservation basis. There are an increasing amount of out of state hunters taking advantage of this opportunity, some of which learned of this opportunity on the MAGBA.COM web site. Mid America Hunting Association can help you plan hunts, including providing recommendations regarding which leases to hunt for your style of hunting, how to get there, lodging or camping, etc. Particularly for out of state hunters, it is best to start working with the Mid America Hunting Association staff regarding out of state hunting plans before state permit drawings. Always check with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks regarding the most recent license information.
|
