Info

Stevegk

Stevegk

New member
I am an avid bird hunter from PA. It is that time in my life that I developed a bucket list. I would like to hunt Kansas this year. In PA, you hunt stocked birds. Just once, I would like to hunt wild pheasants. I have a year old Britt, Sadie, who is showing great promise. I would have to plan the hunt on a budget, as I have 2 kids in college. Any info that you folks could provide would be greatly appreciated. Kruger
 
Thanks for the reply Wildcat. I am referring to 2011. This way I would have ample time to plan, schedule vacations etc. Kruger
 
Stevegk said:
Thanks for the reply Wildcat. I am referring to 2011. This way I would have ample time to plan, schedule vacations etc. Kruger
Click to expand...

No problem. I was hoping you meant the 2011 season. Although January can be an excellent time to hunt, we haven't had the greatest winter in terms of optimal temperatures and precipitation. These two factors are highly important when considering a "late season" hunt.

As for hunting this coming season. The best advice I could give you is to be active on this forum. I'm not saying you necessarily need to be active in terms of posting all the time, etc, but you can glean a ton of useful information just by reading the threads posted here.

As a rule of thumb, the Western third of the state, and the Southwest quadrant usually hold the best pheasant population.

Once you've narrowed down where it is you want to go, feel free to ask about recommended hotels, rates, etc. If you plan on hunting opening weekend or the subsequent weekend, you may want to decide on your starting point, and get some lodging booked sooner than later. Most of the good hotels around "prime locations" will be booked with all sorts of folks coming in from the four winds, in search of the glorious rooster pheasant.
 
Thanks for the info. I hope to hunt early in the season, not necessarily the opening week. I like to avoid crowds if possible. You actually touched on some of the info that I desire, such as where to hunt, when is the best time to go, lodging, etc. I will keep an eye on the forum. Good Hunting Kruger
 
If you want to hunt early in the season, and avoid the crowds, you may want to plan your trip in the middle of the week if possible, after the second weekend.

We have an excellent public hunting program here, but it gets hit hard the first few weeks. If you wait too long, you'll run into the scenario where the birds are seeking refuge on private lands, after being constantly pushed off the public areas. They'll eventually return when the "traffic" dies down. Since you're driving such a long way, I'd recommend coming down in the first few weeks. I'd hate for you to make it down during the lull when the birds have been pushed out of the walk-in areas.

Hang around, and make a friend or two. The vast majority of us will be out chasing birds when the season opens, so there's always the possibility you could hook up with a fellow forum member. :D
 
Good luck Stevegk. I'm from Pa too and am trying to make plans to go to KS next year as well. I did have plans to hunt SD last year and got snowed out. I have been looking into hunting around Hanston and Jetmore in Kansas. From what I've been able to read about I would have a chance to get into quail along with pheasants. But I don't think I could make it out in the early season. I may have to try things between Christmas and New Years next year. What part of Pa are you from?
 
Sounds like a plan. Although, I would love to kill a few birds, just to see the flush of flocks of pheasants would be like heaven to me. As I get older, the kill is not as important as the hunt. I don't have to kill scores of birds to feel the trip was a success. Seeing birds, having the dog work well, would be reward enough. Kruger
 
Hey Bauerline, I am from a small town, Patton. It is between Johnstown and Altoona. I was going to hunt a couple of years ago, until on Nov 21, 2009, my Britt, Maggie was killed by an illegal bucket trap while hunting grouse. Since then, I obtained a pup, who appears to be progressing well. Since Maggie got killed, I realized how short life is, for all of us, thus I am determined to make this hunt.
 
i know you are coming a long way, but even though you will spend some time knocking on doors instead of hunting, that is exactly what you need to do. that way you will spend your hunting time on more productive private ground.

the season opens Nov. 12, Thanksgiving is on the 24th.....i would target Nov. 15-20 or Nov.28-anytime in Dec. people are friendly, you will get some no's, but enough yes answers, especially if it is no more than 3 guys...plan it and enjoy, lots of dog friendly motels too.
 
Last edited:
Thank you Hunter94. I was raised on a dairy farm, so asking permission with rural folk would not be a problem. When I make it to Kansas, I may have only one person with me, so there won't be a crowd. Ypur advice regarding dates, etc is greatly appreciated.
 
That is a tough thing to happen to your pup. Good luck and enjoy every minute with your new one.
 
Thank you for your statement. Unfortunately, here in PA, the use of body gripping traps is permitted in any type of waterway, even a spring seep. The law which contains the language which permits this is title 34. It permits a body gripping trap to be placed in a waterway, not submerged. As a result I have been attempting to clean up the language of title 34. Initially our local State Rep was supposed to help, but once the media left, he has been of little help. I believe I may have to go national (if possible) with this information in order to embarrass the legislatures to do something. I am afraid if I do nothing, history will repeat itself and someone else will lose a beloved hunting companion.
 
Was your state rep involved with the game and fisheries committee? Maybe if you try to get a rep that is on that committee you may have more luck.
 
Yep, Rep Gary Haluska. I contacted him via e-mail around mid to late Sept. He did not respond. In fact, I saw him this summer in town while walking Sadie. He handed me a pamplet on how to remove your dog from a body gripping trap. When I questioned him about changing the language in Title 34 he mentioned that he was going to wait until the trappers got back to him about the possible alternatives. I have clients that are trappers and both would have no difficulty with changing the language to make body gripping traps submerged. Ironically, I finally screwed up the courage to take Sadie to a local game lands for grouse. While walking in a gaited access road, Sadied stepped into a dirt hole trap on the road not 90 yds from the gait. I sometimes wonder what people are thinking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top