Kansas and Nebraska walk in hunting

[RS]

I'm considering a trip to either or both Kansas and Nebraska around mid May next spring after our season winds up here in NC.  Can someone tell me when their atlas for 2015 spring public access areas will be available? Also, any opinions if I'm crazy for thinking about doing this trip by myself.   

[jblackburn]

Kansas usually doesn't get that published until February-ish.  If you contact them, they will send you one once they are printed.

No idea about Nebraska.

[donjuan]

No you aren't crazy! My biggest bird was taken off public land, 3 miles from manhattan ks a month into the season when I was at KState.  No one ever hunted the area.  Some might get mad at me for saying this, but there's a lot of untouched public land in my neck of the woods!

[jblackburn]

I've killed a pile of birds in KS, all on WIHA.  It can take some windshield time, but the cool thing is there are so few trees that you can see them or when you find trees (along creeks, usually) you have a good chance of finding birds.  Don't be afraid to hunt small patches, either. 

Also, don't be shy, I've had good luck knocking on doors and asking permission.

[merocustomcalls]

If memory serves me correctly you can download the Kansas WIHA map.  I would also highly recommend checking these areas on google earth before you go.  It helped me rule out areas that were more of a pheasant hunting area vs. a turkey hunting location.  Also I've had great success hunting in state parks in KS.

[RS]

Thanks for the info.  I was wondering if it would doable on a solo basis.  I doubt if any of my family or folks I have turkey hunting with in the past would be able to go with me next spring.

I did turkey hunt in Neb. on some private land in the Valentine area back in 2000 and 2001 when I was living in Colo. and just starting to hunt turkeys, but, I have no idea if they still offer hunts and at that time they required at least two people to book a hunt.

If I go, would it be worthwhile to get a GPS?  I don't have one and I have never used one.

[hobbes]

You can use a GPS for sure, but it isn't necessary.  I've not hunted the WIHA's in KS, but have researched them some and can't imagine you'd need a GPS very often if ever.  I used one occasionally to mark my truck when I hunted the Pine Ridge in NE just in case I made some crazy loop looking for birds that got me turned around.  I dont' think I ever needed it.  The rest of the public land in NE doesn't look large enough to require a GPS to find your way back to the truck.

If on the other hand your talking about using a GPS in conjunction with some of the Huntmap chips (I'm not sure if they make them for KS or NE) that indicate land ownership, then that could prove useful if property lines aren't well defined.

It isn't crazy to go alone provided you don't get terribly homesick while away from family.  When the weather gets bad and the birds are quiet, it can be hard to not give up when you are missing family.  I have struggled with that some while elk hunting in the backcountry, but it usually isn't a problem while turkey hunting.

[Joe2Kool]

Saw your post about hunting Nebraska.  Gonna try to PM or e-mail you.