SE Kansas Deer Processors Who Also Cape?
Kansas
Contributors to this thread:
I've drawn the November 1 Grand Osage hunt at Parsons this year. Given I am from out of state and staying in a hotel, are there processors in the area that can process deer and also fully cape for CWD legal transport back home? I'm having a hard time finding a solution for this. I found one 'maybe' conditional on his schedule (Timber Creek Meats) Thanks
Caping and deboning is not difficult and really part of the process if you need help because you have never killed an animal before look at the Gutless method on youtube. Goodluck
Not sure I can help with info, but you might also check around Pittsburg Ks. Town is about 2x the size of Parsons I believe and 35 to 40 miles east. Good luck to you. I drew the 3rd week, and will be camping in Marvel Park in Parsons. I live in Wichita, and figure I will handle my own one way or the other if i’m lucky enough to score.
Thanks for the replies. Staying in a motel and the need for a full cape (skull removed) makes this hunt a little more challenging. I've deboned only a couple of hundred times but I think I got that part down:)
Best Western frowns on deer being hung on the shower head......
If you can’t find a locker, sporting life taxidermy in Edna will take care of you, as far as camping off the skull. Also another locker to try would be Mama C’s in Thayer.
There is a meat processor in Erie, which is 17 miles from Parsons and also Oswego, which is 20 miles from Parsons. I don't know if either one is processing deer this year or not.
Thanks to all for the suggestions! I have contacted the lockers in Oswego and Erie. Erie isn't doing deer this year and Oswego will take deer, but only cape up to the neck. Still I might get the neck cape back and head to Edna for the finishing. I haven't called Mama C's yet so another possibility. Thanks again for everyone's ideas!
Can you cape it up to the base of the head on site ( at Grand Osage) quarter the deer and put in game bags, and then take the head to a local taxidermist and the meat to a processor?
I'm not sure. I have a friend who has went a couple of times (killed a 150 class the first trip and missed what he said was a BC on the second.... all with his longbow and wood arrows) and he said he seemed to remember that they didn't want you to skin on the hunt grounds (assuming that they will allow field dressing though)
I've cobbled together a couple of possibilities but the best option seems to be Feasters Taxidermy and Processing in Winfield (2 hrs from Parsons) who said not only could they process and fully cape, but would work hard to complete everything before my departure date. Very nice people.
If you're still having problems, contact Pryor's processing in Fredonia. We can do it all. 620 288 9336
Try Timber Creek Meats in Parsons... I’m not 100% sure about this year. There is also a place in Pittsburg that is pretty much deer processing only.
If you get one and can’t get anywhere and need to cool it, send me a PM and I’ll give you my cell number. I’m less than 20 minutes from Grand Osage and I built a walk-in cooler. I can cape it out to get it to someone to do a full cape... never been brave enough to do a full cape. Bruce Jameson, Outdoors Indoors, in Pittsburg, KS can do a full cape and usually doesn’t take him long.
The guy in Oswego can cape it to get it to someone who can do a full.
All you guys are so helpful. Called MDW and I think I have it worked out. Timber Creek Meats also said they could help me, but was understandably conditional on the work load and his schedule. Looks like I have enough options to fill more comfortable. I owe it all to you guys! Thanks again.
Some good folks up in here!
Something must be going on! Got SIX nice bucks in yesterday, all needing caped.
Nice!! Tell the deer around me Marvin!
Marvin…did Stringwacker (a trad. archer from Mississippi) bring his Grand Osage buck into you? BTW, he tagged out yesterday.
Cut up stringwacker's deer yesterday! He's ready to head home with some good memories from KS.
For sure, processing more non-resident deer hunters results than resident hunters. At least half the deer brought in are getting capped and skulls cleaned. Biggest so far has been about 150 ish? I did green score a 200"+ non-typ from Butler Co. and looking at a 220"ish from same area. I even went and picked up a couple of deer saturday morning, the guy donated the meat AND gave me a couple of $40 each broadheads to add to my collection. Can't beat that for a tip!
Marvin, I googled Pryors but they don’t come up. Where in Fredonia are they located, and if needed, is there any kind of after hours drop Offs? I am scheduled to hunt Grand Osage 11/17-11/24. If I shoot a doe 1st, I would like to bring her in so I can get back to hunting?
