Alright I always enjoy folks opinions. I hope to be drawn and hunt in Kansas this year. I plan on taking two rifles. My main rifle will be a new build in 6.5 creedmoor. My backup will likely be either a 7mm RM or 300 wsm. I know these deer are much heavier than Georgia deer I'm used to, but I will kill any deer on earth with a 6.5mm bullet.........
What would be your picks?
I'd take your Creed and the 7mm.
Seems to me the older mature bucks are heavy but no heavier than other places in the lower 48. A 6.5 or 7mm will easily handle the heaviest of them.
I'd take your Creed and the 7mm.
Seems to me the older mature bucks are heavy but no heavier than other places in the lower 48. A 6.5 or 7mm will easily handle the heaviest of them.
This......and feed them Nosler Partitions of course.
I'd take your Creed and the 7mm.
IF he takes the Creed...he won't be able to kill anything bigger than SKane did.
I wouldn't want to be handicapped like that!
Jerry
I shot a 246lb heavy 9 point in Kansas in '92. 7x57 and 140gr ballistic tip. A 139 anything in the Swede will end in the same result. I'd shoot the 150gr BT in the 7mag. Be ready for 40-400yd shots. powdr
Just so you'll know !
Posted by SKane--12-09-15--Kansas Adventure 2015.
I decided on the new star and anchored him at 260 yards with a 130 Accubond from my 6.5 Creedmoor. Time to get wet again.
I had to dig it up. Worth the effort.<smile>
Jerry
haha I remember that buck!
Scott made a great shot on that deer!
Yeah, that's a really nice deer.
All grins and good times.
What Bob said.
I've taken my last five Kansas bucks with a 300WM x2, 7WBY, .284 WIN and 7WSM. All Berger VLD's except one (TTSX). None of them did anything better that I couldn't have done with a 6.5 Creed. So....
This year I'll be taking the Creeds ballistic cousin a 6.5x47 Lapua and if it's done in time a 7Rem. Mag. Eddie Fosnaugh's building for me as a back up.
Good luck on your hunt d500. If you're a whitetail nut like me it's hard to beat Kansas.
Yeah Guys
If you take a 270 W you can ONLY kill bucks like this:
This TOO posted by SKane, 12-09-2015---Kansas Adventure 2105
I heard Bobโs 270 bark and knew his aim would be true so I headed his way to commence to dragging. He did not disappoint.
We ain't sure 'WHO' this Bob is >>but he 'GOT LUCKY' that day.
Jerry
Ha! Yeah that one snuck in on me quick and had me fooled on body size until we hauled him out and hung him up.
He was a little smaller than Paul's buck but just did not look it to me.He was bigger than I thought....but I been fooled before!
Nice exit from the 130 Nosler Partition,which entered the opposite shoulder area, quartering on. Short blood trail, not required.
Jerry thanks for posting those pictures!
Those kansas bucks got some bodies on them for sure! Here is Pauls buck,which was killed with a 270 and 150 Speer IIRC. On shot, down on the spot. This was a big deer by any standard.
Those are three great Kansas bucks!! They are three great bucks anywhere!!
I never tire seeing photos of them.....
MM: OK we can help you out! LOL!
Here's the whole bunch of them....
Let's not forget our Elder!
This posted by SKane--12-09-2015, Kansas Adventure 2015
Dad was the first one to draw blood on an old warrior. He anchored the buck with one shot from his 7600 chambered in .270. Then, as it always seems when he and I hunt in Kansas, I got wet. LOL.
Yeah - he said 7600-- rag tag rattly Pump
Pic posted by Whelen Nut 12-11-2015 Kansas Adventure
I don't know you Paul but---S A L U T E'
Jerry
BTW, I like and have those pumps!
Thanks for the pics of those KS brutes. I love that part of the world, which is why my whitetail place is as far North as you can get and still be in TX, where the length of the hunting seasons is an obvious advantage.
Nice work guys!
Jerry/JG: Pauls buck was a brute!
Man that's a great blackmail picture....look at all the debris on the ground....boots,vest,bins,shooting sticks.........ME!
It was SO warm, I had to take some shut eye... I have learned to care to my creature comforts on hunts and not worry about the deer. They just "happen" if you hang around long enough...
Goodness gracious, that hunt was a bunch of fun. Once dad broke the ice, it seemed were hauling deer after every sit.
Nick, pretty much anything with a decent bullet that's reasonably slippery in the wind is a great choice for KS whitetails.
Can't say I have a definitive favorite, and, like many here, experience ADD when it comes to rifles and chamberings. <grins> Will likely give the .243 a whirl this year.
d500Inn-
Honestly, I wasn't trying to hi-jack YOUR thread. My intention IS to show you that the 6.5 Creedmoore----270W----7MM RM ALL will work in Kansas.
Yes, I injected a little humor but still was illustrating that most cartridges & rifles will work in Kansas. The hunter and his marksmanship are THE most important.
If I offended you, I apologize. No offense intended.
I hope you get to go and have a GREAT hunt!!
