Northwestern Kansas whitetail hunt offers chance at big bucks


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Semi-guided or guided whitetail deer hunt in northwestern Kansas provides riverbottom hunting on private leases

Charlie Walker, North Carolina, with his 2006 trophy.

This hunt provider had another good year in 2006, averaging over 160 B&C on his whitetail rifle hunt and about 165 P&Y on his 180s. Success on whitetail was 7 for 9 on archery, 3 for 5 on muzzleloader, and 12 for 18 on rifle. The rifle season is usually a bit tougher simply because the hunt begins at the tail end of the rut.

If you want to hunt trophy whitetails without spending a lot of money, consider a semi-guided hunt. This outfitter operates on private leases in northwestern Kansas. He leases more than 70,000 acres of private ranches and farms in game management units 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The whitetail population is not large because the state is liberal with antlerless permits, but these units produce some great bucks every year. Archery hunting is usually superb. The bow hunt occurs during the rut in November, when bucks are usually concentrated in wooded riverbottoms. The rifle season begins on the closest Wednesday to Dec. 1 and runs for 12 days. Some bucks are still chasing does during the rifle season, but hunting is more difficult then. Often the bigger animals avoid the riverbottoms and live in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields or small thickets or cattail patches.

You can save money by applying for and drawing a deer tag in an annual computer drawing. The state issues preference points to unsuccessful applicants. This outfitter has about 100 landowners apply for private landowner permits, which are transferable to non-residents who are not successful in the regular permit drawing. He leases land from landowners who own good habitat that he considers worth hunting.

The outfitter used to guide hunters but has found it to be more productive to scout and place stands before the season for self-guided hunters. You should plan to bring one or two portable tree stands in case you want to adjust your stand locations. During the rifle season the bucks are quite nocturnal, so plan to be on stand at first and last light.

You'll stay in a motel and eat restaurant meals at your own expense. In some cases a lease you'll be hunting might hold a ranch house, bunkhouse or cabin that is available for rent during the hunting season.

Unlike some of our whitetail hunts in Montana or Wyoming, you won't see dozens of bucks on this hunt. But if you're willing to be patient, this hunt offers a chance at a once-in-a-lifetime trophy.

Trent Waggoner got this 164 Pope and Young buck during the 2006 season.

Hunter McCall, left, made a 195 yard shot to take his first whitetail in 2006. His dad, Bill, right, got a beauty with his bow.

Bill McCall and Bill McDaniels bow-killed these bucks during the same day in 2006.

Hunts.Net Customer Jed Lowe of Utah, 2006 trophy buck scoring 168 Pope and Young points.

Travis, Charlie and Lonnie with their 2006 heads.

Slade Jordan of Louisiana, 2006 trophy whitetail.

All pictures on this page from 2006 season. Click here for photos from previous seasons.

2006 trophies

Hunt	Price per person
Hunt WD3406
6 days semi-guided rifle, stands are in place, and you'll be shown where and how to hunt.	$3,000 if you draw a permit, usually $500 more if you need a landowner voucher. Occasionally vouchers are more. Lodging is an extra $500 for the hunt.
6 days guided rifle, 2 hunters per guide, room and meals are included.	$3,800 if you draw a permit, usually $500 more if you need a landowner voucher.
6 days semi-guided archery, ifle, 2 hunters per guide, room and meals are included.	$3,800 if you draw a permit, usually $500 more if you need a landowner voucher.
Hunter success	Whitetail trophy size
2003-2006: A total of 45 bucks for 64 rifle whitetail hunters during the past four years. Most unsuccessful hunters missed or hit and lost bucks. 12 bucks for 24 bowhunters in the past four years with lots of misses and poor hits. In 2005 seven bucks were hit and lost by bowhunters, and three were recovered after the season, including a 165-class 10-pointer with circumference measurements of 7, 6, 6 and 5 inches and 7 and 9-inch brow tines.	2006: Average 160 B&C rifle, 165 P&Y bow season. Only one small buck shot in 2006, and the hunter wanted that 130 class buck because it was the biggest he had taken and was an 11-pointer. 2005: Average 155 B&C. Largest over 171 B&C, smallest over 140 B&C. 2004: Best bucks green-scored 175, 165 (archery) and 155 points. Others were mostly in 135 to 145 range. One hunter passed on a 160 class. 2003: Biggest 178 B&C non-typical and 173 B&C typical . Best bow-kill : 149 P&Y 8-point. Almost everybody saw bucks in the 130s and 140s.
Licenses	Lodging/meals
You can apply for a permit or buy a landowner permit where available. Click here for state license and tag prices. Landowner permits are expected to cost $500 to $1,250.	Motel and restaurant meals are not included. On some leases you'll have the option to rent from the landowner a ranch house or cabin.
Season	Travel
Tentatively Dec. 3-14. Archery is during the rut in November.	The outfitter meets you in Hayes, Kansas
Area	Notes
Approximately 70,000 private acres scattered in Units 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.	The outfitter sets up tree stands in advance of the season. Bring extra stands if you want to move.

Mark from Louisiana got this 11-pointer.

Lonny Duffane of Colorado with his 2006 trophy.

Bill McDaniel of Florida with his 2006 archery trophy.

Bill McCall's 168 P&Y buck, 2006 season.

Sam McCall, December 2006.

The outfitter also offers spring turkey hunts, pheasant and bobwhite hunting, and mule deer muzzleloader hunts.