I just wanted to say that Marvin and Clifford did a wonderful job on the processing. They finished it quickly and wrapped it so well that it was all still frozen when I got home after the 11 hour trip.
I greatly enjoyed my trip to Kansas and meeting all the nice people. I appreciate the State of Kansas giving a swamp rat the opportunity to hunt in your great state!
Congrats and glad you had a good time. Lets see a picture man, show it off :)
Here ya go!
Here ya go!
Congrats, and thanks for treating her like your own! You got to meet one of the nicest guys around in Marvin, be good!
We are a google free facility! Cliff 1 620 288 9336 Marvin 1 620 485 4351 For any telemarketers, I don't own a car, I'm to young for medicare. If you are a rich widow, maybe?
I intended to add in the first note, that it is amazing how nice the average rack size coming in is. I haven't measured any of them, but will hazard a guess of 135/40 average. Only had three or four Does so far.
Thx Marvin, definitely not a telemarketer, lol. Just an old man that hopes to be in need of a close processor with a good reputation. I’ve butchered my own for the last 37 years.
Nice buck and you look happy as can be. Congrats again! Glad yoh enjoyed our little slice if windy heaven
Attached are some of the bucks that Marvin and his crew at Pryors in Fredonia, KS have been breaking down and processing over the last few days/weeks.
That first buck is pretty dang cool if you ask me.
Jason, thanks for posting these, I'm going to have to figure out and register my cell phone so I can do it myself. Thinking I may play sick and go set a stand for a couple hours in the morning?
Mound City Butcher Block, not sure you consider that SE?
5 bucks over 200” have been brought in to ONE local taxidermist so far this year. Seems to be a good year in some areas. Personally, still searching for that unicorn.
Only four bucks Wednesday and three yesterday. Personally it would be nice if things slowed down just a little before firearms season gets here.
Must be moving today, six bucks so far, nothing big. Best today might make 145.
Got the cooler emptied last Friday. Think that made 99 deer, up 25% over last year. Now for a couple days of rest, if you call setting in a stand rest.
Setting on stand Wednesday 7:30 a.m. when my phone started buzzing, somebody wanting to bring in a deer already. Had a nice young 10 pointer in range, but since I've let bigger deer walk this fall, he got a pass, at least for now.
I would figure right now would be your busiest time!
Good luck out there!
Yeah Marvin, I bet the phone will really start ringing off the wall now that gun season is upon us, and the weather is so nice.
Ten deer total yesterday, mostly the brown and down type, small bucks & doe's. We'll see what this weekend brings? I'm wondering if the unusually warm temps will help or hinder the gun hunters? I'll try to keep you updated.
Good deer processors are getting more and more uncommon. I might end up sending some folks your way next year Marvin.
Ten or eleven today, couple might go 140".
Slow day Friday, only five brought in. Waiting to see what happens this weekend.
Marvin, how did the weekend go? Didn't hear much shooting today.
Hearing some usually successful gun hunters saying movement is slow.
A fair amount of shooting around our place north of Lawrence.
Think there was about a dozen come in Saturday, with only two by the time I left Sunday and I had to go help a lady friend retreive one of them. Beginning to thinl there needs to be a test for some hunters. Guy kills a buck three days ago, hangs it in the shade, packs the body cavity with ice, then decides to bring it in a couple days later. Cut into the joint of the hip and it was the nicest shade of green you ever saw! Stopped cutting right there and tossed the entire carcass on the gut wagon!
Think I'm beginning to become an anti-hunter, at least for deer?
Still getting 6---8 every day, but nothing of any bragging size. Can hardly wait for the brown down weekend to get here.
I think I'd lose it on some of those folks Marvin, stay strong!
Just got our 200th deer in yesterday afternoon! Can only imagine what this weekend may be like.
I will guess by Monday 12/13 at Noon (a few will come in with their deer they shot the night before) you will have checked-in your 275th deer.
Anybody else want to hanker a guess on how many by Monday 12/13 by Noon? Marvin can tell us who the winner is later that day.
Lock the doors at #250 Marvin!
Careful guys, I am fairly honest, but if the right, hard to find broadhead was in the works, I might be tempted to juggle the books?
I have one that was hammered out of a stack of Korean beer cans.
Here is one you can have from my signature series? Hold onto it as I am sure it will be a collectors item some day.
I have a few special ones I'm gonna bring to you at Convention.
