I got my Public Hunt permit this year, and as I looked through the booklet, I noticed that some properties in the Panhandle had quail and pheasent listed as possible game species. I've never even seen a pheasent, and only been on one quail hunt, but me and the boys were wanting to try something different this winter. Do yall know if the public land Floyd county is any good for pheasant/quail, or is it over-pressured? I really appreciate any help.

-Tom

My group of friends and I went to Floyd County 4 years ago. We hunted 2 full days, probably 6-8 men. We didnt kick up many birds, but we were there fairly late in the season. It wasnt that great a trip. I had better luck at the APH property up in Gruver, but its a long danged drive. I'm thinkin about hitting the properties around Pampa. Its alot shorter drive. I've never hunted that area yet (Pampa).

The panhandle properties get pounded. An alternative is Kansas. The license fee includes access to the walk in areas. The season in Kansas is also about 75 days. You can see the walk in area map at the link below.
Kansas WIHA

I appreciate the info guys! Sounds like we need to check out some alternatives.

And from say Richardson (your profile), North Central Kansas is only a couple hours farther away more or less.

X3 on KS. For $78, you will be in the best pheasant country there is outside of Sodak. Amount of public land will blow you away. More ground than you could possibly ever cover.

We went last year for 2 days and only saw 4 pheasants, total ... and 3 of those were hens. What WAS cool about it, though, was being able to hunt pheasant, duck, geese, and cranes all at the same time. We just loaded up with steel shot, and took what we could get. Ended up with some crane, ducks and geese. Woulda had some quail, too, had we been certain they were still in season. Floydada has a city campground that isn't much more than an empty lot in town with 10 or so spots. But you can get water and electricity hook-ups there, and you're about 20 mins from any of the public lands out there.

Nice! Duck hunting is my thing, so that sounds good to me. I've always wanted to shoot a goose. How do you hunt cranes? Same as ducks?

X4 on Kansas, we hunted there last year and had a copule of real good days. The more times you go back the better your chances.

You need a dog to hunt Kansas or could a couple people get any birds to fly?

Mmmm ... I think those that "hunt crane" actually do it more like geese, with spreads on the ground as well as the water. We just setup on the playas out there, and waited for what we were able to get shots at. There wasn't much sophistication to it.

I have killed many pheasant in SW KS without a dog. There is tons of walk in around Garden City, the best is around Syracuse and up towards Dighton. A couple of guys can walk the draws and get their limit more often than not.

Thanks aggie.

I grew in Kansas and hunted there about 10 to 15 seasons. If you hunt in the far west part of the state, you can do well walking draws without a dog. But, if you hunt in the central part of the state (mostly CRP ground), you will need dogs to find the bird at the least. If you have never hunted Pheasant, they tend to run a lot of times after you shoot them. You think they are grave yard dead, and sometimes the dogs find them up to 200 yards on down the field. They are tough birds. I like to use an over/under with a modied and full choke barrels. And, I wouldn't shoot anything less than 6 lead shot (my preference is #5 lead). Also, the duck, goose and crane hitting is outstanding...just like western texas, anywhere you can find water, there will be waterfowl.

just got back from s.w. ks., milo and corn havest will be very late this year around the D.C. area, had lots of rain late in the summer. I drove the county roads in very late in the afternoons when you usually see birds out, 0, the locals are not seening many chicks.

I spent the last week going out to Floydada every day trying to find some water on the public land out there and didn't kick up or see any pheasant. Also have been hunting the public land for several years and have NEVER kicked up a covey, I'm not saying that theres no quail out here, theres just not that many.

Hope this helps,
Jon

We just drove back through Kansas (Central) on the way back from a Montana excursion. Northern Ks looks great. We saw quite a few birds in the bar ditches. We are planning to make a trip back up for Prarie Chickens in Oct and do some scouting for pheasant then. We will make a trip back up on Nov 18th for 5 days for pheasant and quail. Anyone interested? We already haye 12 guys lined up to head north then. We need some walkers,. blockers are easy to find!

Find any water out there? That is a pretty long drive from LBK to be making every day! I kicked up some quail on Monday night JUST before the front came through. That was outside Abernathy at the dove only public land.

I am very interested, can you shoot me some details like hotel, car pool, etc.?

Last time i was out there, we scouted every unit that usually holds water and every one of them was bone dry. Some of them were still a little muddy so it looked like they had water in the last couple weeks but as of a week ago no water. Did u get any birds at abernathy? We've hunted that a couple times and never really got more then 1 or 2 birds a person.

Jon

The birds have been flying out there a lot more recently... i typically leave with 2-5 birds... but i miss a bunch of birds.

Only homeless pheasant live on public land. You don't want to shoot those dirty, nasty things.

been to abernathy once left with 9 birds b/t 2 of us, not good but not horrible

Is the dove hunting any better at any of the spots in Floyd County?

I'm probably going to try to get up there to scout a little bit next week and will probably take a few shells in case they're flying.

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