4 friends and I are seriously considering a DIY rifle hunt in Kansas durring the 2013 season with possibly more bowhunts to follow. Most of us are bowhunting fanatics but decided to go with the odds and do a rifle hunt our first time. We are all private land owners from Michigan and very involved with local QDM's and have strict deer habitat and management programs on our own properties. We are NOT looking for outfitters. What are the best units for low hunting pressure and decent success rate? None of us are afraid to travel from the truck and hunt all day. We will be looking in the 140" + range. Also possibly interested in a decent priced lease but looking to keep costs down as we all have families and young children at home. Or if anyone knows of any private land owners who open up their property for some responsible hunters. We wouldn't be adverse to pulling a couple days hard labor for the right to hunt either. I myself was born and raised on a farm. Thanks in advance for any much needed information!

Also I should specify we are looking for sections with creek bottoms and or wooded lots. We will all have either climbers or tree saddles. Thanks

If you find anything let me know, I'd like to get in on this....

I have rifle hunted in KS the last two years, in process this year as well. All on public land, heavy pressure. This is after spending my teen years hunting in Missouri.

A few things worth noting based on my lone experiences and often reading any kansas hunting forums I can.

Rifle season begins at the tail end of the rut or even post rut. I have yet to observe any rut activity during rifle season. That being said most of my sightings have been does/fawns. I finally saw a shooter buck this morning actually. Thought things looked a bit off though, turns out he had only a half rack. I have heard of this often this time of year, that alot of the bucks are going to be banged up. I am just so accustomed to rifle hunting the rut which aligns with Missouri firearms season. It has taken some getting used to. Next year I am taking up archery since I feel I am missing out on all the real fun.

As far as landowners granting access, Kansas deer hunting is big $ and more often than not private owners lease their lands at hefty prices or just use it themselves. If your'e interested in that just hit up Craigslist for the area you are interested in and have at it. I see leases on there all the time. Mostly see prices in the $2000 and up though.

Another option besides Public Wildlife Areas is what is called WIHA (walk in hunting area) These exist all over the state. Basically private landowners lease the land to the Kansas Dept of Wildlife for hunters to use. Paid for by game permits and probably some tax dollars. If you are willing to travel anywhere in KS there would be some great options here. The KDWP sight has google earth files and pdf's marking the land. Perfect for at home scouting.

From my knowledge and reading about others, KS has the opportunity for great deer statewide.

Thanks for the reply in information. I guess we have decided on unit 9. 3 counties had 11 b&c entry and the unit only sold 75% of it's available tags. Planning on taking advantage of as much WIHA land as we can. The pressure part is a little disheartening but it's a risk we will have to take.