You folks are gonna test my resolve, aren't you !
Seems the unusually warm weather has kept the deer from moving much our way. I haven’t heard of anyone killing a big buck yet. This weekend will tell the tale for next season. Worst year of trail cam pics I’ve had in about 10 years.
Final stretch. I won’t tell you how many tanks of gas I’ve been through patrolling.
Seems the unusually warm weather has kept the deer from moving much our way. I haven’t heard of anyone killing a big buck yet. This weekend will tell the tale for next season. Worst year of trail cam pics I’ve had in about 10 years.
Final stretch. I won’t tell you how many tanks of gas I’ve been through patrolling.
Crested, Sito, guess the gun boys aren't as determined as we thought. Only got in four on Saturday and another three Sunday + one roadkill. Would not be surprised if a steaming hot kill from last night showed today ?
Well, it wasn't steaming hot, so might have been shot just at dark, Sunday night. It did arrive about 10:00 this morning. Official count is 208. Now to get the cooler cleared out over the next couple days !
Saw excellent movement opening day of rifle and at least a dozen were bucks. By day 4 it was rather miserable and every 4 -5 year old buck I saw the night before season had disappeared. Last evening of rifle saw a young 8 point locked down on a doe next to the highway. 2 nights ago I saw a mature buck chasing a doe as I was leaving my friend's ranch on the Oklahoma border.
A few hardy souls braved the winter weather this past weekend and brought in 12 Does. Interestingly every Doe checked was carrying two fetus's. Sorry guess there was one button buck in the bunch.
Keep us posted on how many dropped bucks come in.
They brought all of them in ungutted, Marvin?
Precisely why the late doe season should end.
They are all pregnant. The old does that are targeted are more likely to have twins or triplets. I manage for bucks. I've owned property for over a decade, which has allowed me to watch genes of bucks I hunted ten years ago to pass into several generations. Killing pregnant does stops this. Letting nice bucks live, hoping he'll spread his genes for future hunts is absolutely pointless if you're going to kill the pregnant mothers of his fawns. When this doe season was implemented in 98'? I sat on a hill and counted 111 deer in the field below me. 2 miles to the west, I counted 72 in another field. We had more than enough deer and we took care of it. Times have changed, deer numbers were reduced, and this idiocy needs to stop.
I'm speaking of my area. I used to guide Southern hunters who spoke of seeing 40 does in a sit in Georgia or NC. I also am not familiar with Eastern KS which I understand has a lot of antlerless deer.
So you basically are saying that nobody should shoot does? What's the difference in shooting her when she's pregnant vs shooting her before she gets pregnant?
I'm saying certain units should no longer host a late doe season. The Flint Hills don't have as many antlerless deer as many people believe.
Cherney Be careful. You are making too much sense. I have had people tell me we should not shoot does after he rut because they might be pregnant.
nse
Saw this the other day. Kinda made me sad. I wonder if a lot of new hunters feel this way. We push the big buck mentality to the point of not shooting does for fear they are carrying the next booner...the next booner that the average hunter would never see on the hoof anyway btw... seems like a lot people would enjoy hunting more if they just went out and shot a deer...any deer regardless of whether or not it woulda been even bigger next year.
I agree Patrick. I’m that way. I never shoot does. I leave that for the others guys that want to. Thank goodness everyone doesn’t hunt like me. That’s why I think it’s so important not to judge how others hunt as long as it’s legal.
That’s good, I get the not judging how others hunt as long as it’s legal. However, seems like a lot of folks that are the most passionate about that stance are also the first to balk at new laws or changing laws to benefit the herd or improve the hunting experience. Seems like an odd stance. Folks want everything to be legal and don’t want anyone to judge things that are legal? How is that supposed to be sustainable?
I don’t think I would be against anything that would help benefit the herd or improve the hunting experience. I guess I would have to see the law. (Biologist based law. Not sure I could argue with because that’s not my expertise) All I can tell you is what I do. I don’t enjoy shooting does. I’m not against It and I know it needs to be done. I allow a couple of friends to shoot does off my property during rifle season. I don’t have a ton of does on my property. It really seems that I have more bucks then does to be honest.
Try to tell her a doe's not a trophy.
Try to tell her a doe's not a trophy.
The purpose of doe seasons is to decrease populations (and appease the legislature, insurance companies, ag lobbies) so shooting a doe that's been bred makes sense.
