I have hunted 14 for 6 or 7 years now. I bow hunt it though.
Don't expect the deer to act like they do in Texas. From my experience, they don't react like our deer, don't run like our deer, don't travel like our deer, don't stick to cover like our deer, etc. When I first hunted up there, I hunted the woods and the deer were all in the fields. Most will pick a straight line from point A to point B.
During the drought years, it seemed to throw the rut later than normal. Think it was 3 years ago, the rut had really just kicked off Thanksgiving and the first weekend rifle hunters slaughtered some great bucks.
Late season, finding them on the feeding patterns (if the rut is done) is your best bet. Don't neglect the open fields and grass lands. The bigger bucks tend to move out of the low lands and like to be alone.
If you see one, more than likely you will get a shot at it. With a rifle in that part of Kansas, it is more about finding them. They tend to stick to their core areas more late season and they aren't as flighty as the deer I have hunted in Texas. Every mature deer that I have seen was killable with a rifle...I just had a stick and string in my hand
The population in most of Area 14 is higher than where STX hunts. You can typically find some concentrations of deer and will see plenty to keep you occupied.
As far as scoring on the hoof, my guess is you will be low. On camera and with the few I have shot, I was on average 10" short with my guesses. Good problem to have.
Area 14 is pretty big. Do you know the general area you will be hunting?
Good luck and keep us posted.