Any recommendations for Missouri or Kansas public land?

[Michael Arnette]

Hi guys,

I was interested in doing some scouting this late season and hunting if I find a good spot in either Missouri or Kansas. Do you guys have any recommendations for public areas? I'm in northeastern Oklahoma so I'd prefer something within 4 to 5 hours in southeast Kansas or southwest Missouri.

Feel free to PM me if you feel it's private;)

[beendare]

I hunt WIHA [public walk in property] in central Ks. The area we hunt has been hit real hard by drought and such so the deer hunting is not nearly as good as it has been in the past. You might be able to find some decent WIHA nearer you but it will be hit and miss as the popularity of hunting Kansas...and this WIHA ground has grown exponentially in the past 10 years and now its not as good.

I know of one very small WIHA tract we used to hunt that now has 13 stands on about 60 acres- sigh

But what the heck...get out there and scout it, you may get lucky. You don't have to hunt a field edge to be successful. One of the best stands I've ever seen is in a remote pasture draw that connects some big bedding areas. If you just looked at it you would think, 'there are no deer here' and thats partially true, its no deer highway but every year a big buck is killed from that stand- one year a 213". I've personally seen a high 160's from that stand...

[H1tman7]

I own and hunt farms in both KS and MO.  They are not in southern MO or Kansas, however my recommendation would be KS.  They have a later gun season than MO, and generally as a result more mature bucks make it through. Interested to see other opinions on this also.

[DarkTimber]

[DarkTimber]

Just kidding Micheal....but that one always cracks me up.    Seriously though, I've never hunted MO but have hunted KS every year for the last 8 or 10 years.   There are some good public spots to be found but they take gas and boot leather to find and like beendare said they seem to get more crowded every year.  My best advise is to find places that don't look like typical deer habitat.  Look at waterfowl areas, places with few to no trees, etc.  The nice looking timbered creek bottoms are typically covered up with people or at least that has been my experience.  Good Luck!

[Matty]

Baahahahahahahah!! So true...

[Michael Arnette]

Thanks guys! One of the reasons I've considered Missouri as much as Kansas is because I just hate crowds! I would gladly have less quality trophy hunting if I could get away from other folks.

At this point I'm tagged out on bucks here in Oklahoma and I'm looking at both states since their archery seasons open sooner for next year.

[H1tman7]

Here is a good link to look at.
 http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Hunting-Fishing-Atlas/Fall-Hunting-Atlas/GPS-Information-Files/Complete-ONLINE-Map-of-Fall-WIHA

[Keb]

I live in MO and hunt KS on a regular basis, both are good and each has its pros and cons.

I hunt public land, have had great luck in both states.

If you look hard and work hard you can have success in each one.

Both harbor big whitetails, genetically. speaking.

Kansas may have a later guns season, but MO has 10x more cover and deer.

[DaveT1963]

Don't overlook Arkansas - just saying  
I've hunted Missouri and there are good spots to be had - hunting pressure may take a little effort tog et away from since it is over the counter.
Kansas - while I have never hunted it I have several friends that do.  Far less pressure as it is drawing only but the public land does get hit - but that can also be taken care of with some work.  I sent you a PM

[Mo0se]

I know you are not recommending NW Arkansas? Those deer are the size of german shepherds! I know..I lived there a while. That link that was posted earlier in the thread from KDWP is your best answer so far.

[DaveT1963]

I did not mention any specific place in Arkansas - but Arkansas has some great deer hunting, public land and some decent racks come out of there every year..... just have to do the homework.

[Michael Arnette]

Mo0se! Lol...You're obviously from Kansas! Arkansas, specifically Northwestern has some nice deer (to those who don't live in whitetail Mecca) and they're about the size of our Oklahoma deer  

[CoachBGriff]

If you're looking to get away from other hunters, look for public land with big chunks of unintterupted land (no roads breaking up sections).  

I've had some luck in MO by hunting early in the year.  That's when the deer are the least pressured, and many public land hunters wait until the rut hits to crowd the woods.

[heathbryant]

Just returned from a week 7 days public hunting WIHA saw lots of hunters, very few deer. Nada. Tough.

[ziggy]

heathbryant - Kansas or MO?

[Michael Arnette]

I'd be up for either one. I can hunt MO this year since it's no draw...KS would be scouting for next year

[bretto]

WIHA is a Kansas program. If this helps.

bretto

[Fritz]

I've hunted some WIHA over the last 5 or 6 yrs. Great land, but don't think you will be the only one on it!

[goingoldskool]

Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri.  It's a national guard training area that has quite a few acres.

Good luck,
Rodd