We had 50 or so deer on our 40 acres of soybeans in LV county on New Year's eve. Classic Unit 19 area with too many 5-10 acre "ranches" that protect the deer we feed. We're hoping to kill 8-10 does. Back after the drought, we only shot one or two, if any because numbers were so low.
Last year 40 antlerless deer were taken of my friend's 4,300 acres in Elk County. Extremely rough country, 75 acres of food plots. Twenty went to kids of adults on their first successful deer hunts. The rest went to the ranch manager and a few friends, like me. This year it's hard to tell any were taken. Ranch has a new owner, and he's trying to figure out how to take even more does, and a lot of sub-par bucks to make more room and habitat for what he's wanting to grow.
I enjoy doe seasons because it's a pure hunt, and I can access so much more ground. Most years I don't kill a buck, but enjoy hunting them.
We eat 3 or 4 deer a year, depending on their size or whether we are privileged to get a mature buck shot in archery season. Shooting does isn’t as much of a thrill as it is a satisfying feeling, especially after all the processing work is complete. I do wish the bonus season was shorter, it’s 3 weeks this year in unit 12, that’s ridiculous!
Writer, most of them only had a short drive to get their deer inside where an electric winch and warm water make all the difference in the world. Looking to get 8--10 deer each weekend till season ends. No shed antlered bucks YET!
I have a buddy that comes and stays a week after Christmas every year to hunt deer. Some years he has filled his antlered tag and some years he has not. He will shoot the first doe he sees and put his antlered tag on it without hesitation. Talk about a pure meat hunter. I have got him on three big bucks in the past so he knows the thrill of killing a big one. He just does not care. It is probly one best weeks of hunting season, no stress lots of laughs and a to much Whiskey every evening. 9 this year off the place. Farmer wanted at least 15 gone so the boys have some work to do.
I like KSQ eat a lot of venison. I buy very little meat. Mine is usually shot or caught. I have three does in the freezer from archery season. I still have my archery tag and will probably try to put it on another doe. I have a place that needs a couple more does removed. Pheasant for lunch and I have venison steak marinading in the frig for supper.
I take does when the opportunity presents itself. Early season you have bugs and heat to contend with, but for me that is easier than to field dress in the bitter cold. Will go out one last time this weekend just to say “goodbye “ to another fun one.
Can’t remember the last time we bought beef, been over 20 years since I have eaten a beef steak.
I’ll be doing some more doe management on our ranch in Chautauqua County over the next couple of weeks. Deer numbers are very high in my area, so we take advantage of this time to remove several does from the herd, and fill our freezers every winter.
Cooler is all cleaned out, ready for another weekend of shooting. Temps are supposed to be a little warmer, so sure several hunters will be out.
Eleven antlerless brought in this past weekend. Only two more weeks to go in unit twelve !
I like the early season deer, too, Frank. Less hair, and the green vegetation doesn’t break off as easily and get on the meat.
Had kids shoot them on 90 degree afternoons, do gutless afield and get the meat in a cooler within the hour.
I like the early season deer, too, Frank. Less hair, and the green vegetation doesn’t break off as easily and get on the meat.
Had kids shoot them on 90 degree afternoons, do gutless afield and get the meat in a cooler within the hour.
Can you do the gutless deal without a thousand dollar telephone?
I've been doing the gutless method for a while now and love it. In fact, heard about it from Writer a while back and have shared it with quite a few other hunters over the years. Aging the meat in a cooler is the way to go. I did gut one this year to show someone how to do it and couldn't remember the last time I had done it, it's been that long.
Quick question here. Have any of you had your deer tested for Covid? Had a guy drop off a couple of deer for processing and he asked if any of the deer we processed had tested positive for Covid. I looked him straight in the eyes and said we had not gotten any positive results back.
For FUN….you should of had him swab the nasal cavity of his deer before he left and tell him that you’ll be in touch after you get the test results back, HA!
Coming down to the wire now, the cooler is empty, waiting for the last weekend rush. So far we have only processed 30 during the antlerless season, with only one small broken antlered buck, zero shed antlered bucks.
During the cold weather, we let a some folks bring their deer inside for gutting, (for a small disposal fee) and all but two were carrying twin female fawns the other two had triplets. That makes me wonder just what the actual survival rate is ?
Will let you know Monday what the final tally is!
