| Kansas muzzleloader deer hunting is a split season where the one deer tag allows hunting during the early September muzzleloader deer hunting only season and the later or regular late November into early December modern rifle or the Kansas firearms season. Within Mid-America Hunting Associations approach to self guided hunts on private land leases each member/hunter may hunt both the muzzleloader only season and the modern firearms season that allows for the use of either muzzleloader or modern rifle. Perhaps the greatest value this one tag, two season license allows is the ability to plan sequential rather than overlapping hunts when applying or buying home state or other non-resident tags. Just amongst our three states of Kansas, Iowa and Missouri the muzzleloader seasons along are sequential allowing for 8 weeks of seasons. These muzzleloader seasons also crosses a range of pre rut in Kansas, trail rut in Missouri and post rut in Iowa. For the hunter with the energy level to deer hunt all three states muzzleloader seasons he will observe a range of movement patterns that largely leave the stand at home. Kansas September muzzleloader deer season is an illustration of just this one point. Kansas September muzzleloader only deer season is a pre-rut bachelor group deer hunt. That by itself means much to those that have scouted during this time period. As most deer hunters have not the opportunity to scout let alone hunt any bachelor group bucks that by itself leads to as much deer hunting failure as success. Kansas muzzleloader deer hunting is a distinct deer hunting experience. The characteristics of the bachelor deer groups are far distinct from that of rut deer behavior and the past experience of most deer hunters. The late summer/early fall deer are separated by sex and move very little outside of the bedding, feeding and water source area. Having those three elements within a small area are the points to scout. All the more so when these elements in a small area are isolated from human observation and activity such as roads or farm yards. Farm field activity is very low at this time of year as by September fertilization, spraying and such have long since been accomplished and the landowners simply waiting for crop maturity for harvest. The deer having little human contact during September are quick to respond to any deer hunter pressure. The key Kansas deer food sources at this time of year are soybean and Bur Oak acorns. The Kansas muzzleloader deer seasons transcend these two deer food sources in terms of desirability and availability. The time line follows that by early September the soybeans are reaching the mature stage and are at peak succulence as a deer forage. Soybeans compete for deer attraction along with crop field edge browse leaf matter as all should always remember deer are browsers, not forage feeders. The combination of soybean field edge along with wooded edge combines the early to mid-September deer food sources. Put that soybean and brush edge along a creek bottom with water and some spots of heavier cover away from human encroachment and that is a prime September deer scouting and hunting spot. Proof of this food source importance is the soybeans within 10 feet of such edge habitat will have their tops grazed off as deer will pick and chose the softer, smaller stem and leaf rather than the lower stiff stalks.
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