I’ve tried it twice, once each of the last two years. Once I had one of the best shoots of my life, once I felt like the area had been shot out. Both years it was the second day of the season. Like most public areas, if you don’t get to them in the first few days you’re wasting your time. To get a prime spot for noon on opening day people start arriving at 2:30 am!

Anyway, the Kansas City Star had an article in today’s paper saying that the kill was way down because of the weather. 620 hunters and only 1900 doves is not the type of kill they are used to. I sure didn’t notice lower numbers 100 miles to the west on my opening day… The article can be found here.

But I had a great time working with a group of guys from Florida and another group from Wisconsin. I offered my thoughts where I had hunted in the past and where I might try now, mostly on public ground. It was also fun to hear from these guys when they returned with pictures and stories to share.

So now I’m extending the offer again… If you’re looking for ideas on hunting Unit 11 or 19 in Kansas drop me a line at dukkillr@hotmail.com

Still not convinced? I shot this buck after he walked off of Unit 11 public ground a few years back…

Well maybe not enough of you did apply because I drew my first choice upland hunt. That marks the first time in the history of the program that I’ve drawn anything, and only 12 applicants were drawn! Now if I could have chosen to focus my luck perhaps I’d have an Arizona elk tag but beggers can’t be choosers.

It always seems like the last few weeks of August just crawl by, but this year is worse than normal. I’ve now got 3 dove openers, the teal opener, a Colorado elk bowhunt, and the arrival of my first child all scheduled to occur in the next 5 weeks!

6 Ducks
No more than:
4 Mallards (2 Hens)
3 Wood ducks
2 Scaup
2 Hooded Mergansers
2 Red head
1 Each of pintail, black duck, and canvasback

From here.

So, take a look at the private land options in the newly revised booklet and see if you want to change your choices. Now you have until August 8th. If you still haven’t applied you should do so…

Information booklet here.
Application page here.

I was fortunate enough to be invited on a special hunt for waterfowl last fall. I wrote briefly about it here. Unfortunately we didn’t have the type of cold weather you’d need to do well there, but it was still a neat opportunity to see a new place. I have never drawn a special hunt but I’ll apply again this year. There is no cost or downside.

Tennessee’s first elk hunt in 150 years will be a unique one. One fall elk hunting tag will be auctioned off to the highest bidder on eBay from July 16-25.

Read the rest here.

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!

Here’s the application.

And here’s some info.