Midwest States with bowhunting only public

[May-39]

Is anyone aware of a database of Midwest states with bowhunting only areas. Not limited draw park hunts.
I know they exist in Missouri.
If I could compare some states and their areas on maps (size/habitat/proximity to large populations etc) that would be a big factor in trip consideration.
The only areas out of MO I know of are draw hunts in IL parks. Kinda hard to dedicate leave time and drive time hoping to be drawn.

[kenn1320]

Well I was going to say MO, but your aware of that already. Have you hunted the archery only in MO?

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Stanley]

The date bases are often not caught up. I know a spot in Iowa that just opened up to the public a few months ago. Bow only, I just checked it out. Some county ground never gets put into the data bases for state ground.

[62kodiak]

I know MN has a few archery only areas but the word on the street is that they ironically get far more pressure than normal public land because people think no guns=less hunters.

[justdirtyfun]

The Illinois draw is April 1 after accepting applications in March. It gives you time to plan, better than MO who draws in September. No separate tag like MO either. OTOH MO has good bow areas away from big cities.

[ Post made via Android ]

[headgear]

I know MN has a few archery only areas but the word on the street is that they ironically get far more pressure than normal public land because people think no guns=less hunters.

I've hunted a couple, bucks to be had but the pressure is far greater than the usual public ground I hunt.

[Zap]

Kansas has some bow only open access public. Its not on many maps and is primarily on the corps managed land around the reservoirs or lakes.

Then we also have "walk in" hunting areas that are archery and shotshell only.

But with a mid December gun season it is all archery deer for rut.

Two week muzzleloader in September and a two day doe only gun season in October.

Crossbows are legal for archery..

[Justin85]

I know MN has a few archery only areas but the word on the street is that they ironically get far more pressure than normal public land because people think no guns=less hunters.

I've hunted a couple, bucks to be had but the pressure is far greater than the usual public ground I hunt.

Yes! I can attest to this

[ Post made via Android ]

[Autumn Ninja]

Higgins-Henry (sp?) In west Ky is bow only.

[ Post made via Android ]

[BassBoysLLP]

I know MN has a few archery only areas but the word on the street is that they ironically get far more pressure than normal public land because people think no guns=less hunters.

I've hunted a couple, bucks to be had but the pressure is far greater than the usual public ground I hunt.

Yes! I can attest to this

[ Post made via Android ]

Is that a fair assessment? Seems like pressure is lower in the northern half of the state, and higher in the southern half and close to the cities. When I think MN these days, I only consider the southern half.

[May-39]

Thanks and some of my hunches have been answered.
I have not hunted MO. Was considering that and/Kansas. I have hunted corp ground in KY and that is all season/weapon in KY. Hunted small forgotten/overlooked riverbottom pieces in NE with success as well.

I wondered if Archery only may receive more pressure in the reverse phsychology that others have mentioned. Everyone thinks it's less pressure and goes there..

I will call biologists in couple states and ask if they can provide Bow Only areas. I'm still going to focus on my need waders/boat or helicopter to get there standard that works for me.

Thanks

[blizzardhunter]

Land between the Lakes in West KY. LBL runs from KY down in to TN. On the KY side it is archery only except for a 2day quota rifle hunt and a 2 day rifle youth hunt. So only gun hunted 4 days of the season.

[DEERSLAYER]

The date bases are often not caught up. I know a spot in Iowa that just opened up to the public a few months ago. Bow only, I just checked it out. Some county ground never gets put into the data bases for state ground.

I would like to find a place like that in zone seven.

[May-39]

"Some county ground never gets put into the data bases for state ground."

I have found that to be true nearly everywhere including Kansas. Plat books are still a great asset. How I found a small river bottom parcel in NE was basically a drainage ditch and delta where it joined river. Awesome.
Thanks for input!