Jerry
d500Inn-
Honestly, I wasn't trying to hi-jack YOUR thread. My intention IS to show you that the 6.5 Creedmoore----270W----7MM RM ALL will work in Kansas.
Yes, I injected a little humor but still was illustrating that most cartridges & rifles will work in Kansas. The hunter and his marksmanship are THE most important.
If I offended you, I apologize. No offense intended.
I hope you get to go and have a GREAT hunt!!
Jerry
Someone mentions "deer and rifles" and Jerry gets a little excited.
Someone mentions "deer and rifles" and Jerry gets a little excited.
Yep, I ain't too old to get excited!
YET
Jerry
Probably should use a "magnum" on Kansas brutes
Normal size Missouri deer die pretty easy
Ted, nice bucks.
Careful though - that's not gonna help keeping folks out of Missouri.
Missouri has it's rifle season one week in front of Kansas,Iowa,Illinois and Oklahoma
I see a lot of different license plates at the gas station and grocery store that week
No worries....I can share
Missouri is an OTC state
I've been focusing on another state the past couple years anyway
Nice pics Ted......you suck even more now though.
I need to start twisting a turret and ditch the V3's don't you think?
Wow, very cool pics. There has been some real bruisers killed. A little disappointed there was not more smack talk...j/k. That first buck I guess Scott kill wow what a brute. Seeing all these pics, makes me want even more to get drawn. I went to Missouri a few years back and came up empty. Saw piles of deer, but not the one.....kind of disappointing, but a long story to a very frustrating end...
Nick,
What unit are you hoping to draw?
Nick -
IF, IF I am the j you mentioned, I have nothing but appreciation for those guys. Yes, friends do smack talk but I really was attempting to show you what others used with SUCK cess (grin) in Kansas.
As well as poke a little fun at our OLD man--napping !!
I actually thot you might have felt that I was messing up your thread.
That was not my intent at all.
Good luck in the draw.
Good hunting.
Jerry
the 6.5 is fine for whitetails.
I would consider the range your shooting at, and how well you shoot any one of those rifles before I start worrying about what will kill what.
I live in KS... So shot placement, and NOT jerking the trigger and missing the entire deer is the first hurdle. You probably have more trigger time than that, but it does happen
Awesome pics! Those are some big bodied deer. My post wasn't as much will it work, cause I know it will, but more of a sounding board for people's opinions. I have narrowed my collection to only 3 magnum class rifles. My go to rifles are a Sako 243 finnlight and a semi custom M7 in 7-08, when my creedmoor is complete, it will likely be my go to. I love the creedmoor. I've had 2 and love the way it performs on game.
Skane, I'm trying for 11.
Jwall, it was j/k for just kidding.
All these pics and post are fantastic. I appreciate everyone pitching in on the discussion. If I get drawn, not sure what a reasonable expectation. I'm pretty versed in shooting good white tails in Georgia, but deer with huge bodies can make the racks look a bit smaller. I think I passed a deer in Missouri a few years back that was pretty good...on the last day. If I wouldn't be proud of it, I'll leave it for the next guy. The worst feeling is trying to justify why you killed a deer that is less than your goal.
I've never killed a deer over 142" and some change. Since then I've got to where I just didn't care about score as much...maybe because I'm not killing deer of that size..haha.
Nick,
I've hunted that unit quite a bit - mostly walk-in ground.
You've got a good shot at drawing without a PP. For many years (after they did away with landowner tags) there were leftover permits in 11. Appears last year there were more apps than tags though. (2/3's of the tags were consumed by archery hunters)
Just go and have fun. Leave the scores to football, basketball and baseball.
What would be your picks?
For my only Kansas rifle whitetail buck I used a .270 hit in the chest while facing me, it ran about 30 yards and died.
For your back up rifle, I would take the one with the best scope.
Nick,
I've hunted that unit quite a bit - mostly walk-in ground.
You've got a good shot at drawing without a PP. For many years (after they did away with landowner tags) there were leftover permits in 11. Appears last year there were more apps than tags though. (2/3's of the tags were consumed by archery hunters)
Just go and have fun. Leave the scores to football, basketball and baseball.
Scott, I'm going (if drawn) on private ground with a guy that wants to buy one of my rifles a 260 I bought here last year. We've become buddies and I gonna take it to him in Kansas to try out.
d500Inn-
Honestly, I wasn't trying to hi-jack YOUR thread. My intention IS to show you that the 6.5 Creedmoore----270W----7MM RM ALL will work in Kansas.
Yes, I injected a little humor but still was illustrating that most cartridges & rifles will work in Kansas. The hunter and his marksmanship are THE most important.
If I offended you, I apologize. No offense intended.
I hope you get to go and have a GREAT hunt!!
Jerry
Jerry,
I enjoyed all your post. Looks like y'all had a big damn time. Nothing and I mean nothing is better than a successful hunt with a group of friends that you can bag on and make memories forever! This is a public board. I'm glad you pitched in. Good luck to y'all this year if you go!
Jerry,
I enjoyed all your post. Looks like y'all had a big damn time. Nothing and I mean nothing is better than a successful hunt with a group of friends that you can bag on and make memories forever! This is a public board. I'm glad you pitched in. Good luck to y'all this year if you go!
