Anybody hunt the walkin areas in SW Kansas--any quail???

Riverman

Riverman

Active member
I'm not looking for specific spots, just a general impression of all the walkin areas of SW Kansas. I usually go to Arizona each January to hunt quail, but the millenial drought has decimated quail in that state. Last year I got 5 quail in 8 days of hunting at three different areas in AZ, but I did get 2 Mearn's quail which was probably better than most everyone else!! I've killed enough pheasants this year so would really like to focus on quail. I saw some information on Quail Forever that suggested SW Kansas might be pretty good this year. I'm not sure that makes sense since I'm pretty sure drought has affected that area as well. But figured I'd check with folks to see if anybody has any luck? Was thinking of basing out of Ulysses for a couple of days. Any suggestions for good motel or restaurant would be also be nice. I will probably be going regardless of if it is bad or good, but just thought I would set my expecations. It will be the last hunt of the year so getting out is more important than filling the bag. I have a great dog, so that is a positive in my bird-finding bag of tricks! Thanks--I hope everyone's season is ending on a good note!
 
Sounds like you are committed... Both to coming regardless and to putting in some miles behind your dog in the field.

I can assure you, parts of Southwest Kansas have seen improved quail numbers, and even with poor shooting, finding/bagging more than 5 quail in any day you hunt is achievable.

Southwest of Ulysses is the Cimmaron National Grasslands. I've never hunted there personally, but a friend of mine hunted this year and moved several covies of bobs in December. Enough that he is willing to drive ~6 hours one way to hunt there again before the season ends.

Hope you enjoy Mexican food when you get to Ulysses. The Wagon Wheel is open 8-2 Monday through Friday and serves super Friday only. It's a few miles east of Ulysses. I've never been, but hear it's good.
 
The hunting on the public land will inevitably be tougher, oftentimes much more so, than the nearby private stuff. That said, there are certainly quail (and pheasants) to be had. Pretty good numbers in places. Don’t expect an easy hunt, but if you put in the miles and effort, you will find birds.

Don’t be afraid to knock on some doors. Especially this time of year, it’s not too hard to get on some private ground to hunt.
 
Thanks guys!! Just what I was looking for. I was planning to come regardless so this just helps me plan for the number of shells to bring!:) I’m in Salt Lake City, so I have to drive for good bird hunting every time I go. I have never hunted that part of Kansas so I’m looking forward to it. I really don’t want to shoot pheasants— this will be part of a longer road trip and I won’t have much room for a bunch of pheasants. I can only eat a few pheasants during the trip but could eat a few quail each day. It’s gonna test my, and my dog’s, willpower if I start flushing a bunch of cacklers! Hard to let those big dudes fly away …
 
I hunted around that area end of last season. There were definitely quail to be had. We stayed in Johnson where there were 2 good restaurants(can’t remember their names). Mexican restaurant on one side of the street and a good farm to table on the other side. Farm to table has a good breakfast, but closed on Sundays.
 
Thanks for all the good advice. I ended up hunting for 6 days out of Syracuse. A good hotel there—Boarders. Decent breakfast and they have rooms you can cook in with pots and pans. It’s a nice area.

Had good weather for 3 days and 50+ mph winds and temps in the teens for two other days. One day I got 1” of snow… not enough to really hold the birds.

I hunted all walkin areas. A lot of good stuff SW of Syracuse. The stuff NW of Syracuse was not as good— more grazing, less crops, and shorter grass. Some really big fields and most had good cover. I got more pheasants than quail, but did get a fair number of quail flushes. Luckily I had a couple friends come to hunt and took my pheasants home.

Didn’t shoot limits by any means but the hunting was good, cover was really good, and KS DPW has done an excellent job of enrolling lots of land in the walkin program— great job!!! Typical late season birds, lots of wild flushes and runners, but enough shooting to keep it interesting. I will go back for sure. KS does a good job of securing hunting properties, much better than NE and SD in my opinion. Of course the numbers of pheasants doesn’t compare to SD, but there are quail to chase around which is fun! My main observation was a lack of wet areas like you have in SD. Not even any return pits or many low spots in that part of the state.

Now I’m chasing woodcock in Louisiana!! They are in habitat a lot tougher to hunt than pheasants that’s for sure!
 

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Riverman said:
Thanks for all the good advice. I ended up hunting for 6 days out of Syracuse. A good hotel there—Boarders. Decent breakfast and they have rooms you can cook in with pots and pans. It’s a nice area.

Had good weather for 3 days and 50+ mph winds and temps in the teens for two other days. One day I got 1” of snow… not enough to really hold the birds.

I hunted all walkin areas. A lot of good stuff SW of Syracuse. The stuff NW of Syracuse was not as good— more grazing, less crops, and shorter grass. Some really big fields and most had good cover. I got more pheasants than quail, but did get a fair number of quail flushes. Luckily I had a couple friends come to hunt and took my pheasants home.

Didn’t shoot limits by any means but the hunting was good, cover was really good, and KS DPW has done an excellent job of enrolling lots of land in the walkin program— great job!!! Typical late season birds, lots of wild flushes and runners, but enough shooting to keep it interesting. I will go back for sure. KS does a good job of securing hunting properties, much better than NE and SD in my opinion. Of course the numbers of pheasants doesn’t compare to SD, but there are quail to chase around which is fun! My main observation was a lack of wet areas like you have in SD. Not even any return pits or many low spots in that part of the state.

Now I’m chasing woodcock in Louisiana!! They are in habitat a lot tougher to hunt than pheasants that’s for sure!
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I hunted out of Syracuse for 3 days last January. We had porky contacts 2 of the 3 days. 2 dogs quilled, one twice. The landowner says he sees them a lot. He even has baled some up while haying. Pulled up stakes & headed a little farther East.
 
captainshotgun said:
I hunted out of Syracuse for 3 days last January. We had porky contacts 2 of the 3 days. 2 dogs quilled, one twice. The landowner says he sees them a lot. He even has baled some up while haying. Pulled up stakes & headed a little farther East.
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Ive been up there three times over the years, and a little east. Had a few good combo pheasant/quail days. Cool country, lots of porkys and birds on the Arkansas river
 
Riverman said:
Thanks for all the good advice. I ended up hunting..................

Now I’m chasing woodcock in Louisiana!! They are in habitat a lot tougher to hunt than pheasants that’s for sure!
Click to expand...

You seem like an alright fellow -- I'd google hot spotting and delete any reference to the exact locations or scouting you did -- if you'd like to go back next year and not have the place overran - edit your post to be less specific on locations. Hot spotting is a thing and has been for a # of years.
 
KsHusker said:
You seem like an alright fellow -- I'd google hot spotting and delete any reference to the exact locations or scouting you did -- if you'd like to go back next year and not have the place overran - edit your post to be less specific on locations. Hot spotting is a thing and has been for a # of years.
Click to expand...
You got that right....was so easy to go on Onx (I have elite account...all50 states) and check out those walkin areas ....
Not that I'm loading up and heading to kansas anytime soon....but if I was...well, there you have it.
 
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