Information on Open to the Public Hunting Land in Kansas
Kansas is the land of wheat fields and cow pastures that seem to go on forever. There are some forest areas, but most of it is fields, and most of the state is privately owned. Finding public hunting land can be a challenge, but it can be found in various parts of the state.
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Private to Public
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A new program started by the Kansas Department of Wildlife is paying farmers to open their land to public hunting. Anyone with at least 80 contiguous acres of suitable land for hunting can qualify. They receive a payment for allowing hunting on their land. Hunters can get maps of where these lands are from the wildlife department.
Some of the land is federal conservation reserve program land, some is native range land, and other areas are cropland that is out of its season.
After applications are submitted, the land is evaluated for wildlife habitat, and payment is based on the amount and location of the land. Some land owners in counties with low participation are getting extra financial incentives.
Wildlife Areas
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There are about 100 state wildlife areas around the state, which is broken down into five regions by state wildlife officials. Each area has its own set of rules and regulations.
Some areas are restricted with limited hunts because of a relatively small size, or the number of hunters may be limited. Camping is normally available as well on these sites, and most of that is primitive camping.
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Federal Wildlife Refuge
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There are eight federal wildlife refuge areas in the state. These areas allow hunting at certain times and may add restrictions. Their primary purpose is preservation of wildlife, but wildlife officials believe that controlled hunting is part of managing populations of wildlife.
The Flint Hills Wildlife Refuge is in the eastern part of the state and covers many miles of hilly grasslands. Some of this area is in farmland, but much of it is public land controlled by the forest service. Hunting is allowed in certain areas, as well as camping.
State Parks
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There are 24 state parks in the state. Nearly all of them allow hunting in some measure, usually as long as it is not in a populated area.
Many of the state parks are in forested areas, along rivers or around lakes. Hunting is good in these areas, but can become crowded at times. Check with local park officials to see if there are any special regulations on hunting there.
Other Options
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There are other options for the hunter who wants hunting grounds that are not so crowded. You may lease private land for hunting. Many farmers lease their land for hunting.
Another option is to go with a guide. A guide has land to hunt on, whether it is his or her own, or leased land. The guide provides the place, and puts you in the best position to make a kill. Meals and lodging are often included.
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- Photo Credit springtime in kansas image by Jason Branz from Fotolia.com
