When it comes to publicly-owned land, Kansas ranks last in the nation. But it does have one of the nation’s best private land access programs (Walk-In Hunting Areas) and an easily-navigated website that includes Google Earth overlays to help you find accessible hunting and fishing areas.
• Program allows public hunting access to private lands
• Program has roughly one million acres enrolled
• Noted for pheasant hunting, WIHA program also offers deer, turkey and small game opportunities
Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
• 18,500 acres
• Noted for good waterfowl hunting in designated areas
• Offers deer (no rifles), turkey (nontoxic shot only) and small-game hunting
Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge
• 10,778 acres
• Good waterfowl hunting opportunities, especially geese
• Archery-only deer hunting available by permit only
• 10,100 acres in southeast Kansas
• 4,000 acres of native prairie grass and 2,000 acres of croplands
• Noted for quail and pheasant hunting
McPherson Valley Wetlands Area
• 4,455 acres
• Managed intensively for waterfowl
• 51 managed wetland pools, 1,750 surface acres of water
Find more public land access opportunities with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Hunt Planner.
Photo: Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
Photo credit: flickr