How did you find your best KS hunting spots?

kansasbrittany

kansasbrittany

Banned
Did you get them from someone else or find them yourself in your journeys?

How many of you can remember your first KS pheasant trip? Did you shoot a limit using someone else's advice, or did you do some research and end up in a decent spot or get lucky enough to end up in an extraordinary spot?

Even if someone told you where their very best spot was, don't you think there's another one within a 20 mile radius that's better?

Finally, have you ever been to an area that someone else said was great and found few or no birds at all?

Wait no....one more....does anyone know where I'm going with this? I help new guys more than most folks think I should, but I'm about done doing it. Too many requests for specific locales for me. Not mad and not bashing the guys that are trying to get all the info they can, just getting frustrated that some of these guys are unknowingly trying to bypass one of the best elements of our sport. I recommend preserves for those that expect great bird #'s on their first trip;)
 
Post of the week.....
 
100 % right on it.

It has taken me 20 years of work & networking to get my honey holes. I just spent 2 days working on an old farm house for the guy who owns the land I hunt. I don't mind letting folks know there are birds but I agree you folks
need to get out there and find out yourself..it cost a lot of $$$ and time to be givin up what I worked for all these years.
 
Best spot came about because my uncle was buying semi load after semi load of alfalfa from a farmer out west at the tune of $100+/ton. The farmer said 'sure, come on out and hunt my place'. The bad part is my uncle has since moved his dairy operation to Oregon, and its kind of cost prohibitive to ship alfalfa there from Kansas. We've still got access to the farm to hunt, but not opening weekend. The farmer has since reserved it for some others, last year was a guy that roofed his house, this year is to a local that asked. We're ok with that, he still lets us come out and hunt his place like it was ours, just not the opener.

Have hunted for many other WIHA spots to hunt. Some have been worthless, some have been awesome. The ones that are awesome are the ones you remember and keep you coming back. Kind of like the gambler that hits it on a slot machine, he remembers the $100 win, but not the multiple $100 losses. Or the golfer that has the couple of good shots and pars or birdies a hole. He forgets the double and triple bogeys when its time to go back.
 
My first trip to Kansas was in 1980. I hunted with a friend's family in the north-central part of the state. I remember getting pheasants on that trip and also bagging quite a few quail.
I've been hunting in Kansas at every opportunity each season since then and now hunt mostly private land in many different parts of the state.
I have acquired many great hunting spots myself just by driving around and looking for the best pheasant habitat I can find and then knocking on doors until I find who to ask for permission.
I've never been afraid to ask permission and I've been refused many times, but I've also lucked into some great properties.
I have returned to hunt many of these spots now for over 20 years.
I work hard to cultivate a respectful relationship with landowners who grant me the privledge of hunting on their property. I am usually invited back to hunt again if I ask. I keep detailed notes on the location, conditions and the landowner info for each property.
I also have a few favorite WIHA areas that I hit each season. It surprises me how many birds these areas can hold despite the hunting pressure they receive.
Kansas is a hunter's paradise and I really look forward to getting out to my old haunts and hopefully finding a few new ones each season.
I have taken a select few friends to some of my spots, but don't share specifics with anyone online....good hunting spots are hard to find....I figure if I can go out and find good places so can they.

Upland Hunter
 
Dumb Luck

Just met a large scale farmer and rancher who I hit off with and the rest is history.
 