Sorry - but UNfortunately I was NOT in on the hunt/fun. I am a 'net' friend only.
I'd say they had a FANTASTIC time and got L U C K Y !
Jerry
Skane, I'm trying for 11.
I live in 11. Look me up when the time gets near.
MasterBlaster, what a group of fine white-tails! Is that a McWhorter rifle in first pic. Those deer are all studs. Man, I can't wait to get good new (I hope)
M B -
Wow, Dandy Bucks
Cograts
Jerry
Master Blaster Nice bucks! You're a Kansas veteran!
keep them rolling!
Master Blaster Nice bucks! You're a Kansas veteran!
keep them rolling!
Amen, and amen! Very nice!
Thanks fellas. Nick, yes that's a McWhorter in 7 WSM.
Here's a couple some pards I took with me a couple of years ago scored.
Looks like the buck is laying in a scrape made by an Elephant! <grin>
Jerry
Master Blaster Nice bucks! You're a Kansas veteran!
keep them rolling!
Amen, and amen! Very nice!
Amen, amen, and amen!
Not sure where these pics are coming from. Must be some high fence operations or something. We don't have those kinds of deer in KS. A pic of about the biggest ones I've ever seen.
I've rifle hunted Kansas once. On my last day, I was planning on sitting on stand early, then driving home. After climbing down, I was circling around a draw to walk a native grass patch on the way back to the truck. I jumped a ten point and some does that stopped behind a small group of trees. I knew when they left, they'd be running. The buck broke cover and I swung my 270 WBY mag and squeezed. I hit the buck in front of the hind quarter, angling a bit forward, but not in the vitals. He dropped in mid leap.
Most any round will do, but remember that the wind always blows. Nice to have a heavier bullet to buck the wind. I've also had good luck with muzzy and slick trick broad heads in Kansas.
Can't find a rifle pic, but this is one of the better bow kills.
Not sure where these pics are coming from. Must be some high fence operations or something. We don't have those kinds of deer in KS. A pic of about the biggest ones I've ever seen.
And even those are likely migrants from Oklahoma.
Nick, I hope you get a chance to come out after one of our Kansas bucks. Our Kansas deer are big, but they aren't bulletproof. These two both fell to a 90 gr. Accubond, the first from a .243 and mine from a 6mm Remington. Your 6.5's and 7mm will work just fine. Good luck!
Dan - super deer! The one you shot sure is a husky bugger!
Great stuff guys. I love seeing all the pics and the stories that go with them. Master Blaster I'll just come hang with you....๐
I've rifle hunted Kansas once. On my last day, I was planning on sitting on stand early, then driving home. After climbing down, I was circling around a draw to walk a native grass patch on the way back to the truck. I jumped a ten point and some does that stopped behind a small group of trees. I knew when they left, they'd be running. The buck broke cover and I swung my 270 WBY mag and squeezed. I hit the buck in front of the hind quarter, angling a bit forward, but not in the vitals. He dropped in mid leap.
Most any round will do, but remember that the wind always blows. Nice to have a heavier bullet to buck the wind. I've also had good luck with muzzy and slick trick broad heads in Kansas.
Can't find a rifle pic, but this is one of the better bow kills.
Damn! Beauty!
Cant have too much gun....The deer in North Central Kansas are large!
270wby, 7STW, 7WSM.
7STW is my go to gun in Kansas. Yes you can kill them with less gun but when the next deer could be a B&C, I want all the gun I can shoot.
So we shoot them with.......?
Deer are tuff in Kansas! Better take this:
n1unvk by
Rick Mulhern, on Flickr
Guess I'd better retire my 6mm's. Didn't know that I was quite that close to not killing a deer.
Bob, you'd better get that 375 slicked up...
6.5: Looks like i better bring my Mashburn to Kansas.
Actually not a bad idea!
What's it take to kill a horse, that cannon...lol
What's it take to kill a horse, that cannon...lol
IF you can get em between the eyes, horses, cows, BULLS, boars will EFFECTIVELY die from 22 LR.
Jerry
Not sure what they use now, but the local locker killed everything with a 22LR for years and may still be. I am sure a lot of white tails fell to them also.
Cant have too much gun....The deer in North Central Kansas are large!
Yes you can kill them with less gun but when the next deer could be a B&C, I want all the gun I can shoot.
Can't wait to learn what you'd tote to SK or AB.
That 6.5 you brought is about perfect Scott.
Not sure what they use now, but the local locker killed everything with a 22LR for years and may still be. I am sure a lot of white tails fell to them also.
When I was a kid we butchered beef & hogs every year.
Every ONE of them died from a 22 SHORT between the eyes!
Jerry
Cant have too much gun....The deer in North Central Kansas are large!
Yes you can kill them with less gun but when the next deer could be a B&C, I want all the gun I can shoot.
Can't wait to learn what you'd tote to SK or AB.
Yeah.....elk are hard to kill too....
A 320" class elk won't fall to an
old fashioned non magnum
Woops
Somebody didn't get the memo
Even though it was a plain old vanilla 30
He was just fine with hitching a ride back to Missouri with me
Cant have too much gun....The deer in North Central Kansas are large!
