I hunt NW KS and have seen it slowly go downhill the last few years. With less trees and cover, crop rotations are a huge deal out there. Crops have come out late which leaves lots of places for deer to hide in season. Don't get me wrong, I've killed deer in the 130s each year fairly quickly during bow season, but I know there is more potential. I've never dedicated much time to muley hunting Kansas. I try to bowhunt as much as possible and the public ground can be pretty tough to mule deer hunt. Lots of good ones on private and some public, but I think there are better states with better mule deer. Just my opinion though. I've definitely noticed more hunters in my area each year, but still big deer getting killed.
Oh yeah, its definitely an expensive tag, but now at least you get two deer with that price. My CO deer tag costs the same now and I just get one! Oh and for you NR in most units you can purchase additional WT antlerless tags for around $50 if ya'll tag out with your other tags.