back in the 70's-

nobody talked of the good spots
brother-in-law and I would leave early saturday morning expecting not to come back till late Sunday- get to Topeka and head north- we'd look for good looking country and farm houses- we'd stop in and visit- well before the hunting season

any vehicle broke down on back roads we'd stop-
any cattle moving arround like outside a fence we'd drive trying to find the owner- many times over the years- cattle would get loose- amazing what it's like when you find cattle that got loose- you find the owner- you help- you mention you enjoy a day afield, have a couple dogs, aren't into killing-
"drop by in the fall, might allow you to hunt"
then follow up after with a thank you

one time- nasty- farmer was working some young steers- cutting- said if we wanted to hunt we had to get in and help- hunted that farm for 16 years

one time- 14 or so young cattle were on the road, ditch- loose- could see the fence problem- we didn't really know what we were doing- but did our best- farmer came up in a beat up pickup-
"what's going on"

he didn't allow hunting- told us to come back he'd like to go out with us-
we came back early one morning- guy chuckled- "you can hunt south for a mile, east for another mile, don't cross the fence or you might get shot at"
he wouldn't take the 11 quail or the 4 roosters- pointed to a steer- that's what I like to eat- 11 years I hunted that farm- he had 2 brothers with farms

never told another of the places I had- except I did have relatives come down for quite a few years

It's still the same in places- you just have to get out- know how to act- and not be talking about it- worse thing one can do is to talk about a great spot and bring others-

some farmers/landowners don't want folks knowing they allow a person to hunt- they don't want lots of hunters- but pretty much would let the right folks hunt

think the WIHA program really took hold because farmers/landowners were just tired of folks constantly bugging them about hunting- you have to wonder about that- know a few who have argued about the WIHA's- killing all the game

farmers aren't stupid, folks continue to come all the time, means lots of game is shot
 
First trip was long...I thought wild goose chase....but went...truck wasnt the best in the world...we stopped a lot and filled up with oil and checked the gas....he he. First morning...never saw a covey....lost a dog...completely...that afternoon...found 6 coveys...did well...first time we met the folks....since then...we have all become great friends. The guy that set us up was a friend of a friend that my dad did business with. Been through a few deaths together....in our group....but...you never know what a good hunting buddy might mean for the rest of your life. I wont go into detail...but...one could never imagine what one trip has meant to my life. Most dont turn out that way. But this one did. Forget the number of birds we killed for 20 years...the memories are great and lasting. They are there for us...and we are for them. If you drew it up on a board how you would like a deal to work...you have to put my story on it. I was lucky to meet the folks...and damn lucky I sat in the middle of a pickup for 13 hours for one trip that changed my family's life.
 
kansasbrittany said:
The most important part of your story would be how you've maintained a relationship that gets you invited back.
Click to expand...

Twelve years as a volunteer wheat harvest hand and dinner and drinks every opener for he and his wife developed a great friendship. One summer I was out there for ten days helping cut his 3200 acres of wheat. While he does not hunt, his brother has become my constant hunting companion. I also joined their local PF chapter.
 
I worked for an ag company when I found my current honey holes and asked the farmers if I could hunt on it throughout the years and a new job I still am allowed the permission and I will aso do small things like putting up sighns or helping work cattle or drive a truck during harves t to show my appreciation for their generosity
 
kansasbrittany said:
Did you get them from someone else or find them yourself in your journeys?

How many of you can remember your first KS pheasant trip? Did you shoot a limit using someone else's advice, or did you do some research and end up in a decent spot or get lucky enough to end up in an extraordinary spot?

Even if someone told you where their very best spot was, don't you think there's another one within a 20 mile radius that's better?

Finally, have you ever been to an area that someone else said was great and found few or no birds at all?

Wait no....one more....does anyone know where I'm going with this? I help new guys more than most folks think I should, but I'm about done doing it. Too many requests for specific locales for me. Not mad and not bashing the guys that are trying to get all the info they can, just getting frustrated that some of these guys are unknowingly trying to bypass one of the best elements of our sport. I recommend preserves for those that expect great bird #'s on their first trip;)
Click to expand...

