A well-known location, Kansas has some of the largest trophy whitetails in America.  The perfect combination of effective management, endless quality food sources, oak canyons and river bottoms, and strategically placed stands ensures you of the chance to a buck of a lifetime.  We manage 12,000 acres of private ground in the North/North Central region of Kansas: Marshall, Washington, and Riley counties.  (Units 8 and 9.)  We take both Archery and Rifle hunters, with our highest success rate during archery season as it is during the rut.  We only book up to 12 archery hunters and no more than 10 rifle hunters every year.  

Deer Hunting

     Kansas deer population is not as high as in the South and even in Illinois.  If your idea of a successful hunt is seeing 20 to 30 deer each hunt, then Kansas might not be a good choice.  Our archery hunters will see the most deer while hunting, as during the rut not only are the local deer moving but deer that do not normally reside in the area are roaming as well.  Rifle hunters tend to see less deer for several reasons.  First, it is a post-rut season, so unless a second estrus hits during rifle season, the deer do not move as much.  Secondly, unless there is a layer of snow which forces the deer to spend more time foraging, the bucks by that time are primarily nocturnal.  Lastly, the colder temperatures tests the fortitude of the hunters more, as many hunters do not want to sit as long despite heaters and tower stands.  Nevertheless, every year, several rifle hunters successfully harvest bucks that range in the 160's to 170's.  Last year, there was a 197 1/2 killed a half mile from one of our leases and a 202 was killed a mile from our lease. 

Success Rates

     Success and oppurtunity rates depend greatly on the quality of hunters every year.  On average, our archery hunters will at least see the buck they came to Kansas to hunt.  Shot oppurtunities usually range from 85% to 95%, with success rates varying from 60% to 75%.  Rifle hunters usually have a 60% shot oppurtunity and a success rate of close to 60%.  Again, these numbers depend on how hard the hunters hunt when they are there.  When it comes down to it, if a hunter is meant to kill a buck, then they will.  We do everything in our power to increase those odds. 

Hunting Methods

     When you arrive at the lodge the day before your hunt, we will get you settled in comfortably into our two story Victorian farmhouse.  If you are archery hunting, you can spend some time in our 3D Archery range practicing or tuning up. If you are a rifle hunter, we will drive to our rifle range along the river to check your sites.  If time permits, we can drive around and show you some of the ground which you will be hunting on.  Then you will return to the lodge for a hearty four course meal and a safety meeting before retiring for the evening.  During the days of your hunts, you will arise at an early hour for a hot breakfast, fruit and other items.  With your gear and provided safety harness ready, we will drive you to your stand.  Some stands require a bit of a walk, so those who are layering clothing be aware that sweating will later make you cold.  You have the option of hunting all day or returning to the lodge for lunch.  If you choose to hunt all day, we can provide a bagged lunch and some hot soup if you let us know the night before.  The stands we use vary from ground blinds to towers, lockons, ladders and climbers.  If you have a stand preference, please let us know.  After lunch, we will return you to the field until nightfall, when you will come back for another four course meal.

     We realize that many hunters like to explore the area they are hunting.  We ask, however, that you DO NOT get down off your stand and walk around the properties.  We have hunted this same ground for 8 years and have spent alot of time scouting and learning the area and the habits of the local wildlife.  Not only does walking around put your own hunt success in jeopardy, but those hunting that stand after you.  If we find evidence that you walked around during your hunt, we will ask you to leave.  We have aerial pictures of all of the properties for you to view if you choose.

     We have safety harnesses available for everyone in camp, and although you are not required to use one, we recommend that you do.

Terrain

     This area of Kansas is unique in that most of the various habitats across the state are found in the local area.  From deep cottonwood creeks to wide rivers, canyons dotted with heavy cedars, to rolling hills of prairie pasture to flat valleys of rich soil, the area surrounding Cross Country Outfitters has the best of what Kansas has to offer.  Alot of our ground includes farmland, providing both forage and cover, bordered by forests and creeks. 