Really hurts the theory that late doe seasons are terrible
Whitetails have been testing positive for Covid. https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/species/deer/covid
Amazing you could tell male from female fetuses at two months gestation. Didn’t realize that, nor why the split so skewed towards females.
We rarely see what we think is a 1 1/2 year-old doe with fawns these days, and it’s not hard to pick out a barren fawn, though we want to kill the producers.
We’ve killed 12 through the seasons. Two bucks firearms or archery. Nine mature does this month and one buck that had shed went down last weekend.
Cameras show two more that have shed. One had an obvious injury.
No one kills enough does around here.... sounds like it’s an issue in other areas. (Yes, I know some areas don’t need as many harvested).
It was 16 days in unit 11 this year. I had 2 different mature bucks on camera that had shed during or before that time.
So to summarize the late doe season is STILL a terrible idea. It’s not working, but I’m sure they’ll tack on more days in the future rather than coming up with a more effective plan.
Even though we regularly shoot a couple does in the bonus season, I’d GLADLY give it up in a heartbeat. The public by us has been slammed this bonus season, and there is still the last weekend. I enjoyed seeing a few does these last couple years on our farm, but the number gets smaller and smaller every year. The locals who don’t seem to understand shooting every last doe will hurt the area, blaze away. Of course next year they’ll just move on to the next spot.
Imagine how many future booners died in their mommas tummies
Cherney, my statements and nearly 30 years of hunting experience certainly do not apply to every area of the state. I will tell you my chunk of the Flint Hills does not support multiple doe tags, especially on the Eldorado Wildlife Area.
Cherney - I’m betting more “future booners” get killed every year when they are 3 and 4 than the doe season.
Actually, I can just about guarantee it in my neck of the woods. When I start counting the 3 and 4 year old bucks vs the amount of does I know have been harvested... it’s way lopsided.
To each their own. One or two can slip through the cracks.
Yeah Ray that's kinda my point. I don't love the late doe season, would prefer if the season ended at the end or general rifle season. Just wish people would shoot more does in some places.
Understand, same here.
I wish they’d get more creative in addressing the doe population is certain areas. They have a blank slate every year, but the plan never changes... zero initiative to try something outside the box.
Lots of suggestions have been made at commission meetings or within the legislature.
What’s your ideas, Ray? I’ll bet it’s been suggested and shot down by KBA, outfitters, the legislature, KDWP, …
Bottom line is we can’t force people to kill more deer, or force landowners to allow access.
Mike, I have no answers just ideas... or maybe thoughts that need some brainstorming. Personally, I’d just love for some type of creativity when it comes to game management.
#1 if they want to get serious about doe harvest they need to make doe tags cheaper or free. Some years I make decent money, so does my wife, but paying for and filling all our tags is ridiculous... even if you donate them. A couple processors in my area have quit taking donated deer unless you pay for processing.
#2 I’m still for a form of an “Earn a buck” tag. You still get your first buck tag before shooting any does. Want a second buck tag? Shoot 5, 10, or 15 does and get a 2nd tag.
#3 do some freaking research. This irritates me to no end. Utilize tags and have some form of required check in. I have a hard time believing any “data” coming from the state in regards to average age of deer killed.
#4 Require a quota for all outfitters for doe harvests. They don’t fill it, they pay a HUGE fine. YUGE. Make them actually start working... sorry little bitter.
#5 take a serious inventory of locations with high populations and work with landowners/outfitters
#6 work with processors to expand deer donations.
Again, just thoughts.
There are guys who do shoot a lot of does. They know their properties and what needs to be harvested. Some just keep quiet about it though to avoid being criticized by others who hunt in low population areas. Hunters supporting each other is something we can fix on our own.
Frank,
I used to shoot a lot of does. I have zero desire anymore other than taking the kids out when time allows.
It’s too expensive, and I hate to say it, a waste of time. But not in the sense that it’s a waste of time in the woods.
If every one of our family members could fill their doe tags, due to the lack of management from the outfitters, we wouldn’t put a dent in the population.
I realize, this is a very localized problem in certain areas of the state. Some areas may not even need a doe season... or doe tags. Sounds like Muley’s need a year or two off.
There are good, and bad, sides to your suggestions. You’re smart enough to know them. Thanks for the effort to share them. That took time.
How much do you pay for “doe tags,” no price break for HOL?
