So apparently everyone drew. If you applied for a Kansas Non-Resident Deer Tag you won! Congrats!

I believe all 4 of the bucks in that video will be available for any of you non-residents to chase this coming fall. I passed the tall 8 and screwed up a great opportunity on the big 9. I passed the broken beam buck several times. Now as to where you should go to find these guys… That’s a bit more complicated…

There’s actually a great deal of resentment among Kansas hunters for our current system that allows basically any non-resident who’s willing to pay $350 to hunt deer here. This year it was a 100% draw with leftovers in each unit. Last year it was very close to a 100% draw with leftovers in most units. I believe some of the units never sold out. The locals, particularly those prone to whining anyway, are up in arms. They don’t like others killing “their” deer. They don’t like others leasing, “their” ground. They don’t like anything new. They firmly believe that they can turn the clock back to 1960 if they howl and moan about every change that happens.

I see it a bit differently. I’ve been extremely fortunate to hunt a few states each fall. I hunted 4 states and a province last fall. I respect the opportunity that those states provided for me to chase their deer, elk, pheasants, antelope, or whatever. I’m willing to provide those not fortunate enough to be born in Kansas the opportunity to chase some of our big deer. I want to return the favor. Plus, frankly, I’m just not really into complaining.

I’m also part of the problem. I’m excited about two friends from Arkansas and a friend from Southern Missouri joining us in early November. We’ve had a 50% success rate with the Arkansas guys over the last 2 years, and I’ve really enjoyed the adventure they bring with them. I hope they take three monsters this year.

Good luck to those of you who have tags. Don’t worry about all the bluster from “The Locals”. Welcome to Kansas and good luck. I hope you enjoy your hunt, but I hope I get the big 9 before you do!