chautuaqua co kansas

[jelepley]

i was wondering if anyone here has hunted in chautuaqua co ks, a little se of sudan?if so,id like to hear some opinions on the hunting opportunities in that area.thanks

[R. W. Mackey]

Real good if your hunting private land, without an outfitter.  There was a guy put in a big lodge several years ago and leased up alot of land in the surronding area. Typical operation where there is someone in each stand almost every day. Was good for a very long time and still has some very good animals, just be careful where you hunt. Don't hunt there anymore, the ranch we hunted on was sold.  But I would go back.  RW

[bawana bowman]

Caney Creek Outfitters, which is a  TG Sponsor, is located in Chautuaqua County.

We recently built a large lodge just for the hunters,($250,000) have been in the area for 14 years(since before KS was open to Non-Residents), and lease/own 30,000 acres (14,000 of which are archery only). We are not the outfit referred to in above post                .(believe that honor goes to an Ex Major league baseball player        :mad:      .)

Caney Creek has been managed for the deer and turkey population for 14 years. We have a near perfect ratio of M/F deer and the turkey population is again on a come back after a large winter kill 2-3 years ago.
We have planted in excess of 2500 fruit and nut trees just for the wildlife. Plant extensive food plots and operate 23 feeders year round.
And unlike other outfitters we strictly limit the number of hunters per YEAR!

Our lodge, (which is only for use of the hunters, staff stay in separate quarters) has 10 guest rooms, and a loft which can be used as 2 rooms if needed. Is designed to comfortably house 10, 12 max. per week. We also have a trained Private Chef!
This means we limit the property to a maximum of 75 hunters PER YEAR! this includes all three seasons, archery, black powder and gun.
The most hunters we have ever had in 1 week was 10, most in archery season has been 7. For that matter the highest amount of hunters total for 1 year during the past 12 years has been 45 (all year). We also have at last count 176 stands of all types which are taken down and put up each year, and moved if needed for best opportunity. So there isn't someone in a stand every day or even week.

Now contrast this to what the above outfit is doing. On property they lease in Illinois and Kansas they and others are running 30 to 70 hunters per week on 10,000 acres or less.

This is why we have very large deer and plenty of them. Theoretically our hunters have enjoyed a ratio of 1 hunter for every 3000 acres during our most crowded weeks. 1 per 4,280 acres during archery.

I have 8GB's worth of pics of lodge, property, and deer if your interested.

It is also the poorest and least populated county in the State. Also has been stated as the best location in the country at present to take a record book Whitetail.

Incidentally we offer a 100% opportunity for a 135"-150" class Whitetail. Yes, we have that many to where we can say this with confidence. We also have deer in the 180" and above class. 3 years ago we had one taken (archery) that grossed 229", you can see pics of it on the site in my signature at bottom of this post. All wild free range animals, no high fences.

Site hasn't been updated in a while but has pics of deer, lodge, and some of the land on it.

PM me if interested in more information.

[KSdan]

bawana- Not my "world," but sounds and looks like you run a GREAT operation.  Congrats. .

[R. W. Mackey]

This is my favorite deer from that county, only saw him one year, had him in shooting range twice, couldn't close the deal.  Plenty more like him.  RW

 

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Thats a dandy Roy!  

Tracy