Military Base

P

PheasantWhisperer

Member
I was just curious if any of you Kansans (or anyone else) has ever hunted the military base at Fort Riley? I've never gone there and probably never will. Hopefully, as I have quite a bit of good private ground to hunt out there. I know there is a special fee and all kinds of different game including elk. Im not looking for a hunting recommendation by any means but was curious as to what it's like out there as far as upland game goes. Looks like a big area.
 
I went to a trial there years ago. Lots of areas which are off limits here and there, due to war games and un-exploded ordinance. Also serpentine wire all over the place will slice your dog in two presto! you too! There were a lot of birds. These days I believe you have to go through orientation, get a permit, and have a passport to enter.
 
You will need to sign in to I sportsman Fort Riley , there is a number to call to see what areas you can hunt that day . You buy a special license to hunt Fort Riley $ 75 .00 is what I remember .

You check in with The Military police , you fill out a form and declare your Firearms , they check the Serial Numbers , I think they note your tag Number and check your ID . All and all I think it took me about 30 Minutes with the MP's and I was good to go .

It was a little work but , I like the level of security that it would take to get on a military base with a firearm .

We were chasing early season Prarie chickens and didn't have any luck , we did move some pheasant and Quail though .
 
I was stationed there back in the mid 90s so has been a while since I've hunted Fort Riley. Lots of habitat plus the conservation division plants lots of food plots throughout the post (the Army calls it "posts" not base). Shot lots of quail back then, pheasants were there, just hard to pin down due to the cover. Didn't do too good on pheasants my 1st year, shot plenty the 2d. Pheasants know that they can fly in to the impact areas & they're safe.

You do have to keep an eye out for the concertina wire, aka razor wire. Hunted hard the two years I was there & neither my dog or I ever got cut.
 
So I guess they avoid dropping bombs on areas where they have food plots and stuff huh! I think it would be neat to be walking through some standing milo and all of a sudden there's a huge burnt crater in the ground! So you dont actually hunt on areas where they go through on maneuver? Can you shoot lead out there? Or steel only. And I agree with KsBrittman glad there is an extensive system to get on a military base with a firearm.
 
PheasantWhisperer said:
So I guess they avoid dropping bombs on areas where they have food plots and stuff huh! I think it would be neat to be walking through some standing milo and all of a sudden there's a huge burnt crater in the ground! So you dont actually hunt on areas where they go through on maneuver? Can you shoot lead out there? Or steel only. And I agree with KsBrittman glad there is an extensive system to get on a military base with a firearm.
Click to expand...

There are some food plots inside the off limits area around the rifle ranges etc. Hunting is done within the non-impact area training areas surrounding the impact area and obviously the Army has first dibs on training area usage. Training areas are open or closed depending upon what training is going on, I've been in open training areas hunting before and had tanks & Brads maneuver right past me. Lead shot is allowed.
 
Also with the increase of security clearances due to the recent raise in threat level, you also have to check in prior to coming onto post. This includes having a photo ID and a background check done as well.
There is one gate that this can be done at, and EVERYONE wanting to get onto post without a DoD card must do this. I had to have it done simply to drop off my dad at the hospital on post. Depending on the time you go, the wait can be a pain.

Also, there is razor wire out there. Rolls of it. Had a dog get cut so clean, and so bad, down to the bone. 30 some odd stitches.
 
I will never take my dog there again. I hunted there 2 seasons. Found concertina wire 4 or 5 times. I am lucky my dog is still alive.
 
The last time I hunted the Fort Bliss Texas reservation I had to register the shotguns with the Military Police, fill out an application, and receive a pass that is good for the entire hunting season. Each time I went hunting I had to call in with my pass number, time of entry on the reservation, and receive a verbal OK with confirmation number. When finished, I called the range control center with time of departure. Seems like a hassle but it wasn't bad. Always did good on quail and dove so it was worth it. There were no charges for anything. I might add, I am a retired Army Sergeant Major so I have a valid retired Military ID card which probably makes things much easier.

oldandnew said:
I went to a trial there years ago. Lots of areas which are off limits here and there, due to war games and un-exploded ordinance. Also serpentine wire all over the place will slice your dog in two presto! you too! There were a lot of birds. These days I believe you have to go through orientation, get a permit, and have a passport to enter.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top