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No antlerless deer tags available in Unit 1 for 2025
Any antlerless deer taken will need to be tagged with an 'any-sex' tag.
The St. Francis Wildlife Area is located three miles west and two miles south of St. Francis. The area is bisected by the Republican River, and is a mixture of grasslands, crop fields and riparian timber. The grasslands are occasionally grazed or burned in the spring to increase range health. Food plots are planted, and many consist of wheat, corn, milo, sunflower, and alfalfa.
Directions: Located 3 miles West and 2 miles South from St. Francis, KS. One mile West of St. Francis on US Hwy 36, turn south on River Road. River Road (blacktop) curves Southwest after approximately .5 miles. Continue on River Road 2.75 miles and turn north on County Rd. 11. Continue North .5 miles to the parking area.
White-tailed deer, Mule deer and Rio Grande turkeys are transient visitors moving on and off the area throughout the year. Spring turkey hunting has been known to produce some exciting action! Pheasant, quail and prairie chickens can be found on the area and offer some good upland hunting for the dedicated hunter. Waterfowl numbers fluctuate from year to year depending on the availability of water. The area can produce a good duck hunt when there is water present in the river bottom. During busier seasons wildlife may be driven off the area from pressure.
Two sandpits are located on the St. Francis Wildlife Area, one on each side of the river. These pits are stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill. Quality fishing opportunities are limited due to the pressure these ponds receive. The North Pit is open to walk-in fishing only, while the South pit provides easy vehicle access to the shoreline.