Kansas offers excellent quail hunting opportunities across the state. However, some areas of Kansas stand out as prime quail hunting destinations due to their terrain, habitat, and robust quail populations. In this article, we will explore the top regions for quail hunting in Kansas and what makes them so attractive to bird hunters.
Flint Hills
The Flint Hills region in east-central Kansas provides some of the best quail hunting in the state. This tallgrass prairie area contains ideal habitat for bobwhite quails with its mix of native grasses, shrubs, and trees. The hilly topography also allows quails to thrive. The Flint Hills harbors healthy wild quail populations, especially in counties like Chase, Morris, and Lyon. Public lands like the Fall River and Elk City State Wildlife Areas offer access for hunters within the Flint Hills.
The Flint Hills quail hunting season typically runs from mid-November through January. Hunter numbers tend to be lower than other regions. The area offers excellent opportunities for hunters with or without dogs. The open terrain provides long-distance spotting of quail coveys while enabling dogs to range freely. Hunting is allowed on many private cattle ranches for a modest daily fee.
Where to Hunt Quail in the Flint Hills
Some of the best public land spots for quail hunting in the Flint Hills include:
- Fall River Wildlife Area – Over 9,000 acres open to public hunting
- Elk City Wildlife Area – Nearly 3,000 acres with a mix of habitats
- Cross Timbers State Park – Features prairie and woodland areas
In addition, many ranchers allow day-use hunting access to their land for a small fee, providing plenty of quail habitat to explore.
Smoky Hills
The Smoky Hills region of north-central Kansas also boasts excellent quail numbers and hunting conditions. This area contains more wooded canyons and shelterbelts than the Flint Hills, providing cover for quail. But there are also vast tracts of native prairie. Counties like Rooks, Ellis, Russell, and Ellsworth are top producers of wild quail in the Smoky Hills.
The terrain and habitat diversity make the Smoky Hills a great place for hunters with and without dogs. Public lands like the Smoky Valley Ranch and Kanopolis State Park offer access for DIY hunters. Numerous private lands also welcome hunting for a reasonable daily fee, providing thousands of acres to explore.
Top Public Lands for Hunting Quail in the Smoky Hills
Some of the best public lands for quail hunting access in the Smoky Hills region include:
- Smoky Valley Ranch – 5,000 acres of hills, prairie, and riparian areas
- Kanopolis State Park – Over 4,000 acres of prairie and woodlands around a reservoir
- Webster Wildlife Area – Nearly 11,000 acres containing croplands, prairie, and shelterbelts
With vast numbers of quail and plenty of land open to public hunting, the Smoky Hills is a top destination for Kansas quail hunters.
Red Hills
The Red Hills region of southern Kansas contains the state’s highest quail numbers. This area’s mix of prairie, shrubland, and riparian habitat supports plentiful wild quail populations. Counties like Clark, Comanche, Barber, and Kiowa are quail hotspots. Hunters from across the Great Plains flock to the Red Hills to take advantage of the abundant hunting opportunities.
The Red Hills public lands provide excellent DIY hunting access. With its open terrain, hunters can readily spot quail coveys and move in for an easy shot. While this landscape suits hunters with and without dogs, dogs excel at flushing birds hidden in prairie grass. The region offers hunting access from early November through January.
Top Public Lands in the Red Hills for Quail Hunting
Some of the premier public hunting areas for quail in the Red Hills include:
- Clark State Fishing Lake – Nearly 5,000 acres of prairie and farmland
- Barber State Fishing Lake – Almost 2,000 acres harboring good quail numbers
- Comanche Pool Wildlife Area – Over 3,000 acres of prime quail habitat
With huge quail populations on both public and private land, the Red Hills provides a hunter’s paradise.
Grand (Neosho) River Valley
The riparian corridor along the Grand (Neosho) River in southeastern Kansas holds excellent quail numbers. The habitat diversity, with woodlands, shrubland, grasslands, and croplands, allows quail populations to thrive. The river bottom’s brushy cover provides ideal winter habitat when snow covers prairie areas. Woodson, Wilson, Neosho, and Labette counties are top producers here.
Both public lands and private farms in the Grand River Valley offer great quail accessibility. The diverse habitat supports many public lands managed for wildlife and hunting. Dogs excel at finding birds hidden in the thick brush. But hunters without dogs can stick to more open areas along field edges. Hunting access runs from mid-November through January.
Top Public Lands for Quail Hunting in the Grand (Neosho) River Valley
Some of the best public hunting areas for quail along the Grand (Neosho) River include:
- Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area – Over 7,000 acres containing cropland, woodland, and wetland habitat
- Neosho Wildlife Area – Nearly 3,000 acres with excellent quail numbers
- Elm Creek Wildlife Area – Smaller area with prime quail habitat
The habitat diversity and plentiful public lands in this region make it a top quail hunting destination.
Conclusion
While quail can be found statewide, Kansas offers four premier regions for hunting these popular gamebirds. The Flint Hills, Smoky Hills, Red Hills, and Grand (Neosho) River Valley contain robust wild quail populations as well as plenty of public land access. The open prairies and woodland habitat offer the food, cover, and nesting areas quails need to thrive. Each region provides amazing hunting opportunities for DIY hunters and those using dogs.
When planning a Kansas quail hunting trip, consider the terrain, habitat, and access options in these top regions. Apply for any needed permits or licenses early as demand can be high. Scout areas ahead of time to identify hotspots. Then brace yourself for exciting hunting action amidst gorgeous landscapes as you pursue bobwhite quails across the fields and prairies of Kansas.