Kansas Rio Grande Turkey Hunting
Rio Grande Turkey hunting is new to many turkey hunters. This includes those that make Kansas Rio Grande Turkey hunting an annual spring event. Until their discovery of Mid-America Hunting Association most never having previously considered Kansas as a Rio option.
Kansas Rio Grande Turkey
Spring pecking order establishment.
Not a tree in more than a mile around this spot.
Rio Grande Turkey hunting requires different tactics than woodlot turkey hunting.
Kansas makes For A Different Kind Of Spring Season Hunting
This is our attempt to remove as much Kansas turkey hunting mystery as is possible. That is as much as text and pictures can. We present in great detail the Kansas Rio Grande Turkey in pictures and the habitat they occupy so as to "break in" the first time Kansas Rio Grande hunter.
We will also recommend to that same turkey hunter right to numbered property that he can find on his map sheets. These recommendations will be where Rio flocks have been observed through the year. All this is meant as a jump start. Most do it yourself turkey hunters once breaking into an region or hunt will quickly take subsequent hunts or scouting trips on their own accord.
Jeremy, his second spring turkey season ever - anywhere.
Roaming Turkeys
Rio Grande Turkey roam long distance in large wild flocks in central and western Kansas. They cover far more ground than do Eastern's. This may require a change in set up from morning to afternoon that involves miles of movement.
The large flock comment was drawn criticism from some more well known Rio Grande Turkey states. However, members that tell how on a good day in these states they may see three turkeys. Kansas flocks have been seen to number past 100. They are typically above 50 birds.
Rio Grande Distribution
A habitat specific and limited range turkey.
Distribution covers a good portion of Kansas with localized pockets of exceptional flock size.
While we do not guide, we will recommend individual numbered properties where to hunt. Once on that property the hunter turkey hunts his own style and calls in his own toms.
Association Private Land Acreage
2013 County names and acreage under lease within each county and the relative location within Kansas.
Ideal Rio Grande Turkey Hunts
Rio Grande Turkey hunts are along the tree covered streams. The key element are intermittent underbrush ground cover. Their preferred cover.
The roost trees are typically the same as found for Eastern's.
The areas inhabited by these turkeys is typically drier. The available water more dispersed. This makes knowing water source locations good scouting spots. This is as opposed to our eastern Kansas hunting lease land where water is readily available.
Kansas Rio Grande Turkey Hunt
Showing the setup that yielded tags filled.
The Kansas wild Rio Grande Turkey is frequently around grazing animals. Deer often seen in and around flocks.
Our experience has shown the Rio simply does not care what animal is around it deer, cattle or dog for that matter. Not until being pressured by a dog running full tilt right at the Rios will they flush like quail. A bird dog working edge within sight of a Rio flock will get the flock's attention. But will not push the turkeys to flight. This is much different than our Eastern Turkey hunt where any turkey, single or flock, once flushed would fly across the valley to the far ridge completely safe by distance and elevation from pursuit.
Upland bird hunters frequently tell of seeing a Rio turkey flock and it keeping about a 100 to 200 yard distance from the hunters with dogs running about. Bird dog owners will tell further how a turkey flock that is heavily pressured by the surprised appearance of a dog will stand still or mill about before giving to run or flight. Such bird dog and Rio Grande Turkey encounters frequently have the dog within the flock before flight. What this tidbit brings the turkey hunter is that comparatively the Rio Grande Turkey seems easier to bring into shooting range than the Eastern. The Rio far more forgiving of hunter mistakes.
This continues as a cattle filled pasture does not degrade any lease's turkey hunting potential. That last point about cattle will serve many turkey hunters as the Rio Grande Turkey range overlaps heavily with Kansas pasture country. The point being is hunt where the Rio Grande Turkey is scouted. Do not discount a lease due to preconceived turkey habitat ideals.
Email or call 913 773 8110
Mid-America Hunting Association
Spend your time Kansas turkey hunting rather than hunting for a place to hunt!