Is very localized. A farmer/social media friend in southern Unit 14 has major problems because he’s surrounded by outfitters or refuges. I’ve seen the pics of his beanfields that have had serious browsing.
A 10 acre field we used to hunt with youth wasn’t planted to beans because of past deer damage this year.
Yet Thorton has ground, I think, in the same unit, and he has no excess of does. He’s out there enough, and knows what he’s looking at.
There are good, and bad, sides to your suggestions. You’re smart enough to know them. Thanks for the effort to share them. That took time.
How much do you pay for “doe tags,” no price break for HOL?
Is very localized. A farmer/social media friend in southern Unit 14 has major problems because he’s surrounded by outfitters or refuges. I’ve seen the pics of his beanfields that have had serious browsing.
A 10 acre field we used to hunt with youth wasn’t planted to beans because of past deer damage this year.
Yet Thorton has ground, I think, in the same unit, and he has no excess of does. He’s out there enough, and knows what he’s looking at.
Ray,
Can you explain what you mean by a waste of time? From experience I know liberal doe tags can put a big dent in the population. Talk to some guys who own land in areas MDC did ‘CWD Control’ in. A few years back when doe tags became basically unlimited in the area our farm is in, the numbers dropped significantly. Tags have been reduced.
Land locked up is a problem for sure. When I wanted to hunt KS I could find places as long as I was willing to shoot does only. Not a lot of guys willing to do that.
Age is catching up with me and I only focus on our property now. We occasionally invite others to help, but many hunters don’t take a low impact approach to hunting and by educating the deer your harvest numbers drop even though you have more participating.
And where does need to be taken, I am ok with baiting. Just call it culling and not hunting.
I admit my knowledge is limited in comparison to others though, so I appreciate hearing from you and others. Thanks.
“ Can you explain what you mean by a waste of time?”
Frank, I live in an area with liberal doe tags. I’m not sure how many I can get now... I think 5? I could shoot 5 on my property, or 30 and not put a sizeable dent in the population. I’m bordered, on all sides by outfitters... guess how many times I’ve seen them out here in the past 15 years during doe season? ZERO. I don’t have enough time to bait and kill 30 - 50 does a year... and I doubt I could do it honestly. Does will get smart quickly.
Years ago, I even contacted the department about depredation permits, but I couldn’t go through with it.
Mike, I have a field I used to farm that was the same way... about 7 acres. I turned it into a food-plot when I was doing “One Arrow”. Worked pretty danged good and I’m sure it helped keep the pressure off my other at fields. Now that I’m not, it’s a weed patch.
I bought a doe tag and I can’t remember how much it was now... $22.50 maybe? Plus “convenience fee”, I’m sure. I’ve pretty much quitting my own land, so don’t purchase hunt own land tags anymore.
If I bought 5, and my wife and 2 kids each got 5, then paid for processing to donate... ridiculous.
“ Can you explain what you mean by a waste of time?”
Frank, I live in an area with liberal doe tags. I’m not sure how many I can get now... I think 5? I could shoot 5 on my property, or 30 and not put a sizeable dent in the population. I’m bordered, on all sides by outfitters... guess how many times I’ve seen them out here in the past 15 years during doe season? ZERO. I don’t have enough time to bait and kill 30 - 50 does a year... and I doubt I could do it honestly. Does will get smart quickly.
Years ago, I even contacted the department about depredation permits, but I couldn’t go through with it.
Mike, I have a field I used to farm that was the same way... about 7 acres. I turned it into a food-plot when I was doing “One Arrow”. Worked pretty danged good and I’m sure it helped keep the pressure off my other at fields. Now that I’m not, it’s a weed patch.
I bought a doe tag and I can’t remember how much it was now... $22.50 maybe? Plus “convenience fee”, I’m sure. I’ve pretty much quitting my own land, so don’t purchase hunt own land tags anymore.
If I bought 5, and my wife and 2 kids each got 5, then paid for processing to donate... ridiculous.
Sounds like prime opportunity for “Pass It On” doe hunts. But, that’s not a large number killed.
Whats “quitting” your own ground?
We have a 5 acre beside a 4 acre that, in a good year, will full one combine bin. Deer flood off neighbor’s overgrown “ranches” after dark. Not our best soil, though.