Yes you can kill them with less gun but when the next deer could be a B&C, I want all the gun I can shoot.
Can't wait to learn what you'd tote to SK or AB.
I have seen an Alberta buck that would push 400 pounds pretty hard.
But I coulda put him in the dirt with a 270.
Yeah....the elk I killed last year just might have tipped the scales close to as heavy as those tough heavy deer
MM: OK we can help you out! LOL!
Here's the whole bunch of them....
That right there is the stuff dreams are made of.
Cant have too much gun....The deer in North Central Kansas are large! When the next deer could be a B&C, I want all the gun I can shoot.
Sound advice, especially when you're traveling from out of state and only have a few days to hunt. Large bodied deer that are full of testosterone can soak up a lot of lead before giving up the ghost. Cartridge choice is a personal matter but I've always figured that as long as I can handle the recoil, at the very least there's no disadvantage to using a bigger one.
Cant have too much gun....The deer in North Central Kansas are large! When the next deer could be a B&C, I want all the gun I can shoot.
Sound advice, especially when you're traveling from out of state and only have a few days to hunt. Large bodied deer that are full of testosterone can soak up a lot of lead before giving up the ghost. Cartridge choice is a personal matter but I've always figured that as long as I can handle the recoil, at the very least there's no disadvantage to using a bigger one.
No disrespect intended, but this "can't have too much gun" mentality for deer hunting just isn't true, even for Kansas. Just as in the "7mag for Brown Bear" thread, good bullets are the key, and most any bullet will kill the very biggest bodied whiteys or mule deer anywhere on the planet, including .243's an up.
I do believe a guy should use whatever super magnum he feels like using though, as long as he can shoot it accurately.
Magnums kill big deer "more" dead
Especially if you have a non resident license or you are using a guide
Heaven forbid leaving the country to hunt way way off without a magnum either
Just don't risk it.......
Cant have too much gun....The deer in North Central Kansas are large! When the next deer could be a B&C, I want all the gun I can shoot.
Sound advice, especially when you're traveling from out of state and only have a few days to hunt. Large bodied deer that are full of testosterone can soak up a lot of lead before giving up the ghost. Cartridge choice is a personal matter but I've always figured that as long as I can handle the recoil, at the very least there's no disadvantage to using a bigger one.
Jim Shockey says that a 338 win mag is not out of place in Saskatchewan
I think if someone showed up at our place with a 338 mag that the ridicule would be somewhat similar to showing up with a 270 Win....
But then again we have just a few very small deer.....
Most of those stories about "lead packing big deer" are the result of the nature of the animal and the circumstances under which it is frequently shot. All the worse of course the bigger they are..
A truly big whitetail is a once or twice lifetime animal. They are reclusive, smart, hard to see, and appear suddenly and usually not under the best of circumstances.
Shot opportunities are fleeting, frequently hurried and can occur at ANY distance from a few yards to as far as you can hit. If they aren't on the move they soon will be (count on it). You won't have much time to make the shot but if you hesitate he will be gone.
Under such circumstances, if you can react quickly enough at all, it's no wonder that, despite good intentions, shots are frequently not precisely placed, and human nature says that we think that more powerful cartridges provide some margin for bad placement.
It's a noble thought
But I am not sure it works.
I admit to being seduced by it myself in early years, but soon discovered that the real key is good field marksmanship because even the biggest bucks are very quickly killed by good bullets and correct placement from standard cartridges.
The Kansas bucks shown above were killed by the 6.5 Creedmoor at 250 yards (DRT); the 270 Winchester at 180 yards (DRT), and the 270 Winchester t 50 yards (chest hit scrambled 20 yards and kaput).
The best rifle you can bring on a trophy whitetail hunt is the one that you can hit a soccer ball sized target at reasonable distance,from field positions under a variety of circumstances.
So long as it's reasonable,cartridges are a secondary consideration IMHO.
I've said before that the three largest bucks I've seen killed here locally were all shot with a .243. Ranges from bow range to well over 250. Mine was the smallest and it gross scored over 170 as a mainframe 8. Hit them right with a decent bullet and get out your knife.
it gross scored over 170 as a mainframe 8
Holy smokes, that's a BFB!
___
I'm sure others have noticed a trend amongst the 5 or 6 guys in this thread that hail from the sunflower state;
all know their deer and none of them are burning magnum primers to slay them.
20 years ago. Back when I didn't know any better, would just shoot any ole meat buck that walked by. .270 with 130 grain Hornady. Baseball coach was likely using a 30/06 and factory ammo on the small one.
Here's ole_270s 8 point. If it wasn't a 9 point he'd have netted 170.
Wow! is right......Geesh what a brute.
Here's ole_270s 8 point. If it wasn't a 9 point he'd have netted 170.
Here's ole_270s 8 point. If it wasn't a 9 point he'd have netted 170.
Ha! And true!
I don't have any pics, but my cousin shot an 8pt years ago that netted above 170". Truly a remarkable deer. He shot it with a single shot 12ga he bought the day before while sitting on a log with his wife smoking a cigarette...
