Hagerman is over rated

[txdukklr]

I'd rather not see hide nor hair of a deer from a treestand then from my lounger in the front room.

If that deer came walking by me, he'd still be alive to spread his genes. Me on the other hand would be dead from falling out of the tree.

[Arrowsmith]

......but deer numbers are very low in that area. The hunter success ratio is low but some monsters appear from time to time. You may kill the buck of a lifetime(maybe one person out of hundreds) however, it is more likely that you will sit there bored to tears and never see hide nor hair of chit.

This is true.

I have sat many hours at Hagerman and never seen hide nor hair. I have also seen two different 160 to 170 class deer at less than 30 yards at Hagerman. I could not get a shot at either one. The experience is burned into my mind forever. We have choices in life....I choose to hunt Hagerman when drawn.

[12ring]

I don't know what kind of #'s have been recorded (deer per acre) in Hagerman but I think most would be surprised.

I have hunted 3 straight hunts/sittings in Burnet Tx, from a rifle blind, and never saw a deer. But, the time before that first one, I seen forty. The time after that third one I seen 40 again. Go figure. It's called hunting.

There are no feeders in Hagerman. That might make it tough for some folks, I don't know. But, there are wheat/green fields.

Heck, if nothing else, shoot a HOG !

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

Oh don't get me wrong....I didn't say that I wouldn't go. Especially if I lived close.

[Jimbow]

Hagerman is a poor man's chance at a Boone and Crockett. I have put in every year since '93 and have been drawn about 10 times. I cannot remember the amount of trash bucks I have seen over that time. But the 180" that came within 30 yards while I was setting up my stand is burned into my memory forever. I've seen a couple of other 150" deer also, but its the big one that will keep you motivated. Till you have had an encounter like that, not seeing many deer and all the hunters will make it seem like a waste of time. Just my .02.

[Cur_Dog]

Dang, sounds like I'm putting in for next year.

[WCB]

Oscar, its IBO scoring (10/8/5/0) on a minimum of 14 deer sized targets at no more than 30 yds and you must score 80% or better. You can use range finders also. Piece of cake!!
Git-r-done bro.
PM me if you have any questions

[BrandonA]

I have never hunted there but someday would like to try. Just hunting an area where you have chance at a world class buck makes it worth it. I hunt some of the best deer country in Kansas and have gone days without seeing a buck. But knowing that at anytime one can come by makes it worth it.

I have a book at home that has a lot of pictures from Hagerman and there are some toads. One thing that I noticed that many of these pictures seemed to be taken in open prarie country. Since I have never been there I don't know, but if I were going to hunt I would check it out. Some of the biggest bucks I have ever seen in Kansas were out in the open grass fields. When they lay down they disappear.

[JW]

Oh, I also bowhunt in Kansas, also Oklahoma when I get drawn on the McAlester Army Depot traditional hunt and with my cousins in Louisiana......with deer dogs!!!
It is hunting (not killing), and I take it whenever, wherever I can get it! Folks with flashlights and lack of manners are in every walk of life. I do understand having only 5 vacation days to get'er done BUT that has nothing to do with Hagerman being overated.....heck, I did not even see a deer on my stand last year.....but by God the sign is everywhere!!!!

BLAH BLAH BLAH. Dang it, U get drawn everywhere !!!

[Blue Tick]

I'll hunt with ya bro......

[Goldeneagle]

Got my permit in the mail today! LOCK AND LOAD!!!!!

I would much rather be sittin in my stand lookin at nuthin than be workin.

I've been tryin for years to get drawn.

[Grayson]

Hagerman is so over rated . I hunted there 2 years ago in second segment . I saw some young bucks . I killed a doe and was automatically drawn for segment B ( rut ) again last year . Sure a few good deer were taken while I was there . I arrived 2 days early scouted out 3 good spots and hung my stand early . The morning of the hunt people were setting up 70 yards from me in climbers . I waved my flash light in their direction but to no avail . Cling clang up the tree he goes . I am thinking well it wil settle . An hour later I hear something behind me I slowly stand and out pokes Sammy still hunter . Now this guy is good he walks under my stand 15 yards and never sees me ?!? I soon after climbed down .

I got frustrated , found a new area and that evening killed a large doe . To many people , not that many deer per acre , and to little land per 65 hunters . I actually paid my $50 for my tag and didn't even go this year .

I talked to Dale Moses (Hagerman Game warden ) at the police mans indoors at our shop this year . He was all pumped up but didn't get drawn this year . He remembered me killing that doe . Why didn't you hunt ? Segment B also ?

I told him there are way to many gomers and not enough land per hunter for me . I went to my West Texas lease with my brother and killed 2 does instead . I had a much better time I guarantee .

Sure I know there are world class bucks on Hagerman . You can win the lottery if you play today too . You have 2 1/2 days to seal the deal with a bow on land you know nothing about . I scouted a month before . Came back and you could land a 747 by all the trail ribbon in the trees .

For those of you who don't know me I am an optimist but also a realist . I figured with Diesel , hotel and food at minimal it cost me $500.00 to gamble on a chance . No thanks . I'LL take my valuable 5 days vacation and hunt my lease and settle for a mid 140 class deer . Just my .02 c guys

I disagree wholeheartedly that it is overrated, but I am amazed, given the points you made that I've highlighted in bold, that anyone ever kills any deer there, let alone one of the big bucks.

It's like a zoo when those yahoos go running around in their Wal-Mart camo, smoking cigs, standing out in the wide open, moving stands during the middle of the day, etc. etc. It's a joke. I definitely agree they need to cut down on the number of people on each hunt. Actually I think they should cancel the hunts there altogether, but I doubt that will happen.

[Bluesman]

I have never hunted there but someday would like to try. Just hunting an area where you have chance at a world class buck makes it worth it. I hunt some of the best deer country in Kansas and have gone days without seeing a buck. But knowing that at anytime one can come by makes it worth it.

Some of the biggest bucks I have ever seen in Kansas were out in the open grass fields. When they lay down they disappear.

That's been my experience in 39 years of hunting Kansas. Any poor hunting activity and they'll soon be in the CRP fields. Almost makes you want to pick up a rifle! Not!

[LukeDuke]

and you could land a 747 by all the trail ribbon in the trees .

this drives me freakin' crazy...

1 - It's poor woodsmanship
2 - It's littering
3 - Why oh why would you want to advertise where you are hunting?
4 - I don't want to know where you are hunting, and who in the wolrd wants to see trash, cans, litter, or ORANGE Flagging while trying to enjoy an experience in the wild??????

Just my little pet peve

[wcgunns]

I have killed a 152" 9 and 150" 8 off there on private land that backs up to the refuge but isn't it funny that Dale Moses the local Game Warden gets drawn every year.