Each spring, the gobble of the tom turkey finds the folks at Ponderosa Outfitters in pursuit of these great trophies in Kansas.

We invite you to join us in pursuit of both Eastern and Rio Grande turkeys on our private leases Washington County in the heart of North Central Kansas. A great diversity of terrain from hedge-rowed farm ground to blue-stem prairies with deep hardwood bottoms gives us some of the best turkey hunting territory in the state. Having been born and raised on these farms we know each creek bottom, pasture, fence line and roosting tree. Our experienced guides use blinds and spot/stalk techniques to meet the needs of all hunters and to fulfill your quest for an old long-beard.

We offer hunts in Unit #3 for both archery and shotgun seasons. Our packages includes 3 full days of guided hunting(2×1), blinds, transportation during the hunt, field processing of your birds, and/or preparation for mounting. We have a world-class taxidermist on staff to capture the beauty of your trophy if desired.

By limiting the number of hunters per season, utilizing our numerous properties, and active scouting policies, we keep hunting pressure to a minimum to provide the perfect combination for a memorable hunting experience. The high population of birds in our area allows you to take two birds if desired. Our success rate has been nearly 100% for many years and we can target both species to fill in two spots of your Grand Slam.

Packages do not include lodging, meals, license, tags, meat processing, taxidermy, or gratuities. We will be glad to assist you in making lodging reservations in the town of Washington, KS which is very close to our hunting areas. Meals and locker facilities are readily available also. Licenses and tags are unlimited and may be easily obtained on-line at https://ksoutdoors.com.

When you’re ready to reserve your turkey hunting trip, a 50% deposit is required to hold your booking. For your convenience you can securely pay online using PayPal. Personal checks are accepted for deposits only and can be mailed to: Ponderosa Outfitters, 1115 5th St, Eaton, Colorado 80615. The remaining balance is due upon arrival, and payable in cash or credit card.

Spring Turkey – Youth/Disabled

Date: 04/01/2018 – 04/17/2018

Spring Turkey – Archery Only

Date: 04/09/2018 – 04/17/2018

• Legal Equipment: Recurve or compound bows and crossbows.
• Permit Limit: Any individual who has purchased a spring turkey permit is eligible for one second turkey game tag. Spring game tags are valid for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.
• Bag Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.

Spring Turkey – Regular (firearm/archery)

Date: 04/18/2018 – 05/31/2018

• Legal Equipment: Shotguns using shot sizes 2-9; long, recurve or compound bows and crossbows.
• Permit Limit: Any individual who has purchased a spring turkey permit is eligible for one second turkey game tag. Spring game tags are valid for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.
• Bag Limit: One turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.

You may purchase your hunting license, and Turkey permit for Unit 3 from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website.

Kansas Bird Hunting Fees Adult & Youth
Non-Resident Hunting License … $97.50
Non-Resident Combo Turkey Permit & Game Tag … $87.50

If born after July 1st 1957 you must have a valid Hunters Safety Card which must also be in your possession while hunting. Hunting information is subject to change. For the latest information on season dates, application deadlines and license or permit cost please visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website.

Transporting your trophy turkey home to taxidermist. On fully Guided hunts we help you with the below steps and on Self-guided it is up to you. We recommend the following before freezing for transport:

• Most taxidermists prefer the turkey not gutted. Check with yours before the trip. You can get the meat after you take it to the Taxidermist being it is frozen.
• Treat the turkey very carefully to keep the turkey feathers from getting damaged, only lay on turkey’s stomach/breast, and keep all blood off of feathers.
• To help with blood, put paper towel or cotton balls in turkeys mouth, next wrap turkey head with paper towels and tape or rubber band in place, next tuck wrapped head under the wing.
• Next, put your turkey head first in the leg of a pair of queen size panty hose. Then pull up around entire turkey to include the turkey tail, then tie the open end of the panty hose in a knot, then freeze. This will protect the turkey feathers holding them securely in place.
• After it is frozen, take out of freezer, then wrap entire bird completely in Aluminum Foil, then wrap entire bird in bubble wrap, then put head first in a large plastic bag and roll gently squeezing the air out of the bag and securely tape bag in place before putting it in the cooler for transport.
• Flying: duct tape the coolers shut after you get to the airport in case they need to open and pack them as tightly as possible.
  Driving: use duct tape to hold the lids tightly shut. This keeps out air, even when the truck is on rough roads, and hits bumps.

This is the best method we have found to date to get your trophy home to mount. You should use coolers for transporting your meat and turkey. If you fly, once meat and turkey is processed and frozen, it can be boxed and checked as excess baggage. Meat/trophy bird should be frozen as dry ice is not allowed on all airlines.