Awesome pics! Those are some big bodied deer. My post wasn't as much will it work, cause I know it will, but more of a sounding board for people's opinions. I have narrowed my collection to only 3 magnum class rifles. My go to rifles are a Sako 243 finnlight and a semi custom M7 in 7-08, when my creedmoor is complete, it will likely be my go to. I love the creedmoor. I've had 2 and love the way it performs on game.
I missed your reply earlier, so I thought I'd share a picture of another Kansas buck that fell to a Model 7 in 7mm-08 a couple of years ago. Reduced recoil load using SR4759 & a 120 gr. Hornady bullet, but it worked just fine.
Dan,
When I think of Kansas trophy whitetails, this could very well be the textbook photo.
Mature, good mass, some narly and odd stuff happening and a frame that reaches to the sky.
There's more than one thing to be proud of in that pict.
Damned nice bucks in this thread!
I think I'm going to stay out of Kansas for a while, though. Last buck I killed was with a 243. Seems as though some kind of crazy mutant deer have taken over the gene pool if I need to bring a magnum next trip. LOL.
Are there not any young deer in Kansas??
Dan,
When I think of Kansas trophy whitetails, this could very well be the textbook photo.
Mature, good mass, some narly and odd stuff happening and a frame that reaches to the sky.
There's more than one thing to be proud of in that pict.
Thanks, Scott. Lots of things I am proud of in this picture and definitely a memory that will last a lifetime. This buck wasn't as old as the one my wife shot a week earlier and it would have been interesting to see what another year or two might have done for it, but when it was in the crosshairs inside 75 yards with a 9 year old looking at her biggest deer ever it was time to pull the trigger. I will always remember watching Grace walk up to it with a look of disbelief as she had done a good job of focusing on her shot and didn't realize how nice of a buck it was.
Here's ole_270s 8 point. If it wasn't a 9 point he'd have netted 170.
[/quote]
I love monster eights and that is a beaut! and with a win model 70 fwt, doesn't get much better.
I'm partial to model 70 fwt's in 270 on my Kansas deer, especially the pre 64 variety.
This big Kansas eluded me last year.
Awesome pics! Those are some big bodied deer. My post wasn't as much will it work, cause I know it will, but more of a sounding board for people's opinions. I have narrowed my collection to only 3 magnum class rifles. My go to rifles are a Sako 243 finnlight and a semi custom M7 in 7-08, when my creedmoor is complete, it will likely be my go to. I love the creedmoor. I've had 2 and love the way it performs on game.
I missed your reply earlier, so I thought I'd share a picture of another Kansas buck that fell to a Model 7 in 7mm-08 a couple of years ago. Reduced recoil load using SR4759 & a 120 gr. Hornady bullet, but it worked just fine.
Wow. What a deer! I bet you are proud. The 7-08 has piled up many deer across this great nation! I would be stoked with a deer like this if I'm lucky enough to hugest drawn!
Most of those stories about "lead packing big deer" are the result of the nature of the animal and the circumstances under which it is frequently shot. All the worse of course the bigger they are..
A truly big whitetail is a once or twice lifetime animal. They are reclusive, smart, hard to see, and appear suddenly and usually not under the best of circumstances.
Shot opportunities are fleeting, frequently hurried and can occur at ANY distance from a few yards to as far as you can hit. If they aren't on the move they soon will be (count on it). You won't have much time to make the shot but if you hesitate he will be gone.
Under such circumstances, if you can react quickly enough at all, it's no wonder that, despite good intentions, shots are frequently not precisely placed, and human nature says that we think that more powerful cartridges provide some margin for bad placement.
It's a noble thought
But I am not sure it works.
I admit to being seduced by it myself in early years, but soon discovered that the real key is good field marksmanship because even the biggest bucks are very quickly killed by good bullets and correct placement from standard cartridges.
The Kansas bucks shown above were killed by the 6.5 Creedmoor at 250 yards (DRT); the 270 Winchester at 180 yards (DRT), and the 270 Winchester t 50 yards (chest hit scrambled 20 yards and kaput).
The best rifle you can bring on a trophy whitetail hunt is the one that you can hit a soccer ball sized target at reasonable distance,from field positions under a variety of circumstances.
So long as it's reasonable,cartridges are a secondary consideration IMHO.
All true!
Here's ole_270s 8 point. If it wasn't a 9 point he'd have netted 170.
The tine length on that buck is amazing! Gives a whole new meaning to a buck with a tall rack...Wow!
Seem to of misplaced the taxidermists scoring sheet. If I remember correctly the G2s were 15 1/2", the G3s 12 3/4". Never seen anything like it before or since.
I got drawn. I'm going to unit 11. Can't wait.
The draw for 11 is essentially a formality - there was little doubt.
I know the southern part of that one pretty well.
Whereabouts are you hunting?
The draw for 11 is essentially a formality - there was little doubt.
I know the southern part of that one pretty well.
Whereabouts are you hunting?
I didn't realize that. 2 of the guy's we are going with had two of his buddies that didn't draw. Anyhow, Skane I'm not certain the town that is close. I'll ask Scott (guy I'm going with) where it is and get back to you.
