We Bowhunted the Kansas Whitetail!
SEASON 26 | EPISODES 13 & 16
Quick Summary
- What happened: Ralph and Vicki head back to Kansas to bowhunt mature whitetails with Steven and Deanna Freese at J&M Whitetail Outfitters. Two trips in one fall, a week of sits in prime whitetail country, and the same camp they have been sharing for years.
- Best takeaway: Kansas rewards patience. You pick your spots, you sit them, and you let the deer show you when it is time to move.
- Also worth watching for: Plenty of deer movement, a camp full of familiar faces, and a reminder of why Ralph and Vicki keep coming back to J&M.
Hunt Information
Kansas Whitetail Deer
Hoyt AX-3
Archery, treestands and blinds over travel corridors and food
Late October into early November, pre-rut into the rut
Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo
Steven and Deanna Freese, J&M Whitetail Outfitters
Outfitter Information
J&M Whitetail Outfitters Destination Kansas
Steven & Deanna Freese
Steven: 443-907-3108
Deanna: 620-660-3782
Don't forget to let them know that The Choice Crew sent you!
Episode Breakdown
Some places just feel right. For Ralph and Vicki, J&M Whitetail Outfitters in Kansas is one of them, and this fall they made the trip out more than once to chase a mature buck with a bow.
Back at J&M
Rolling into camp, catching up with Steven, Deanna, and the Freese family, and getting bows and gear squared away. The kind of arrival that feels more like coming home than checking in.
Kansas Sits
Mornings and afternoons on stand in prime whitetail country. River bottoms, timber edges, and food sources that pull deer in from every direction. Some sits are quiet. Some are anything but.
Camp Life
Dinners, stories, and the camaraderie that comes from sharing a camp with other hunters chasing the same thing. That part of the trip is half the reason anyone comes back.
How It Plays Out
Two trips, a lot of hours in the stand, and Kansas doing what Kansas does. Whether a mature buck steps into bow range is something you will want to see for yourself.
Location & Conditions
Kansas, J&M Whitetail Outfitters
River bottoms, timber draws, field edges, and crop ground
Typical Kansas fall, with everything from mild afternoons to wind and rain
Late October through early November, bucks starting to move
Treestands and blinds set on travel routes and food
Well-managed ground with a focus on mature deer
Animal Descriptives
Kansas whitetails are known for big bodies and heavy racks. Good genetics, good food, and managed pressure give bucks the time to reach maturity, which is exactly what draws bowhunters to the state.
Mature bucks are careful. They travel the edges, check scrapes, and keep their distance until the timing is right. As the season moves toward the rut, daylight movement picks up and the odds of a close encounter get better.
Shot Placement & Tips
Broadside or slightly quartering away is the shot you want with a bow. Aim tight behind the front shoulder, about a third of the way up the body, and pick a single spot instead of looking at the whole deer.
From a treestand the angle changes things. The steeper the angle, the higher your entry should be so the arrow passes through both lungs on the way out.
Range your landmarks before deer show up, stay still when they are close, and wait for them to commit. A calm deer at 20 yards beats a nervous one at 15.
Field Notes & Takeaways
- Hunt the sign. Scrapes, rubs, and trails tell you where to sit and when.
- Do not burn out a good stand. Fresh setups and the right wind keep deer moving naturally.
- All-day patience pays off this time of year. Bucks can show up at any hour.
- Good camps make good hunts. The people around the fire matter as much as the ground you hunt.
- Practice from elevation before the season so treestand shots feel routine.
Watch / Explore
Catch the full episode and explore more from Our Choice.
Keep Up With Us
- @RalphandVickiSocial Media
- @RJandAubreySocial Media
- @TheChoiceOutdoorsSocial Media
The go-to partners and gear categories we all lean on across the board.
FAQ
What is a bowhunt at J&M like?
Stands and blinds are set on travel routes and food sources, and the Freese family runs a comfortable, close-knit camp. You hunt mornings and afternoons and spend the rest of the time with good people.
Did Ralph and Vicki get it done?
You will have to watch to find out.
What were Ralph and Vicki shooting?
Both shoot the Hoyt AX-3. Ralph runs Easton 5mm FMJ arrows with Innerloc Carnage broadheads. Vicki shoots Easton 5mm Axis arrows with Innerloc Stainless broadheads.
From the Field
I have been hunting for over 45 years, and a week in a Kansas treestand still feels as good as the first one all those years ago...Ralph Cianciarulo
We're All Over the Place!
Catch The Choice on your favorite platform. Wherever, Whenever.
Let us know your thoughts on this episode in the comments!
