First Time Western KS Mule Deer Archery Hunt

[Displaced Flatlander]

Hey guys,

I have decided that this year I will finally take my vacation time to come home and go further west. looking to get my first mule deer. thinking of heading out to Rawlins and Cheyenne counties. am looking for any assistance I can get... I am relatively confident when it comes to sneaking around stalking animals... just looking for any advice you may have in regards to location and or tactics...
Any updates on the cover in the area (thick grass or thin tall or short... etc)

Thanks!

 

[Displaced Flatlander]

forgot to add... I will be out there the week before Pheasant Season. (11-8 through 11-14)

 

[AARONB]

I'm in SW KS and our cover is really good this year thanks to mid and late summer rains. I'm guessing they have decent cover up there too. Call the wildlife bios at the Colby office. Their number is 785-462-3367 for first hand knowledge. Good luck!

 

[marktole]

I’m from Colby, you’re on the right track with Rawlins and Cheyenne counties. Good WIHA access and good mule deer (and even some good white tail). Knocking on doors might get you some permission on private too. Guys don’t seem to mind bow hunters out here so much as they do rifle hunters.

Glass a bunch from your pickup, but don’t be afraid to get out and walk to check draws, pits, bluffs, etc. There’s so many roads out here you’re not going to find the “1 mile from roads and trail heads” kinda thing. Sometimes a sweet honey hole can be seen from the road. Other times you might have to walk a few hundred yards to a mile to get a vantage point on something.

Not very much walking, right? Well, I’m always surprised at how many guys, even bow hunters, won’t leave the pickup to go take a look at something.

You picked a badass week to come hunting. Deer should be rutting full swing by then. And you won’t have to deal with parties of 30 pheasant hunters blowing out every deer in the county. I usually seem to find deer in CRP grass and pastures that are near drilled wheat (and to some extent near cut milo, it’s great cover for them when they lay down) that time of year, as the corn will be gone for the most part. You might want to bring a heads up muley doe decoy with you, just to have in case you want to try decoying. They can be pretty deadly. Other than that, bucks should be visible and moving so glass them up and try some spot and stalk. If you’re fairly confident stalking critters, that part shouldn’t be a problem for you.

Other than that I don’t have any specific info for you because I mostly hunt Thomas county.

 

[Foldem]

Hey sorry if this is a dumb question, but did you draw a nonresident mule deer stamp? Or is there some way as a former resident you don't need to? Just don't want you to make a mistake as I believe residents can hunt muleys with the OTC tag whereas non residents have to draw.

 

[marktole]

Hey sorry if this is a dumb question, but did you draw a nonresident mule deer stamp? Or is there some way as a former resident you don't need to? Just don't want you to make a mistake as I believe residents can hunt muleys with the OTC tag whereas non residents have to draw.

Non residents do have to draw for mule deer, and I’m not sure of all the specifics. But I do know there is some caveat that you have to have drawn a white tail tag or something before you can get a mule deer tag.

The only way to get resident tags in Kansas and be a non resident is to have a lifetime hunting license from when you were a resident. Then you can buy and apply for tags and permits as if you were a resident.

 

[Okbow87]

He should be able to buy an either sex archery tag over the counter if he was a former resident and has a lifetime hunting license.

 

[Displaced Flatlander]

great! i called them and they had some good reports for me on the walk-in areas up in NW corner...

 

[Displaced Flatlander]

i purchased a Lifetime licence when i turned 16... it affords me the resident rights... and for archery it is an either sex either species tag.

 

[Displaced Flatlander]

Awesome! thanks for the feed back folks!!! i am super stoked to be out there chasing this year!!! i cant wait to get back home!