I thought 11 was a good area?
Anyhow, I'll find out and let you know. I've got to start "getting my stuff ready" and buying more things I "need" because all the stuff I have wont work in Kansas๐ That's my story anyhow...
Bring t-shirts & jeans and artic foul weather gear...
The draw for 11 is essentially a formality - there was little doubt.
I know the southern part of that one pretty well.
Whereabouts are you hunting?
I didn't realize that. 2 of the guy's we are going with had two of his buddies that didn't draw. Anyhow, Skane I'm not certain the town that is close. I'll ask Scott (guy I'm going with) where it is and get back to you.
I thought 11 was a good area?
I just looked it up, and, you're right - more applicants than tags. That's a first in a long time.
Anyway, yes, it's a really good unit if you're not trying to keep up with the walk-in ground that almost annually changes over. If you're on private ground you have no worries.
Bring t-shirts & jeans and artic foul weather gear...
TRUTH!!!
Nick, if you don't have a windproof shell, now is the time.
Guys, I was joking....I've got more [bleep] than I'll ever need. I'm as much of a hunting clothing whore than I am a rifle and hunting junkie. I'm just looking for an excuse to get some more nice gear.
Guys, I was joking....I've got more [bleep] than I'll ever need. I'm as much of a hunting clothing whore than I am a rifle and hunting junkie. I'm just looking for an excuse to get some more nice gear.
In that case, I'd look for excuses to spend that money on more trips. Go to KS and other places as well. You'll remember/enjoy it much longer than any gear purchase IME...
Guys, I was joking....I've got more [bleep] than I'll ever need. I'm as much of a hunting clothing whore than I am a rifle and hunting junkie. I'm just looking for an excuse to get some more nice gear.
In that case, I'd look for excuses to spend that money on more trips. Go to KS and other places as well. You'll remember/enjoy it much longer than any gear purchase IME...
I completely and totally agree with that statement. I likely will do that. Its looking like summer 2017 will be S Africa......although something in the back of my mind says enjoy trips in the US....elk, antelope, mule deer, etc....
I drive across Kansas to get to Colorado. Looks like I should just stop there.
I drive across Kansas to get to Colorado. Looks like I should just stop there.
There's really not much to see here. In fact, I've heard it said that Kansas is one of the "flyover states".
Guys, I was joking....I've got more [bleep] than I'll ever need. I'm as much of a hunting clothing whore than I am a rifle and hunting junkie. I'm just looking for an excuse to get some more nice gear.
In that case, I'd look for excuses to spend that money on more trips. Go to KS and other places as well. You'll remember/enjoy it much longer than any gear purchase IME...
I completely and totally agree with that statement. I likely will do that. Its looking like summer 2017 will be S Africa......although something in the back of my mind says enjoy trips in the US....elk, antelope, mule deer, etc....
Sounds like a plan. I plan on doing as much here in the US for the time being as possible for a couple of reasons. Largely, time and money, but I also see old, out of shape guys on safaris in Africa. You don't see to many of them on DIY, public land hunts for elk, etc. Right now I'm just young(ish) and out of shape!
Guys, I was joking....I've got more [bleep] than I'll ever need. I'm as much of a hunting clothing whore than I am a rifle and hunting junkie. I'm just looking for an excuse to get some more nice gear.
In that case, I'd look for excuses to spend that money on more trips. Go to KS and other places as well. You'll remember/enjoy it much longer than any gear purchase IME...
I completely and totally agree with that statement. I likely will do that. Its looking like summer 2017 will be S Africa......although something in the back of my mind says enjoy trips in the US....elk, antelope, mule deer, etc....
Sounds like a plan. I plan on doing as much here in the US for the time being as possible for a couple of reasons. Largely, time and money, but I also see old, out of shape guys on safaris in Africa. You don't see to many of them on DIY, public land hunts for elk, etc. Right now I'm just young(ish) and out of shape!
I guess I'm youngish (42) and I don't want to regret never going to SA. I have a customer and great friend(s) that are going in 2017. Thier PH comes over every year to visit and hunt deer and elk. We've talked about it and I've verbally committed.
Guys, I was joking....I've got more [bleep] than I'll ever need. I'm as much of a hunting clothing whore than I am a rifle and hunting junkie. I'm just looking for an excuse to get some more nice gear.
In that case, I'd look for excuses to spend that money on more trips. Go to KS and other places as well. You'll remember/enjoy it much longer than any gear purchase IME...
I completely and totally agree with that statement. I likely will do that. Its looking like summer 2017 will be S Africa......although something in the back of my mind says enjoy trips in the US....elk, antelope, mule deer, etc....
Sounds like a plan. I plan on doing as much here in the US for the time being as possible for a couple of reasons. Largely, time and money, but I also see old, out of shape guys on safaris in Africa. You don't see to many of them on DIY, public land hunts for elk, etc. Right now I'm just young(ish) and out of shape!
I guess I'm youngish (42) and I don't want to regret never going to SA. I have a customer and great friend(s) that are going in 2017. Thier PH comes over every year to visit and hunt deer and elk. We've talked about it and I've verbally committed.
