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These Kansas deer habitat photos were added after the previous Kansas deer
hunting and habitat article was written to give further
clarification of what the many watersheds look like from the ground during an
early October archery hunt.
These pictures cover one deer lease that has a long
history of trophy whitetail production in a well known Kansas trophy whitetail
deer region. This Kansas lease is a case of the right deer habitat in the
right region of Kansas. Each season this farm sees about 1 to 6 hunters for
spring turkey, fall deer including archery, firearms and muzzleloader. It is
part of a lager lease totally just under 2,000 acres.
One of the many dry drains found in any drainage. This is common to Kansas
watersheds as Kansas will drain faster than Missouri with Missouri's watersheds
largely composed of streams with water.
One aspect these ground photos frequently do
show is that deer habitat is much different than what the aerials indicate proving aerials are
information and not a decision making tool.
The trees (above) along streams are frequently of multiple age allowing for
tree stands while having sufficient ground cover to hold bucks. This picture is
deceptive, the larger trees near the center are high enough for stands in excess
of 15 feet.
A crop field completely surrounded with tees and the creek bottom in the
background, a typical Kansas field within a watershed. This is early fall during
archery deer season.
An added bonus on this Kansas deer lease is the pond insuring a year round
water source.
Farm lanes connect the fields broken by creeks and wooded slopes. Just about
every farm lane will have an abundance of deer tracks proving that deer are as
lazy as about any other animal preferring a clear walking path to that through
the trees.
What many would consider the crown jewel of this property is the bordering
farm in alfalfa, a common Kansas forage crop.
The challenge about this food source as a deer food
plot is that it is about 120 acres in size. This is typical in
Kansas where there is plenty of
year round food and it does not concentrate deer as does a one acre
deer food plot in a state that has large expanses of woods. The converse
exists in Kansas, plenty of food and what many consider a lack of trees.
What can be seen in aerial and compared to ground deer habitat photos
dramatically shows the limited value aerials have compared to actual boots on
the ground scouting. When it comes to deer scouting and hunting we offer an
entire range of habitat that finding the right fit for any one hunter's style is
only a matter of time.
Specifically for Kansas deer hunting we seek the first year
member's desire as to hunting method. The decision criteria is largely where the
bow hunter should avoid and that which the firearms hunter can excel. With our
boots on the ground experience and running a business that seeks hunter return
hunts the self guided hunter has confidence we will recommend that region well suited for
his deer hunt style.
During the season picture
series
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