Typical Temperatures

     Kansas is notorious for drastic changes in weather in a short period of time.  It can be rainy and misty and then 12 hours later, sunny and hot.  Temperatures vary in the fall from the upper 70’s to the lower 40’s.  As winter approaches, temperatures can be in the teens to negative numbers.  The one thing that does seem constant is the wind.  With gusts up to 20 to 30 mph, hunting at times can be an interesting experience.   Rifle hunters especially need to be aware that hunting Kansas in December is similar to Canada, with numbers in the single digits plus wind gusts make the actual temperature in the negatives at times.

Licenses and Tags

     Kansas recently changed the non-resident regulations to a draw only for deer tags.  The applications are available online at www.kdwp.state.ks.us. but we prefer that those applying fill out their personal information and mail us the application to complete the units and check for errors.  We will then mail out the applications via certified mail to the State. The draw begins and ends in May, and if you are not successful in the draw, then you will not be able to hunt in Kansas.  The fee is $322.50 for a tag or $22.50 for a preference point.  If you are not successful, they will issue a preference point and refund you the $300.00  The draw success rate this year has been 100% for both archery and rifle hunters.  There is a buddy draw in which five people can apply together and if one draws, the rest will draw.  This works best for those of you hunting in a group.

     Licenses are available online or at local stores in Kansas.  The non-resident hunt license is $77.50 for adults 16 and older and $37.50 for youth under 16.  In the state of Kansas, any person born on or after July 1, 1957 must show a valid hunter education card before buying any type of hunting license or permit.

Equipment

     The best way to combat the unpredictable weather is to bring clothes suitable for both the warmer and cold weather.  Dressing in layers is the best method, and offers good resistance to the sometimes persistent wind.  Hunting garb should consist of comfortable shoes or boots; insulated boots are recommended during the winter months.  Waterproofed items are always a plus and rain gear would also be a good idea.   Any type of camouflage is acceptable, especially those with winter colors, as the only green still visible will be evergreens.  Wind direction shifts happen frequently, so scent-free products, including garments and toiletry items such as Dead Down Wind deodorant, soap and shampoo are welcomed and will be more forgiving in the field.  Hunter orange is a must in Kansas during rifle season; both a vest and a hat are required.

     LED lights, which that emit a blue light, are less noticeable then white light flashlights, and are nice to have when climbing into stands.  Hand warmers are nice to bring along and we will try to have extras available at the lodge.  We are planning on providing a pro shop in the near future which would have most of the above mentioned items.

     The average shot distance can be anywhere from 150 to 300 yards.  Many of our stands overlook both forest and creek bottoms as well as planted fields.  The farther the distance you feel comfortable shooting, the more your odds will increase for bagging that big buck.

     We hunt from a variety of stands, including lock-ons, climbers, ladders and ground blinds.  If you have a preference, please let us know ahead of time so we can accommodate you to the best of our ability.  We have purchased several new ladders which are very comfortable, with padded gun rests and seats.  If you have a stand of your own you would prefer to use, like a climber, please feel free to bring it along.  All of our stands have safety harnesses, which for your convenience will be at the lodge so you can put them on there, reducing the amount of noise at the field. 

Meals

     We serve a variety of country gourmet meals, including a hearty breakfast, soup and sandwich for lunch, and four course dinners with dessert.  If there are any food allergies, special dietary needs, or preferences, please contact us ahead of time so we can make arrangements.

Animal Processing

     Your hunt includes field dressing and transportation of your animal to the lodge, as well as cleaning and quartering upon arrival at the lodge.  There is a $40. charge for de-boning if you do not want to do it yourself.  Although we do not at this time have a walk-in cooler, it is often cold enough during rifle season to hang your deer until the time of your departure.  We do have several chest freezers, but those are available on a first-come first-serve basis.  Once they are filled, you will need to have coolers ready to keep your meat on ice.   We might be able to arrange shipping of your meat if you are flying into camp if we are giving ample notice ahead of time.