I understand. Different strokes is all. I plan on making it to Africa hunting someday and am just banking on there will be African hunting available when I'm old. It's an easy choice as right now my kids suck up any and all extra money and time...
South Africa in June of 2014
My wife and I spent 2 weeks in the Eastern Cape and killed eleven different species of plains game
It cost a fortune but I regret none of it
Except the exporting part....that sux azz X10
Alright I always enjoy folks opinions. I hope to be drawn and hunt in Kansas this year. I plan on taking two rifles. My main rifle will be a new build in 6.5 creedmoor. My backup will likely be either a 7mm RM or 300 wsm. I know these deer are much heavier than Georgia deer I'm used to, but I will kill any deer on earth with a 6.5mm bullet.........
What would be your picks?
I went to my smiths today to get a barrel twisted off a 700 action today and they said "oh yeah, your rifle will be complete tomorrow". I'm pretty pumped!
Sharpsman, this is exactly what I envision when I think of Kansas. What a magnificent deer! Congrats.
Never deer hunted Kansas but we would bird hunt there every year when I was in my teens. Jumped bigger deer doing that than I have seen Hunting here in OK or TX
Killed a big 9pt in Kansas in '92 (246lbs) w/a 7x57 and a 140gr ballistic tip. powdr
My new creedmoor built by Accurate Ordnance will go to Kansas with me!
Nick,
Little something to get the KS juices flowing for you.
Just got him back from the taxidermist.
SKane- to quote ingwe (man, that hurts), you suck.
But in a Campfire Rem 700 sucks kinda way.
SKane- to quote ingwe (man, that hurts), you suck.
That's an understatement......what a buck! Awesome mount.
What a great deer slayer of a rifle. All the guys at AO are top notch. They've cost me too much money-I have to blame myself for that.
You guys are posting some great whitetails!!!
Nick,
Little something to get the KS juices flowing for you.
Just got him back from the taxidermist.
Awesome mount!
Nick,
Little something to get the KS juices flowing for you.
Just got him back from the taxidermist.
Holy crap, what a deer! Not sure how I could ever hunt in Georgia again if I shoot a deer like this or even similar! Awesome pic Scott.mthanks for sharing
Like many places we hunt whitetail, Kansas has a variety of habitats. Got a rifle being shipped back as I type that is built for just one of those types of hunting. Many of my deer over the years were shot at bow range or just a bit beyond. This rifle is made to order for close range brush hunting. Supposed to be here in the next couple days.
I sent a beat up Marlin 336C with a bubba'd bore I recently picked up to JES Reboring to make a cast bullet shooting 38-55 out of. Got a Skinner sight going on it and some 250 grain bullets cast from a medium soft alloy. Wife needs to make some room in the freezer cause this ol guy is making meat this fall.
Nick,
Little something to get the KS juices flowing for you.
Just got him back from the taxidermist.
Holy crap, what a deer! Not sure how I could ever hunt in Georgia again if I shoot a deer like this or even similar! Awesome pic Scott.mthanks for sharing
Then don't hunt Kansas if you can help it!
He was impressive after his trip across the river,too!
Nick,
Little something to get the KS juices flowing for you.
Just got him back from the taxidermist.
Still drooling...can't wait.
Here's another one for ya.
Here's another one for ya.
Wow!love that one. HEAVY....
I have a hunt line up for the first week in December. Haven't hunted deer in Kansas since we moved from Manhattan in January of 1980. Looking forward to it!
I'll bet you are - that's a long time to be away!
I have killed a fair share of deer just north of the is border...257 Roberts does fines so the 6.5 will too
Those are some nice deer.
Nick,
Little something to get the KS juices flowing for you.
Just got him back from the taxidermist.
Beautiful buck, beautiful mount.
Sharpsman, this is exactly what I envision when I think of Kansas. What a magnificent deer! Congrats.
Thanks! Here's the mount:
Kanbrute by
Sharps Man, on Flickr
Kansas and the 6.5 Creedmoor were a good combination for me.
Woody - well done. Great looking buck!
Nice deer Woody. I put up a goose egg. Saw a pile of deer just never a really big deer. One good deer probably 140's on day one. Over 300 across one field thru a small head of timber and then another 75 yards or so. Didn't think it would be necessary to thread needle or force a shot....
Turns out I'd not see another deer that big. Had one 10 point on the last evening that would have been in 130's if he wasn't all busted up. Passed him to eat a tag sandwich. I'll go back for bow hunting next year if I get drawn. Saw a bunch of nice deer and deer period. Last day was unreal. Saw 10 different bucks and a gang of 8 points that just ate and sparred all evening. Such a. Fun time. The creedmoor will have to kill one on Georgia and that's just fine. Been a rough season for me.......only shot one nice doe with my bow. Zero rifle kills (a first) but passed on piles of animals.
D500inn,
I saw more bucks in two days then I usually see in a season at home. My buddy saw 23 bucks in five days and ate his tag. We were in Howard, where were you?
D500inn,
I saw more bucks in two days then I usually see in a season at home. My buddy saw 23 bucks in five days and ate his tag. We were in Howard, where were you?