Prime building sites, so if we’re ever really pressed for cash…
Sounds like prime opportunity for “Pass It On” doe hunts. But, that’s not a large number killed.
Whats “quitting” your own ground?
We have a 5 acre beside a 4 acre that, in a good year, will full one combine bin. Deer flood off neighbor’s overgrown “ranches” after dark. Not our best soil, though.
Prime building sites, so if we’re ever really pressed for cash…
Mike,
My fingers typed quicker than my brain... I don’t hunt my own land much anymore. I leased the majority of it out, I can still hunt it, but I go maybe once or twice a year on it. Can’t hardly stomach being on them... multiple years worth of work wasted. One farm, probably my favorite and definitely the one I worked hardest on, I haven’t stepped foot on it but twice in 3 years.
The last 3 years I just drive around, scout, try and get permission if it’s not something I have access to and go... when I have time.
Honestly, I rarely go just by myself anymore, much rather take my son.
The more I’m around “killing for profit” the more my stomach turns. Don’t get me started on duck and goose hunting. I used to enjoy it, if people think deer hunters are crazy... some duck hunters are in a league of their own.
We farm 400+ acres bordering the Neosho River.
Don’t own it, wish I did... I’d rent it out to the state. We have been given the hunting rights to it, I don’t duck hunt so we let a few guys go, and it’s turned into a cluster.
The infamous Neosho River duck wars have flooded my phone the last 2 weeks and the guys who lease my property ran outfitters off our land yesterday morning. Guys got into fist fights probably 20 years ago over it and we quit letting people go... the same is about to happen again, unfortunately. Outfitters, realtors disguised as “good ol’ boys”.
You say "killing for profit turns your stomach" and you lease out your land??????
Yes I do.... probably never will not lease any more, When you have outfitters next to your land raping it... well, I don’t have to explain myself. Just know I put my whole self into it and I learned to quit chasing the carrot dangling in front of my face.
I’m not getting rich, and I’m definitely not making a profit from it. Leased it to a group of Christian family guys with kids. I’ve been offered a lot more than I’m getting. The amount of money I spent vs. the “lease income”... it might pay for itself when my grandkids are adults.
Yes I do.... probably never will not lease any more, When you have outfitters next to your land raping it... well, I don’t have to explain myself. Just know I put my whole self into it and I learned to quit chasing the carrot dangling in front of my face.
I’m not getting rich, and I’m definitely not making a profit from it. Leased it to a group of Christian family guys with kids. I’ve been offered a lot more than I’m getting. The amount of money I spent vs. the “lease income”... it might pay for itself when my grandkids are adults.
Writer- I do have an excess of does. Between my place and the neighbor a mile and a half south, it's not uncommon to count 50-60 antlerless deer on the same evening. With all those does, I see and pass more bucks than I ever did on the 6,000 acres I used to lease and guide on. When I refer to a lack of does, I'm referring from everything I hunt from Eureka west to Eldorado, and north to Burns. I see a fraction of what I used to see in those areas and I spend a lot of time out there. A few years ago, I would routinely count over 60 deer off the highway between the Pumpkin Patch and Eldorado and there were always plenty of roadkills. I haven't seen any deer there for several years. I saw very few herds of does in the western Flint Hills this year.
Well, deer processing season is officially over in unit 12 with a total of 248 animals Almost 100 processed during archery season. Over half of these were non-resident hunters. Just over 100 processed during rifle season. About 40 antlerless during the January season, with only a couple of button bucks and ZERO shed antlered bucks. And just like predicted, the last one showed up about 11:00 on Monday. However, it was cold as could be and stiff from being killed the evening before.
Thanks for doing this thread Marvin, interesting read! Hope you found a couple of old broadheads in some of them ;?)
Marvin....at 248 total deer...what approx. % "up" or "down from last year is that?
Thanks for the update Marvin.
I'm relying on memory here, but I think we had like 75 archery last year, just over 100 rifle kills and maybe 40 antlerless. With 100 archery this past season, I was really expecting to see 30 or 40 more animals during the regular rifle season. The antlerless season doesn't generate that much interest. Having said all this, another processor in Fredonia cut back on the number done, because of lack of help or illness AND a place near Fall River opened this season, don't know what they may have done.
Saw a nice buck pushing a doe at Cheyenne Bottoms yesterday. Looked almost like pronghorns they were going so hard.
Pretty cool to see in the falling snow.