Kansas mule deer

[reallyoldman]

I think another factor is gazillions of predators. There are lions, bobcats and a ton of coyotes. The destruction of the habitat by removing most of the trees, olives and other brush in the name of improvement has been disastrous. My experience has been in the Swanson Lake area in NE and along the South Fork of the Republican River. The turkey numbers must be about 5% of what they were just a couple of years ago. I was asked to trap on the farm I hunted on and could not believe the number of Possem, skunk, bagers and coons. I am not a very good coyote trapper but I still got over 25 .

 

[Snowbuster101]

Predators are definitely an issue. I saw very few fawns during our hunt this year. KDWP stated that mule deer fawns have about 25% survival rate which is extremely low.

 

[brocksw]

I know this thread is old, but wanted to open up the discussion of the mule deer population crises in KS. The last 10 years we have seen populations plummet in the area we hunt and from other research I have done this is pretty much state wide. Areas that once had 5-10 deer in each section now have none. We are basically down to about 20 mule deer in a 5 mile radius. There are some whitetail scattered around, but they seem to be very cyclical in our area in NW KS. It seems like the drought in 2012 really started the decline and along with that came the EHD outbreak. The state has cut the number of tags and has eliminated the either species doe tag (bad idea from the beginning), but numbers continue to decline. The farming practices have definitely changed as well. Less milo and more corn, little CRP or pasture ground remain, removal of trees and fence lines, all have undoubtedly contributed to this issue. Just wondering what others thoughts are about the current situation.

Mule deer aren't generally affected by EHD that severely. Not saying there was no impact from EHD, but I know NW Kansas has a lot of CWD.

 

[typhoon916]

I live in nw kansas and will be trying my luck as well. Ill be hitting all the walk in to the west.

Depending on the time of year and how late harvest goes itll effect the whitetails atleast. Im new to mulies as well but im going to hunt them just like i do white tail. Pure luck....

Did u have any luck for muleys. I'm thinking about trying for me this yr

 

[typhoon916]

If your going through the drawing, I assume you will be rifle hunting. Residents can hunt muleys OTC with archery or muzzleloader. During rifle season, I usually use spot and stalk techniques to cover as much ground as possible. Sometimes I'll sit on a field and wait for the deer to come feed. The country in the NW is mostly open, interspersed with big draws.

Is it still OTC for archery and ML

 

[AARONB]

Yes, for KS residents

 

[typhoon916]

Yes, for KS residents

I just herd tht ks is going to a draw for Mule deer for us residents

 

[AARONB]

It won't be this year. The any deer firearms application period is almost over for this year and any new limited deer permit application periods would use the same deadline.

I know a lot of people have expressed support for limited mule deer tags. It's probably likely that most mule deer permits will be issued through a drawing within the next several years, but I don't think a draft plan has been created yet.

 

[typhoon916]

It won't be this year. The any deer firearms application period is almost over for this year and any new limited deer permit application periods would use the same deadline.

I know a lot of people have expressed support for limited mule deer tags. It's probably likely that most mule deer permits will be issued through a drawing within the next several years, but I don't think a draft plan has been created yet.

Well my buddy talked to a biologist from kdwp and that's what he said was that for 2025 season they might go to a draw . I'm just passing on info what I learnt