Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Kansas 2019

Great stuff you two!!!

I managed to glass a good one the eve before the season but it’d be at least 4, maybe 5 days for the right wind to make a play on him and dad wasn’t having any of that.

His game plan was simple – if he was lucky enough to see a 4.5 y/o it’d be considered bird-in-hand – regardless of head gear or his either/or tag would go on a yearling doe toward the end of the season.

The first morning was rather uneventful with a couple of young bucks spotted. With a mid-day wind shift to the south, our options get a bit more limited so we opted to watch the back of a bedding area from across the river. As we approached the steep bank of the river’s treeline via field, I cautioned dad we’d best keep noise to a minimum as deer like to lay in the 20 yards of brush and timber on our side too. I’d no more spoke those words when a 3.5 y/o 10pt broke from the cover and into the river. Dad could see the buck and whispered “too small” but he couldn’t see the other buck I was looking at also standing in the river. I could hear another deer stirring below the bank and knew from both bucks’ mannerisms and failure to exit stage-right that it was likely a doe that was smelling about right. “Another buck I whispered – it’s your 4.5 y/o – shoot”. A large tree shielded dad’s view of the deer and he finally got to put eyes on him when he followed the doe scrambling across the river. “Too much brush in the way – can’t shoot”.

We stood at the treeline and watched both bucks on the other side of the meadow finally melt into the bedding area – seemingly unphased at what had just transpired. I mentioned to dad that if he wanted that buck, we could slowly get him into position on the edge of the river and I’d break out the horns and create war hidden from view in a shallow depression behind him.

“Yep, we’re sticking to my original bird-in-hand plan – let’s do it”.

I wouldn’t get to see the bulk of the action but I’d be able to see dad. I wasn’t 30 seconds into my commotion when dad gave a circular motion with his hand to keep it up. Soon I could see a set of antlers dancing above the grass on the other side, then another set that seemed to be a twin to the first. Then yet ANOTHER 20” wide 3.5 y/o and I said a prayer that he’d get a pass. Soon all three bucks were focused on my position, oblivious to dad, and when I saw a fourth set of antlers coming to the bank, I braced myself for the rifle’s report. His 7600/6.5 Creedmoor spoke, followed by the familiar “puck” and dad had his deer.

I quietly made my way to dad and we both stood there chuckling over what had just transpired.

Fortunately, some time back the ranch owner showed me a few trick moves in getting a vehicle back to that locale from the other side so I got to stay out of the river for retrieval.

The sun was fading fast when we finally got to the deer so we managed a few photos and took care of the field dressing duties.


Penitentiary face (*grins*) and his deer:





So now the focus turned to yearling does. And they were seemingly harder to come by than something with antlers. Countless does with fawns (that we refuse to target) seen and what seemed to be an above normal amount of small does (yearlings) with single fawns.

Dad managed a doe one morning with a special rifle that I had in my possession for the season. Some of you will recognize the BobinNH commemorative .270 on loan from battue. I got to use it for our WI deer season and it seemed fitting to bloody it in KS where Bob, dad and I shared a hunt together – before I pass along on to another member (thank you battue - your rock, my friend).




The coyotes also caught some hell on this trip. And in my pursuit of them around the outskirts of the ranch, walked up on next year’s hope, totally oblivious to my presence. OK, all the stuff I said earlier about the shine not being off the apple sans tag - now I really wished I had my buck tag.




It's quite refreshing to hunt a place like this in a manner that's unlike the way most whitetail hunting is today - it's a working cattle ranch with no deer feeders, cameras or specialized food plots. It makes each year unique and we're never quite sure what we're in for - other than a great experience and seeing good (and uber-accommodating) friends. And a lot of Casey's breakfast pizza.



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I know that face from somewhere...… Good to hear you got a good one Whelen Nut! And a 6.5 what? No 358? Be Well, Rustyzipper.

Great hunt. Congrats to Paul! I’m glad he scored. I hope you both get another trip next year to find that monster in the pic!

Thanks, Tom. I hope Scott gets his eyes on him again next year with his 6.5 in hand.

Wayne, Scott got to show off his dragging skills with the doe. I'm of absolutely no help to him with that anymore. I had trouble just trying to keep up with him while dragging it to the truck.

That's a great buck !! Conglads. Are you planning on coming back to Vanzant? Bob

Always a great story from your annual Kansas deer hunts. How did you Dad find a Remington 7600 in 6.5 Creed? A special Run?

Bob..it all depends on which week I draw for my WI turkey tag. Spring turkey is a priority, here.