The plains of Central Kansas have long been identified as a dream destination for upland bird hunters from around the country who are consumed by the experience of flushing pheasants from a field of tall CRP grass or the opportunity to watch their dogs work a nervous covey of quail on a crisp fall morning. At the end of each day of hunting, the stories begin to flow. Tales of missed shot opportunities, the stellar performance of the dogs, and right in the mix every time is the giant whitetail buck they ran out of the CRP right in front of them! You wouldn’t believe how big he was! And the conversation quickly shifts to big whitetail deer.

These are stories we hear year after year after year, and there’s usually one detail that all of these stories share, CRP grass! Big whitetail bucks bedding in fields of CRP with scattered timber. In recent years, many of these types of farms have been hayed or converted back to cropland, eliminating some of the most highly desired habitat for both upland birds and whitetail deer. The reduction of these acres has further increased the importance of this variety of ground cover that still remains in the area. These “hot spots” have become even greater hot spots in recent years.

This farm in Ness County, KS, is loaded with textbook whitetail bedding habitat and upland bird cover (CRP), scattered hardwoods and cedars, a seasonal creek bottom and pond, great diversity in the terrain, and excellent history of trophy whitetail deer! With over 118 acres of CRP, this farm provides excellent cover for wildlife while also generating income from the property. The bottom is loaded with patches of smaller trees as well as large mature trees big enough to hang a stand with the hope of arrowing that trophy Kansas bruiser cruising for does during the rut. The tree line through the bottom is currently hammered with big buck sign. Several trails crisscross throughout the property, and dozens of rubs and scrapes are littered from one end of the farm to the other. If the quality of the property or the significant deer sign leave anything to be questioned, just check out the trail cam photos from the 2022 season. These should help fill in the blanks! 

• 4 +/- miles west of McCracken, KS

• Incredible trophy whitetail history

• Timbered seasonal creek bottom running through the center of the property

• 118.04 acres of tall grass enrolled in the CRP program thru September 30, 2030 with annual income of $3,659

• Excellent bedding cover for deer with tall CRP, scattered cedars and timber throughout the bottom

• Exceptional habitat for upland birds in an awesome area for pheasant hunting

• Pond located at the North end of the quarter

• All of the seller’s mineral rights included

• Elevated stretch along the east side of the creek bottom provides an excellent vantage point for a permanent blind with easy and stealthy access

• Significant deer sign throughout the property with heavily traveled trails through the CRP and several rubs and scrapes

• Mature trees large enough for excellent treestand setups

• Legal Description: 152.59 acres situated within the NE/4 of Section 21, Township 17 South, Range 21 West in Ness County, Kansas

Contact Land Specialists Adam Hann (785-259-2469) or Mitch Keeley (785-259-0492) for more details.