There are places in the state that have significantly more birds than where you hunt, based on your reports.
I hate to hear this. This was the best year of hunting I've had in at least 6 years, maybe longer. I don't take my connections and private land access for granted, but I shot 10-15 birds on public land alone. It's tough for an outside guy to get permission but I know lots of landowners that never turn anyone away. Maybe I still live in Mayberry and this isn't the case east in Central and Eastern Kansas.
They all go by too fast anymore. I had a much better season this year. Quail numbers were just as good as last year, probably even a little better. Pheasants also improved. If can get some properly timed moisture this year I'm excited about next year. Wish I'd been able to get out at least one more time. 21 days with shells in the gun and dogs on the ground starting with chickens in September; same as last year. I thought maybe I'd make it to 22 or 23, but I always seem to lose a weekend in January to weather.
Today was a great last day of the season. We started hunting at 10:15, and got skunked on our first spot. Not even a hen. The 2nd and 3rd spots were both disappointing and only shot 1 bird. Determined quickly as the temperature continued to rise, the birds were not in CRP next to grain. The next 2 spots were CRP next to wheat stubble and finally had better luck. Finished our day ambush hunting weed patches near grain and wheat stubble trying to get the last 3 birds for those needing to fill their individual limits. We accomplished this at 3:45. Total walking was ~7 miles and finished the day hunting in a T-shirt.
I just returned from spending the last week of season near you. I didn't know until I just looked at your profile. Our usual trip to the south of you was still covered with snow and mud. Although we have some pretty good private land there, we knew we couldn't get to most of it. We were lured to your part of the state from a friend who was there when the snow was on. He sent me the WHIHA locations where he had done quite good. So, we figured with his few spots along with the spots that we would surely find, we'd be in like Flyn!!
I am on a few Kansas Facebook hunting groups and have seen several positive posts regarding hunting there. Must be your spots in particular not producing in your area. Maybe you should rethink where you hunt there?
That's the Kansas DNR bots.
Is this public or private land you are referring to?