We........... (I have a split personality) The first timers appreciated your information that allows us to get a head start on the hunting in Ks. but I prefer to hunt walk in areas and knocking on doors for the experience, I don't like pay to hunt someone land but that just me. So if I get one or two birds per day in the walk in areas to me thats success. If I see KB GCB I'll buy you lunch or a six pack because the information you guys provided me helped me make my decision on which state to hunt in. :cheers:
 
no need to buy me anything I like helping honest sportsmen who appreciate the help they do get and don't abuse the help thank you for your offer though
 
My first hunt to Kansas preceeded the WIHA program. The first field we hunted was a 1mi square CRP. Flushed more birds the first pass through than I'd seen my entire youth/young adult life in Ohio. Final push to the corner (into a cemetary) and it was a shooting gallery - I emptied, reloaded, emptied, reloaded, emptied without taking a step. We shot 40+ roosters that first day. Next day rain / snow - shot 5! Been coming back ever since for last 15 years.
 
kansasbrittany said:
Did you get them from someone else or find them yourself in your journeys?

How many of you can remember your first KS pheasant trip? Did you shoot a limit using someone else's advice, or did you do some research and end up in a decent spot or get lucky enough to end up in an extraordinary spot?

Even if someone told you where their very best spot was, don't you think there's another one within a 20 mile radius that's better?

Finally, have you ever been to an area that someone else said was great and found few or no birds at all?

Wait no....one more....does anyone know where I'm going with this? I help new guys more than most folks think I should, but I'm about done doing it. Too many requests for specific locales for me. Not mad and not bashing the guys that are trying to get all the info they can, just getting frustrated that some of these guys are unknowingly trying to bypass one of the best elements of our sport. I recommend preserves for those that expect great bird #'s on their first trip;)
Click to expand...
So what were those GPS coordinates again? I seem to have misplaced the last ones you gave me...whoops, meant to send this in a PM......:nutz:
 
Guys, I still don't really have a solid place to hunt yet, but I just wanted to say thank you to all who have pointed me one way or another! I promise, I'm not looking for a handout, but I promise to respect the land I hunt, and always leave it better than I found it. One fine gentlemen on here gave me the most valuable information yet, in telling me how to hunt, rather than where. See, the thing is, I usually think the type of guys that will ask you exactly where to hunt, are also the same guys that will crowd in on you when you're the only one catching fish! As far as the hunting trip goes...I just "need" to get out and get away, that's all. I'm not looking for anything other than to enjoy myself in God's country. Yes, I would gladly accept an invite, but I wouldn't expect it from anyone. I have gotten a lot out of this forum, and hopefully made a few contacts that I can grow and keep up with through the years. 3 years ago, drinking was running my life. To ensure I didn't lose everything that mattered to me, I cut all ties with everyone I knew. So that's why I was asking for advice, and maybe a good county to start in, as well as possibly making new buddies, not to try to beat someone to thier spot, I just don't really know anyone anymore other than my immediate family. So me and Freckles, my 7 month old GSP are gonna take off for somewhere in SW Kansas Friday morning and who knows where we'll end up. My goal out of this trip is to relax, work with my pup, and hopefully find some spots to start an annual Kansas trip with my son, who will be 8 and going on his first trip next year, that's all. Thank you to everyone that has helped me so far...you didn't have to, and I know that. That speaks to exactly what type of person you are. Thank you again, and I might see you in some WIHA this weekend. Sincerely,

Stacy

and Freckles!
 
Your heading in the right direction according to the KS website that's all you can do, don't expect people to just give up there areas. If you even read some of the posts you would see most of these guys payed there dues over many years, put in some time and come back and you'll get some info as time goes on.

This site is just full of guys with there first post is I'm new where should I go, who will take me hunting, so next year I can come back by myself with 10 friends. The other upland site I've been on for years does not tolerate hot spotting and many guys get mad when people even mention specific areas, but most guys are very helpful if you use the P.M. Just saying
I know very little of KS only went once last Jan. and going again this Jan. but I'm not going to post where should I go either. You can help or ask for help without telling the whole world, and you can bet for ever registered member there's many more lurkers.
JW
 
Finding honey holes

Ive found my best places to hunt ,from covering all parts of the state.ONE year started in NE ,then went NW for a coulple days and then to the sw of the state.
 
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