The past two years I've driven to Kansas to hunt upland birds. I picked Kansas for two reasons: the state's well organized walk-in-hunting land program that gives me access to many, many thousands of acres, and because the only time I could go was late December, when it was too late in the year to go to ND or SD.
But I didn't have a ton of success in Kansas. I was in the North Central section of the state both years and the local hunters I encountered all reported that the bird numbers just aren't what they used to be and seem to be trending in the wrong direction.
So I am looking to try something new next season! This year I will be able to travel in late October or early November, which will let me try some of those more northern states.
If you are primarily a mid-Atlantic hunter who has traveled west in pursuit of hunting opportunities, please share your experiences and recommendations.
My primary mission is to hunt upland birds with my dog, since I can hunt waterfowl and deer here in Maryland/Virginia. But of course I also love big game and waterfowling, so if there is a place where I can do both, let me know your thoughts on that too.
I am sort of leaning towards trying Wisconsin because I would have a free place to stay in the central part of that state and it's a much shorter drive than the Dakotas. But my main thing is finding a great hunting opportunity on public/walk-in private lands. So I am willing to travel/do what it takes.
Thanks!
But I didn't have a ton of success in Kansas. I was in the North Central section of the state both years and the local hunters I encountered all reported that the bird numbers just aren't what they used to be and seem to be trending in the wrong direction.
So I am looking to try something new next season! This year I will be able to travel in late October or early November, which will let me try some of those more northern states.
If you are primarily a mid-Atlantic hunter who has traveled west in pursuit of hunting opportunities, please share your experiences and recommendations.
My primary mission is to hunt upland birds with my dog, since I can hunt waterfowl and deer here in Maryland/Virginia. But of course I also love big game and waterfowling, so if there is a place where I can do both, let me know your thoughts on that too.
I am sort of leaning towards trying Wisconsin because I would have a free place to stay in the central part of that state and it's a much shorter drive than the Dakotas. But my main thing is finding a great hunting opportunity on public/walk-in private lands. So I am willing to travel/do what it takes.
Thanks!
