August 2008 Updates page 3
6 August
First time central and western Kansas deer hunter memberships are up this year to the point we are turning away some unit tag holder/membership applicants. Along with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks increased accessibility of non-resident deer tags, in some cases triple the 2007 counts, so have been inquires from hunters having drawn their first ever Kansas deer tag. For all the first time Kansas MAHA hunters and non-MAHA members heading out to the western half of Kansas let us re-emphasize what deer habitat does look like in some areas.
A common sight for those that travel out to the open country and immediately assess it lacking any deer as the cover appears absent. The second order effect has been that some of our best Kansas deer land is over pressured by hunters lacking an understanding that every fold, draw and short plumb thicket may bed deer. These hunters rather than spot/stalk/scout with patience to glass for hours while keeping their silhouette low, get up and walk pushing the deer about and simply screw up that property. Those that have successfully tagged have told the common thread about hours of remaining motionless more so than when in a Missouri tree stand, with endless scanning to catch a glimpse of a partial body just over the rise.
What appears minimal from a distance may be different over the ridge and down in the lower ground.
Barely visibly, left of center in this picture is a pond, a year round water source that is as valuable a scouting point in this region as any food source. That is good deer habitat in this region.
We recognize these snapshots are wholly inadequate to prepare the Kansas deer hunter that has yet to step foot in the open country. We do hope to generate some thought process that when traveling to a different habitat type than what a hunter may be experienced with he will need to change his hunting tactics.
Thanks to Mike for these pictures. Mike is a successful Kansas Whitetail and Mule Deer hunter who recognizes the value pictures have for the new to the central midwest hunter.
