Kansas Mule Deer

[JeremyBatey]

I got caught hunting crossover country in Kansas without the $50 dollar upgrade to any species on my KS NR tag. That is a mistake I shall not make again.

This could have been my first mule deer with a bow. I stalked to within 30 yards of him for photos. More at the link.

http://greathuntingstories.com/Journal/tabid/62/ID/232/Kicked_in_the_Teeth_-_Hunting_Kansas_Open_Country_Day_5.aspx

 

[sjsmallfield]

That Sucks!!!

 

[A3dhunter]

That's a big $50 mistake!

 

[jay]

chances are you wouldn't have seen that guy if you would have had the tag, that sucks though. happens to me all the time, when hunting deer all i see are elk and vice versa! any luck?

 

[JeremyBatey]

Yeah, Jay, I had a guy that lives in that area say something similar. He said, "Always get the multi-species tag when you come out here to hunt. That way you'll make sure you never see another mule deer." Pretty funny sentiment.

I'll be sure and pick up the tag next year and try that open country again. One of the most fun hunts I've experienced, which I shared in those journals. But I went home empty handed.

Thursday morning I head to southern Iowa to chase their whitetails. With some early success there, I will return to Kansas.

 

[jay]

good luck in iowa, post some pics!

 

[JeremyBatey]

It's not really "western", but I'll post some stuff if I can figure an appropriate place for it here. Or my daily journal can be followed on my site's journal page.

http://greathuntingstories.com/Journal/tabid/62/ID/236/Bowhunting_Iowa_Rut_Day_1.aspx

 

[pronghorn]

I made that same mistake in 2008, but the mule deer stamp was $100, back then.

 

[7mmsendero]

My brother and I have a rule that when we go on hunting trips we go "all in" for tags. Hunt every animal available, you've already invested "x" number of dollars, don't put yourself on a tag budget. Example, you already are in for around $2,000-3,000 on a hunt (1 species tag, gas, lodging, food, etc). Why wouldn't you spend the extra $300 or so for another species?

In 2010 four of us went to Colorado on an elk hunt 3rd season. Deer tags were available, and I was the only one to purchase. The other three guys somewhat ripped me for even trying. However, I told them that area has a history of producing nice bucks, the rut may go, and we are driving 1500 miles anyway. I wanted to be in the game. The pre-rut was well under way once we got there, and we were seeing a bunch of 4x4 bucks. I tagged an elk day one, then I took a 5x6 mule deer on day 3. Maybe the mule deer of a lifetime. That tag increased the cost of my hunt by about 10%, well worth it.

I guess the message is maximize your opportunity on every trip, you already have fixed costs.

 

[CrimsonArrow]

My brother and I have a rule that when we go on hunting trips we go "all in" for tags. Hunt every animal available, you've already invested "x" number of dollars, don't put yourself on a tag budget. Example, you already are in for around $2,000-3,000 on a hunt (1 species tag, gas, lodging, food, etc). Why wouldn't you spend the extra $300 or so for another species?

In 2010 four of us went to Colorado on an elk hunt 3rd season. Deer tags were available, and I was the only one to purchase. The other three guys somewhat ripped me for even trying. However, I told them that area has a history of producing nice bucks, the rut may go, and we are driving 1500 miles anyway. I wanted to be in the game. The pre-rut was well under way once we got there, and we were seeing a bunch of 4x4 bucks. I tagged an elk day one, then I took a 5x6 mule deer on day 3. Maybe the mule deer of a lifetime. That tag increased the cost of my hunt by about 10%, well worth it.

I guess the message is maximize your opportunity on every trip, you already have fixed costs.

Couldn't agree more!

 

[JeremyBatey]

I thought it would be neat to follow up on this post. Pretty sure I saw this buck again this spring when I was scouting. He had shed one side and looked like he broke off a lot of tines, but the configuration of that star spike off his right side is pretty evident. Knowing he was frequenting the area, I made sure and applied for the either species tag this season figuring he'll probably blow up this season.

And of course, I got denied. Drew the whitetail tag but was refused the either species upgrade.

Here's a photo of the buck here in the spring.

This link has a lot of whitetail stuff in it, but at the bottom of the journal are a bunch of Kansas mule deer photos, including the one attached in this post.

http://greathuntingstories.com/Journal/tabid/62/ID/274/Shed_Hunting_Kansas.aspx

Guess I'll have to wait another year and hope he makes it again.

 

[In God We Trust]

That's cool. I have a buddy that is going on 4 years without a mule deer stamp in KS.

 

[JeremyBatey]

Wow. I had no idea they were that protected. Interesting part of it is that you evidently can't get a preference point for them separate from the whitetail.

 

[BKC]

Eastern plains mule deer in Colorado are a little harder to get but still doable. The whitetail are getting thicker and thicker and the dow needs to do something about this. In some ways, be thankful that it is hard to get a mule deer tag in KS because that will save the population. Someday in Colorado they will be almost nonhuntable on the eastern plains