Wow- 23 bucks in 5 days is pretty good. Matter of fact, it's great!
I hunt WIHA land north and a little west of Howard- Matfield Green area.
Did your buddy not see one he wanted to shoot, or too far?
Everything we saw was inside 130 yards. He passed a 9 point the second day that he thought he would regret. He was there for a 150 or better.
D500inn,
I saw more bucks in two days then I usually see in a season at home. My buddy saw 23 bucks in five days and ate his tag. We were in Howard, where were you?
Wow- 23 bucks in 5 days is pretty good. Matter of fact, it's great!
I hunt WIHA land north and a little west of Howard- Matfield Green area.
Did your buddy not see one he wanted to shoot, or too far?
Guys I was Inc southeast Kansas. I saw countless bucks in >25 in 5 days. Just too far. I'd move they'd come out in a different spot. I don't think any were Giants. Some some soiled deer just a cat and mouse game at best. The guy that I hunted on his land saw 3 different bucks over 150, he'd try to get us on the but they wouldn't show of course. It's frustrating to say the least. You'd expect it to be a done deal with a rifle....it isn't. I put a little mayo on that sandwich it was not too bad. I had a huge time and saw more deer and learned more about just watching these deer than I'd learn in 10 seasons in Georgia.
The guy that I hunted on his land saw 3 different bucks over 150, he'd try to get us on the but they wouldn't show of course. It's frustrating to say the least. You'd expect it to be a done deal with a rifle....it isn't.
Nick,
Your experience mirrors nearly every trip I've made to KS.
A lot of folks watch the various hunting shows and think there are 160" deer running rampant there.
They are indeed there but to get one on the ground can oftentimes take an act of god. (or a gravity box of corn dumped on the ground)
My Kansas White-tail hunting rifle...
Just a 'Plain Jane' 7600
Lots of nice bucks. Are there any damn wild pigs up there?
There are some pigs closer to the Oklahoma border. I know there are some in the Gyp hills area. We would prefer they stay there or maybe move a little farther south...
Lots of nice bucks. Are there any damn wild pigs up there?
There are a few, but, it's illegal to shoot a wild hog in Kansas.
My Kansas White-tail hunting rifle...
Just a 'Plain Jane' 7600
VERY NICE!! Congrats on a dandy buck. I'm going to have to cash in my more than a handful of KS points one of these years.
I look back a week after the fact and still love Kansas deer hunting. What a blast. I will likely try to draw a tag again, may try archery tackle this go round as my buddy says, it's not as challenging to get on them as it is in rifle season. This was a surprise to me, but makes sense due to period of the rut during bow vs. gun season. Not sure yet. I've killed a bunch of deer with archery tackle, but surprisingly I like shooting deer with my rifles better. I love my rifles.....๐
I will likely try to draw a tag again, may try archery tackle this go round as my buddy says, it's not as challenging to get on them as it is in rifle season. This was a surprise to me, but makes sense due to period of the rut during bow vs. gun season.
Nick, if the weather cooperates, the archery season is indeed where it's at.
The last two archery hunts I've done there were incredibly warm and that really sucks for rutting activity.
I look back a week after the fact and still love Kansas deer hunting. What a blast. I will likely try to draw a tag again, may try archery tackle this go round as my buddy says, it's not as challenging to get on them as it is in rifle season. This was a surprise to me, but makes sense due to period of the rut during bow vs. gun season. Not sure yet. I've killed a bunch of deer with archery tackle, but surprisingly I like shooting deer with my rifles better. I love my rifles.....๐
Nick, I understand that. I love my rifles too.
Don't overlook the Kansas early muzzleloader season- it coincides with the archery opener and runs for 2 weeks starting the second week of September.
Yeah, it can be hot, but the bucks are pattern-able, are often still found in bachelor groups and many still have velvet on their antlers.
Here's an opening day muzzleloader buck I got in the Flint Hills-
skeener-
Nice buck!
Don't forget to mention the mosquitoes.
skeener-
Nice buck!
Don't forget to mention the mosquitoes.
Haha
, ah yes- you are right. And ticks, and chiggers and rattlers (god, I hate snakes!).
Guys I was Inc southeast Kansas. I saw countless bucks in >25 in 5 days. Just too far. I'd move they'd come out in a different spot. I don't think any were Giants. Some some soiled deer just a cat and mouse game at best. The guy that I hunted on his land saw 3 different bucks over 150, he'd try to get us on the but they wouldn't show of course. It's frustrating to say the least. You'd expect it to be a done deal with a rifle....it isn't. I put a little mayo on that sandwich it was not too bad. I had a huge time and saw more deer and learned more about just watching these deer than I'd learn in 10 seasons in Georgia.
That's certainly part of the game. The deer has to do it's part as well. I've not been to Kansas before but I've been to Canada four times and I know what you mean about learning a lot from watching them, you simply get to have a lot more face to face time hunting a place like that in one week than you have hunting YEARS at home.
It's something you have to see for yourself the first time to believe it when you are used to hunting a state with tons of pressure and super long seasons!